What an S

 I needed to change the S in Ann's name.  Throughout the verse was annoying enough but her name should be clearly recognized.  In my snarky opinion.  Why would she have used a standard S in one word?  And the didst beneath had me baffled until the very end.  Just now in fact!  I was thinking Ann misspelled didn't which wasn't making sense.  DIDST!  My word of the day but will limit using it around the kids today.  They will think I'm saying dissed.  Eight and nine, they asked me if I was non binary.  They informed me that they are.

We will spend the afternoon ridding her bedroom in order to install the door.  She cannot.  Trying to rotate that massive chair in a small space, pick up, transport, and stack elsewhere is close to impossible and would take fifty times longer.  She seems to be going downhill.  Her stump looks bad, she has two open wounds on her back side, she is skipping diuretics (Tracy can't be there to change her 24/7), the nurse canceled twice, the hospital bed hasn't even been ordered yet.  Do I feel guilty?  Yes.  I tried my best to reason with her before leaving the facility.  This isn't a few weeks of help after a surgery, this is lifelong.  Did this for six years, not again.  But when you see a loved one struggling, despondent, you can't help but feel guilty.

This evening I will try to relax and continue with the over one.  I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable evening.

Happy new year!

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

What day is it?

It feels like Sunday.

When a large meal or gathering feast happens on a weekday it really screws with my head.

There is no way I will finish Ann this weekend.  Over one is easier on 30 count, but still tedious.  Quite a few stitchers are loving 46 count and I can't imagine!  My Dazor allows me to stitch 40 but not easily.  I want to be comfortable, not cautious and concerned.

I don't care for Ann's S's and have to check wording twice when stitching.  Not sure if my change to 924 instead of the 926 in the body was the right choice for all the over one (center box included) but I was concerned the lighter shade may not show as well.

Here she is full length and wrinkled.  Like me.

Almost finished with the second barn door.  This one had measurements and placements that collided with each other and caused much difficulty and revisions.  Second coat of paint today and then it's up to her to remove that flea market in her bedroom so we can install.

I have been on the phone quite a bit regarding failure of the home health services and to make a long snarky story short, that idiot is no longer a case worker.  I don't know what she would have done and continue to do without Matt's girlfriend.  Previous and continued experience in helping elderly, disabled, others in need, she has been a Godsend.  She and Matt are two peas in a pod.  I have given up trying to convince him to find employment elsewhere since he makes less than retail workers, but he explained once again.  At Christmas, he will receive cards from former residents of his charter school for troubled youth, thanking him for making a difference.  So many are discarded by family and although a few will continue on with bad choices, most are just needing to feel accepted and loved, to understand their actions and the resulting consequences, to talk to someone who only interrupts when asked a question.  And no, Matt had no training for this.

Thanks for the decorations response.  Seems the consensus is at least until the new year, and more even later.  I think I'm just burned out this year.  So many calls to make and issues to handle, just anxious to move into peace.  No ornaments on fewer trees, no santa stitchery throughout the house.  As if I'm rebelling against tradition, what is expected, obligation, this year felt different and I want to move on.  I would love to remove it all now while hubs is golfing in 55 degrees, but I would rather sit quietly while releasing the snark.

Enjoy your day!

Thanks for visiting.

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

Getting close!

 Those stacked hearts take a while to stitch, in addition to the over one, not sure I will finish before the weekend.  I have quite a few very old R&R charts, hand written, not as easy to read as printed of course.  I think I may offer Ann's chart when finished.

 I am feeling better, stomach not completely settled, and have certainly had enough sleep in four days.  The aides at Carole's facility are keeping in touch with her and reported that covid hit her section hard after she left.  Two visitors had intestinal symptoms, not respiratory/flu, no fever, and did not realize that was covid. 

Ravioli Tuesday moved to Wednesday moved to Thursday.  Chris's pump doctor rescheduled to this afternoon and I have no problem moving dinner a day for him. He has a few days off which have been busy as always with Carole's needs.  Matt's girlfriend has been taking care of her, I have not.  I don't know what she would have done these past weeks without her.  No reply yet from the state or other agencies I reported.

Venturing out this afternoon for fresh bread and a few other items.  No longer purchasing frozen garlic bread since our favorite greatly reduced the size, we'll make our own.  Salad will be leaf lettuce topped with sliced pear, pickled beets, crumbled blue cheese. sweet balsamic syrup.

