Red

 This year, front is geraniums instead of my usual pink petunias.

And they are RED!

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Muted

Really.

And so great.

Answering a previous comment, Whittaker is stuffed with basic poly fill after fusing lightweight interfacing to his back.

He and Paisley are dmc 712 for body.

Bye!

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

 

Kindred

Spirits, that is.

Blackbird Designs.

Started a few projects but when things go wrong at the beginning, set aside.  

This was a gift and I've loved it since first glimpse.

36 count Oaken, also gifted, and so grateful.

The DMC 3799 was too cold for me so it is now 3021.  Started at the drum's bottom because I may leave the top alphabet off.  Will decide later.

Although carefully, I walked too much Friday and am sorry I did. 

 Currently taking Cipro for an infection totally disregarded by my rheumatologist (pcp stepped in), and Augmentin for abscess and upcoming root canal.  Together.  Diarrhea and yeast at the same time!  What fun!

Hope your weekend is enjoyable.

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

Steps be damned

 Paisley was sad and I couldn't make her wait any longer.

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Flat Whittaker

 I'm sure I will be upstairs to sew, as long as I am careful, slow and steady will get me there.

 The table is built but not finished with a paint or stain.  I had him add a half shelf beneath.  My mistake was telling him 30" table height, assuming seating chairs were all the same.  The outdoor folding chairs locally are all 16" high, not 18", which a 2" cushion will correct.  Not sure I would even use it as a small desk.

About the meniscus surgery, I don't have the technical reason.  Was just told at this point, it would exasperate the edema which is where the tibia attaches to the knee, same area/side as the tear.  They are finding that with some cases of tears, physiotherapy results in better outcomes than surgery.  Mine may be too far gone for that since it is extruded with two tears, but until this edema leaves, no final decision for future treatment.  It is not the cause of the disabling pain these past months.

She has a large crew this year!

Have a good day.

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

And the answer is ....

stay off your leg for a few months, if you do walk, no slopes, gravel, steps.  Saw the PA again, he showed me the MRI films and explained it all.  No idea regarding sudden onset, but cause without injury may be arthritis.  The medial meniscus tear on the inside is bad, repair would be arthroscopic.  But they can't do that.  He explained that the radiology reports are more generalized. They assume this was an accident or injury, have no history of your symptoms, and your doctor's interpretation is specific to the patient.  In other words, stay off the internet.

My condition is tibial bone edema (at knee joint)), and according to the PA, extremely painful.  Really?  He is surprised that I am not in the pain I was for weeks, attributes that to the 3X steroids and Meloxicam.  I received a cortisone injection, a follow up appointment in seven weeks, and instructions to rest it, brace it, ice it.  It can take six months to heal, and hopefully will if I follow orders.  I've never heard of this!  Fluid builds up in the bone marrow/bone, pressure then caused the small fracture.  So no matter how much better my knee may feel in the coming weeks, any slight twist or misstep will aggravate and extend healing time, and rest is crucial.  I was not expecting this.  Of course, it could be much worse, rest is not a bad order!!  The pain is manageable now.  But it's summer.  Or was since August is next week.

So what's on the tray after Whittaker?  Several in mind, not sure yet.  Also not sure if he will be sewn together soon since the machine and backing choices are upstairs.  Depends.  One step at a time.

I saw Earlene's post on FB showing a sort of half wall of horizontal (pallet?) wood and loved it.  Decorated with plants and various goodies, great display.  So I had hubs add corner shelves inside our air conditioner enclosure.  I may hang a wreath or small flag to the front, next year maybe a flat back wall planter.

Now the view from inside is a lot nicer!  

The cats were continually spraying it and the ammonia ruined the condenser fins of the last one so we decided to protect it.  Always great garden ideas from Earlene and Lauren.  Thanks!

Enjoy the last week of July.

Thanks for visiting!

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

Patiently waiting

for her partner to stand with her.  

He's close!  The second half of the cross should be finished today.  I continue my method for blocks with vertical first half, horizontal second half for a neat appearance.  Easy to check for misalignment or other errors before completing the work.  And much easier to frog if errors are found, but not if missed and the second half is done!

My ortho appointment is this afternoon, always an hour wait or more to be seen.  One of my tests for the rheumatologist came back last week abnormal in one factor and very high counts in two others.  No response.  So I checked online and they are related to kidneys.  I will contact their office tomorrow if no response today.

Dentist tomorrow.  Carole's doctor visit Thursday which she requested my presence. 

