Uncle

 What is the point at which you set a project aside or give in?  I think I learned something about my impatience regarding needlework.  Or maybe not.  But I always prefer to believe I am right.

This small sampler whose body is letters, motifs only at the top, should be quite easy and relaxing.  It is anything but.  So I took the time to examine why I have made so many errors in a tiny space, third time on one motif and it's not even completed.  Never before considered how my attitude and mood related to a project.  Supposedly a relaxing stress reducer, sitting quietly, maybe listening to music or a book.  Not at all if my stress level, anxiety, sadness, anger, worry, fear, or hunger is cluttering the back of my brain whether conscious of it or not.  For me, maybe not for you.  Concentrating on color changes for small areas and motifs requiring focus cannot happen, cannot calm me, cannot erase deep seated thoughts.  Right now, I need minimal color changes, letters, verse, recognized repetitive patterns, simple motifs without wandering stitches.  

I had to change thread colors as always to be noticed on this linen color and once again, struggled testing lighter shades that never satisfy.  Seven different beige and yellows were not working and I told Mark to hide the lighter.  Cannot.  Even though the majority will be few colors of eyelet stitches, my frustration with the top motifs have turned me against continuing.  Using a single strand on 32 is not my favorite and two was very heavy and awkward.  So I am moving on.  I need something familiar and consistent.

Is there a point that makes you say Uncle?  Is it continual errors?  Too many thread changes?  What does it?  Do you think your frame of mind or current issues interfere with how you stitch?  Or does needlework take you away from it all?

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Email questions and answers

 Hi folks.  Received several emails about products and suggestions regarding my condition.  If you aren't interested in Sjogren syndrome details, or in need of any good products to help with your dryness, no reason to read this post because stitching is not included.

 Part of my anxiety and depression since the first lung diagnosis, is related to dealing with this condition.  It may not continue to invade other organs, or it may.  Lungs are often involved which is one of my unanswered questions regarding my current problem.  But even if it doesn't, this is what I have to deal with every day, forever.  Sometimes, although not even close to health issues of others, I just can't handle it.  And this is one of those times. Is this a temporary or treatable condition?  No.  Does it ever go into remission?  Rarely.  Are there medications to increase saliva?  Yes.  Do they create other organ problems?  Yes.  Will I ever consent to another flu shot?  Never.  Can I receive the Covid vaccine?  Unfortunately no.  Am I looking for sympathy?  Hell no.  Just offering one of many reasons for being a crabass, and answering some queries.

I have tried every single dry eye product on the market from $8 to $18.  Because I need to add every 15 minutes, Similasan is the best and even used with contacts.  Homeopathic and not China made, glass bottle.  I need several bottles a week and they are (thankfully) the cheapest at less than $10.   The applicator is a long clear tube making it the easiest of any to administer.  Restasis was useless, Xiidra samples helped but at almost $600 a month and not covered by Part D, out of the question.  Friends on retiree plans from the government would pay $15 and offered to try to get them, but I can't allow that.

Dry mouth (lips) caused from destruction of salivary and other glands, is not the dry mouth you wake up with.  Your mouth feels like it's glued, your teeth feel coated and filthy in need of brushing, your tongue is full of deep fissures and constantly burning.  What you feel when that hot cheese on the pizza slides off and burns your tongue, is 24/7, every day.  Eating is no longer enjoyable regardless of the food.  Everything that touches my tongue creates a more intense burn except for watermelon and ice cream.   Salad dressing, fruits (even apples), some veggies, carbonation, chocolate (!!!!!), condiments, my beloved spaghetti sauce, and so much more is off limits.  I will never give up pasta so I have a product that contains Lidocaine and coating my tongue before eating is necessary.  Cheese, bread, and soft products adhere to my cheeks, teeth, and even with water just don't release.  Water does not have the properties of saliva, but I can't swallow without liquid.  Anything harder turns into what feels like a dried up cotton ball.  

The products I found to be the best are shown.  Xyligel is soft slime and the best, applied several times throughout the night.  Not good for daytime because it is not clear and quite disgusting if you're talking to someone.  During the day, Biotene (clear) is used but burns a little.  The GUM Hydral really burns and I won't be purchasing it again.  Relief lasts for less than 30 minutes.  Usually 4 tubes a week are used.  The discs and lozenges are not used ever since one dislodged and went to the back of my throat in a store.  

