A test

 After looking through charts this morning, Kezia is calling to me.  She is not as large as the others shouting, around eleven inches on 36 count.  Except for the border, the stitching is not complicated or crowded.  But that border.  Oh that border.  Stunning isn't it?  You know I hate borders.  Not as much as winter, but close.  So why did I choose Kezia?  Good question since my sampler choices for decades have been marking style.  I still like them, they conceal errors very well, offer many options to change letter colors, and perfect stitching for less stress.  So I am surprised at my preferences the last few years.  Houses, motifs, pastures and freaking borders.

You remember Kezia Turnock from Sassafras Samplers.   Very high quality chart that includes the thread card (another photo of sampler on back side), and a second full size chart with over two if preferred.  Am I losing my mind?  Why would I consider that massive border over one?  Because I am losing my mind.

And here's why.  An element of the border that I really like is the two color outline.  In order to achieve this, tent stitch over one.  The over two option's only noticeable difference, is the solid color outline.

So here's my attempt at an easier solution.  I'll test a larger section of border with backstitch, three rows, light center and dark outline.

My tent is on the left, and backstitch on the right.  The backstitch would be neater on the angles, and may be more defined outline throughout, but what is your opinion?   I think it would be fine.  If I would lose all sensibility and attempt the three rows of tent, the rest of the border and its flowers would need to follow the over one chart.  Correct?  Backstitch would require the same number of linen threads as over two and allow the rest to be also.  The tent is three linen threads and I'm assuming would cause over two flowers to be off a thread.  Can anyone tell me why the hell I am considering this at this time?

 If all this becomes too much for my brain, the center area can be stitched and a different border chosen.  I've already decided to create full skirts for the girls, this area is still so wonderful that a simple border will do, and the birds at the bottom would make a nice drum or folded needlebook.

I should be looking at small projects.  It's already too much and I haven't even attempted choosing a linen color!  Whether she becomes my next project or not, at least I have a plan for that time.  The other plan is to decide to keep or sell three 40 counts that are too green for me.

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Prompt action

 I misunderstood and no vice will be used on any man parts.  He was kind, courteous, professional, and not the person my neighbor thought handled their complaint.  It was sent to animal control, not him.  We have the right to press charges, but dogs killing cats is not uncommon, and this would probably end in the owner's favor.  It doesn't sound like killing a few cats makes them dangerous and the dog they attacked didn't require surgery.  As it stands now, he is rehoming in Ohio to family.  I can't take much more stress.  I've decided to not press charges which would take months, only to be dismissed, and during that time the dogs would be required to stay with the owner on my street.  Compromise is to fine for leash law violation and remove from premises.

I can't imagine sitting on my deck without the vision of horror that occurred there.  In time I guess.  The worst was here on the floor with him for his final hour of suffering and that we must deal with daily.  Very warm weather for this weekend, but I certainly won't be on my swing.

I finished Jeny and will always relate grief to the sampler, like a song that was playing when you experienced a tragedy and sends you back. The plan was for a pouch with brown leather strap, but I will put her away and get rid of the chart.  No stitching plans, no charts chosen, maybe in a few days.  

I hope we will feel like partaking in a dinner soon.  We're hungry, but appetite and stomachs aren't cooperating.  

Doctors next week, sister wants a haircut (from me of course), we'll find projects to keep us busy.   Mark is having such a difficult time and tomorrow will place the third cross he's made for our boys, all resting together.  I still can't believe this happened.

Take care everyone.

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Fuming

 Another post, another Ativan.  First of all, Amanda, thank you for that info.  I am passing it along to the officer that told us we cannot shoot.  And here's the real flame singeing my ass.  Another officer and his family at the other end of the road are friends and neighbors of the dogs' owners and have played with them from puppydom to now, as year olds.  The father was walking their Labrador on a leash along with his wife, their 3 year old, and 5 year old daughter. The dogs attacked the Labrador, each on one end. They could not get the dogs to stop even after being kicked and hit.  The officer left the dog and got his traumatized kids into the house, then went back out.  The dogs released and their Lab was treated and survived.  The little girl is terrified to go outside, even if she sees the dogs behind the fence (which they dig beneath to escape).  Their cat was also found mauled to death under the playset.  This happened a month ago and their mom sat here shaking as she relayed her story to us, the children can't forget their dog's screams or what they witnessed. No law or common sense to notify neighbors with pets or small children. Dog warden said it was only one time, no bites to humans, and the dogs eventually released.  Mr. Warden, when we meet in person, it will only be one time that I vise your balls and I promise to eventually release. 