Warming up a little, fifty on Friday.  I saw quite a few online friends remove Christmas decorations a day after, my husband wants them to stay.  What do you do?

Enjoy your day!

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

Ravioli day

 had to be moved to tomorrow.  Started with vertigo and continued with stomach issues, fatigue, headache.  Slept all day yesterday, better today, but not right.  Carole refuses to come here to make it easier (we have a ramp and she claims she can go to lunch with friends) so we're once again carting a dinner for nine to her house.  Last time.

I emailed UPMC who is the service provider and also the agency in charge of providers regarding their failure of almost two weeks.  A nurse came last week to take her vitals, nothing else, without a stethoscope.  Claims it's broken.  Carole has the case worker's name/number and the caregiver provider's also.  She can call, but she doesn't, no excuse, so I refuse.  We've all been running around for her meds, food, supplies, and have decided enough is enough.  I have emailed UPMC and the state agency.   Even if they call today, no excuse whatsoever for the almost two weeks of failure.  

Between the naps, I've worked on Ann.  These motifs are the bottom and repeated on the opposite side with some over one between.  Anxious to complete.

The colors are what I wanted, not all as charted.  Depending on mood, I hope to finish soon.

New Year is next, my least favorite holiday.

Have a nice end to the year folks.

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

Merry Christmas

 Is anyone having a quiet day?  Relaxing?  I am. Whether alone or in a packed house, I hope you're having a very nice Christmas.

We transported the hot food from the oven in the single digits and all was fine since she lives so close. The roasts used were a bottom round and a sirloin tip.   I always found the crock pot to be better for tenderizing tough cuts and that's what I used for eight hours.  The tough bottom round came out perfect, tender, and shredded so easily.  Never again the sirloin tip since its texture, no matter which direction cut, will not shred.  At all.  The food was great, I couldn't eat much because of my mouth, and we did not stay very long.  Screaming kids and nipping pup was too much for these old farts.  I could not handle the noise level or commotion.  

Friday was not peaceful, won't even mention why, my appointment changed to virtual was cancelled completely. Saturday offered no time for stitching.  But today....wowza!  Peaceful, quiet, batch of spaghetti sauce with sausage and balls scenting the house.  And I finished the blue verse with a few placement changes, the diamond band, and I'm ready to start the bottom motifs.  Thank goodness this is 30 count because my flare up has been so bad that my eyes are in a constant burn and I've used an entire bottle of drops today. 

 Look at Ann!!  She will be a very nice size and fit in perfectly with my decades old 25 and 28 count repros.  This style of sampler looks so great on the lower count coarse natural linen.  

Thanks for visiting.

Peace!

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

Ann

From the unbelievable lines in stores today, you would think a winter storm is coming.  Or Christmas.  Or both at the same time.

I'm done.  I'm home.  I'm exhausted.

The Italian beef, pasta salad, calico beans, funeral potatoes, and fruit salad dessert will be distributed.  You want it?  Come and get it but take it with you.  Ann and I will be spending quiet time together.

My mind will also be on a sweet person who is still mourning the loss of a beloved companion, and now dealing with her mother's passing.

I think I shared this recipe recently, too tired to check.

Italian beef

Make a paste -

1 tbsp pepper (use a little less if you don't want too much heat)

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp garlic powder (not garlic salt)

1 tbsp Colman's dry mustard

1 tbsp worcestershire sauce

Spread over 3# or smaller rump or similar roast.  Add to crock pot with an inch or more of water, slow cook for 6 hours, let cool slightly, slice into thick pieces and then shred.  Return to pot and toss with liquid, another hour on low.  Can be roasted in heavy dutch oven with tight lid or pressure cooker.  So tasty I don't add cheese, pepper rings, or other condiments, just a crusty bun.  But does well with anything you would like to add.

I lay a towel over crock beneath lid to absorb excess moisture the last few hours before shredding.

We got in touch with someone in charge of this home based program and he was appalled that the provider contracted dropped the ball on every issue.  Does she have help yet?  No.  And will not until sometime next week.  He even offered to personally get her anything she needs in food or meds or supplies during this weekend.  We will continue and not take his generous offer.  One excellent employee who takes his responsibility to those in need seriously.

Be safe everyone.  

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

Monster bags

 from the Dollar Tree.

Love 'em.  