My lips, which stick to my front teeth, are unbearable and feel like burned leather.  Using Aquaphor and other mostly petroleum products creates a rash around the edges.  Chap stick type products including O'Keefe's guaranteed to last all day stick, do nothing.  When the glands are dead, there is no moisture at all inside, no external product can help restore moisture.  I looked into the plasma injections but the doctor said the increased platelets would eventually die.  Lip injections/fillers would help appearance, but quickly be absorbed.  And hurt.  And cost a lost.  Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture and since there is none, those injections would also be futile.  For night and throughout the day, the Cerave healing ointment does help with the splits and was my dermatologist's recommendation.  A product I found online (Ulta has it also) is in the men's line of Jack Black products, Intense Therapy lip balm ($8).  This is the only topical that soothes without feeling heavy.

So there you have it.  I hope it explains why products are only temporary soothers.  I must mention that a wonderful stitching bud sent a large package of treats and they are the best hard candy I've ever had.   Between cheek and gum, very enjoyable!!  These two treats are now on my Amazon list.  Thank you so much Ann!!

Hope your weekend is enjoyable!!

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Ding dong

 Nope.  Not ringing my bell.  If I find a smaller red, I'll change them.  If not, I'll paint wooden star buttons red which would lay flat. When I tried to sew into a little pillow, the bells just didn't work.  But since the scallops were sewn four times until I got it right, they're staying.  After two attempts, I added the backstitch beneath so I can count accurately.  Nah-uh.  I continually started counting "two" on the first thread.  The first thread was four!  Didn't realize until the very last scallop that it all had to be moved again.  And this is the last time you'll have to look at this finish.

I started the new sampler and had to change fabric since I measured incorrectly, the piece was too short.  Have you seen Kathy Barrick's new charts on IG?  So what do we do about this Expo thingy?  Will the charts be offered on their Etsy sites?  Or do we request from our favorite places to order?

We had a really bad situation with Bud last night.  Emergencies always happen late don't they?  He is better today, even ate a little.  We gave him half of a Valium to sedate him, thinking we would be taking a ride to an out of town ER vet.  It calmed him, gave him an appetite to down two cans of food without a care about the mouth pain.  He is still sleeping comfortably today.  We'll see what the weekend brings.  Monday I have two appts, Mark too, and then home to get Carole and take her to hers.  Day by day.

I have decided to look for a reputable acupuncturist to see if it can help Sjogrens.  At least reduce the progression.  Here's my lips on a GOOD day, after the flaking skin came off and Neosporin helped the splits.  Nice, huh? 

Carole is very upset about two friends' situations, very sad.  She is getting her second Covid shot tomorrow.  Don't you get tired of my unpleasant habit of mentioning health crap?  Sorry. 

Hey!! 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby ends forever in two days.  

Have a good weekend.

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Color

Hi folks.  I had a request for colors used in the little sampler.  I never put floss back in the chest, but this time, did.  I do remember a few, all DMC.

The border and stag was 869

Roof 869 and 3031 

Lighter brown in motifs 167

Apples and red in motifs 22

House GAST close to 3858

Crown and door 729

Lighter green 3012

Darker green 3051

White

You can't see the motifs with light thread in the chart photo which is why I needed to change.  Very few adjustments to motifs except for the white ones.

Thinking of stitching a scallop at the top and adding little red bells for more Christmas color.

I requested an appt with the pulmonologist again today.  Nothing.  Sorry I changed docs.  Needless to say I am not as anxious but still enough to affect sleep and focus.  I don't want a large project and chose two samplers, hope to pull linen tomorrow.  EB 8looks larger than it is when stitched.

Stay safe!

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Christmas Sampler

Ewe & Eye

 Posting to IG, chart photo and my finish.  On 36 count, 4" x 3.75".  Sweet!

Enjoy your day.

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Simplify

 Hi folks.  First off, I didn't mean to complain about those ocular issues.  I've had them before, this was the first kaleidoscope and quite fascinating.  Painless and fairly brief, I just wanted to mention this common disturbance, maybe avoid a panic if you experience one for the first time.  

So the little Ewe & Eye is on the verge of completion, changes galore.  I had a little difficulty in interpreting the instructions for some of the smaller motifs.  So I chose my own stitch and color, even position in a few cases.  A little project like this has so many possibilities for personalization (changes to hide errors).  The design has a sawtooth top border and several rows of stitches at the bottom.  Nope.  A single row will outline, maybe a double.  So much going on in the body, I think a simple outline would be much better.   

No idea what's next.  Maybe a book.  Reading, not writing.  I'm not doing much at all (except napping), and don't really have anything kitted other than two big girls.  Am I really ready for another large sampler?  Nope.

I don't like to pry or intrude, but I had a comment left a few weeks ago from Unknown, and it's been bothering me.  Their young niece was diagnosed with stage 4 lung, waiting for additional tests, and she has been on my mind.  I can't imagine, and if that was your niece, I am so hoping that tests showed treatments are available.

Stay safe everyone.  

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