Chirp

Hello people.  How has your weekend been?  I saw a post about a new season, Sprinter.  The spring that can't let go of winter.  We had 4" the day of the funeral, and it snowed again this morning.

 

 I want to thank everyone for the kind words of sympathy. The mass for my aunt was very nice and we gathered the rest of the day to celebrate her life and reconnect as cousins.  We learned that Aunt Helen knew.  She did.  She made a few comments the day before that looking back on, were intuitive.  There is also evidence that she awoke during the night, combed her hair, put her dentures in, and went back to bed in a perfect position with hands across her chest holding her blanket.  They say that some people can sense it, others not.  There is no way to know if that's true.  And although she is reunited with family now, I am still having a difficult time. 

 

So what's up with stitching?  Tweets.  I just love those hearts and decided to make a few more and if I do not want to display any more needlework, I will offer for sale. 

 

This piece of gorgeous dusty blue was to be a pastoral scene sampler.  I thought the blue would make a beautiful background of blue sky.  Ain't happening.  This was from a fabulous shop in Niles Ohio years ago.  Good price huh?  I decided to try a goldfinch with its striking yellow body and black wings, even though the proportion and shape won't be correct.   Close enough!  Not sure which DMC would be best. 

 

It is not easy to cut into a larger piece of linen, always been a problem for me.  But the only large projects I am keeping charts for would not be using this fabric.  No regrets.

 

Another painter came for an estimate.  We have always had a crew do the entire house in one day.  This outfit will use a cleaner, do some sanding, apply two coats to the front, all taking a full week.  I can just imagine the difference in cost.  We never had issues with the weathered wood being recoated before and don't know if I want or need the additional prep, nor am I comfortable with a washer being used on the brittle siding.  But he is highly recommended.  We shall see.  He also agreed with me that the dark bronze windows have a  reddish purple cast and need to be painted more of a neutral brown.

 

Hope your week starts swell!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Threes

Some people believe events happen in threes, especially deaths.  That has always been the case with our very small family.  The last three were my sister in law, mother, and mother in law within a month.   Before that is was Aunt Kay, my father, and Aunt Sugar within 6 months. 

 

My only remaining aunt passed away early Thursday morning.   Although her passing was unexpected, it was peaceful and without illness or suffering which is a blessing, and for that everyone is grateful.  We are all devastated at losing her and the last family member of that generation.  Now my sister is the oldest, my brother second.  As you can imagine, everyone is remembering the losses that came in threes.  And the odd fact of the threes, is that the first was always unexpected, in their sleep, as was this.  She was my mom's youngest sister, who at 92 did not have a bag or wrinkle on her sweet face, but always a smile.  I can't believe she is gone.

 

We made the trip to pick up our gallon of stain that afternoon, and just missed being in a dangerous situation.  On the route we traveled, a suspected drive by shooter was being followed by police when the suspect started shooting out his back window into the police cruiser.  State police got involved and the person attempting to kill the officer died at the hospital after a shoot out.  Ten minutes earlier we were at that location.

 

It will snow again tonight, and really, does it matter? 

 

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Breakfast

on another snow day.  They have been coming several times a day, eating the corn, and then staring at the doors until I give them more.  We're going through 50# every few days.  Soon they will have sprouts and greenery to munch on.  Our swamp of a yard is completely torn up.

The broken leg is healing in a deformed position, she is starting to put a little weight on it.  The limp is pronounced and she is easy to spot in a crowd.  But then again, when you see them several times a day, you get to know who's who by the color of their coat, face, and slight markings.  She keeps to herself somewhat and is with another group off to the right.

Taking a long ride this afternoon to the closest Cabot stain dealer, hoping to find what I'm looking for.  Lowe's carries the brand and has the deck stain in store, but not willing to order the siding stain.

 

Have a great day!  My sister is.  Her appetite is back and she is showered and dressed and so happy to be feeling better.

 

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What is this?

