Rachel

Hello hello hello!  Going to be warm the next few days, finally summer weather in it's last month.

I switched to 28 count and can't figure out why it's not comfortable.  That was the only count I worked on for many many years before moving to 30.  Not sure, but from my searching I don't believe R&R or PTP (my preferred linens) offer a 30 and since I seem to be spinning my wheels, giving up.  Will continue more this evening, but my tension issue is quite apparent and wonky uneven threads are slowing me down.  I'm using the secure needle method even though I prefer the loop, you would think the threads would lie even.  They certainly appear to be with the needle perfectly centered but once through the fabric destroys that illusion.  If it continues this evening, I have my PTP 36 waiting.  But only if I can work out a way to more easily read this chart.  We're not off to a good start folks!!

Trying to read this entire chart, even though very large and detailed, is proving to be a looming reason to stop.  Some symbols are easy, others seem faint and not centered, with the right side of them into the line of the graph.  This one took a long time for me to realize it must be the 502 symbol which is slanted with a curled leg in the code, but not in the chart.  You can see the graph is not a single line, but patterned.  This may not affect most, but certainly is me.  The alphabet is easy, all the same for each letter.

 

Coloring often helps a great deal but since there are too many shades of browns and greens to distinguish with a pencil, not this time.  So I should scan the page and stitch from a screen?  One that goes black every 15 minutes to save energy?  Should I keep the window open so it doesn't break when I launch it out?

Ordered a few more charts and a piece of Winter Brew.  Fraktur Friends from Shakespeares Peddler and BBD's The Rarest Flower.  So many BBD charts, old and new, are being shown that I have not seen, and although samplers and santas are my usual projects, doesn't hurt to try a few that pique my interest.  I adore this little design.  

All the fabrics shown on floss tube look perfect but I know it's not true and any time I can get Winter Brew, I do.  Seraphim and others are quite expensive for me to mess with and I really hate to take a chance.  Antique Lace looked gorgeous in a video and the thumbnail online looks grayish white.  Drives you nuts doesn't it?  I think showing several colors together would help those of us shopless, yellows greens and pinks would be noticeable compared to each other or even white.  When looking for paint samples, I always take a white sheet of paper, really helps show the cast.

The facility advised me to not hire an attorney since all the necessary documents were already turned in with the application and she has no financials except for one checking account.  They said not to be concerned, this is commonplace for PA to question deposits of some applicants for $45 and $52.85 even with limited income.  

Ferns are as always, gorgeous.  The others are even larger so I had to separate since their size did not allow room for all.

That's Nitzy, reminding me of Bud and how much I miss him on my swing.  I never sat alone, the minute he heard my large behind rattle those chains, he was there.

Chocolate zucchini bundt in oven along with the ???? zucchini with egg and Bisquick and onion and Parmesan and stuff.  Both baking at the same time and when I turned to clean the dishes, saw 3 cups of shredded zucchini and wondered why.  I quickly removed the dish from the oven and added the main ingredient.  How could I forget the zucchini?

Enjoy your day!

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Deck the Halls

 It's coming so fast.  Once again, we have to wait four weeks for an answer on the right leg, that will be September.  Holy moly.  That is just so mind blowing to me.  When someone mentions 2020, it seems like that year was more a of a dream (nightmare), and now 2021 will be also with a stress fog thrown in.  In the few minutes I had last night before conking out, I saw a post featuring Deck the Halls berries from BBD.  I don't remember ever seeing them, ordered right away.  Normally do not purchase books but all six designs will probably be stitched.  

This latest doctor in Pittsburgh was another kind and wonderful professional.  My sister said it's remarkable that someone so intelligent can be that good looking.   On the way past hundreds of various stores and businesses (we have nothing here), we stopped at Whole Foods.  Obviously not a store for those without healthy incomes, but we stocked up on the brioche cream cheese braid.  Carole's friend is taking it up today, along with the twin comforter and blanket that I needed to shorten yesterday between multiple phone calls with long hold times, bank visits, and hoping everything requested will be sent to the appropriate destination.

Then I worked on the deck, getting ready to seal, and found that the burgundy scrubbing pad was phenomenal in removing a great deal of dirt and old products even after a stiff brush scrubbing with TSP and a little bleach.  Because of removing the boards for the sewer project, there were some spots that were lighter from sanding splinters and thinking this rough pad would blend them, found out it's fantastic for cleaning. 

Holy moly part 2.  Ended up doing the entire deck again by wetting, allowing the water to sit a little, and then using my foot to scrub with this pad.  Amazing how filthy the water was, also removed most of the old stain/sealer, but didn't sand.  All of these boards are wet, you can see the huge difference in what he scrubbed with cleaners a week ago and just using the pad.

Two days of flare ups with my eyes, last night was the first chance to stitch.  Still trying linens, thirty count does not have as many options, so this double thread on 32 may be the choice.  But it's almost like .... pulling the linen or puckering slightly.  It's more difficult for me to stitch without entering the wrong hole than other counts.  I like the thickness and raised thread texture for this sampler, but 28 doesn't offer enough, haven't found a pleasing color in stock for 30, probably end up with 36 if the puckering continues.  I may try 40 for a tighter stitch, but here's the thing.  If I'm putting all this work into a project, I want it big and the higher the count the smaller the finish.  We'll see.  I do know that this light yellow will be changed, and I want a coral or apricot somewhere in this.  

