A tree break

 I'm not a stitcher that enjoys motifs, frequent color changes, or scattered stitches to count.  I am lazy and prefer letters and uncomplicated patterns.  The trees are only three colors and can't possibly reveal errors in their leaves.  But still a royal pain in the wide ass.  I don't know if I have the ambition to complete the crosses and fill the other stitches now, a foliage break sounds nice while I stitch a few letters.  Somewhat of a scare when I looked at the first two, so very similar and I thought another huge error, but wasn't the case.  I've decided to keep either the 36 or the 40 of that gorgeous linen and will exchange the other for another color.

I've been ordering used books online for a few years and recently switched to Better World Books.  I always find a discount code, order "very good" condition, and have been very pleased.  Very nice, clean, and more hard covers than I found elsewhere.  They also donate books to areas in need.  I have her set up with an eleven book series but that will be down to four by Friday.  We have a hotel room and are all very anxious and unsettled, but nowhere near what she is experiencing.  A spinal and light sedation will hopefully get her through without heart or blood pressure crises.  It's what the cardio docs recommended.  Bad enough dealing with losing a leg without worrying if you'll make it through the surgery.

My brother will come in for cat care and I plan to lock them in the garage, much to their dismay.  Too bad.  Petey will stay outside of course, and although that's where the other two would like to be, it won't work.  As soon as they catch a glimpse of Ron they will bolt and their food will need to be left outside, raccoons will join them for dinner.  There won't be a referee for tussles, workers will be here (fingers crossed), so they will just have to howl safely inside for a few days. 

 Mark is not working on their camp as planned, he is still pretty weak.

I hope your weekend was good.

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Time to flip it

 Flip it good.  I stitch in hand and use the rubber spoolies to hold excess linen (after trimming the pointed edge to rounded).  Holding the left side consistently as it grows in size becomes a little clumsy in addition to hand oils touching that same area every day.  So I flip it along with the chart and the excess is no longer an issue.  It's like starting fresh for me.  The stitch pattern doesn't change, the cross is still in the same position as working upright.  I was told a few years that is impossible, so I don't know what to tell you!  I use my same sewing method or full cross and .... no different.

So with the lighter and white floss on the left, even though rolled, I am switching to upside down so I don't handle it as much.

Mark will be gone first of the week for two to three days repairing a camp if he is up to it.  The landscapers never showed as promised, now it will be those same days.  So my quiet alone time of enjoying the weather and relaxing on the swing before stored for winter, won't happen.  The large equipment, dust, and dirt in the air, will certainly prevent and stitching and I don't need to listen to the noise.  So disappointed, but after months waiting, it will be done.  The township will be installing eighty feet of culvert pipe and gravel in the front those same days.  So back and front should be done at the same time and over when we leave for her surgery Thursday.

The hotel is over $60 higher than it was last year for the same room.  I can't believe how quickly prices are rising not to mention the amount.  My coffee?  Not twenty cent increase for the pound bag, over a dollar within a few months.  I will be taking Rachel to work on in the hotel but need a smaller piece while sitting in her room. 

I'm going outside to enjoy the warmth now for a short time, the phone never stops.  

Have a good day, right side up!

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We made it!!

 Carole had no problems and this wonderful doctor opened two vessels in her leg that everyone else wanted to amputate.  I am so grateful to UPMC for looking past the routine standards and going above and beyond.  We know it won't last forever but neither will she, and losing two legs at one time was not something she could handle emotionally.  I'm home, since I was not allowed in the surgical ward at all and came home after speaking with her doctor.  Once I found that out, Mark and Chris waited several hours for me, otherwise would have gone home, sat for thirty minutes, and driven back. 

They are scheduling amputation of the left leg above the knee and toes on the right for next Friday.  She kept saying she acccepted that outcome months ago, but we knew differently.  If she had, it would have been over, healed, and back home early summer.  I cannot imagine how traumatic this is for anyone especially our vital young veterans dealing with life altering injuries.  Even comparing life with that diseased leg to benefits of life without it, most importantly mobility and better health, isn't making a difference.  I just wish they were able to do a below knee rather than mid thigh.  

 My husband's fever for days that was saturating enough to just about melt the memory foam mattress, is unexplained.  Cultures and Covid are negative, and although I suspected Lyme, doctor said without joint issues it is ruled out.  OK.  The Keflex has been great in getting him back on his feet.  Another mystery.

And I gotta say, I don't think I will use that linen but it is GORGEOUS.

Have a great weekend.

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Oatmeal? Or cornmeal?

