A quiet Christmas

In more ways than one. 

Mark's gift - his wife's throat and breathless cough took her voice away.  A little huff of air is all that's heard, music to his ears.

Carole's gift - her sister was not present to witness the overload of unnecessary gifts to the great grands and throw eye daggers followed by a speech in the kitchen.

Ron's gift - his sister was unable to have the Eve and Day dinners so his generous neighbor brought pasta, ham, stuffed cabbage, roast beef, salads, potatoes, cookies, and pie to his door.

Chris's gift - no consequence to his aunt not being able to visit, he previously tried on his new Sketchers for fit and received his gift early.

Petey has been a good boy, except for today.  For some reason, he went after Nitzy from behind.  This poor boy is now staying by the back door and this is the view from our kitchen window.  I still can't approach any closer than about six feet, but he is hanging close and looking for us most of the day.  He came here well fed, does not hunt, couldn't have been on his own for long.  Big boy isn't he?

I won't be hitting any sales or enjoying this warm weather for the next few days.  I need a new laptop and I will probably spend some time shopping online again, and some stitching too between naps.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, great cookies, and lots of hugs.  But keep those hand sanitizers handy!!  This is a virus, it's spreads, and it's not fun.

Thanks for visiting!

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Book 58

Crabass Santa.  I had planned to change his eyes to reflect anger, but decided there is too much of that around.   His coat is 3802, the face is my preference for Santas.  Rather than 407/356 I use 3773 for the face and 407 for the cheeks/nose.  

I added colored knots and strung them together with 3371.  I wanted him to look like a frustrated crab as sometimes happens when lights go wrong.  But I plan to remove this and do smaller knots on the tree alone, or none at all.  I've seen many of your finishes with piping or tiny poms and want that on mine.  For some reason, my taste is changing once again, and I wish these guys were done on a solid fabric as Jobelan in sage or a neutral.  Why?  I've been linen linen linen for so long!!  For samplers, absolutely.  But ornaments, I am liking the solid base without the slight variations and texture.  Menopause.  It still happens.

My sampler tags on the little tree look so cute, but because of the thin wood are slightly warped.  Good thing I didn't make any to sell.  May not bother you, bothers me.  The tin ornaments that I so love are not to be found.  I've tried all sorts of searches to no avail.  

Went to the doc today, she is gorgeous, and so so thin.  I asked if she was OK and found that she is divorcing.   Our chiropractor for many years, a friend, and really great guy, was in the obituaries this morning.  Unexpectedly while in Florida.  Shocked to say the least.  Anyway, she took throat cultures but believes my gagging, pain, and inability to speak for more than a few sentences is because the virus has flared the Sjogren's.  She gave me an Rx for antibiotics in case I get worse over the holiday or am notified about the culture.   I may attempt a brunch Christmas day, great grands will be at Carole's for dinner. 

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday and Christmas, whether it's a full house or alone, decorated or bare, we can all look to 2020 with hope and best wishes.

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Jobelan

Greetings folks.  I am working on my crabass Santa and I couldn't remember the colors I use for PS faces.  I think the 407/356 combo is too much color depending on the fabric and coat colors.  While looking through finishes, I realized how much I like the sage Jobelan for Santas.  I gave away quite a few pieces, did not think I would ever use it again.  But as usual, regrets, because I do like the way it looks.  The texture is not there as in linen, but the coverage and crisp background makes Santa stand out.  I remember someone (I think it was Shirlee) looking for the sage but don't remember why since it is still available.  Mine was from decades ago, is the current sage Jobelan unlike the old?  Anyone know?

I cancelled Eve and Christmas dinners.  I'm really not well and the decongestant meds have dried me out to the point I can't talk for longer than a few minutes.  I may call the doctor tomorrow.  I have a hard time swallowing with the Sjogren dryness but with the cold meds I can barely get food down.  I can't enjoy the meal and can't talk with anyone for long so we will postpone dinners.  I may make a muffuletta for brunch on the 25th, hope to be better by then.

Petey got close to Bud this morning and was crying to him.  No hissing, no growling, just the same cry he gives to me.  Bud did not respond.  He is trying hard to fit in and I plan to take his photo to several vet offices to see if he is recognized.  He was definitely someone's indoor cat.  Saw another FB post of a cat that was left at the curb of a highway with his bed and litter box.  

Getting down to the wire folks!  

Hope you're all ready.

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Of all days!