I found this ???? and before I throw it out, does anyone know about it?  Does it belong to a larger device?  It has Yarn Winder in raised letters on both sides with lines and an open center that is immovable.  Just thought I would check in case it's a part or an item someone would like to add to a vintage collection of .... ????  It makes no sense to me!

 

 

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Progress

Hey!  Finally.  She is better today and although still sounding like she is coughing up a kidney, the doctor said it will take time but she is progressing toward recovery.  I know her well, and waited for the right time to brighten her day.

 She loves bright colors and sparkle, so Saturday with coupons in hand, I found a few new things to lift her spirits.  Bright is putting it mildly.  Found a scarf to go with both and also a few sequined tees.  Took them over when I picked her up and bingo.  A smile, the first one in two weeks.  Topped it off with a celebratory triple pump mocha iced coffee which she enjoyed.

I so miss shopping for my mom and seeing her face light up when I came home with new bargains.  I detest shopping for myself and always have, but do enjoy picking for others. 

The paint sample I worked on was a bust.  The computer custom match was no where near and that is the seventh time at bat.  I did find another color card that I liked, previously hidden behind another because of a misfile.  It happens.  So I decided to give in and now I only hope that Sherwin Williams can match the Behr color.  Cabot was always used, but I can't get samples, and the Behr does not cover well at all for being solid. 

I do love the monotone flat finish throughout, and the new shiny finish on the windows will not do.  Plus, and the main reason for painting them, is this.

See the red/purple cast?  I certainly don't want to match that on the entire house and I do not like the clash of the two browns.  The windows are very very dark, but when light hits the shiny finish that red really comes out.  Do.not.like.  So now I am ready to change the weathered look and am anxious to have this done. 

So all in all,  a pretty good day for a change.  Even the morning view wasn't that bad since the sparkly white crap didn't stick to the road.

Hope your day went well too!

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April

Already.  Hope everyone had a very nice Easter.  I made kielbasa and kraut with potatoes and carrots in the Instant Pot, it was so good.  So we took the silk flowers to the cemetery and then delivered the meal to brother and sister.  Another trip to the drug store for more cough syrup and had to try several stores since the shelves were bare.  Lots of people sick around here.  Did I ask her Friday when we delivered pizza if there was anything she needed?  Did I ask her Saturday while I was out if she needed anything?  Did she call Easter morning and tell me she was out of cough syrup?  Of course.  There is some improvement in her voice, and she ate the dinner today.  Tomorrow it's back to the doctor.

 

We had sunshine today, something we hadn't seen for a while.  Nit was wondering where that bright light was coming from.

 

His father, Budman, tried to jump on me this morning while the computer was on my lap, and after an awkward landing, turned and quickly jumped down.  His sharp claw landed in that ditch where my skin meets the side of my thumb nail and slit it open from top to bottom.  I have never had that much pain from a cut.

 

First thing Monday I am going to Home Depot for a color match, the only place that offers sample cans of exterior stain.  I played with my craft paints until I got a color similar to this photo.  Dark brown, but not warm golden dark brown, more of a ashy gray brown, but not gray, and not brown, and not golden, not rusty, not anything really. 

 

I mentioned in a prior post about the thrill of the stitch compared to enjoying the display.  I love the birds, not sure I want them.  This is really weird isn't it?  They are so sweet and I enjoyed creating them, but the thrill is gone.  So if I stitch again they will also be for gifts.  I'm thinking the blue bird and maybe a goldfinch.

 

I had a long and busy day, haven't read much, may catch up tomorrow.  I saw a large iPad while careening my buggy around Walmart and really like what I saw.  That's a ton of money while doing house repairs though.  And how does it work? Like my tablet that keeps telling me my browser isn't supported so I download another and get the same message?  What I need to flash across my screen is PUT DOWN THE CHOCOLATE.  WALK AWAY.  I used my nephew's smart phone and did not like what I saw.  The screen for phones does not have the same display as the laptop and I like seeing it all so I need to get to a Best Buy or somewhere these things can be explained.

 

Have a good week.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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