What a difference

a doc makes.  Cleveland Clinic is incomparable when it comes to heart treatments and I'm sure many other ailments and diseases.  We are home.  Our visit was not what was expected after the local doctor visit recommended immediate surgery.  We were packed for a stay, prepared for such.  Dr. Estep, head of the Heart Failure Center, was wonderful.  His approach is medication first to treat symptoms and strengthen the heart, then defibrillator, then mitral clip through a catherization, not open heart.  We will return in 5 weeks for more testing and reevaluation and if her condition at that time is what he expects, will proceed to the clip from there.  The visit's added bonus was meeting an elderly man doing extremely well after a heart transplant. 

 

The LifeVest is cumbersome, the monitor to wear is heavy, and she was not fitted properly.  Cleveland called to check on her today and after hearing of the problems (it rubbed her skin off, alarms are constant, she cannot get any rest) advised her to remove it.  Developing an infection from the wound in her heart's weakened state is more serious and he does not want her under the stress it is causing.  She is not permitted to use any antibiotic cream or powder, it would interfere with the electrodes.   A tech from the company is coming out to check the fit and that may help, but not until the wound heals.

 

Picking up her new meds this evening along with a pink hanging basket (she killed the other two) and a DD iced coffee for us both.  Sunday will be a day of rest and gratitude.  And STITCHING!!!  I really feel the need to work on Ann, and I've also got it in my head (after a reader's email) to stitch Anna Eliza Abe again (Threads of Gold).  This time, higher count linen, lighter shade, and a different color for the house.   Anna was my choice to accompany me to Cleveland for the stay, and maybe I should save her until then.

 

Thank you so much for the prayers and well wishes.  It means so much to me.

 

Have a wonderful weekend. 

It's fricking August.

 

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Hiya

I'll be gone for a while.  We start in Cleveland August 1.  They wanted her tomorrow but for several reasons, she requested a few more days.  Her doc told me to kiss my summer goodbye.  Last year it was the month of August with her sepsis and gall bladder surgery.  I have no idea when the surgery will be, they are trying to work out a plan since she is high risk, but her heart is critical right now and they need to work fast.  The doctor in charge is the head of the Heart Failure Center.  It's still shocking that you can be in such a dire situation when your cardio exam went so well, and you had all testing done last year at this time.  Whatever.  I just hope they can correct or at least help her, and quickly.

 

I will let you know the outcome once it's over and we are back home.  I am not driving, nor could I.  Mark got lost twice on the way home and we never know if a test result will require an admittance or return the next day so we have a driver lined up also.  He can't stay in Cleveland with me because no one can take care of the wild brats.  I don't want them left outside day and night and they won't allow anyone near enough to coax them in at night or to feed them.  The raccoons will take their food if left outside.  They refuse to use the litter box, locking them inside is impossible, and the garage is terribly hot.  Chris saw the new doctor (who is only staying three months) to find out his new pump is not working properly, hence the continual emergencies, so Mark needs to be close and get to him if he fails to answer the phone.  There is never an easy solution is there?

 

Say a prayer if you are so inclined that this will end in a good result for her.

 

Thank you.  Take care.

 

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One more and the last one

with binder holes.  Stoney Creek's The Lord's Prayer.

 

This is mine, lovely border and dove, the prayer is backstitched.  Some metallic thread is used but you can change that.  My dove is white metallic and the crowns, wheat, lions and a few letters are gold.   I recently saw this completed on FB, beautiful piece.

 

Here are the holes and there are also markings, and I colored in some of the symbols.  If interested, email me.  It looks like I changed the top butterflies beneath the sheep to hearts. 

 

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

 

 

I will be working on Ann tonight, but I've chosen two small projects to work on when I'm staying at Cleveland Clinic with Carole.  After a great exam and good numbers, her echo showed otherwise.  I always go to her appointments but the last one was excellent and this was just a follow up for results with the nurse that I did not attend.  Needless to say, she is in shock.  They are fitting her with a life vest Monday and rather than screw around with the yokals, she is going right back to Cleveland for another valve surgery and pacemaker change.  We will know when next week.  I wish there was a way to get to the clinic without that multi lane drag race route that I cannot handle.

 

 

 

 

The heat is returning for a few days and the brats are already enjoying it.  And a little tip if you plan to paint outdoor furniture.... black heats up like a toaster and will fry your butt in seconds.

 

Have a good weekend.

 

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McCarthy

Not as widely desired as Yellow House.  But still about a dozen requests.  This time Kris Butorac was drawn.  I will be scanning a bunch of samplers I know I will never stitch for a sale but I don't know if it will be through the sampler chart selling FB page or here or eBay.  It's so much easier when the address and mailing label are available without revolving emails especially when there are two dozen or more charts.  I'll see.

 

Little Santas are in ornament/pillow/tuck form and so stinkin' cute.  Tiny!  Probably add hangers but not yet.

 

 

Hope your week is going well.   August next week.  Can't believe it.

 

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Wow.

There were over 20 readers that wanted Yellow House!  I scrambled and pulled a number, it matched Mary McMaster.  Sorry to disappoint the others, did not expect that many requests.

 

This is the Sheepish Designs McCarthy sampler.  I did mine on a unbleached linen that is very gray and dull, do not like it at all.  Emails only.
samplersandsantas@gmail.com
 

 

The holes are shown here and the crease is worn, a few marks centering the over one verse.

 

 

If I ever get the gumption to remove it (the thought of mounting again is holding me back) I will dip it in a bit of yellowish tan dye.  I know some of you just fell off of your chairs.  The unevenness is the reflection from the other wall and it doesn't look too bad in this photo, but it does when hung with the other samplers on warmer linen.

 

 

 

 

 

And while waiting for Carole's heart testing at the hospital, I got a good start on the corrected Polish piece and finished it last night.  Much better.  Just in case you plan to stitch it, please download the latest chart.  I changed it so many times and this final one looks more balanced and better than the others.

 

Again, I'm sorry for all the changes.  I didn't plan it as a freebie, just as a gift, and I appreciate Alice's help with the proper lettering/slash.

I'm sitting on my swing with a light jacket!  It's chilly without the sun and such a drastic change.  I have my home made cold brewed iced coffee and it is divine.

 

Have a great Wednesday! 

 

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Two charts

Sheepish Designs Yellow House Sampler

Sheepish Designs McCarthy Sampler

 

Both are original publications and both have been stored in a binder and have 3 holes.  Back then, I discarded charts I completed since selling was not practiced so I wasn't concerned with markings or condition.  The holes are in a stitched area but those missing stitches can be easily recognized from the border pattern.  Neither can be sold so I am offering to you rather than tossing.  

First will be the Yellow House Sampler.  I'll contact the new owner Tuesday evening and post the McCarthy chart then for Wednesday.

If you'd like the Yellow House, EMAIL ONLY so I have a way to contact you.  Click the address below, it should work.

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

 

p.s. Cinderella is back in her castle since it has cooled off. 

 

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