Tree-son

\trē′zən\ n. 

The deliberate refusal to use a hoop when executing a multitude of randomly spaced stitches resulting in uneven wonky crosses of various sizes from medium to barely visible.

What a mess.  I stitched the entire tree with one color, went back with the lighter to fill in.  Those lighter threads with little contrast to the linen are so very difficult for me to see, and then to attempt to find the two threads for the stitch when pulled so tightly was maddening.  I could not tell where the cross was or even if it was crossed.  Yoi.  If I ever have such a stitch pattern in another project, I will use my hoop and hope that will correct this.  I should have know better, tension is always an issue with me, but did not think it would cause such a hassle.

Page 2 - boom.  Even a little extra from adjoining areas.  I am not doing any more white until the end, and I've rolled and stitched the excess linen because spoolies, magnets, clips, constantly catching my floss.

No scheduled surgery yet, the surgeon's office was to call Monday, has not, and is not returning calls.

Have a good day folks.

Stitching with Kittens (no-reply), I don't stitch over one on 32, but I use DMC or cotton thread always.  The floche seemed to cover a little better with one thread, and I would really like to learn more about silks and some others that are thicker, or threads that are too fine.  When we have to order without visual, we have to do research!  I may look for a site that explains the thickness and best use for linen counts.

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More colors

Received two small pieces today and have a few more coming soon, the last of new colors and higher counts.  Hard to realize I only used 28 and 30 for so many years, and now I can't seem to veer away from using one thread and higher counts.  

So here's the two new which are very similar, probably interchangeable (unless the batch is different).  The background is the gorgeous Oatmeal (I regret returning the 40 count), the left is Caramel Macchiato and the right is Buttermilk.  Both somewhat green especially compared to the Oatmeal.

We drove back out to the Amish greenhouse and I got three small and the only large bronze left.  Aside from that one, four red were all that remained of the $7 size. They had six $10 size left but they are larger than my whisky barrels.  Many smaller (row behind the house) but still a very nice size offered all colors.  I got yellow and orange to mix with the bronze. Their pumpkins were reasonable and so many varieties and shapes to choose from, but I declined.

These houses are made from the polywood scraps (they make and sell outdoor furniture) and all were $98.

The summer flowers aren't dead yet, but I have looked at this dirt, roots, rocks, weeds, and concrete pieces all summer and I can't take the visual any more.  They (still don't know who "they" are) have written quite a few articles about how clutter in the bedroom gives your brain too much stimulation in processing it all and can affect rest.  I guess that would apply to any room and why I think my collecting addicted brother is so high strung.  Removing the planters and multiple waning blooms in exchange for one focal point, would be good right now.

Bought a few more charts thanks to floss tube and IG, but I am grateful to view what others share.  

Hope the week goes well for you.

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Here's why

 there are no plans to contact, file complaints, have someone step in.  I went through this when my father was mistreated while dying in the hospital because a pulmonary specialist did not recognize a pulmonary embolism.  The hospital and his doctors did not believe what I witnessed, heard, saw, noted, reported.  The apology and removal of the doctor from the group came two years later when statute of limitations expired.  But not from the hospital regarding their staff.  That was 20 years ago.  How they react today may be different, but why create more stress?  Would it make sense to cause issues and possible resentment between patient and professionals that will have your life in their hands?  Their failures cost anxiety, precious time, and a lot of money, but did not injure or worsen her condition intentionally.  Unless an end result will be of benefit, we have to let it go.  Hard to do especially when it happens repeatedly.  

We will go back in two weeks, Monday I will call to explain to his associate how upsetting and costly this was, should not have happened.  I will request the doctor, the anesthesiologist we spoke with, a morning surgery, a spinal with light sedation, a pre surgery echocardiogram, a copy of all these instructions, a copy of the orders for her facility, and explain that although we were very upset, we know that they will do their best to make this surgery a success.  In return, please make amends to the patient and honor her requests, put her mind at ease so there are no surprises, understanding how traumatic this is.  