And because of those kids' clothing filled bags, my Kohl's cash offered a great deal on MY gift.  I didn't get the cordless which is so much nicer to use, but plugging it in to charge for hours, limited run time, and chances of the battery expiring in the future, led me to rely on the cord that is continually cursed.

Made a number of calls today, no help.  No one working in the office after over two years.  And except for two responsible women, they won't return until time to sign for their pension.  With the holiday weekend, I doubt we will find out what the problem is until next week sometime.

We finished cutting the desk, counter, and drawer and reinstalled, looks so cute!  Now she needs a second sliding barn door to make passage easier to the bedroom and it is a perfect size, no wall or frame cutting involved.  Coming in next week, then assembly, priming, painting, installing.  She was in tears with frustration of not having help, and also because of misjudging the very large motorized chair.  The back extends much further than her previous.

My three month wait for initial visit with the new rheumatologist has been changed to virtual because of severe weather Friday, and that's OK.  I think.  Been having a flare up and am miserable.  The replaced front crowns aren't helping and after biting my painful tongue enough to bleed four times, I went for the sandpaper.  Dentist is closed until 2023 and I can't deal with this until then.

Ann is fixed and stitching continues as time allows.  But that's getting less and less.

As is my patience and temper.  Crabs can sometimes morph into sharks.  Big fricking hungry sharks.

Be safe everyone.  

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

Should it stay or should it go

 I say go.  

In the 4th line my letters moved down after the P.  Row 5 will be too close, once stretched it will be more noticed.  I can remove/lower three letters to the P and all of row 5.  Other option is remove/raise all letters after the P which would be as it should.  Same amount of work, I'll decide today so I can continue.

Change of Christmas dinner plans.  Still no reply to calls, no help. Add the mess of bringing all items back home increasing the ridiculous clutter, I decided it would be a fiasco.  Crock pot Italian shredded beef, pasta salad, corn casserole, pickled and deviled eggs.  Boom.  Grab a plate, find a spot, when you want.  Sit down table set dinner .... was nice years ago.  Informal with no time demands is less stress for everyone.  

With tools out for modifying some areas of her house, we made a door for the cupboard I made years ago.  Matching aged pine is quite difficult, but I'm pleased with the result.  May be painted/aged at some point.

Yesterday was hours at the dentist, miserable result.  Second time....  not going through it again.

Have a nice day everyone.

Thanks for taking the time to visit.

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

Saturday

So this is Ann so far.  Working on the blue section and that is so much easier than the prior rows.  I do need to finish the diamond band before I forget completely.  When I was mounting for a framer, part of the job was to look over the work and mention any obvious omissions or possible errors.  There were quite a few and I have been more cautious of leaving an area to return to later.  Sometimes, I forget!

This is the fern after snowfall, and I wonder how much longer it will retain color before shriveling to brown.

If you've wondering about Carole, as usual with my state's agencies and employees that can't be fired, no one has shown yet.  Or called.  The orders were...

to have meds delivered 

an aide to go over them with her and get into the pill box for a full week

the no sodium meals were to be delivered for the freezer (week at a time)

the incontinence pads

the protective bed pads

the aides to help with mobility, preparing meals, taking meds, bathing

the personal safety device to call for help

to accompany her in a transport to the doctor office

Not. one. thing. has. been. done. including a simple phone call to report that there will be a delay, problem, ask if she was with someone, got her meds, is she safe, does she have food.  This was set up by a case worker a week before, and except for a shortage of caregivers, no other issues were mentioned.  The pharmacy delivers, not a caregiver.  The meals are delivered by an agency, not a caregiver.  The underwear is delivered by mail, not a caregiver.  The safety alert is installed by the company, not a caregiver.  Leaving a bilateral amputee of 84 with no food, medication, or care is inexcusable.  Dangerous, irresponsible, inexcusable.  But not surprising because even supervisors in charge of employees that are paid to do nothing, are not held accountable.  This bullshit of protecting any government branch employee not being required to do their job, no consequence, no firings, especially managers, infuriates me.  She came home on Thursday, Friday afternoon I made calls, and was told that they MAY call her and set up a few things next Tuesday or Wednesday.  What would a patient do that did not have family willing to take over?  We got her pills straightened out after several hours and many pharmacy calls and trips.  We took oatmeal, eggs, farina, and some bland food over, Matt's girlfriend has been helping her with personal tasks.  I have dentist and doc appts Monday and Chris will be at work.  Making meals tomorrow, and Mark has another project to remove the built in desk with countertop and cut down/reinstall so she can get into the kitchen.  Even after measuring the width of the chair including those wonky wheels, she is barely getting through areas thought would be easy.