 We're all set for tomorrow, but I can't be there before the procedure which is at 7 am.  She will be there at 5 but I don't want Mark driving himself on unfamilar road, still not feeling well.  Chris works midnight shift and can't get off any earlier than one hour, he'll come along and Mark won't drive home alone.  We'll pick him up at 6:15 and since I'm the only one permitted inside, I will go to the waiting room and wait for word about how it went and when she will be back in a room and hopefully discharged. They would like to stay until she is safe and it's over, but finding a place for breakfast in Pittsburgh is not for old farts. The cafeteria is in the front of the building according to their site, but they aren't allowed to enter. Chris will need to sleep so my brother with accompany Mark back to the hospital to take me home whenever the time is right.  

I got my linen today, Oatmeal. This is the photo all sites are using.

But it's cornmeal, with a little green and a little rose.  Beautiful if you like golden linen, not for me though.  I dare not attempt to change it, but may exchange it for something more like ....  oatmeal.

It is beautiful, one quarter yard in 36, one in 40.  We'll see.  I have been craving cornmeal mush with spaghetti sauce and Italian blend cheese.  Could be a sign to keep it, but I can't picture any of my projects on it.

I sure hope I have good news to report tomorrow.

I saw that Becky's husband is dealing with a difficult infection and surgery, also in need of prayers.

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Get there early!

 Husband went a half hour before they opened and after the five before him, got his test.  Still has a fever but coming down with the antibiotics.  We never thought this was the virus but it had to be ruled out, we'll know in two days. My scan showed no change, no way to biopsy opacities, have another scan later.  

The point I was trying to make about how we are dealing with virus, is this. Too many vaccinated people aren't getting tested when they have mild symptoms.  They don't think it is covid because they are protected, but if over 25% in hospitals are vaxed, how many others have covid but not requiring treatment?  Quite a few friends had a co-worker positive requiring all to be tested.  To their surprise, a third of the vaxed were positive but not ill, not wearing masks or keeping distance assuming they are safe.  They are, but not to others.   I was hugged by a nurse here, a doctor in cleveland, and CT technologist yesterday.  They are vaxed.  Have they tested before being so lax in contact with patients?  I am careful, sanitizing, masking.  If a cancer, autoimmune disease, or medication to control a disease, shuts down your immune system a vaccine to trigger it can do great damage, or nothing at all.  Either way, ineffective. I don't want to get into any political garbage, I am just saying that testing is not only scarce, but not encouraged, and could be more effective in controlling spread than a vaccination card.  If the number of vaxed is considered too low, just think of how low they would be if it was Trump mandating that needle.  And that's the end of any such comments.  

Except that I am so tired of Balance of Nature ads.  I have to tell you why I am skeptical of anything claimed.  I worked with a retired military guy that had jobs in advertising in NYC.  This is how it goes ....

8 out of 10 dentists recommend *** toothpaste.  

A true statement, but he said they had 50 dentists polled, 42 chose another product, 8 chose their client's.  So limit the survey to ten.  They report the result they want.  So although true, not accurate.

Please cross fingers and put palms together for carole's procedure tomorrow.

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What the hell

 Mark's fever was quite high and is now 102, blood cultures, possible sepsis, lyme, covid.  Here's what really frosts my wide ass.  Well... in addition to said ass being so wide.  Months ago, we could get a test at almost any pharmacy or hospital, just about any corner.  Now we have two.  One takes insurance, another is a real problem.  We went THREE times after the lab work and may not even get tested tomorrow.  You pull up to urgent care, call a phone number and tell them your car color, and it only takes a few minutes if that.  The number has a recording that they are too busy and try another day.  The parking lot was filled, kids running around, people sitting in hot cars, and I am furious.  Don't preach your bullshit when you took away all those tests.  Don't criticize people like myself and neighbor that got an autoimmune from a vaccine, or friends that have cancer and no immune system, and others like us that are advised by more than one doctor that it may destroy your body.  NOT because of the vaccine (which I would get in a minute if I could) but because of our immune system's reaction.  And why are we not told about the drugs and treatments that can prevent hospitalization or severe illness?  What are they?  Where are they?  Not here.  I would have to drive a few hours to get any of them and I want to know why tests and especially treatments that save lives and limit damage are not available everywhere?  Since at least 25% of hospitalized are vaxed, and so many of our friends fully vaxed have carried and spread it with mild symptoms, wouldn't treatments be as important if not more so?  If you can still get a less severe case and unknowingly spread it after two shots, testing and early treatment would be a better option and create your own antibodies.  I don't get it.  I'm sorry to rant but dammit, we need to take her to Pittsburgh and need tested.  I do not believe that's why he is ill, but if he is not better or can transmit I need to hire someone to drive me back and forth.  Maybe I'm ticked because I'm exhausted.  No.  Wait a minute.  I ticked because this situation is focused on one aspect and not taking in all the options for us.  

And then there's that wide ass.

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