My sweet hubs took me for a ride yesterday and today and I got my iced coffee drinks from my favorite McD's location, a Dunkin iced coffee, and a Burger King mocha iced coffee.  We also visited my favorite Amish nursery and although greatly picked over, three bronze mums for $7 each, and a small yellow for Carole which I've decided to keep.  It will become quite large when flowering and she really has no room.  

She loves succulents so Mark picked out this sweet bucket there.  Unfortunately, we never looked at the bottom which is already rusted.  She should be pleased and it will fit nicely on the wide window ledge.

They moved the swearing screamer next door to her and away from the 115 year old resident.  They apologized and asked Carole if she would mind, she said no, I may be a screamer one day.  She is the only resident there that you ever hear, we've never heard anyone asking for help or crying.  She goes 24/7 and a few months ago she was sweet, funny, and vivacious.

My friend recently had pneumonia and they saw a small spot on her lung.  The CT scan showed nothing unusual, doctor ordered a PET anyway, which also showed no cancer cells.  He was skeptical, so ordered an aspirated CT biopsy or something like that.  Malignant.  So I guess all of us that had negative scans are now wondering!!  How could a PET not show the cells?  Anyway, she has used a CPAP for years and that one has been found to have a remote chance to cause cancer after many years of use.  So she will have a small portion of the lung removed, no additional treatment required.

See?  When I settle down I can be nice-nice and rant free.  Give me a day or two.

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Briefly. Or is it?

 I had quite a few emails asking about yesterday.  I will try to make it brief.  But first, Rachel progress.  I worked on her while at the hotel on the first unnecessary night.  Expecting to be in a waiting room for hours and not wanting to carry too much, I did the first half of the cross.  That limits needing all the floss colors and also the chart.  But she never left my tote since I spent the entire day in her pre-op room.  So I worked on her last night and completed most of the crosses.

There is one color for the tree fills, more chart-less stitching.

Brief bitch.

*Three different locations of McD's have given me the wrong size drink I paid for (the product for that size is printed on the cup),

 *the post office stuffed/folded/crushed my package into the mailbox,

*my mail was not held until Monday as requested,

 *the township notified us that culvert work would begin 9/23 but never showed, 

*the landscaper notified us after months of the third start date of 9/20 never showed, 

*regarding yesterday*

*the $667 ambulance transport to an hour long anesthesia consult made by her surgeon 2 weeks prior to surgery, 

*she answered every question and concern but unfortunately not all correct, 

*a spinal as recommended by two of her doctors was agreed to be the method at the consult,

*the doctor either did not read or did not get the report he requested, 

*the anesthesiology department also did not review their group's consult report, 

 *specifically told that Plavix was OK when having a spinal, ordered only to stop Eliquis, 

*a spinal bleed/paralysis could result with Plavix yet consult never mentioned, 

*three different anesthetists contradicted each other on procedures and risks, 

*smart ass arrogant doctors telling very high risk elderly patients they are being unreasonable, 

*obviously annoyed doctors pushing the general anesthesia that caused severe delirium,

*dismissing her cardiologist recommending a spinal only, 

*dismissing the patient's fears and anxiety as unreasonable after six months of dealing with this bullshit,

 * after hours of disgust finally receiving several apologies from a competent anesthesiologist and her surgeon who came to her room late in the day,

* it's their own f-ing mistakes and lack of followup that caused this, 

*once again transport for the three hour trip could not come until late evening,

*all day, no meds, no pain pills, no food, no water,

*and cost me over $1000 for transports and hotel, not to mention her anxiety.

I don't know what the next step will be.  Amputation is necessary but I trust no one.  It seems even the professionals are taking advantage of the current acceptance of irresponsibility without consquence.

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The result

 Just got back to the hotel.  We packed and will be going home shortly.  The ambulance will be picking up carole for return to the facility.  To say we are extremely upset, is an understatement.  And out $453.00 for a two night stay.  I don't want to explain, I'm exhausted.  It has nothing to do with her condition, just failure for them to get their shit together.  Apology not accepted, I've done that too many times.

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Not a good start

 We're in Pittsburgh at the hotel.  Didn't need to be because the surgery time was changed to afternoon, and staying Friday and Saturday would have been better.  This and two nearby hotels are booked for Saturday night, but she may do well so we'll take it as it comes.  Quite disappointed in the change, and that she won't be in a room until late day.