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Thank you

 for your condolences.  It is heartbreaking when you lose a pet, but I cannot get the images of his broken body and his screams out of my head.  Or the massive heads over him as he lay helpless and unable to get away with all the broken bones.  The dogs are Cane Corso, owned by a neighbor, a state officer that was arrested last year for fraud and I don't believe is currently on the force.  Another neighbor stopped to tell us that they are kept in the back, unnoticed from the road.  Pool fencing and shrubs hide the beasts.  Nothing is being done.  Not that anything can help us, and since the attack was to another animal, not a crime.  There are no medical bills to be reimbursed and Nit's terror and suffering is over.  Not ours though.  Not enough Ativan and stomach meds to help, and we relive it every time we look out the window.  I do need to try to slow the palps and may call my cardio about that. 

 If we would have shot them, we would have been charged.

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Nitzy

 Taking some time off.   My Nitzy was torn apart and suffered terribly after two massive dogs attacked him on the deck.  We got them off of him and brought him inside.  Held him while he screamed until he passed.  The vet didn't get here in time.

The police know who owns them, never saw them before.

 

Missy lost her mate Bud, and now her son.

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The land of forgotten tips

 Why don't I know these tips after decades of stitching?  Have I forgotten, or been clueless?  Jeny's lower case letters are stitched over one on this 40 count linen, and since I have such difficulty removing over one on lower counts, assumed it would be near impossible.  Surprise!  Not when they are removed from the back of the fabric!  Several times without issue, and I stitched the letter shapes to my preference.  I followed Brenda's tip to use tent stitch on 40 when stitching over one.  Maybe that's why it was easy to remove from the back!

The other tip I did know but it fell out of my brain, is Thread Heaven.  I've always noticed how neat and slick the thread looks when first stitched, followed by a matte and fuzzy appearance after being handled during the continuing work.  Several swipes through Thread Heaven calms the fuzzies, clarifies the thread's color, helps the thread lay neatly throughout.

Would this prevent the light to dark fuzz transfer in areas like the solid block?  Another tip that fell out of my head is that the single stitch recedes if in place first.  In other words, the lighter thread  will get lost as it is pulled down when the surrounding stitches are worked.  I yanked the leg's stitches up since they were quite puny looking.  The two top critters will be stitched after the dark block is complete, opposite of what I did on the bottom, all with threads swiped with the Heaven.  I have beeswax but since Heaven is colorless, will continue with it.  Anxious to see if that results in a noticeable difference.

Phoebe is back.  She makes such a horrible mess, difficult area to scrub and also because the wood stain, not paint, changes with cleaners and elbow grease.  We have seen two Indigo Buntings so far and they nest low off the ground in bushes.  Hopefully we will find the nest and create protection with a chicken wire circle or offensive smell.

Too many raccoons and cats roaming and I try to protect nest and bunnies whenever possible.

Take a look at the new size of PF garlic bread.  Will be making our own now.

Eye doctor tomorrow, dilation does not leave me for many hours so no stitching for sure.

Had the phone ring early morning with the caller ID of Carole's facility.  Yep.  These palps won't be leaving for hours!  Ordinarily starting on their own, a scare can send them into orbit.  Thankfully, it was only an appointment question.

Enjoy your day!

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Happy Easter

 Wishing everyone a blessed day.

Posting to IG also, still need to learn that site.  The difference in colors from laptop to tablet is huge.

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Today

 started out dark, rainy, nasty.  Ended clear blue and sunny.  You never know what to expect, and for my area it rarely changes dramatically in one day.