It's flosstube weekend and I am looking forward to my fav star's posting.

Christmas in a week, Monday is hours at the dentist, then a doc visit, Tuesday baking nutrolls after court, Wednesday chiropractor + a second batch of nutrolls since I screwed up the first, Thursday I need to accompany her to her doctor via transport, Friday is my new rheumatologist out of town, Saturday to her house to prepare table and such for .... Sunday, Christmas ravioli dinner.  Must plan a day in there to make sauce, meatballs, ribs.  Yikes.

Stitch away folks, stitch away.

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

Next year?

 Yes!

Couldn't sleep.  Dim lights, total quiet, hot pack on my low back.  Ahhh.  A few Advil and a cold drink to soothe my dryness.  Monkey (Missy) staring at things that are not there is freaking me out while a loud noise of something falling behind me is puzzling.  Thought browsing a little online would be nice, lots of catching up to do.  And then I see them.  BOOM!

Huge ornaments for outdoor decorating!  How did I miss these?  I am not one to have large Christmas displays, prefer fewer and simple.  Holy balls of jingle.  I love these!!  Two on my front deck with lit tree or large hanging star and I'm in!  From Amazon, Pottery Barn, Grandin Road, many offers. Some are basically beach balls, some need a pump to keep them inflated, some ($$$$) are resin.  

If I can come up with a way to create my own, I may give it a shot next year.  Right now in the morning fog, a balance ball is all I'm coming up with that is 30" or more.  Then again, my memory issue may erase this by next year, or my meno issue may change my mind about it.

They just really struck a chord and surprised me!

Have a good day folks.  You know where I'll be.

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

Winner

 Hi folks.  Back home.  Until tomorrow.

Winner of the Kogut is Cathie J.  

Thanks to all for participating! 

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

The good thing

It's rain, not snow.

It's been hectic, still haven't done all that is needed.  I guess we were all hoping that she realized how safe and well loved she is there and would postpone coming home.  One of the aides actually called off the day shift because she could not bear saying goodbye.  Tearful day for all.

So .... did she make a list of food items and essentials for the house?  No.  I thought Chris was instructed, he thought I was.  Nothing.  Did she realize the fireman meetings are on Thursday from 5 to 8?  Yes and expected them to not go.  They are obligated.  Are there any caregivers in place?  Nope.  And then there's the background issue that shoves the thorn deeper.  I'm eating Tums today like M&Ms.

I am getting ready to make a kugel and soup for her for tonight and tomorrow, will be going over later.  Mark and Chris are at the facility now, bringing home the rest of her stuff along with the new huge TV.  He will come to pick me up later.  I can understand wanting to be home and not thinking you could be there for ten years!  But the timing (and its reason) is really frosting my cake.  Waiting for everything to be in place, both house and care, would have been easier on everyone.

A little peek at the blue just started at the bottom which will continue for five (?) rows.

The drawing will probably be later than I expected, and as soon as I am home and complete the task, I will post.  Sorry for the delay.  I honestly sort of ignored this, hoping the date of coming home would change.

Even when spent, expired, drained, ferns continue to show off.

I just get nastier.  And louder.

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

It's a Kogut!

 This year, another Kogut chart will be my giveaway offer.

This one has not been stitched yet, and was ordered quite some time ago.  Unfortunately, with all the distractions these last two years, I did not remember that this chart was gifted to me by another stitcher.   I only need one! I have already changed my chart to reflect a shorter bottom border without his name.

If you would like this chart, please leave your full initials or email address in the comments on this post, or email me at samplersandsantas@gmail.com.  Keep in mind that 99% of comments are automatically no-reply if you are Google+ or something like that.  I never upgraded to the + and with setting changes, have remained ... replyable!  

I will have Random choose a name on Thursday at 7 pm.

Enjoy your day!!

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

Simply

 Will I feel like unloading the tote of PS Santas and others?  

Probably not.

Do I know why?

Not really.

Do I like using my boxwood's cuttings and how they dry?

Yep.  

Do I love the battery candles that offer ambiance without hazard?

Absolutely.

Did I have ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner?

Ohhhh baby.

