What I'm working on

Sitting here waiting for her new room, scarfing down Dove at 35 cents a piece, thankful that these glass walls are unbreakable.  A tablet hurled from this height could hurt someone.

I have been anxious to start using linen in dark rich shades, grabbed a piece of mustard brown that I dyed a while back, added some bright colors to it for a change.  I followed the same method of stitching (which I call the side-and-climb) for the bird, filling the entire area with left/right rows for the first half and then up/down rows for the second half.  Before, my rows were noticeably tight and direction was obvious because of it. This method will make my blocks of stitching uniform, neat, and even, and a house design look much better.

Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness.  Even though 

I am here alone, you've made me feel surrounded by friends.  I can't answer comments from this tablet, not sure why they won't show in my email so I could.  But thank you thank you.  It means more than you know.

Improving

Carole may be released from ICU tomorrow but they are close to 100% capacity and a room may not be available in step-down.  If it isn't, I will need to call other hotels for a place to stay since I planned on staying in her room.  This hospital is wonderful in allowing family to stay with the patient in all private rooms.
I hate working from a tablet!  Never be able to view and post from a phone but that's OK - I don't have one.

I finished the Nash heart
I was generously gifted with.  Belfast 32 count unbleached/natural with one strand of 3781.
Can't wait to sew it into shape.
Enjoy your weekend.  I just realized tomorrow is Sunday!  Is it?  Wow.

Of heart and mind

Carole is still in ICU, a few days longer than expected because her pumping strength is weak, but now she has post surgical psychosis.  I walked into the ICU to see her tied down, rolling tongue, legs flailing, and I couldn't wake her.  I loudly asked for her nurse and she was too busy, so eventually the doc came.  They are trying to sedate her but it's not working.  This could last a day or several.  My friend went into this after his bypass and injured a nurse, destroyed his room, and never came out of it.  Five days later he had a heart attack and died.
 I changed hotels - moved to the one attached to the clinic with a skywalk.  Good thing I did.  It's a long walk but I no longer have to wait in frigid weather for a shuttle or be restricted in time.
This tablet deletes all email from blogger (comments) and is giving me fits by shutting off for no reason.  I did learn that you can click the upper right flag (lines) for drop down and check the "desktop view" box.  Better.

Take care everyone - not sure when I will be home.

Carole update

Hello from frigid snowy Cleveland. The surgery went well, off the ventilator same day. They are keeping her an extra day in ICU, she is very shaky, in much pain (they did crack the chest open instead of the original plan).  Most of her ill feelings are probably from the anesthesia and the pain meds, which she doesn't think are working, and the Swan catheter tube in her neck.  I saw her for only a few minutes and will go this afternoon for a few.  Luckily the hotel can accommodate me for another night.  I can't take the chance of her being moved to step-down tomorrow, where I can stay in her room.  So glad that it's over and hope she can start feeling better today.  As long as the heart is doing as expected, the rest will subside eventually.

Thank you again for your prayers!

p.s.  I hate using a tablet.  

Phebe, where are you?

Greetings!  Before I forget, can anyone identify the designer that reproduced this Phebe Watkins 1783 sampler?  This photo from Ebay is a completed piece done on Aida, but after searching I can't find any info.  Another reader is interested and now, so am I!  Any help?

 

We got around 6" of more snow yesterday, and although we are not in the snow emergency areas of the upper northeast, I still reserve the right to bitch.  Always will.  I don't have a Medicare card yet but my Menocare card has been active for years.  It says right on the back....

 "This cardholder reserves the right to bitch regardless of situation.  There will be no debate, no rebuttal, no questions. To anyone finding female with this card in an emergency, take extreme caution with subject.  Do not offend, contradict, patronize, look at, or touch.  Stand at arm's length, if body contact is needed, guard your privates.  If emotions take over and subject starts to slump into a puddle, lift quickly, secure, and get the hell away.  For more information, take a hike to the library.  If there was more room on this card I would really tell you where to go."

 

My sister was worried that I will be curt with the man that is driving us tomorrow.  I am white knuckle on drive pavement at 40 mph so this trip, with this weather, going 75 on an interstate, I'm lucky if my jaw doesn't lock from clenching and my bones don't pop through my knuckles.  I don't think I will be saying much.  Maybe a scream, just for release.