So I saw my nurse practitioner and yes, I do have a blockage leading to the lower chamber.  She started explaining a heart cath and since I drank too much grapefruit juice yesterday resulting in the trots, told her to move it along.  I declined the cath since my symptoms are mild, and instead asked about HeartFlow.  She seemed surprised but I explained that I research everything to know my options.  It's a CT scan and CAD program (or something) that shows the heart vessels, blood flow and percentage/area of the block.   Only one close to me, but the doctor in charge of the testing/reading recently passed away suddenly.  She will check for another location and also fight with medicare, not covered.   Safer and cheaper than a cath, but you know  ...  government.  A stent is only used if blockage is seventy percentage or higher, so my situation would probably be an invasive test, more of an exploration, resulting without treatment.  The scan will give an indication of how close to that number I am and whether invading my arteries is warranted. 

Went to the Italian store this morning, got the ravioli.  Mark has a batch of sauce simmering with sweet sausage instead of the pork ribs he usually uses.   And I am relaxing, hoping my medical crap will have answers, and that a medication can help slow these palps.  She believes they are from the year of stress and just unable to leave.

So here's Jeny progress.  Stitching grass takes almost as long as growing it.

Mom and son have been nasty to each other for a while but today, they are both snoozing peacefully.

Met with the prosthetic pros and Carole will be getting one leg's device in a few weeks.

Hope your day ended brighter than it began!

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A warm sunny day

 Went for a brief ride, got the dollar snack size Jamoca shake at Arby's, did nothing else.  A little stitching got me to the grassy bottom of the left.  Warm again tomorrow, I hope to sit outside for a while. Thursday a trip to the Italian store for huge wonderful ravioli in case I don't feel like making a dinner from scratch this weekend.  I don't know the weekend schedule, always a problem and there are only four of us. Making calls also for costs of Carole's forty minute transport on Saturday, and if manageable that would be easier.  Chris and Matt can visit her on Easter Sunday and I will stay home.  We'll see, depends on the cost and if she will agree.

Doesn't this dmc 500 look perfect with these colors?  But still glad I lightened to 503 in the alphabet section.

Have a happy hump day.

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Waiting....

 Thank you for the emails asking how my appointment went.  It didn't.  They cancelled because of a problem in the office and scheduled me for another the end of May.  I was very nice to the staff when I asked them to have my NP call since a PA told me I should have a cath ASAP.  Was she aware of that?  No.  So the message on the phone when we returned from Carole's visit, was a new appt this Thursday because I need seen ASAP.  WTH?

Offices should realize that no bad news, predictions, or assumptions should ever be given to a patient by a non-provider.  Physician assistants are valuable, but have put me through hell with their diagnoses.  From hysterectomy because of cancer (oops), terminal lung condition for weeks (oops), covid pulse ox of 83 (oops), and now diagnosing a blockage or heart condition, telling me to get to the ER when palps are bad, and having to wait a full week for my provider to explain it.  Before any other visits, tests, calls, I will make it clear that no one other than my doctor or NP is to spew their crap to me.  Period.  With the stress of the past year added to my illness, I do not need this anxiety.  For echo results, mammogram, biopsies, CT scans, MRI, we must see the provider in person for results.  So why are PAs allowed before the doctor even reviews the findings?

I decided to finish the left side of Jeny before tackling the critters in the block.  Got the large top flowers stitched, stems and vase, a few buds to follow.

It's long past 1 a.m. but I keep taking naps (rare for me) and that screws up bedtime.  But my palps are strong and nasty as usual, I need to stay awake for a while longer.  And try not to be upset that I am left hanging about what one person said was critical, and another making me wait for an appointment to explain it.

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Light first?

 Hey buds.  Been through this before, can't remember, too lazy to look through old posts.  The large solid block of 500 with ecru sheep is next and if I do the light floss first, the dark thread will only be pulled through along the edge. 

 Stitching the dark first will require the ecru to be pulled through it along edges also, but the interior of the sheep will be stitched with that floss and the more it goes through the dark, the more it will pick up fuzzies from it.  Maybe not that noticeable, but once done....too late.

Maybe stitching the ecru sheep outline first, then using a clean piece to fill in would prevent that.  Yep, that should work.

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Label me

I wonder if there is still interest.  I found one of those sticks that hold info and there may be label files on it that I thought were gone.  Maybe!

