Soon to be June

And lots of transplanting to still do.  Carole's are done, ferns and petunias, mine will be soon.  For years I moved to a 12" pot using ProMix all purpose.  Just grabbed the only bag I found and it's Garden, for in ground.  I had to switch to Miracle Gro and repot all.  Not very knowledgeable about annuals, I didn't want to chance a high nitrogen or whatever and risk more loss.   The clothesline pole was a good way to hang nine ferns using three hooks so I'm getting a few more and will spray paint them black.

Comfort food is sometimes more heartburn than comfort, but good kielbasa is worth it.

 Sis was moved, even though staff and supervisors kept coming in and requesting she stay.  After one day in the new place, the therapy manager understood her restrictions.  Just by two simple adjustments, she was able to accomplish the movement that was unattainable before.  Therapy is therapy, necessary and helpful, but sometimes the therapist makes all the difference.  From the numerous phone calls and questions and offers, we absolutely made the right decision.  She's not as close, but holy crap that place is gorgeous with beautifully landscaped and accessible outdoors, and more importantly, dedicated, accommodating, informative.  

Finally heard from CC, said her kidney/heart issue was a real struggle after the contrast dye and they may not attempt the right leg.  The NAC that is very helpful in preventing the kidney failure from contrast, is not available.  She is not being evaluated for over two weeks, no testing scheduled before, and the necrosis on her left took only 24 days from a few toes to entire front of leg ....  Nothing we can do, but maybe the doctor at this new facility will take over.  Sometimes she is nasty and disgusted, other times her sense of humor returns.  When the team came in a few days ago, they said that she will lose the left's toes.  She looked puzzled, "how"?  A nurse said they will fall off and hit the floor.  Carole's reply was, "I hope I'm not eating a hot dog when that happens".  Well, our hot dog buns were enjoyed by our raccoons that night and the Smith dogs are in the freezer.

So many phone calls, research, ordering, returning, and I continually requested her weight to gauge robe size and was told it hadn't changed.  I guess this new facility knows how to read numbers because she is close to 40 pounds lighter.  I already washed everything, can't return, and had to reorder a smaller size.  I even ordered a few items for myself. Very nice, not real cheap (for a penny pincher like me) and although seeming like excellent quality, not so after washing.  But the muslin throw from Mushie is a big hit.  The adaptive gown over $60 (with express shipping) is missing, as is the pink silky muumuu.  No idea how they disappeared.

Mark made a very large cross for Bud's resting site, and when I saw it unfinished on the dining table I thought we would be fighting vampires.  Big ones.  After these last few months, bring it.  He is still very upset and misses him.

So I hope all is well with you and yours and even some that aren't.  

Most of you will not agree but I am sad that Swamp People is ending this week.  Really.  I enjoy Troy and his family, envy the large gatherings sharing food and laughter after a long sweaty work day.  It has nothing to do with the hunt.  To me, that is real life reality TV.  Not half naked girls claiming their kids come first, with more hair and makeup than I weigh, fighting over an idiot.

Enjoy what's left of May.  

Oh my, that hurt coming out.

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Nancy's 1776

Nancy (Eden Berry winner) sent me a photo of her finish of my 1776 freebie.

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It's finally warming up, but nowhere near how hot my mom's getting.

Five weeks and still no credit or return acceptance from Woman Within, but not important right now.  Never again.

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 My eyes have not been this bad and unable to stay open in light except when the Sjogren's originally hit.  I managed to get the large bottom right flower completed before that happened.