Oh my, what dinosaurs we are.  Check in through the app.  Nu-uh.  No phone to do that.  Door lock is a card that works by tap.  Where?  Which end?  Try the other side!  Middle?  Mark went back to the car to get my McD's large sweet tea that is NOT.  Unless this city uses a different set of measures, this is my town's small.

So we unpack and turn up the heat because it's freezing.  Mark comes out of the shower and asks me to smell around the commode.  ???  We've been married 51 years but I draw the line at some requests.  In fact, that list increases annually.  Well, there was a familiar odor starting to seep out, smoke.  Except for Cleveland Clinic visits, I haven't been in a hotel for decades, before mom & dad needed help.  And there's a fire in the next room.  The man next door forgot about the microwave and after 10 minutes of alarm, guests congregated in the hall wondering what to do.  We saw no hotel staff.  Finally the room's door flies open and a smuggled dog with his owner bolts.  The stench was tremendous from the room.  Fireman, hoses, pounding, yeah, it's been fun.  The alarm stopped after an hour.  I would have offered this guy and his buddy the sofa since the hotel is filled and he can't go back to the room, but I think he was putting the dog in his car and I did not see him again.  

Little annoyance, no big deal.

Except for two snack bag chips and two candy bars costing $20.

Have a good Friday.

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Thankful for errors

 Well... some of them.  I ordered this chart and was told it was out of stock before the rest shipped.  I then found it at Sassy Jacks (first order for me) and shortly after was told it WAS in the shipment.  So I emailed SJ and asked if they could cancel that chart order, I didn't need two.  Never heard back and I received the duplicate yesterday.  Hoping to relax, I took a few minutes to enjoy our last warm day on my swing to study the new sampler.  As soon as I sat, the phone rang once again and I needed to go inside to get info for the caller.  Unfortunately, the chart didn't come with me.  First time in quite a few days, no warning, downpour.  So the error of receiving two was a good thing.  I still have one dry readable chart.

Will I ever stitch it?  Who cares?  I have it.  After watching a few videos of the last retreat, I desperately searched for Bonanomi's Book of Days.  No luck except for a delusion seller on Amazon at $300.  But I did get a deal at Nancy's Notions and ordered her Pure & Simple book for $9.99!

Nervous anxiety is fueling a spending spree at a really bad time.  It's only Tuesday and I'm running out of Tums and Pepto.  Carole lost a dear friend who along with our cousin who passed a week ago, were very close since early school years.  Some of our family always talked about how deaths come in threes.  I know this is adding to her extreme anxiety and fear, I hope it doesn't trigger panic or delusion.

Hope your week goes well.

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A tree break

 I'm not a stitcher that enjoys motifs, frequent color changes, or scattered stitches to count.  I am lazy and prefer letters and uncomplicated patterns.  The trees are only three colors and can't possibly reveal errors in their leaves.  But still a royal pain in the wide ass.  I don't know if I have the ambition to complete the crosses and fill the other stitches now, a foliage break sounds nice while I stitch a few letters.  Somewhat of a scare when I looked at the first two, so very similar and I thought another huge error, but wasn't the case.  I've decided to keep either the 36 or the 40 of that gorgeous linen and will exchange the other for another color.

I've been ordering used books online for a few years and recently switched to Better World Books.  I always find a discount code, order "very good" condition, and have been very pleased.  Very nice, clean, and more hard covers than I found elsewhere.  They also donate books to areas in need.  I have her set up with an eleven book series but that will be down to four by Friday.  We have a hotel room and are all very anxious and unsettled, but nowhere near what she is experiencing.  A spinal and light sedation will hopefully get her through without heart or blood pressure crises.  It's what the cardio docs recommended.  Bad enough dealing with losing a leg without worrying if you'll make it through the surgery.