We got hub's flip phone and stopped at a shop for a few Easter items for Carole's room.  Transport for a visit home is expensive so she wants me to feed family and then pack a dish for her, drive out to the facility, and spend the afternoon.

Enjoy the second half of the weekend.

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The chain reaction of changes

 Hi folks. Thanks for all the well wishes.  I am seeing the NP Monday afternoon for a consult.  It took so long for that grip in my chest to subside after the treadmill, that I realize there may be an issue.  But I have questions about such a quick diagnosis from a PA looking at an EKG (not nuclear test) after what happened previously.

I made a note on my working copy of any moves or errors on Jeny, first time ever.  This should have been a habit because I am always trying to center or align by a space or two.   Without that notation as a reminder, the entire section would become a problem.  Happened many times when I didn't think that note of just one space was necessary.  Aligning the next row with the one above was fine unless I moved one letter and forgot.  With my luck, that would be the letter I'm using as a guide.  So with the crown over by one and the tree two, notes are surely needed.  I wanted to start a few rows of the dark green block, started counting from the flower, and it wasn't until I referred to another of the four pages that I saw the note.  Whew.  I finished the alpha above, they are properly placed, but colors are not.

Hope your weekend starts off swell.  We have to go in search of another flip for husband after the new phone stopped working.  We need to send back before they will replace and that's too long a wait.  Good thing it was free.  Found another out of town for $20, $15+ in  gas!

Thanks again.

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The other shoe dropped

 But it's more of a sandal, not heavy work boot.  Had my cardio tests today and have somewhat of a reason for my exhaustion and strong lengthy palpitations that persist.  Catheterization will confirm the problem they assume is one or more blockages.  Of course I am apprehensive after dealing with all that has happened, but I'm not stupid.  I just need to have confidence in the facility and performing doctor.  Until then, which they wanted to schedule tomorrow, I am to watch for symptoms and not overdo.  And have this done very soon which I will.  

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Last minute option

And the best.  I removed the stems, kept the trunk in the wrong place.  The design has the closest stems adjoin the trunk which I followed originally and set off misplacement of all the stems.  Moving the stems to the correct position and leaving that extra space as is, I actually like this better than the original.  And not as much work to correct!

  

Adding the extra space on right to match the left side moved the tree over by two, but there is plenty of room and will center it more.  The bird will be cramped so I may use a smaller one.  I know I focus too much on some elements of a sampler that will not be noticed once completed.  The same thing happens when tossing floss onto a linen and the colors appear objectionable, but once the design is stitched, it pulls together and is very pleasing in the end.  What an ironic statement by the serial switcher!

Done. Pleased. Easy fix.  I like the 3778 pink for the flowers better also.

Have a good day stitching buds.

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The latest screw up

 You all know I fail to pay close enough attention to the chart.  You would have thought by now I learned my lesson but no, I'm still at it. But this time it was quite confusing to me since this tree was on all four pages of the chart.  Should I have taped it together and made a photo to follow .... of course.   Am I lazy .... you bet.

The queen stitch is one I do not enjoy or do well.  Ann's wallet covered in them still comes to mind and tempts me to put on my big whities and do it.  Never works.  Previously those stitches were subbed with a fake that certainly looks as such.  I just use the top and bottom points as the queen does but enter the linen instead of securing. On 40 count, not a pretty site.  Decided to use the easy eyelet.  

I assumed those flowers would be pink and .... they are not.  They are now.  But the big screw is the placement.  Going from one page to another and with the center row further down and not visible on the first page, I just followed placement of the two outer rows, but the center flowers have ONE space to the right, not TWO as the others.  The stems are to be short which my error prevents. So my options are to remove all the eyelets and move one space to the right which would be as charted (shown in photo).  But that extra space also moved the entire tree motif to the right. 

Does it matter?  No.  There is enough space for that move, and when checking the bluebirds on each side of the base, realized the one on the left is not charted but appears in the photo.  I'll add it, and space the same as the right.  Do you like this continuous stem error better?  I do not.  As of now, I prefer the eyelet move.