 

I'm packed and ready except for stitchery.  Have two smalls but haven't chosen a linen and may take a few colors just in case.  You know I always veer from my original choice.  Also trying to find projects with single or few colors.  So many tests and appointments before surgery day and I don't think there will be much time for fiddling with floss bags.  One color is easier. 

 

I'm not taking chocolate.  When trying on a few tops to take, NOTHING fit.  My largest blouses don't button, my sweaters are like skin on bologna, and my jeans make me talk in a very high breathless pitch.  I bought two men's sweatshirts to cover it all and I'll add a scarf and bracelets.  So disgusted with myself to let it go this far.  I know stress eating is bad but everyone has stress!  After a week or two, you realize what you're doing and stop it.  Not me.  I'm another 5# more than I was at the doc recently.  Why are women's clothes (except for Land's End), so skimpy?  I got two fleece jackets from Eddie Bauer (tall size - yay!) and the arms are so tight I can only get a tshirt beneath.  Same with Old Navy.  Do they not realize it's a jacket and clothing will be worn under?  Even women's sweatshirts around here are cut close.  No.  I want comfort and hideability.  So I went to the men's department again for length and room to move.  Croft&Barrow at Kohl's didn't have the huge arms typical for men's tops so I got the last two.  Unfortunately, the brats thought they were comfortable too.  Their barrier was broken through and I found them in the morning, upstairs, on the bed, curled up in the open suitcase on my new black sweatpants and shirts.

 

 My husband is concerned that I will get lost in the hotel and clinic.  I truly am directionally challenged.  Rooms are by building number, floor number, section number, room number.  When I got off the elevator last time, I was looking at the doors for four sections.  I opened one door and recognized the floor layout and room numbers.  Hey - picked the right door!  So I walked down and went into room 21, scared the hell out of some old guy.  Me too.  Where did she go?  I only went downstairs for a coffee!  This old guy took over her body ... wait...  the bed is facing the other way.... I never saw these nurses before.  In the words of Roseanne Roseannadanna  ...  never mind.   I did not know that each section is exactly the same layout and room numbers.  What's behind door #1 is also behind 2, 3, and 4, except for different patients!  Twilight zone.  

 

Not sure if I'm taking my large heavy laptop, probably just my tablet.  That thing drives me nuts.  Some pages show as they would on a mobile, which I don't have, and they look weird.  If I barely touch the screen it becomes 10 times larger and startles me.  I bought a stylus and maybe that will help keep my fat fingers at bay.  So off we go, I hope to be able to post Wednesday or Thursday that all is well, and be back next weekend.

 

Have a safe week!

 

Thanks for your prayers and good wishes,

marly

 

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Things I learned today

Don't even attempt shopping without a list.

Always write your list on colored paper.

There are no shoes in size 9 1/4.

Keep your coupons in one place.

Burger King's chocolate chip cookies are fabulous.

McDonald's chocolate chip cookies are good, BK's are better.

Make your list on 8 1/2" x 11" green paper.

Never trust the road to be free of thin invisible ice.

Never attempt shopping without a list.

If you gain weight, you can fill out your bra.

Your bra gain is never noticeable because of your body gain.

Make your list on 8 1/2" x 14" sparkly hot pink paper.

Know where your coupons are.

Jeans do not come in 1/2 sizes, you must move up two points.

Body spillage pushed up by small jeans inhibits breathing.

Never attempt shopping without a list.

Know where your fricking coupons are.

After a haircut, do not lift scissors to hair.

Expect to pay more for an emergency cut.

Accept the holes, dips, and shortness of a repair cut.

Make your lists on 11" x 17" yellow reflective paper.

Buy clothes big enough to hide your body.

Vow to lose weight.

Tantrums and arm flailing are not exercise.

Below zero temperatures take your breath away.

Snow squeaks during extreme cold.

Pack your new big fat clothes that allow breathing.

Fill your Magma with small projects.

Don't forget your scissors.

Do NOT lift scissors to hair.

Pack chocolate.

Don't waste time looking for the fricking list.

Take an Ativan.

Let stitchers know that Nash's heart is on EBay here.




Say goodnight.