It started last night, came on quickly, and my head is pounding hard enough to feel it in my teeth.  I have what Mark had, thought I skimmed it, but it's now full blown.  So what is he doing today?  Sanding and waxing the soapstone.  We're having dinner here the 24th and 25th.  It will take a damn big microfiber wand to get the fine dust from the rooms, even though the sander has a dust catcher.  Also not good for someone with a stuffy head and dry eyes!  But he's wanted to do it for some time, and chose today.

I was sending a note to a friend and while mentioning Mom, remembered these slippers.  She and her sister had little, but Christmas and Easter were the dress up days of the year.  Their best earrings, fancy dress, and always a pair of good slippers for when the heels became too much. These Daniel Green's were never worn.  I've kept them, a little too narrow for me, but I do love them.  There was a party at each aunt's home from Christmas through New Years.  And you dare not go without a good dress, husbands in suits.  We played Tripoli and other games, they made fancy drinks, and I so miss those times even though they were decades ago.

Got a little stitching done after several days of another eye flare up.  But the cold meds are making me quite drowsy so I don't know if the needle will be picked up tonight.

Enjoy your weekend!!

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Preferences

Some like the simple things,

some prefer more posh settings.

Some are lucky to have lots of food and shelter, but it's not enough.

The surroundings don't feed the soul, soothe the loneliness, comfort rejection.

I ordered Feliway spray for the brats and hope to receive it this weekend.  My brother has been taking care of ferals for many years, currently three in house.  Now a very young, very thin, black and white long hair with the sweetest little face has shown up.  Our shelter hasn't had room for a year and strays have no where to go.  He does not want to start with another young cat at his age and a likely move to an apartment in the next few years.  Did you see the story of the door that was blown open by wind and the 9 year old sweet dog that entered?  In need of medical, on three legs, emaciated, infected, wandering the streets, the home owners decided to keep her.  I wish they all would have happy endings.

Been ridiculously involved with finding a comforter without a microfiber cover and lots of loft.  Number four is being returned this weekend and number five is ordered.  Most cotton covers are white, not the best color for Carole.  This last one appears to be overfilled, cotton, but white.  Now a duvet cover is needed.  I've ordered firefighter hoodies, back scratchers, books, blankets, boots, jeans, and other last minute items for my technology deficient family.  Finally over and done with, now to plan meals. 

I ordered a pair of Crocs from their site (they had a huge sale), they came today and I haven't taken them off yet.  I love Crocs but am in between sizes and prefer a secure shoe.  Found it.  Elastic top to hug and this one runs small so the 1/2 size up fits perfectly.  Comes in heather gray with a white sole which I may also order.  Still on sale!!  If my eyes improve we will make a trip to the Ohio mall Saturday to look around a little, I will be wearing these for sure.

I haven't been sleeping so I may take a few sips of Black Velvet Caramel.  Do not like the taste of wines or alcoholic anything, and it doesn't take much at all to make me sleepy.

Hope your week has gone well.  The last weekend before Christmas!  

Where did the year go?

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A day to snooze

And that's what the brats are doing.  Cold with snow on the ground, so Crabass Stitcher meets Crabass Santa this afternoon.

Petey is becoming a problem.  He is now hanging around the back door, pitifully crying.  I won't let him inside because of conflicts and I can't get near, so how would I get him out?  Plus the fleas he is probably carrying.  But.  He is attacking Missy.  She is half his size and he waits in hiding for her to go out (they won't use a litter box) and the chase follows.  Old man Bud goes to help but he is missing several front teeth and aged.  He would not stand a chance.  So now what?  I saw an article online that a pheromone hog spray applied to a female's back will deter males.  The spray tricks them into thinking the female is a male through scent.  So will she make the house smell like a sex crazed hog?  Thankfully I was able to trap them early and have all three neutered, but it has not stopped the fighting with others.

One article describes its use for bad behavior in dogs.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140824213155.htm

Another was similar but related to cats fighting and ravaging the females, neutered or not, and good results using the same boar/pig androstenone pheromone.  Or something like that.  Missy has been here for almost 10 years and still runs from us, a hunter, and not a house cat unless it's raining or very cold.  Hiding her will not help, and I can't leave her/them in the house while in Cleveland or gone for the day.  Doesn't matter the color, scent, no scent, texture, box size, they will not use the litter.  Petey has been a good boy until he started coming close to the house, and he is even hovering over Bud now, showing his dominance.  Not good.

I wish Petey's family was responsible and did not allow this to happen, but many cat owners are not able to domesticate strays and do the best they can.  I don't have the answer.  I'm one of them.

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