 And after all that 'splaining, should I?  Is this change in the look so important?  I do like the short stems as charted, but also used the Paint program for one other option. That made me realize that the stem being beneath the flower is more attractive. Honestly, my error, moving flowers, or adding another stitch are all good options.  I am still so keyed up and expecting the other shoe to fall (as they say), that overreacting continues.

Another explanation for why a long confusing post appeared, with no answers, no resolution, just a ramble.  And as I tried to proofread, caused a headache.

Hope your day is calm and relaxed!

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Vintage

 Dyed two more pillowcases, violet and lavender.  Leaving the heavy crocheted hot pink edged as is.  She has such an assortment of pastels with various edging, I think ten now.  What a difference this has made.  Unfortunately they still need to be ironed!  But rather than setting in a drawer for years, they are now used and such a lovely addition to bedding.  At first I was concerned the color would ruin them, but to my surprise the needle worked edges are actually enhanced compared to the old white background.  

If stained, most are orangey and I assume they were left from the rusting holes of mom's old washing machine tub during spinning. I make a paste of Bar Keepers Friend and apply to the wet stain, leave overnight.  If any remains, I use bleach on a Q-tip or baking soda if it appears to be made by coffee.  For some reason, maybe because of the cotton being so old, the dye does not take evenly.  The very light mottling is not noticeable until dampened for ironing.  

Just thought I would share.  Cause I really like them.

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Mind your P's & Q's

 But watch out for those B's!  The photo I posted here and on IG featured a lovely pink flower start, in the wrong position.  I knew how many stitches beneath the B to begin, but had the wrong B.  How could I miss that?  Every set of initials in that row ended in B!

After completed the motif including vase and leaves, the little yellow bird on the left should have been touching the flower but instead had a long way to go.   Now, my birds are in a row.

New room mate (which residents really don't see) for Carole.  She has been there one year as of today after the second TAVR and first vascular intervention, lost two sweet ladies since.  Who is next?  Maybe today we will find out.

Hope your weekend isn't dusted with that white crap.  Beautiful yesterday, dark and snowy today.

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Wish I had Jelly

 Haven't done a lot of stitching.  Dealing with phone calls, some not even answered, others placed on hold forever, no answers, no one knows, can't talk to a person, no one in offices, messages not returned .... I was livid.  Still am.  Why are these people being paid?  I hope to not waste an entire day trying once again.  This crab was quite dangerous yesterday if you were in her way!

I like the look of leaving a few 501 letters in this area, and glad I continued with 503.  I didn't realize the amount of color in Jeny because the photo appeared very muted on my laptop.  I am anxious to finish, but anxious about everything right now.  I sort of feel an oncoming slump, hope not.

Good news - found out useless employees that don't know their job were incorrect.  I will not have to pay the close to $900 dental bill for Carole.  Was told by another office that the SNF covers it all.  Whew.  If you are on Medicare like myself, no coverage, regardless of income, just as it is with most drugs.  The new eye drop that claims it helps your near vision (as reading) is Pilocarpine, the drug that helps Sjogrens patients.  Is it covered for old farts?  No.  

At our local Agway, there are caged cats for adoption.  Mark saw two (siblings?), young and beautiful smoke gray with yellow eyes.  He said they were gorgeous.  And as always, another stray shows up and Nit/Missy are howling in the house and fighting with him if outside.  I finally got a glimpse of this new one.  Smoke gray with yellow eyes.   Several years ago Agway had a very large yellow male that was so docile, sweet, and loving.  No one adopted him for a year.  He was sent back to a barn where the unadopted are kept.  We knew the three stooges would never accept him.

It's snowing lightly.  After weeks of trying, I finally did online research and unlocked my new phone.  Tracfone was useless in helping to activate, automated chats did not understand my problem, phone calls were on hold forever, live chat was always over 60 people in the queue.  Finally working and still don't understand why a brand new phone was locked.  I couldn't even open to text for activation and Tracfone had no idea what the PIN was to unlock.  I so loved my LG 306G and found a similar mini, Unihertz Jelly and Jelly 2.  Will not purchase until I find a supporting carrier, but not until all of the other calls and crap are over, head is spinning right now.

Have a nice weekend folks.

Thanks for the visit!

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