Some doctors

 look beyond the condition, and are willing to offer patients an option.  No guarantees, but also no lingering question if something more could have been done.  Carole was wild eyed yesterday as during the delirium episodes, but the virtual visit with this hope-giving doctor went well.  He is willing to try to save one of her legs.  Puzzling, since other highly respected doctors would not.  So Pittsburgh will be the new trip for two surgeries and we've heard good things about Passavant.  We. are. grateful.  Once the pacemaker is replaced next week, we will be on track for a resolution to these last six months.  The amputation of the left and possibility of not surviving the surgery with her failing heart, was the same opinion as others.

I haven't been feeling well, and just sat quietly, no hissy fits, and took my time with the Lift 'n Snips to remove the tree.  Close call on a few linen threads but since I've rewoven broken strands before, it's no longer a fear.  Just taking a thread from the edge of the linen and following the up and down of the broken one doesn't take long at all.  I am anxious to see my new linen but two orders have not even shipped yet.  Old Navy (thank you for tall size) comfort clothes coming today, always a treat.

You can see why fudging would not have worked with the trees.  WAY too much re-charting.  So I will continue tonight, if I can concentrate.  My CA cousin in a wheelchair because of a massive stroke following surgery, had a heart attack last night, still waiting for update.  She spent every fall with us in PA to see the colors and we had such a good time.  But not since the paralysis.  My cousin here has had driving privileges revoked because of her dementia.  Honestly, to speak with her, you wouldn't recognize her condition.  Many times if not living with the person, you don't know if what they are saying is delusion or fact.

Be back tonight with the winner.  As I look at my first finish on 28 count, I am hankering to stitch again with different colors.  Very surprised at the low number of entries.  Since this last change with the blogger format, I don't know if the number of a little over a hundred is the actual reader count.  Before, it was over a thousand so I don't know if it's accurate, nor do I know how to find out.

Later!

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What the hell?

 Who moved the tree?  And how many threads could an old lady count if an old lady could count threads?  Too many.   I couldn't see the forest for the trees.

Good grief I did it several times and the number to the trunk position doesn't make sense.  So do I bulldoze the tree, or start over at the other end, or set the chart aside, or choose something simple and come back to it later? 

I'm going to bed.

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Peacock Spot

 oldie from Ewe & Eye & Friends.  I've stitched several times, and if I choose to again can work off my finished piece.  It's a sweet, simple, and quick sampler and I've changed to a single alphabet color and brightened the birds on a few.  Very versatile!  Have fun with it.

If you want this chart, comment on this post with initials or name or email for contact.  If you can't, send your entry by email, samplersandsantas@gmail.com.  Since peacocks are proud birds, tell us what you are proud of (grandkids and family don't count) personally.  Or not!

This is what this giant was like two months ago during a hissy fit, not sure yesterday's destruction has time to rebound but I have others and since summer is fricking over, does it matter?  

Page one finished except for the flowers so I need to decide colors this evening.  

Good day folks.

Will have Random pull a name Tuesday at 8pm.

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The light

 Hi folks.  No rain yesterday!  The garden is gone, the nights have been very cool for some time, the days are shorter, one week until September.  I haven't slept well in months, thoughts of waking up without legs, waiting for the phone to ring mid-night, wondering why this has been going on for six months  Only a fraction of what she is feeling daily, not wanting to accept how compromised her health is. I'm now sitting alone on my swing (with a jacket) which never happened without Bud next to me.  Daily thoughts of a fellow blogger and stitcher, far too young for hospice, also a part of my restless days.  Some days, I just don't know how to release it.

So I destroyed another petunia.

As I saw Brenda's IG post from The Attic, I decided I need to treat myself and placed three orders for seven linen colors that I will bitch about.  I will just sell if not to my liking.  Or how about accept?  I have one wall sampler whose linen color I detest but thought at the time it was perfect.  Some colors that alone are objectionable, can become the perfect background for that sampler.  I must try to envision completion when deciding on a fabric.  OK.  Sure.