And this is where I am on Ann.  The verse appears blue in the chart photo but that is not the listed color in the legend.  But it will be.  That blue body and the bottom motifs are what attracted me to her so I will use blue.  It's not like I consistently follow chart colors.

 Busy week.  Nutty week.  Stressful week.

There are no caregivers.  Our friends lost their private aide and tried three agencies.  One girl showed up, left early, was mostly on her phone.  The other two never even showed, did not call the agency to say they weren't coming in, so they did not know the client was left alone.  Carole will be home Thursday.  Nothing in place because of that.  

When a resident is so upset about leaving the good people at her facility, the aides, the housekeepers, the nurses, the staff, the beautiful building and excellent food, the wonderful room and decor, the fabulous outdoor gardens and porches, the concerts, the game room, the pets .... you gotta wonder.  Would you leave?  Being cared for and so loved by staff, enjoying the day with laughter and friendship, every need met and pampered?  At 84 with heart failure and loss of both legs?  We all think she's foolish, especially when I spill the background and you know more.  But it's not our decision.

I'm thinking  about a small giftaway for Christmas.  Maybe a chart?

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

A free day that was not

 Hello people!  With all the medical, dental, facility calls, order pickup, house modifications, and gift searching, I had a day free of obligations.  But vertigo or something like it blew my plans.  Finally feeling better this morning.  

Before that happened, we made a door for an open shelf cupboard that was constructed long ago.  Loaded with magazines and such that were favorites, I came across the old Seraph and Circa Home Living catalogs.  Remember catalogs?  From the thick JCPenney of decades ago to the thinner booklets that I've found, I studied them front to back.  And today, still being careful of my movements, I will enjoy each page of these offers and inspiration.  And then crab that I can't purchase anything right now if they are even still available.  I much prefer in hand visuals over on screen.  Still trying to get my purchased pdf charts printed, obviously possible since so many have done so.  No answer at Staples as to why the text will print, but not the graph.

The sun is out and melting the ground frost, I ordered some gifts from Boscov's site for pickup in Ohio.  Have not been in that store, but found a few bargains much less than elsewhere for gifting.  We'll take a ride tomorrow to get them, and stop at our favorite Italian store for their ravioli that we will have for all at Christmas.  Except for sauce, all else will be purchased.  Those hectic days of cooking are over.

I may be able to work on Ann since she is 30 count, I dare not strain my eyes for 36/40 until the vertigo is completely resolved.

Hope your day is good!

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

Good results

 My lung nodule has stabilized in the last three months, no larger.

The GGO (ground glass opacities are not glass, but look like it) have increased slightly.

There are bands of atelectasis or fibrosis that were not there previously, not creating symptoms.

Next CT is in September 2023.  

So all in all, good news!

Someone asked what I used on Paisley's face and I do think it was 712 (missing the label).  Recommended DMC match to the overdyed was 676, way too yellow.  The 822 was very lifeless on this linen and I'm pleased with the 712.  Paisley is too.  

Later folks!!

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

Well, here's something you don't hear often

And it's a little .... inelegant.

I've mentioned that I can't partake in dining out, and the reason is Sjogren's degree of dryness I deal with.  Water is not similar to saliva and cannot rinse my mouth of the food stuck to my teeth.  Even a few tidbits stay with me and constant flossing and brushing is required.  

We purchased the most delicious massive, sweet, and crisp black grapes.  I only grabbed three and had my water with each bite to get them down.  I went back to the chair and continued stitching.  And then coughed.  Black skin from the grapes hit my linen and instantly stained it.  One spot is light and small, the larger will not show since it is in the margin.  THANK GOODNESS!!  I have no idea how the linen would react to water or an attempt to spot clean.  

I should finish the last of the eyelet row today and continue with the body.  After the diamond row (where I accidently reversed two colors), there is lower case alpha and a dividing band before the many rows of solid blue verse.  I was going to start another Christmas piece and still may, but need to move on this larger than I expected sampler (Ann Stone from R&R).

Coughing grape skin.  Not something you hear often, nor would you want to!

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

Paisley!

Have a sweet day!

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

 

Tree box and Ann progress

 Paisley has not been touched, other things came up.  As always.

I posted this on IG and wanted to share in case you're not on that platform.  The boxes he made for the trees are working our super.  The interior is raised a few inches and slats make up the floor so that snow can go through.  Trees are secured by screwing their base onto those slats and since this decking wood is 1" thick, it is quite heavy and even our gusty winds have not fazed them.