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I honestly do not know where to turn.  Original doc said he could not open blockages, must go elsewhere.  He sends her to CC.  After the kidneys failing because of contrast dye while continuing on 120 mg of lasix after, she is in trouble.  And then the cardiogenic shock, a second aortic valve, over a week for kidneys and heart to recover, send her back here.  The doctor said the PAD procedure could be as outpatient in the near future (one small ulcer at that time). Let kidneys rest a while before the contrast shuts them down again.  Five weeks later, after her leg starting blackening (covered, we did not know), the toes continued which was concerning.  Five weeks?  I tried to get appt with the doctor who would treat.  Called and called to move it up.  Horrified when they removed the wrap.  The doctor that originally sent her from here, called me (I didn't request it) and laid into me as I was doing my best to be pleasant.  I did not expect him to proceed when he could not, I did not accuse him of failure, I said CC said it could be done as outpatient.  Still as nasty as hell, he stated that he did his part, sent her there, they did nothing and sent her back.  I explained she almost died and needed the valve ..... not his concern.  He did his part, he's not doing it again, he sent her once.  PCP said CC should have scheduled.  Back and forth, each passing the buck.  We are in the same boat again.  Not future schedule, the right leg is starting to deteriorate, I am getting no where.  Her PCP told me (as before) see what you can do.  Appt for review is not for three weeks.  No return calls yet.  I am looking into a clinic in Ohio, but with a bad heart, I don't know if they will do it.  University hospital in Cleveland has a Limb Saving program, only a few blocks from CC, I have not heard back.  

I was not sleepy last night at 7pm, I was at the end of sanity.  So what do I do?  I am not a doctor, but I am basically in charge of procedure scheduling and have been doing my best, but getting nowhere.  She asked her PCP of 35 years to call and move things up, he said "did they say that would help?" and no calls were made.  Yet I've received disturbing calls from him to say her toes are self amputating and she will lose the leg, probably not survive the surgery, might as well go ahead with the risk because she's going to die anyway. Carole made me promise to not lose my temper with her docs.  I do not understand at all what is happening.  And yet overwhelmed with guilt.

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Berry late

 Sorry.  Been a trying day and I just woke up since collapsing at 7pm.  Very few entries and Random picked Nancy Summa who emailed hers.  

Thanks for the offers to stitch the over one for me.  I mistakenly ordered Eden twice, if I decide to stitch would probably abbreviate the design into an ornament.  

Have a nice weekend everyone.

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Distraction

 Embarrassed to admit that I am destroying my own health and losing teeth because of inability to deal with a crisis.  A Nutter Butter actually stuck when biting it and tore tissue, so a guard is not ideal.

Almost impossible to think of anything else, each day brings a new challenge.  Even though a minor diversion, this offer doesn't involve medical, money, government, complications, and gives me something else to focus on even briefly.  I love Erica Michaels berry series but after reading this chart, I do not want to do any over one.  I have learned with your help, but planned to do this project on a high count which may be difficult with my eyesight.  So if you would like this chart, please leave a comment, or email samplersandsantas@gmail.com 

The over one is just the wording on the sides, not the main design.  The smaller berry on the right is the silk version, a little different than the linen.   This design was offered in two packs, one in linen (this offer) and the other in silk with the gauze included.  But the webpage states that both linen and silk charts are now included in one pack, silk gauze is not included.  This is just the linen version.

I've mentioned previously about the mass of clothing that hasn't fit in years.  When we had a Kaufmann's here and I raided the 80% off + extra 20% racks, I  assumed they would fit the following year, now decade.  Jean jackets, Docker pants, tons of items most still with tags are finally going to a charity.  Mark golfed with a man who along with his wife, do yearly missionary trips with money made at their thrift shop.  So that feels good. Prior years the battered shelter received my furniture, household items, clothing, but messages left at their office for several years were never returned.

Carole is coming back to the same facility today until a opening at the preferred.  She cannot sit, the leg must be elevated, and in addition to the blanket I ordered ten longer robe/lounger/duster.  It's been a month, still no notice of returns arriving so no credit on my card.  Once "shipping agents" pick up the packages from my post office, tracking is useless.  They can't even tell me who the agent is.  Over $400 and no way to track the returns, I will NEVER use their return labels again.  

