Two-fer

 Very rare for me.  I finally corrected the large alpha row on my last attempt.  Well that's obvious isn't it?  If corrected, it would of course be the last attempt.  Sorry.  I've been so unsettled that the Release the Snark bracelet from Lauren is close to melting.  

Mark was to drive the forty minutes to Carole, visit with her, then leave me for the day and return to take me home.  The plan was sudden and I wanted to grab a small project to take while sitting with her.  The snark was released.  My kitted projects are all large, and I hesitate doing smaller ones because with limited linens right now, I usually pull them out for something else.  I chose five from the pile, and each one was a problem because I needed a quick kitting.  I do not have a local shop, and have been disappointed so many times with the great inconsistencies of GAST online, plus waiting for a week to receive them.  No conversion to DMC which is the thread most readily available for all of us.  A few others gave the finished size using a linen count very different from my preference.  No count listed.  So I have to either search for a conversion chart, get a calculator to estimate size using a higher count, or open the page and count the squares.  Dammit.  I went with the current sampler, no time to work out things that should be in the chart.

Delirium for the fourth time and not leaving.  Constant phone calls including throughout the night.  Nothing we can do, but listen to the distress and anxiety as she loses her breath trying to explain the extremely disturbing hallucinations.  Can barely understand her words in garbled speech.  To see her with mouth hanging open and wild eyes is disturbing and I can't imagine the terror that continues to plague her mind. This may cancel the upcoming appt. and treatments, they cannot remove a leg without your consent, and anesthesia in this state is not happening.

Last night after the visit, I was ishkaboobled, and saw this on the floor which is where I choose next projects after they slip off the pile.  In the pocket of the Magma was WDW Beige and although greenish, I feel perfect for these threads (until I change my mind).  So I started it.  Simple stitching without many color changes.  It's a good thing this linen happened to be there because there is no stitch count on this chart either.  It's certainly large enough, but I prefer using a  left over piece rather than cutting into a larger.  

So will I work on both at the same time?  Day off day on?  I think I will just choose what seems to be the most soothing and less complicated to stitch right now.

I've never attended a retreat or school as so many had the pleasure to with BBD.  But still shocked and saddened by Barb's passing.

I followed Stitching Dream Carole's advice and am trying follow.it to continue sending posts to subscribers through email.  If I did not install correctly, not a surprise, please just enter your email again in the right column's box.

Enjoy your weekend folks.  I hope Carole's improves.  

Has she not been through enough and yet so much more to come?

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Too tired for tech

 So.  We've lost the email delivery of blog posts to subscribers.  I saw the notice on the dashboard and assumed there would be an alternative posted.  Nah-uh.  But eventually I found that going to 

https://feedburner.google.com/

while logged into your Google account will allow you to download your subscriber list.  I had several hundred more under the Publish tab than the Analyze tab.  Mine went to Word Pad, and I saved them.  No idea where they go from there.  Mail Chimp?  Any suggestions?  What are most of you doing regarding subscribers through email?

We got the estimate to level, add dirt, and seed the the destruction of back, side and front.  It must settle for three weeks weeks first, and then another eight grand.  I would consider renting equipment but this requires hand work and raking for 160' x 25' of ground.  No way.  Even if the gravel, rocks and roots were gone.  I scolded husband several times because he trusts people that seem sincere.  The agreed price without a contract (I insisted on one, husband said not necessary), was much higher.  He claims we told him the pipe would be paid by us and even then, charged double the cost.  I was PO'd with all the other expense and told him that it was never mentioned.  He gave us a price not once saying that is without the pipe.  But without a contract, nothing we could do.  I hope he learned his lesson.

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Over and over

 I've repeated the same error.  I guess distraction can do that.  So once again, I need to remove the C and D since they are too far right.  The letters above are a stitch or two off so the second time I adjusted the row beneath to compensate.  Using the row above for placement always bites me, but so does compensating in the wrong direction.  And then on the third try, following the border stitches for placement and counting wrong.  Geez.

Carole has been having issues, no sense explaining.  Still no answers or help, assistance office employees working from home only applies if they are actually home and working.  The facility and the attorney I spoke with are both disgusted.

Mark just fried garden swiss chard with fresh garlic, wonderful.  I fried the few radishes that were ready, took the bite out so I was able to eat them.  

Cut Blue Angel hosta flowers and they really suck up the water, but are lasting longer than expected.  They look white outside, but lavender indoors after cutting and more color appears every day.

I had to apply cans and bottles to the large roots I've tripped on several times.  Some are quite large and what a jolt I got when trying to yank them out of the dirt mounds.  They are still attached to the tree.  They should finish today and then come another time to fill and remove excess soil.

I cut back the woody petunia and look at the new branches in a week.  This should be loaded with flowers soon.

Hope you had a nice Independence Day.  

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Torque

 A twisting force that tends to cause rotation.

Not to be confused with twerk.

And some of our newer drills have enough to send that long deck screw into the wood so quickly that you don't realize how deep it's going.  Until of course, it stops but the drill keeps going and torques your wrist.  Not conducive to stitching.  We decided to reinstall the old boards, too much expense right now, and the excavator changed bucket size to keep the work area to a minimum.  Good thing husband started this himself because there is no guarantee that hired help will show, they just don't have enough workers.