The first lamp came, not going to work.  Only $40 on Amazon but I didn't realize that the bright light is visible around the entire piece and my eyes can't take it.  I can't have a chandelier on in a room because the bulb level is not far enough above eye level.   Another reason I am so ticked to be this tall. This lamp is of course even lower, couldn't walk into the room with it on.

The other issue is the height.  I can flex it to be low and in front of my work, but that's quite a stretch.  Very good looking and 1.50x magnification with a glass lens, or adjustable lighting for any task.  But not for my eyes. 

Brightech Lightview with remote

The second one which I believe is shorter will be here next week.  It can be shortened even further as a floor lamp or removed to a table base.  We'll see.  

I think it's time to send something from me to you.  If my thoughts settle, maybe tomorrow.

Mark is driving Carole's friend and myself for a visit this afternoon,  He will sit on the porch with Sudoku and I will take in the view to give her lifelong friend some privacy to yak.  Monday is the virtual with the third surgeon for an answer to the right leg, but after four weeks, his office said they haven't received the requested angiogram CDs for review.  More wait time.  Pacemaker replacement is here on Sept 1.

Enjoy your day.  Cherish the bad with the good.

It's all we've got!  And most times, much more than others.

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Trees!

 

One of the elements that I love about this sampler.  Not as confusing to follow as I thought once I studied the chart.  Every other vertical row is solid flanked by the same color on every other vertical stitch.  I started horizontal and had a hard time as usual so decided to use a marker, which showed the easier vertical pattern to follow.

The right side is much easier with more contrast in colors, but still the same vertical method is less counting.

The pacemaker surgeon and also the vascular surgeon offices were to call Wednesday with appointments, but did not.  So today, Friday, I will call again.  The Medicaid office called early and another extremely pleasant worker explained the process and said there should not be a problem, and it may be resolved before the hearing.  She is the only one working today, the woman I spoke with a few days ago was off, I am glad they have the integrity to do their job and that of their entitled co-workers.  

I ordered linen including some 40 count, trying PTP Ale and hope I like it.  I also have two Brightech smaller floor mag lights coming.   Because of my sensitivity to light, I think a flexible gooseneck can be positioned lower than my Dazor and LED is not as irritating as fluorescent.  If I pull the Dazor lower than eye level, I can't seem to twist the lighted end into a comfortable viewing position.

Have a good day!  

I plan to hopefully enjoy warm sun today while sitting on my butt outside.

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Green

 Two of them are completed from page one, moving on to the trees.  I will decide on the colors in the floral border later.  

Not much green here.  Days and days of sudden rains and now all day rains.  Very cool nights, we had no summer.  And it's over.  No landscaping, no workers.  Dollar General is closing at 5pm because ... no workers.  I waited forever in line for a store pickup at JCP, no workers.  

I finally spoke with a very pleasant employee about the Medicaid denial.  She said it's routine.  To discourage application?  She said it will be a long time before approval because there should be the standard four workers in this department, and there was one for a long time, and now only she and one other.  Why?  Because just as with federal jobs, you can't be fired and really don't need to show up.  She has 42 cases, ordinarily 12 - 15.  So I have to file an appeal and have a hearing, they have 93 days to respond.  My question .... why deny applicants that are obvious approvals which creates a backlog and double work?  Oh wait, it's government.  I plan to express my gratitude that this employee is doing a great job.

Trying to create solutions for the difficulties of being bedridden has become a satisfying task.  I have a pink cushioned pouch (for laptop) and after purchasing a few adult coloring books and new pen set, thought this would be a perfect size to store it all for Carole.  It's a challenge to get containers and baskets sized to hold her essentials that are easily accessible.  As I picked up my stitching, there it was.  A large ring fit nicely on the zipper clasp and the grabber can pull the pouch from the bookcase. We're tried so many grabber tools, and this one by Jellas (got the two pack on Amazon) is great.  Non slip grip, and a rounded center for bottles.  But Covid lockdown will prevent us from getting it there.  She is negative but not right, seeing spots, and mixing words again.  They are so busy with testing all residents (the case is in a different building but they take no chances), am sure they will keep an eye on her this evening.

Hope you have sun.

Wish we did.

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