My brother will come in for cat care and I plan to lock them in the garage, much to their dismay.  Too bad.  Petey will stay outside of course, and although that's where the other two would like to be, it won't work.  As soon as they catch a glimpse of Ron they will bolt and their food will need to be left outside, raccoons will join them for dinner.  There won't be a referee for tussles, workers will be here (fingers crossed), so they will just have to howl safely inside for a few days. 

 Mark is not working on their camp as planned, he is still pretty weak.

I hope your weekend was good.

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Time to flip it

 Flip it good.  I stitch in hand and use the rubber spoolies to hold excess linen (after trimming the pointed edge to rounded).  Holding the left side consistently as it grows in size becomes a little clumsy in addition to hand oils touching that same area every day.  So I flip it along with the chart and the excess is no longer an issue.  It's like starting fresh for me.  The stitch pattern doesn't change, the cross is still in the same position as working upright.  I was told a few years that is impossible, so I don't know what to tell you!  I use my same sewing method or full cross and .... no different.

So with the lighter and white floss on the left, even though rolled, I am switching to upside down so I don't handle it as much.

Mark will be gone first of the week for two to three days repairing a camp if he is up to it.  The landscapers never showed as promised, now it will be those same days.  So my quiet alone time of enjoying the weather and relaxing on the swing before stored for winter, won't happen.  The large equipment, dust, and dirt in the air, will certainly prevent and stitching and I don't need to listen to the noise.  So disappointed, but after months waiting, it will be done.  The township will be installing eighty feet of culvert pipe and gravel in the front those same days.  So back and front should be done at the same time and over when we leave for her surgery Thursday.

The hotel is over $60 higher than it was last year for the same room.  I can't believe how quickly prices are rising not to mention the amount.  My coffee?  Not twenty cent increase for the pound bag, over a dollar within a few months.  I will be taking Rachel to work on in the hotel but need a smaller piece while sitting in her room. 

I'm going outside to enjoy the warmth now for a short time, the phone never stops.  

Have a good day, right side up!

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We made it!!

 Carole had no problems and this wonderful doctor opened two vessels in her leg that everyone else wanted to amputate.  I am so grateful to UPMC for looking past the routine standards and going above and beyond.  We know it won't last forever but neither will she, and losing two legs at one time was not something she could handle emotionally.  I'm home, since I was not allowed in the surgical ward at all and came home after speaking with her doctor.  Once I found that out, Mark and Chris waited several hours for me, otherwise would have gone home, sat for thirty minutes, and driven back. 

They are scheduling amputation of the left leg above the knee and toes on the right for next Friday.  She kept saying she acccepted that outcome months ago, but we knew differently.  If she had, it would have been over, healed, and back home early summer.  I cannot imagine how traumatic this is for anyone especially our vital young veterans dealing with life altering injuries.  Even comparing life with that diseased leg to benefits of life without it, most importantly mobility and better health, isn't making a difference.  I just wish they were able to do a below knee rather than mid thigh.  

 My husband's fever for days that was saturating enough to just about melt the memory foam mattress, is unexplained.  Cultures and Covid are negative, and although I suspected Lyme, doctor said without joint issues it is ruled out.  OK.  The Keflex has been great in getting him back on his feet.  Another mystery.

And I gotta say, I don't think I will use that linen but it is GORGEOUS.

Have a great weekend.

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Oatmeal? Or cornmeal?

 We're all set for tomorrow, but I can't be there before the procedure which is at 7 am.  She will be there at 5 but I don't want Mark driving himself on unfamilar road, still not feeling well.  Chris works midnight shift and can't get off any earlier than one hour, he'll come along and Mark won't drive home alone.  We'll pick him up at 6:15 and since I'm the only one permitted inside, I will go to the waiting room and wait for word about how it went and when she will be back in a room and hopefully discharged. They would like to stay until she is safe and it's over, but finding a place for breakfast in Pittsburgh is not for old farts. The cafeteria is in the front of the building according to their site, but they aren't allowed to enter. Chris will need to sleep so my brother with accompany Mark back to the hospital to take me home whenever the time is right.  

I got my linen today, Oatmeal. This is the photo all sites are using.

But it's cornmeal, with a little green and a little rose.  Beautiful if you like golden linen, not for me though.  I dare not attempt to change it, but may exchange it for something more like ....  oatmeal.