I like 'em!!

I've been working on Ann and have the eyelet section completed on the left side of the sampler.  The band directly beneath it is a diamond pattern of several colors and I will alternate until the eyelet is DONE!

Have a nice weekend!.

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

December. Getting closer to summer!

 Good day to you all.

First, Unknown left a message asking about the Christmas Joy drum chart.  That is offered by Samplers and Stitches.  And it's a gem!! I wish it was by me, but it's not.  It's been a very long time since I tried charting something new.  

Paisley will hopefully have a backside today and I've chosen dark brown wool.  Anything with gold in it does not play well with the linen.  Reds are too much and greens are too Christmasy.   I do want to order Whittaker soon and have enough of the dark brown for his construction also.  Cutting way back on stitching purchases, but I wanted to get a small piece of the Confederate gray for a Santa and found Gray.  I emailed to check, and it is the same color linen, Weeks just dropped Confederate from the name.

I'm not decorating much at all this year, not sure why.  But the multitude of small trees in the attic will stay put, most of the stitchery won't be out either.  The "boys" will for sure along with the Postman Santa, but for some reason I am not into the full display.  

My CT scan on Tuesday will determine whether I stay on a supplement or switch to an advantage plan.  There is no going back if I do.  The visit with a periodontist and my dentist resulted in a plan that will cost as much as the mandated sewer system did and the advantage plan will offer very little but at least some help.  When you have dry mouth to my degree, and without a treatment for Sjogren's, wearing an appliance whether partial or full is not recommended.  So a bridge held by implants is their plan. Three month wait after the posts are in until the bridge is installed, that's a long time being unable to chew.  Lots of soups!

Today will be high 40's and I plan to remove the mums which we've babied and protected for weeks.  Still colorful, but are failing fast.  Husband will golf (thank you!!) and I will finally have an afternoon of complete quiet and solitude.  American goulash for dinner, a simple favorite.  I found walnuts for 1.99 per pound and we will probably make nut rolls.  We purchased several bags out of town a few weeks ago on sale and they taste somewhat rancid. 

I hope to show Paisley finished tomorrow!  Been so busy getting adjustments made to Carole's house and spending hours online searching for home care appliances/aides, toy availability, clothes for the kids, yoi.  Not much stitching was done except for Paisley and a row on Ann.  

Enjoy your day!  Stay safe.

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

Christmas sampler

 Carole was sweet to send this Christmas sampler photo,

found on Etsy under auntieb56 or Simple Stitches. 

 Maybe you've seen it, I had not and thought it share-worthy!  

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

Peanut butter pie

Cream together - 

1 8oz brick of cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup peanut butter (heaping OK but not more)

Blend in 8 oz Cool Whip

Spread into prepared graham cracker crust, 

chocolate cookie crust, or dessert dishes.

Topping can be peanuts (not walnuts), drizzled or shaved chocolate,

crushed graham crumbs.

Original recipe is no topping but since I spoon into dessert dishes, I add a

little crushed grahams topping.  Not necessary though.

Refrigerate!

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

Tension blocks

 Greetings folks.

I've mentioned several times about my tension issues.  Paisley offers an example of how my tension creates horizontal "ridges" when using the sewing method (my preferred).  See her feet?

Now for the face, a large block of stitches, I stitched the entire block with the first leg of the cross in one direction.  This time, horizontal.  The second leg of the cross is done the opposite, vertical, since the first was horizontal.  If the first leg was done vertical, completing the stitch block would be horizontal.  And the result is an even fill, no ridges!  It makes a huge difference when I stitch a large block such as a house.  Or a big head.  If using overdyed threads, the first half cross would be stitched vertically and finished horizontally which would allow the variegation to be as it should.

Hope your weekend was swell!

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

  

Crab Friday

 For a number of reasons that won't be resolved by bitching.  

My small shelter put in cameras because people are leaving dogs on the grounds after hours.  Seems those pets adopted during covid when landlords were prevented from evicting tenants and the government paid the rents, now have to follow the no pet rules that they broke.  So these poor pets are abandoned and not understanding why.  With the cameras in place, the dogs will probably be left out in the country, alone, scared, no food, no shelter, winter coming and I am sick about this.  I often wonder where the pets owned by the millions that crossed our border this year are now.