The veggie plants from one greenhouse are loaded with aphids, so I dunked in Dawn water and also sprayed tops.  The petunia did not take it well, and the flowers were destroyed.  We went back to a few yesterday looking for foliage to add, and I found this.  The color is very close to the Vista Paradise and I love love love it. Only one, dammit.  One thing I noticed different from the other Vistas, is the Paradise has very thick and rigid stems.  I can't see how they will hang but since mine will be in barrels, doesn't matter.  Not sure when the sewer project excavating will rip it all out.

So enjoy your day folks.  Remember to leave a comment if interested in Eden Berry (or email).  Oh.  When will a name be chosen......how the hell do I know when I'm not sure what day is today.

Thursday at 8 pm sounds good.

Thank you again for prayers and wishes.  Greatly appreciated.

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Vintage cloths

May is half over.  Even on the planet I've been on for months.  Earth too?  Amazing.  

EDIT

Thank you so much anonymous!!!  The only baby blankets I saw were knit and even with cotton, not smooth enough.  But thanks to you I found the muslin!!  No sewing, here in a few days.  THANK YOU!!  Carole said the vintage embroidery would be very nice, may use them for a few pockets on the muslin.  Holy crap.  My shriveled lip just cracked open.  I think I smiled!!!!

So here's the task that needs a prompt solution.  Carole will be going to a nursing facility possibly as soon as tomorrow.  If no rooms are open, she will be sent back to the transitional unit here they watched her leg rot for weeks.  Because of kidney issues after the contrast dye, she will need to return within two weeks for procedures on the right leg.  That one may be saved.  Pain prevents movement, or sitting with that leg down, and she doesn't want it in view.  I'm thinking the fleece or napped material most wheelchair throws are, is as wrong as can be, too warm, and some are quite large.  So I decided to rip apart another room searching for the midweight chambray fabric that was once here, or in my imagination, and not to be found.  But that search uncovered the vintage tablecloths that were cut up because of stains to be used for do-dad sewing and bags.  Cotton and linen, two the perfect size (36" or 40" sq), others could be sewn back in four sections.  Pillow cases could be sewn together with seams and edges of colored binding.  I'm sure I could locate other small tablecloths, solid or print, no nap to leave lint, lightweight.  Does it matter if their intended table cover purpose is obvious?  At least until I find an alternative or create a throw, it will have to do.  Most cotton fabrics today are too flimsy as a single layer.  The vintage cottons and linens have excellent body and I think a much better option.

 I've been lugging ten petunias and seven ferns in and out for a week because of this cold weather.  Eighties next week, and I will take Carole's to her house for Chris to water.  I don't know how, but she expects to be home soon, and she can be once she is approved for home nursing care, and confined to bed.  We have a lot of work to do there for accessibility.

Enjoy your day.

Thanks for visiting.

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Continuing

 One day good news, two days poor, yesterday better, today worse.  Expecting an update from the doctor at the Clinic some time today.

Margret had a few more changes, and whether caused by spite, anger, intention, or error, all are just fine.  When concentration or focus is out the window, (following your laptop and anything else ticking you off), a sampler like Margret Withrow is the perfect project.  She is accepting of frustrations, intolerance, moods, choices, thoughts, emotions.  No judgement, no criticism, allowing you the freedom of your own will.  Very glad I found her.  

My house is loaded with very large petunias we must dodge in every room.  Baby it's cold outside, has been, and will continue, so inside they must stay.  The Paradise Vista has very thick stems which are breaking easily, and since it's early in May, I trimmed them along with the others.  In two weeks the plants will be more dense with twice the flowers.

For many years the front of our house had red geraniums, or a mini tunia in white.  Not those tiny million bells that never survived summer, a little larger.  Hoping this is it.  Covered in flowers all summer hanging several feet below the pot.  These are only 8" pots but will be moved to a larger.  For $9, I may go back to check other colors. 

I hope everyone had a special Mother's Day.  
And a warm jacket.
Take care.

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