It is beautiful, one quarter yard in 36, one in 40.  We'll see.  I have been craving cornmeal mush with spaghetti sauce and Italian blend cheese.  Could be a sign to keep it, but I can't picture any of my projects on it.

I sure hope I have good news to report tomorrow.

I saw that Becky's husband is dealing with a difficult infection and surgery, also in need of prayers.

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Get there early!

 Husband went a half hour before they opened and after the five before him, got his test.  Still has a fever but coming down with the antibiotics.  We never thought this was the virus but it had to be ruled out, we'll know in two days. My scan showed no change, no way to biopsy opacities, have another scan later.  

The point I was trying to make about how we are dealing with virus, is this. Too many vaccinated people aren't getting tested when they have mild symptoms.  They don't think it is covid because they are protected, but if over 25% in hospitals are vaxed, how many others have covid but not requiring treatment?  Quite a few friends had a co-worker positive requiring all to be tested.  To their surprise, a third of the vaxed were positive but not ill, not wearing masks or keeping distance assuming they are safe.  They are, but not to others.   I was hugged by a nurse here, a doctor in cleveland, and CT technologist yesterday.  They are vaxed.  Have they tested before being so lax in contact with patients?  I am careful, sanitizing, masking.  If a cancer, autoimmune disease, or medication to control a disease, shuts down your immune system a vaccine to trigger it can do great damage, or nothing at all.  Either way, ineffective. I don't want to get into any political garbage, I am just saying that testing is not only scarce, but not encouraged, and could be more effective in controlling spread than a vaccination card.  If the number of vaxed is considered too low, just think of how low they would be if it was Trump mandating that needle.  And that's the end of any such comments.  

Except that I am so tired of Balance of Nature ads.  I have to tell you why I am skeptical of anything claimed.  I worked with a retired military guy that had jobs in advertising in NYC.  This is how it goes ....

8 out of 10 dentists recommend *** toothpaste.  

A true statement, but he said they had 50 dentists polled, 42 chose another product, 8 chose their client's.  So limit the survey to ten.  They report the result they want.  So although true, not accurate.

Please cross fingers and put palms together for carole's procedure tomorrow.

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What the hell

 Mark's fever was quite high and is now 102, blood cultures, possible sepsis, lyme, covid.  Here's what really frosts my wide ass.  Well... in addition to said ass being so wide.  Months ago, we could get a test at almost any pharmacy or hospital, just about any corner.  Now we have two.  One takes insurance, another is a real problem.  We went THREE times after the lab work and may not even get tested tomorrow.  You pull up to urgent care, call a phone number and tell them your car color, and it only takes a few minutes if that.  The number has a recording that they are too busy and try another day.  The parking lot was filled, kids running around, people sitting in hot cars, and I am furious.  Don't preach your bullshit when you took away all those tests.  Don't criticize people like myself and neighbor that got an autoimmune from a vaccine, or friends that have cancer and no immune system, and others like us that are advised by more than one doctor that it may destroy your body.  NOT because of the vaccine (which I would get in a minute if I could) but because of our immune system's reaction.  And why are we not told about the drugs and treatments that can prevent hospitalization or severe illness?  What are they?  Where are they?  Not here.  I would have to drive a few hours to get any of them and I want to know why tests and especially treatments that save lives and limit damage are not available everywhere?  Since at least 25% of hospitalized are vaxed, and so many of our friends fully vaxed have carried and spread it with mild symptoms, wouldn't treatments be as important if not more so?  If you can still get a less severe case and unknowingly spread it after two shots, testing and early treatment would be a better option and create your own antibodies.  I don't get it.  I'm sorry to rant but dammit, we need to take her to Pittsburgh and need tested.  I do not believe that's why he is ill, but if he is not better or can transmit I need to hire someone to drive me back and forth.  Maybe I'm ticked because I'm exhausted.  No.  Wait a minute.  I ticked because this situation is focused on one aspect and not taking in all the options for us.  

And then there's that wide ass.

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Landscaping

 The ground is prepared and ready for me to plant the trees.  Counted several tmes, still needed to frog but no where the amount of the first page.