And then, August.  Dammit.

I made Carol from Stitching Dreams recipe for banana cake with coffee icing (Potluck banana cake from Taste of Home).  That icing makes it fabulous, a permanent change from our usual chocolate.  Between three round of steroids and the new meds, I have gained ten pounds and am as puffy as the dough boy.  But need to take responsibility for lack of control.

Have a pleasant day folks!

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

Oh my

 I wanted to see if the adjustment buckle was mostly on the front straps of men's suspenders.  So I googled men's suspenders and clicked images.  Oh my.  OH MY.  There needs to be a calendar.  Is there?

My boy is growing up.

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Heads up!

I want to mention about those fans I got the kids.  They haven't put them down yet!  They love the light and attach it as a headlight to scooters and bikes, their headboard, the fan is always on, and my sister got one for her overhead pull handle.  Added benefit, it keeps mosquitoes and gnats at bay from the breeze!  That's the second gift that was unexpectedly a favorite.  The first was the small cash box with keyed lock.

I may order a fan for myself.  I've used a wired model outdoors, but this one can be attached or set anywhere, and no cord! 

Have a good weekend, can't believe July is almost gone.

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

Recycled decking

Hiya.  Looks like Whittaker will be trying on suspenders.  Robin's suggestion to use a lighter color is well advised. 

The last of old deck boards is being used for a small table, anxious for this finish!  He modeled it after an old one, tapered the legs, height allows for seating or just a chair for looks.  The top will be newer boards, not aged, so this base will be antiqued with chipped paint or stained dark.

So in addition to the three wooden boxes to hold Christmas trees securely, these items are all from our old decking.  Those tree boxes are upside down and used to hold plants in summer (seen next to the chair).  The bottoms of the deck boards are not weathered/damaged as the tops are and quite nice for projects.

Yes, there are nail holes and discolorations in spots, but it's outdoor furniture on the "primitive" side!

Have a great weekend!  Be safe.

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

Still thinking .....

 Cute with suspenders.  He looks playful.

But without them, the simplicity is so sweet.

(sigh)

I'll work on the fat head and arms for now, gives me another day.

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

Seven

 SEVEN.

That's how many times I outlined and removed Whittaker's chest.  Took a while to find why it wasn't as wide as his bottom.  Many times I make the error of assuming one side is mirrored in the opposite.  It's not.  Right leg is charted narrower, which I assumed was the reason since I stitched it as the left.  But wait!  His waist off which his pants outline started has an extra stitch.  Whittaker has gained a few pounds.  This wasn't realized until the top outline kept coming in too narrow and twice off vertically.  AUGH!!!!  Thank goodness outlines are so easy to remove.  Finally added what is necessary to match the fat pants which is a fat head.  He's so stinking cute. If  walking on uneven surface was possible, Whittaker the snowman would have been melted in my fire barrel.  So glad that didn't happen, but I need to step back until this evening.  He survived, but I am burned out.

The break gives me time to decide on suspenders, bright green, red center stripe.

Hope your days have not been as frustrating as mine!

Be well.

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

Sorry I'm late

 The name drawn from comments and emails was Joy B.

Please email with your address Joy.

Thanks!!

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

Wow

Three weeks on Meloxicam has really helped.  First two, not much, but much improvement the last few days.  Is that med that has me itching and breaking out, restless legs morning noon and night the true reason?  Or is it time for swelling to resolve and mobility (with a limp) return since it has been so long?  Who cares?  Appointment is not this week, it's next week.  Three weeks after an MRI with no calls regarding instructions (ice? heat? brace? rest?) or explanation, and four more waiting for an injection that should have been given at last appointment.  So much better, I am no longer using the rollator, and can manage steps one at a time holding the railing.  YAY!  Now I can return to the dentist for my root canal on the tooth he unintentionally damaged and I will most likely lose (FRONT!!).  Enough about that, and unless major treatment is required, you won't have to listen to my rant again.

Except this one...

The magnificent property of mature trees and grounds of our only golf course, owned by the same family since the start and highly rated, has been sold.  All that beauty will be destroyed for a distribution center.  Across the street is a new massive FedEx distribution center that destroyed an entire area also.  It looks like a mall.  

I saw a new floss tube by SamplerStyle and enjoyed it very much.  I prefer those featuring more samplers and I only viewed the last one so will go back to watch previous.  This is a snap from #21 and I was stunned.  Stitched on Murky, with I believe the called for colors.  I would think some will love it, some will hate it, no in between.  For something different and striking, I'm considering a small sampler on my little piece of the Murk.