Have a good day folks.  I've been four evenings and mornings with sweat pants and jacket, finally warming up now that summer is closing soon.  Dammit.

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Never before

 Sweet potato vines and their wandering lime green leaves are always chosen to mix with flowers each summer.  This is the first year they are not a few sparse and very long individual vines, instead, a very thick and vigorous plant with half the length.  As I watered yesterday, look what I found!  The first ever flower and it's beautiful.  Only one, but what a surprise.  

And this is the Vista Paradise petunia that I slaughtered and left with only thick center branches and less that ten leaves.  Confession time ... my claim was that I cut it back.  In fact, I had a hissy fit and attacked it.  The greenhouse had not properly trimmed to become a full plant and the center branches were so heavy and brittle that they snapped whenever I gently moved to check for slugs.  That did it.  So I grabbed those aggravating stems and continued tearing them off.  It was that, or throw the laptop out the window.  Some days, my patience and temper get the better of me, and the worse of whatever is causing the break.  And this plant showed me it is more resilient than I am.  The absolute thickest ever, with hundreds of pliable stems sprouting from those stiff buggers left behind.

(Ignore the mud, landscaper can't get enough people to work so it will be awhile.)

Taking Carole some fresh blueberries and a few rolls from spitini, a family favorite from my Aunt Kay.  I am hoping the attorney can expedite this hearing before the facility takes action for payment, already over $25,000.

Installing a motion light on the ceiling of her porch and motion LED spots on the garage corner this afternoon.  Direct wire ceiling mount are not common at all, and this is what we found.  The spot type we mounted there can't detect coming and going from the entry, only one direction, and this one from Lowe's will.  Or should.  I don't like four 25 watt chandelier bulbs but not much choice.  Preparing for caregivers coming and going in case we can get in home care after this nightmare is over.

I have a dilemma with Rachel.  Do I want to use single thread on 36 or double on 30?  I have no 30 large enough so would need to order.  Double thread would be more texture in the flowers and trees (to me anyway) so I should test a motif on a piece of 30 first, because I could be wrong.  Shhh.

Have a good day.

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Brief and bitchy

After examining next project charts, the same every time, I decided on Rachel.  All that's left is linen choice, which is a biggie.

The others will stay in their pouches for now.  Ann Spence, Mary Elliott, Jane Southward, Sarah Needham ..... one day when I can focus which may never come.  Merry Wind Farm has an interesting new sampler release soon, and the letters and lions caught my eye.  But I know errors would abound as in the others.

You have no idea how disgusted I am that Carole ($1230 month income) who pays $225/mo right off the top was turned down for Medicaid.  Way below the income limit.  They denied because she can't "verify" the few hundred dollar deposits of cash that we gave her when she was in a bind over the last several years.  So if you get $200 for a Christmas gift, you need a receipt and notarized statement for verification?  It's not the amount they questioned, denial was because she can't verify where the cash came from.  Monday can't come soon enough, and I will find the $1000 to pay for an attorney, my wick has burned to the end.

Have great Sunday.

Fricking august.  I refuse to capitalize it.

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Lucky day

 

Hi folks.  Hard to believe but my sister is so happy with this facility in every aspect, and we certainly see why.   I thought silk flowers for her wide window would be a nice surprise.  She loves sunflowers, but I was disappointed that JoAnn (my only option with all the store closings) had fall items, no summer.  As we pulled out I thought to take a chance at Kraynak's since cemetery vases are always available.  Hot damn!  Other flowers were plentiful and ONE bunch left of sunflowers.  ONE.  Taking to her later today.  

And then ..... UPMC was wonderful in quickly responding to my inquiry for a second opinion.  We got an appt next week in Pittsburgh for a second and final opinion, and .... wait for it ..... this highly rated surgeon also visits the UPMC hospital in New Castle!  We've been hearing such great reviews about this place, and where my cousin's life was saved.  Still a distance from her but much closer for family.  What a relief.  Whether she has surgery there or Pittsburgh, follow up visits will be much easier for everyone.  I don't believe the recommendation about treatment will be any different, but very grateful that they are willing to offer their help so quickly.  Your trust and confidence can be influenced by staff and attitude, so far, high scores from this crabass.

Happy day.  Except for the estimate on repairing the yard.  

Have a good one!

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Finish!

 What a sweet sampler.

Pineberry Lane Mary Edmondson 1812

Saltbox Stitcher's video last night introduced me to Mon Petit Examplaire sewing bag in the BBD Ooh La La book.  LOVE.  And my usual restrictive spending philosophy (thanks mom) has always denied purchasing an entire book for one chart. 

 I can easily find a small sampler and adapt.  Mary seems to be a good size and I have fabrics that would go nicely, but there is too much to see and enjoy to be gathered.  A simple sampler would work better as BBD proved. 

 

Without a top closure and finished like Rosanna Pinkham, seems like a good option.  Although I love seeing homes loaded with wall displays, it's not for me.  And a bag can be moved frequently from room to room without nary a nail hole, and filled with seasonal crap.

Carole is quite weak today, and the addition of Jardiance after days of the double diuretic, two new heart meds, increases in two others, it's no wonder.   I'm waiting for a call because I believe the overload of thinners is why another issue presented last night.

No sweatshirts or jackets today, but eyes are so bad I can't go outside, barely able to tolerate indoor light.

Hope you day is special.  The older we get, uneventful is more important!!

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