Mark is seeing the doctor this afternoon even though feeling better this morning.  Strange.  Sopping wet sweats, calm, then teeth chattering.  No cough, sniffles, sore throat.  As always to the dismay of doctors, I search online and the only thing I found with those symptoms is Lyme.  I don't feel great and would like answers from the doc if this is a virus traveling here because we have to be well Thursday.  She goes by transport, we drive ourselves, but even if it's just a doc consult she has to have me there.

My much loved cousin who spent fall seasons at Carole's house passed away last night.  She was right side paralyzed after a major stroke following surgery, and we haven't seen her since she has been in a wheelchair.  She had a procedure for occulsion in her leg but her sister said it was more complicated than that as to cause of death.  Since this is the procedure Thursday, Carole is quite upset.  I need to get the lung CT over tomorrow with good results.  I'm starting to feel like a wet rag (mom's favorite description) but I will go because I need to cross this off the stress list.

I got an email about a linen order being shipped that I forgot about.  I am forgetting WAY too much.  But can still remember friends' phone numbers from 55 years ago.  My dad was a whizz at math as if his brain was a calculator.  I didn't know that he created drawings and portraits until mom passed and I saw inside her personal drawers.  He was fantastic.  But he worked a midnight shift and then drove delivery truck right from there until 2 pm to keep us off "relief".  No time to pursue art.

I took the recommendation to use honey for my burning tongue and recently drizzled it on avocado and tomato salad with Ariston balsamic.  It's the only vinegar I can use and a small amount is plenty.  We have a gourmet shop local that refills the bottles.  I love the honey on it and also drizzled on roasted tomatoes.

Well, I need to go take an Ativan to slow the PVC palps that are pounding my chest and get ready to go.  Hope your day is free of stress and sadness.  Almost impossible at my age.

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Now I'm done

 Hi folks.  Mark is sick and in bed, I doubt he will be much better tomorrow.  I've been watching the anniversary specials, staying home, so ordered what we need for pickup and Chris will get it for me.  I will never get used to no saliva and eye drops every 15 minutes, but not being able to drive because of that, is maddening.  I'm assuming he will be well enough to drive for her intervention in Pittsburgh Thursday.  I have my lung CT Tuesday followed by an office visit for results, I can have someone take me.

The Ale I love more than the other piece is brighter, lighter.  I swore I would not mess with dyes and dips again, but I did.  Last time!  I always test a corner and this time the entire edge was needed.   The diluted dye is actually a greenish brown but any dampness to the linen lightened it to a warmer hue, a water drop lightened to yellow. This did not happen on the three other PTP linens, so I am lucky that I proceeded with caution on this one and realized the test spots were actually removing color, not adding.  Very light touch with only a damp sponge, better than before, done.  Close call.

Before

After

I impressed the facility's finance department and ambulance company with this announcement - she was approved for Medicaid!  They said it would not happen for at least another month and didn't believe me until they checked the account number I submitted.  She also found out that they won't be making her leave her room and go into the rehab section after surgery, she can stay where she is.  Two things bothering her were settled favorably.

The landscaper stopped in earlier and checked the area again, I told him I can't think straight or make decisions right now so just fix the yard and remove these concrete pieces and mud.  Talked for quite a while and he gave me another price that we can live with and he will come this week.  He doesn't live far from me and their house is unbelievable.  Enormous, acreage, steep copper roof, outbuildings for guests, stunning.  Very nice, professional, friendly, honest, excellent work by his employees that he inspects daily.

I hope your Sunday is enjoyable.  I plan to browse for charts, no more linen.  And pull a 32 count for testing Sulky and floche.  Thanks for suggesting, I do have several colors somewhere.

Stay safe.

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Summer ends big

How's everyone?  We are having a few warmer days with a glimpse of the sun.  Except for sliding all over the unexplained slick flooring, needing a few Dramamine, and gaining a few pounds, all is well. I've even been able to get anti inflammation drops into Nit's eye without shedding blood.  Completely clouded, the vet said the drops would rid that, and it's working.  Amazing.