We had no one here for Thanksgiving, which was fine with me.  Ravioli and meatballs were better than a bird.  I love peanut butter but cannot indulge, not even a teaspoon.  But mixed with cream cheese and powdered sugar and cool whip, I have no problem getting that dessert down.  Yes the graham cracker crust makes it better but that's more fat and carbs.  Spooned into dessert dishes and drizzled with chocolate, peanuts, crushed grahams (or not) is always the easiest way to serve.

My hubby spent part of the day using the old deck boards to make boxes that will secure my outdoor wire twig trees.  I love them!  The wood is sopping wet even after three days.  The idiot that installed the sewer system and destroyed the septic tank (state mandated) broke it into large pieces without filling voids so we now have a cave-in beneath the deck that holds rain and snow.  Landscaper has not shown or delivered the fill so we built over it and that's it.  We're so disgusted with it all that we don't even care anymore.

There's so much more to be riled about but I have another two weeks before it actually happens.  And my lung scan is in 10 days.  Fingers crossed.

Paisley is very close to finished.  The ecru was a little too stark so I found an unmarked skein (per Missy) that is perfect, it may be 712.  

Sorry for the crabbing.  It's leaking out because the ocean crabs live in will develop into a tsunami soon.  And I can't swim.  But there is always something to be thankful for, and whether boat or raft or inner tube, I will find something to keep me afloat.  

Hope your turkey was tender!!

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

To all

Whether alone or with loved ones,

enjoy your day of thanks.

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

Hanging around

 The drying rack I kept samplers on has been at the nursing home and used by sis for a long time.  I decided to use the smaller ladder that held towels in the bath and get some of the stored pieces back out.

So I started with these.

Not pressed and pinned yet, they may stay or be changed.  I'm concerned about Miss Monkey taking a few swipes even though I have the grippers on the bottom to prevent sliding.  I always use felt pads to protect the wall paint from the old wood on anything I hang.   May need to put something on the little milking stool beneath this that she avoids.

The much longer handmade ladder from Zedo (Mark's grandfather) is so wonky it is hard to display.  I did at one time but this smaller one will work nicely.  Carole told me she wants to keep that drying rack, very handy for wheelchair patients, so I told her that was fine.  I'll take mom's boiled wool jacket.  She made a face but little does she know I was keeping it regardless.  

Have a nice day folks.

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

Poor Gary

He's a diehard summer punk as I am.  Gary should be hunkered down in his hole by now, but he won't give in.  You go Gary!!

I was so wrong when I thought Paisley would be a walk in the park.  

All errors in the dress have been resolved and I started the second leg of the cross.  Got bored, decided to get the first cross completed on her face.  That outline was also off.  One thread only as were the dress errors, but since it was only the outline I removed and corrected.  The cheek is off.  And her right eye.  And nose.  Again, only a few stitches in each so not a big deal.  But I don't like her coloring.

Using the fluorescent light on the Dazor fooled me into believing the 3033 showed as a warm contrast.  In natural light on this linen, it is not.  Nope.  Nada.  Nee.  Non.  No.  I just saw this as I moved her beneath the LED lighting.  Will I remove and replace?  Or keep it and complain every time I see her?  A nice contrast in this photo, but that's deceiving.  The 3033 is very dull and lifeless, barely noticeable unless close.

You can see how different the light floss looks when checking a single strand to the linen compared to checking with a full skein.

The single strand is quite accurate when tossing floss, and I shouldn't have trusted the skein itself.  I will try 822 and when I find Ecru, that one also.  But only one strand!

We ventured out to a mall in Ohio, very nice selection of stores.  Only visited a few, just to browse and get fresh ideas of how to wear my sweats and jeans.  There were very few people which surprised me with the "sales" going on. The only place packed with people and long lines was Chick Fil A.  We are both impatient and left rather than be #10 car.  Same with every one we've ever passed from Cleveland to Pittsburgh.

The wind was brutal and very cold, teens tonight.  Forties next week and we plan to rip out the old damaged deck and replace those boards.   Probably making the trip to Carole tomorrow.  With the new chair elevating I can cut her hair without leaning forward which is terrible for my back.  Then her daily griping will end.  She always had a cut every 4-6 weeks, wears it very short, and refuses to use their salon.  It's been a few months since the last cut, and this will be so much easier than previous times when she was in the bed.

Arby's has the caramel cinnamon shakes again.  Surprised they weren't out sooner but regardless, making room in the freezer for those snack size yummies.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

Thanks for visiting.

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