It is Mary Morgan by Fox and Rabbit.

What a difference your linen choice can make.

Too many options of smalls and I haven't chosen a project, so been working on Whittaker.  Over and over.  I counted his pants wrong FIVE times!  The linen is getting fuzzy from frogging!   Nash's Blue House drum is much larger than I thought, but still in the running with the others.  

Made pistachio cake for Chris's birthday and will be there this afternoon, hope the kids like their gifts and the Great Dane does not ram my knee.  She has failed school twice and quite a maniac when excited.

That's it folks.  Hope you're having a good weekend.

My mind has been on a floss tuber that had surgery several weeks ago. I have been anxiously waiting to hear she is doing well.  

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

Not to interrupt Elizabeth's trip

 but I need to post this now and set Sarah aside.

Done.

Did not follow the instructions for the valances, decided the windows are fine as is.  Plenty going on in this piece, and I was afraid of the frustration I could have encountered.  Very anxious to complete and that could contribute.

Don't allow Sarah to distract from adopting Elizabeth!!

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A home for Elizabeth

Before I reveal Sarah's finish, would you like Elizabeth Roberts I in your stash?  She is from many years ago, single page chart, and needs a new home.  Open to all, leave your initials or email in comments, or email me directly (top of right column).  Keep in mind that 99% of comments are no-reply.  Drawing will be Sunday 7/16 at 8pm.  Holy crap.  July is HALF GONE!!

Must claim by 7/20 because .... well ... you know about my impatience.

This is my finish, changes mostly at the top border to simplify colors.  I added doodads at end of first alpha set to fill in space. 

I forgot!  This is the sampler you helped to choose words to complete the unfinished line starting with "But virtue".

Have a good day!!

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

To a T

 Yes or no?

The original is missing the T in most, I'm debating whether to leave as charted or add.  Am I incorrect and this word is not meant to be "most" (third line)?

As of now, I'm leaning toward add.

What say you?

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

Girly gifts

 for Carole's great grand.  

She turned nine, and told me she wants to stay a girl.  Loves pink and wants " girly stuff".  When she stays at her mother's, her room is in an attic space and quite warm.  But mom gets the fans.  So I found this small portable, charged by usb, three speeds, lights if desired, and an adjustable tripod.  She can wrap the legs around her bike handle, furniture, anything.  And it's got a really nice breeze!  Knowing my sister as I do, she will want one.

The other gift will hopefully encourage her to wear her glasses more often and prevent loss.  These child eyeglass holders are certainly girly!  She loves jewelry so these may be a hit!

Happy with both gifts, thank you Amazon.  Can't wait to enter a store again.  When?  Doctor's staff has not returned my calls regarding MRI results and what if anything I need to avoid.  Best surgeon we have, but if your staff is ridiculously inept and unprofessional, eat dirt.  Six weeks of immobility, errors preventing treatment, no explanation of test results, no response to calls, and another three week wait?  No excuse.  I made appt with my pcp for more steroids and she can order PT.  If this happened during winter, I would not be as upset, but my summer is fading.

Hydrangeas.

Begonias.

Be safe!!

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

All that's left .....

 words.  Many tiny over one words.

I use tent stitch which on 40, to me, makes the letters more readable.  A full cross crowds them, but I do use it on ends of letters where a single diagonal thread looks detached.  Unnoticeable that there are half and full stitches mixed, and I don't care if it is.

Border is complete - yay!

Haven't decided if the swags will be stitched in the windows.  Over two did not look good, must be over one.  But I think they are fine as is, there's plenty going on in this piece.

I never heard from the doctor's office and plan to call today.  Had a friend read the results, most concerning is the slight tibial fracture at the knee joint extending down the leg. My weight bearing down on it can make it worse, and the shin pain that only started last week tells me it wasn't there from the beginning.  The least would be getting the fluid reduced especially in the marrow.  I want treatment whether PT, brace, orders, something!  Going on six weeks and I need direction since I am making it worse.  Yes we have another orthos nearby (three in this office) but a new patient waits months to be seen.

Thinking about the next project, but not excited.  Worn down, slump, distractions?  We shall see.

Have a good day folks.

Crabass, signing off.

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

Incomprehensible gobbledygook

 Whatever this means, this crabass has her pincers drawn.

Ready to shred.