To better understand my issue with linen colors, you have to realize I am color phobic.  I see casts and undertones that drive me nuts.  Except for the Eureka, I like all the colors and will find a project.  But I won't be able to get another piece of 40 to match all designs I plan to do in a series.  That's a lesson learned.  Now that I know color within counts is not consistent, I should order a larger piece from the start.  If I don't like it, sell it, dip it, burn it, back it, but don't use it as a sample and expect more to be the same.  I really really like the Ale and saw a few otherlinens on floss tube that may be to my liking. 

I haven't picked up Rachel for a number of reasons, and hope to this evening.

Saltbox Stitcher mentioned and showed Au ver a Soie single strand covering a 32 count dark linen very nicely.  Is this true?  Can I use that thread (or another) singly on 32 count that offers full coverage?  I don't care for silk, it always snagged on my rough hands.  And I'm cheap.  But if I can use my 32 counts with one strand I will loosen my already sagging purse strings.  I need to learn the silk thread basics, separating, needle size, cut length, and would love to see this with several types/brands on a floss tube channel.

No Death by Chocolate zucchini bread this year, decided on just the lemon until I found this banana recipe.  Very good.  But I used almost 1 tsp of cinnamon, not the 1.5.  I was a little heavy on the bananas and also shredded zucchini (I use the fine shred on my mandoline) and I needed another 15 minutes of baking time.  The top browned quickly and the last half hour required loose foil cover.

Banana Zucchini Bread

Lots of calls to make regarding Carole's follow ups and appointments, so I best get busy.  Have a great day.

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I can't win!

 I order smaller pieces of linen (which now cost what a half yard used to) in two counts, and then choose the one I like most and order a larger piece.  Dammit.  I ordered more of two favorites, one for a series (Fragments and Berries) and look what I received.  Not the same.  

The first 40 count Hogbristle was not greenish, I liked it so ordered another piece (different seller).  Greenish.  Loved the PTP Ale and ordered another piece, much lighter.  I like each Ale and will certainly use both, but what a disappointment and aggravation when you can't rely on a reorder being the same.  So ordering from the same seller (if any stock left) is ideal, but only if it's from the same shipment or batch.  It's not the seller's fault, but with the majority of stitchers only able to purchase from inaccurate online photos, I think consistency in counts using the same linen base shouldn't be that difficult.  Obviously I'm wrong.

I also have a pumpkin latte correction.  The drink I received was not the correct size.  Mine was the largest cup used for soft drinks and iced coffee.  Another mcD's told me they don't make lattes (they do).  The third attempt at that drink came in a medium cup, which I argued was wrong.  Today, at another location, I was shown the cup size and it was not the largest that I received initially.  So correction, mcDonald pumpkin spice is not much larger than others.

No one has answered repeated calls for lawn repair/landscaping, original company never showed up, but we stopped to speak with a sole worker nearby.  He started hard work in school at 16, been building his business for 10 years, does anything related to land.  Sounds like a guy that takes his work seriously.

Have a happy hump day.

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

I forgot .... Floche

 Hey everybody.  It's Labor Day weekend.  What?  Couldn't believe how many houses had straw bales and pumpkins in their yard on the drive to see Carole.  That was pretty disheartening and confirmation of what I don't want to accept.  I've been in sweatpants so often these past three months that I never really put them away for summer.  And I'm in them again and will be all week.

Once again, I had to frog quite a bit.  Two flowers were off, too lazy to work out a fix.  I don't ever remember DMC shredding like this but after just a few pulls, it's a mess.  I completely forgot about the white threads I purchased a while back, one of them being floche.  

The heavier DMC #20 and #25 were actually too heavy, and the floche was also.  Bulky looking on the 36 count and sitting higher than the other stitches.  Floche is not to be separated (so I read) but I pulled out one strand easily and it made enough of a difference.  The other flowers were stitched with standard DMC white and the floche is on the larger blue. 

Not obvious in the photo but it is more noticeable than plain dmc and I'm pleased with it.  It does seem to get  .... fuzzy? .... matte? .... something.  Since this will be handled quite a bit, it would have been better to stitch last.  If it looks messy when the sampler is finished, that small area can be done over.