With the recent rains, we have a real disaster and the clay soil is like walking on quicksand.  As you start sinking, your shoe disappears and it's hard to get out.  Extensive, and it will be quite some time before the dirt settles and they can come out to level and seed. The brats are NOT happy with this situation and leaving muddy prints everywhere.

My return visit to the new doc early Wednesday after the previous long wait and walk out, did not materialize.  This is the third time in six months that they called early and said the doctor would not be in.  I have no idea if there is a family health problem, but I need a doctor, trying another as new patient in August.  I asked both offices and neither will drop a patient because they visited other doctors to find the right one, as my PCP of 30 years did.  So I'm not concerned about being blindsided and refused to be seen.

I've stopped all meds months ago, I know it's foolish.  But waking up with hard palps and shaky hands distracts you.  I can take Advil again, and my daily monitor of blood pressure had been on the button.  Have no idea why with all the stress, wondering if the Plaquenil raised it?  It lowered when I stopped.  Whatever.  Advil has helped my wrist and we are finished with the drivers.  Hoping to do some swing sitting and stitching between phone calls tomorrow.  The nursing home has not been able to contact anyone from the assistance office about her application, they are still not open.

Happy Friday folks.

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Thank goodness

 I never washed my windows.  Our cement like clay soil is creating more dust than we expected.  They are getting close to the deck and should finish it all today.  The septic pump company owner has been helped by husband (he's a hydraulic whiz) over the years so when we called, he came right out to empty the holding tank and the lines could be connected today.  We've seen the neighbors on the highway progress and I guess the state (they mandated this) doesn't check because the required 8" of gravel below the pipe is not being installed.  Same company doing all of those installations, six houses, on a state highway.  And we begged to allow a variance so we don't have to destroy property, told absolutely not, regulations must be followed.  Sure.  The less responsible you are these days, the more you benefit. 

Right now the machine is pounding the 4" thick cement patio to break it up and I feel the vibration on the floor.  I've always wanted to operate a bobcat but don't want to interrupt their work by destroying the gears.

Oh no.  Mark just came in and said the pipe from mom's section is broken.  That's it.  Next time, government can kiss my ass, I'm doing what we want like everyone else.    

Filling the eight foot deep trench and lawn repair is not important right now. 

Doc visit yesterday did not happen.  I waited 85 minutes for her to come into the exam room, and decided to leave.  My eyes have been horrible, fluorescent lights and air conditioning make them worse, and I was not sitting there any longer.  I am returning at 8am tomorrow. still not sure if I will stay with this office since I am not comfortable with any of the medical staff after that fiasco.

And this is what the equipment did on this extremely hot day.  Asphalt from the melting road on the new concrete drive that was installed after they tore out the original.  A forever reminder since the concrete had not been sealed yet.  But the installers had the concrete on their boots and walked over the old drive so it's white footprints on the dark aged section, a real mess anyway.  The kids from this company left the 2" gravel in place and threw some dirt and seed over it.  When we told them the gravel had to be removed, grass needs a layer of dirt, they smirked and continued.  All that work was from the company that installed the main lines along the road, and they can't get anyone to work, so it is what it is. 

Have a good ending to my favorite month.  It's gone, passed before I realized. 

Now that this nightmare is coming to a close, I hope to stitch tonight.

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Am I going to jail

 if I snatch an IG photo to share with you?   Probably.  But if people can go into stores and steal whatever they want without consequence, I should be able to steal a photo with credit to owner.  Ya think?  Stonestreet Stitchworks posted this of Mary Taylor Stackney 1828 by Lila’s Studio.  Another one of those Holy Crap look at this moments that make you add a project to the growing list of Holy Crap I will never stitch all these.  Not only did I not pay attention to this repro before, the appeal wasn't great to this simple marking sampler lady.  What a difference it makes once again to see thread on linen compared to a chart photo. 

I continued on without changes to the green in my current work, it's fine for now.  Honestly having problems with concentrating, attention, and symbols so I may just use whatever floss color happens to slide onto the floor.

And so it begins.  Tomorrow morning on the day I am finally getting in to my doctor.  Mark will need to stay here, they are crossing all utility lines, so I hope it won't be sunny since I will have to drive myself.

The right side is coming from mom's addition (former garage), circle is the tank which will be destroyed, and the line beneath the deck comes from the house extending to meet the other.  Petey is in the middle right now but will bolt tomorrow I'm sure.

We rode out to see Carole today with more stuff that she wants and doesn't need.  I ordered three bed jackets to cover those nasty hospital gowns, along with a lightweight pink comforter and blanket, all coming Tuesday.  Never ordered so much in my life and should have kept track for returns and credits.  Her Stitchin' by the Bay bag is still terribly wrinkled, even after stretching, blocking, steaming, and cussing. 

I hope your week starts swell and doesn't finish with too many bangs.  Except for sparklers, I am not one to enjoy neighborhood fireworks.  And neither are the animals, tame or wild.  We saw a dead mama doe on the highway to the nursing home, breaks your heart knowing babies are desperately needing her and won't survive.

Be safe, be well, be bitchy when needed.

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