Impression

Extensive edema present involving the medial tibial plateau as result of a shallow subcortical fracture of the mid and anterior two thirds. Other additional meniscal and soft tissue abnormalities described above

Narrative

CLINICAL HISTORY: r/o fracture, r/o internal derangement; Iliotibial band syndrome, right leg; Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee. 

 CONTRAST: None FINDINGS: Mild joint effusion. Anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments intact. There is a moderate degree of marrow edema involving the medial tibial metaphysis with an associated nondepressed shallow subcortical fracture of the medial tibial plateau mid and anterior two thirds. Overlying cartilage appears intact Medial meniscus posterior horn has a complex tear. Most of the mid and posterior portion are largely extruded from the joint with posterior anchor tear pattern. Medial compartment is narrowed and there is also a subtle degree of lateral subluxation of the tibia relative to the usual femoral axis. Anterior horn better preserved. Cartilage quite thin There is also a moderate degree of periarticular edema medially with mild to moderate strain related is findings of the medial collateral ligament, particularly inferiorly but without any complete avulsion evident. Lateral meniscus has a horizontal tear of the mid region with presence of a small sub-meniscal cyst. The more anterior and posterior components appear intact. Cartilage is quite thin as well. Lateral collateral ligament and iliotibial band unremarkable There is strain of popliteus muscle but the tendon is intact Patellar tendon signal appears normal however there is quite a prominent degree of edema involving the lower prepatellar soft tissues, likely reflecting underlying bursitis Extensive patellofemoral cartilage loss without marrow edema.

Summanabitch.

An injection better be the solution.

And it better work.

It's fricking summer!!

************************** 

Booms bangs and blasts

 Just get a freaking sparkler, OK?  There is no need to rattle my windows.

Good grief.

This is a previous photo of the 1776 pear, nothing else to show.  I still adore the little 1776 pillow that I stitched not too long ago, yet can't find it.  Of course, my eyes are seeing red so it's possible that it's being overlooked.  Why am I seeing red?  Because I received a return call from the ortho office and there was NO reason to not administer the injection over a week ago.  The PA was totally wrong, their only protocol is a three month wait between cortisone injections.  Period.  Those steroid meds are not and never were a factor in timing.  In fact, since I was done with the pack for over a week, it was entirely irrelevant.  Am I ticked?  You're damn right I am.  I've been suffering for over a month waiting for this appt to receive the shot and they refused because they are clueless?  Not one, but TWO PAs conferred!  They have an opening at the end of July for me.  Really.  You screw up, have patients see PAs that are not knowledgeable enough to feed a cat, and you're making me wait another month?   AUGH!!!

Enjoy the 4th, be safe!  

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

Straw hold

 I do prefer a book in hand, not Kindle, and a chart over a pdf.  I like to read it, study it, even if I forget what I learned and screw up the project.  Going back to prior page to review by scrolling makes my eyes wonky.  But there are times when enlarging the pdf on my tablet is a Godsend.  I've been using it for the over one and border, and it kept sliding off the cover's ridge to hold it in place.  So I slit a straw open with a letter opener and installed over a rubber band.  Perfect.  

My progress on Sarah has been a struggle.  I continued on the first line of the over one using the guide line which made it so much easier.  But that line ends right into the cartouche border, not a square to spare (Seinfeld episode!)  Well, the first letter was off by two threads to the right and there was no fudging to correct.  The entire row, removed again.  Then, the border on the bottom is off by two full stitches, and after spending way too much time looking for the error (I did find one) Sarah was going down for a long nap.  Cranky Crow Robin is surprised that my hissy fits have been lacking on this project.  So I decided to continue impressing her.  I have my big girl panties on (yes they were in place during the exposure), and will finish Miss Sarah.  Those two stitches will be easily incorporated, shortened, moved, into the corner.

About Jason.  He moved into large equipment and less landscape design, so we had another company in the last few years for the ditch and lawn repair.  That is the company that has promised over and over to be out and it's been two years.  I called Jason, explained that I am on one leg, and he graciously decided to offer a day of work to at least clean up the deck area and make it safer.  He is a good guy.  

Still waiting for the ortho office to return a call, specified NURSE, not the PA, no response yet.  The meloxicam is helping, my foot is still swollen even with the compression, still much pain but not as it was.  I don't have hives, just a rash here and there, probably from the new meds.

Watched floss tube yesterday.  Is it sad that the big excitement in your 72 year life is anticipating posts from your favorite floss tube stitchers?  

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th!

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