If you're wondering why I haven't mentioned the other magnifying floor lamp, it was lost.  Amazon refunded the order and reported it as lost.  I don't think I can replace my circline fluorescent with their new LED, don't see that option after much searching but I will contact Dazor to check.  I guess it has to be compatible with the ballast.

A few more stitches in the tree and I will move to the next page.  Across?  Or down?  Oh these decisions.

Have a nice weekend.

Just got a note - ordered 36 and 40 Oatmeal!!

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That's better

White it shall be.  And needed in order to see the thread, but still not really noticed as a single row outline.  Can't go any lighter!  I thought it would look too stark, it does not.

I ordered two more pieces of linen, averted a return when I read that FOAW Parchment has more green than brown.  Hard to imagine since some photos are not.  Caramel Macchiato?  Another shot in the dark but I am more anxious to get a piece of Oatmeal.  

But I did score the sampler I was interested in and got it ordered. M+A 1853.

And after opening linen pieces to examine, I see why the 40 piece has green spots.  It looks like a reject because that green area matches the 36 (comparing the two left) and the rest of the pinkish piece looks like it didn't make the dip.

Beautiful blue sky day, I hope you are all safe.  I looked at the worst hurricanes and floods in history and oh my, did not realize the destruction and death in much earlier times.  

I kept seeing posts about Starbucks Pumpkin Cream so I broke down and spent a ridiculous $5 for a tiny cup.  To compare, we drove to Dunkin also ($3 for quite a bit more).  And today, McDonald's Pumpkin Spice Latte (cold).  The cream tops are tasty, but once blended with the brew, blah.  McD's being a latte was intense flavor to the last drop (I removed half the ice and will request light ice next time).  Twice the size of Bucks and $1 less.  As I said, the cream tops are good, but not enough to last.  I may try their lattes instead of the cold brew creams for comparison.  The Starbucks' line is always very long and I guess I am my mother's daughter, because I can't see spending that much on a drink except as a occasional treat.   The gal at the bank gets one every morning.

Friday friday.  Summer over.  September.  Crap.

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One down, two to go

 Carole came through the pacemaker switch just fine.  The first slid and was almost completely in her armpit.  The wonderful doctor sewed it shut and anchored the new one so it will not wander.  She's waiting for transport back to the facility.  Last fall there were three years of battery life remaining, and in almost a year, it had depleted to less than six months.  Grateful that the manufacturer found this defect.  What a reunion!  Two nurses that cared for her in transitional care at that hospital could not be more elated to see her again.  Hugs and kisses and extra Lorna Doone's.

I picked up Rachel at 4am, have not stitched for many days.  The very light thread is mostly charted on the petal edges, and not paying attention caused me to switch the symbols.  The gold and light areas are reversed.  But even with 3865, it is not showing as much as expected.  Certainly will not in a thin outline.   White is hardly different from 3865 in comparison but it has more reflective brightness and it does show better.  Not sure of a plan, but not happy with the interior of the flower in 3865.

My yellow tunia is OK, not spectacular, but I did pull it from the barrels and transplant in mid season,  It grew a smidge and became very spindly so I pulled it and stuck into a pot. 

But oh my, the ferns are continuing to grow and are spectacular.  The ambulance office has a fantastic large sitting area, mostly glass and leather, and I plan to offer these to them.  Way too big again for my rooms.  I wonder if transplanting into the 12" pots every year is the trick.

And more linen came.  You saw the Hogbristle before but showing the difference in two colors between 36 and 40 count which surprised me.  I saw The Attic video of variations of color between counts but thought it may be because of a different type of fabric.  Nope.  But the 36 and 40 in Country Mocha that I returned were exactly the same, just to confuse the hell out of me.   I did not expect it to be shinier, silky, slippery.  Not my kind of linen, I prefer holding coarse and matte.  The orange selvage stripe doesn't always mean that same texture I guess.  Who knew?  Not me.  The 40 count Cappuccino has the load of green, like you slid it across wet grass, but the 36 does not and is a wonderful neutral. 

Have a good day.

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