Happy mail

 Partially.  This is only my second BBD book since I prefer reproduction samplers and ...... santas.  And I am thrilled with it, several projects I would like to stitch in addition to the repros included.  And Jean Donaldson will be a hoot.  Lots of interest in this sampler and the large print chart is appreciated.  

But once again, I received linen the end of September that I really like so ordered more of the same, and squirrel balls, it ain't the same.  I really don't like to return but since it can't be dipped, I apologized profusely. 

The only shop within an hour from me does not and will not order or carry hand dyed fabrics because she's been burned with inconsistent colors.  

And in case you're wondering, this is a squirrel ball.  He is burying the nut balls in my barrels, pots, gravel, and leaving some out as a calling card, right under the nose of snoozing Petey.  He also left one at the back door.  Silly squirrel.

I don't have results yet, hopefully soon since my window for antibodies is closing.  Headache is back today along with coughing hard enough to be glad I used that coupon for extra panty liners.  Although fine yesterday and assumed the scare was over, I am feeling worse as this day progresses.

Wonderfully warm day.  Ruined a batch of almond bars, didn't go any further.  I was not coughing when I planned her birthday treats and can't proceed now.  When the surgery is over and she is back here in therapy, family is cleared to visit, we will have treats then.  

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One hour and 50 minutes

is how long we waited outside to get another Covid test.  Since my initial test was negative, I needed to test after symptoms began in order to qualify for the antibodies treatment which Mark received today.  Originally, and still listed in the paperwork, unvaxed directly exposed qualified.  But supplies are now limited and restrictions are stricter.  So I had to test again and if negative, no treatment, if positive I will have a day left since treatment must be given within seven days of symptoms.  One hour and fifty minute wait for testing! So what did I do to reward my patience?  Wendy's chocolate frosty and an order of hot fries to dip.  Salty hot meets cold chocolate, heaven.

Before the covid diagnosis we stopped in Kraynak's to see this years offerings, and they had a fake feather style with reasonably stiff branches.  The top branch is shorter than it should be IMHO.  Price wasn't bad and it comes in two sizes.  Not a lot of photos this time but if you'd like to see more of this Christmas land store, click on this post from 2017..... Kraynak's

I hope they have a few of these large bells left when I'm out of quarantine.  I think they were $16 each.  The post from 2017 shows a nice assortment of wire tree styles but there were none on display this year.  Yet.  But they may not be getting any, who knows.

She is quite rattled that I may not be cleared to enter the hospital for her surgery.  Bad enough her birthday will be lonely.  I was going to make our traditional chocolate chip chiffon cake but that would require flatware and plates.  Cupcakes!  Pistachio, chocolate, pineapple if we can get what I need curbside.  I need to check with her facility about drop off permission.  Quite a few staff members have become friends and she can share with them, they will be happy to take her gifts up to her.  We'll wear gloves and masks and hopefully the scent of Lysol will fade by the time everything gets to her room.

The grabber I bought for outdoor stick pickup to save bending is great.  My arthritic hand tires easily with the trigger models and I ordered this in 36" length, might be a little long but I don't need to bend even slightly so this should be better.  Maybe not for short folk but it comes in various lengths from other vendors. The mechanism certainly is much easier for repetitive grabbing.  Love it.

Grabber Buddy

Have a good one!

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Seriously. $7

Waiting for the white minis to fade so I can move the monster mum and sweet potato vines.  Good weather all week, no frost, so I may have to move them to the back.  The vines were yanked out of the barrels weeks ago and surprisingly, are dense with new growth after being limp and scrawny from the yank.  I really like this plant against the fall mums so I'm glad both plants have revived.

Also glad that back when we had flea markets, I purchased aluminum pots for a few bucks.  The bail handles and pot will never rust but the handle mounts do.  After drilling drainage holes, perfect planters.  My galvanized buckets and pots are all rusting and will stain concrete and deck.  I glued plastic chair glides to the rusty bottoms so they are elevated.

This is the bronze color, my smaller orange and yellow are on the back deck.  Anxious for these to open, I don't think I had this color before. 

Carole's birthday is Friday and I wanted a party for her in the facility's celebration room.  It's off that very long gorgeous windowed hall and across from the expansive outdoor area, but we can't even visit now.  I had already purchased a pale pink luxurious throw and Amazon offered floral pillow cases of pink roses, so we will leave gifts in the foyer after disinfecting.  

Mark's doctor is handling our care since I don't have a doctor at this time, and we will know this afternoon about the monoclonal treatment.  As of last night, my symptoms started.

Have a good one folks.

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The inevitable

My husband's doctor called this morning on his way to church and asked Mark how he was feeling, that he would call him from the office with a plan Monday.  Plan for what?  Dr. said .... the lab did not call to tell you that you have Covid?  NO.  He has allergies that flare when blowing leaves or cutting grass, even with medication, and that's what he assumed his cold like symptoms were from.  But worse today.  My cousin can't stop coughing even with meds and is getting the monoclonals today.  Both vaxed for several months thank goodness, but of course, I am not.

If you are vaxed and exposed to Covid, quarantine is 10 days.  If you are not vaxed and exposed to covid, quarantine is 14 days.  Carole's surgery is in 12 days.  We tested Thursday, I was negative (Mark did not get results) but not exposed to it as long as Mark was so his doctor recommended I test again next week, symptoms or not.  Because of the upcoming surgery and being out of town, I don't know what will happen when I test again.  I honestly can't see how it would not be spread to me, in the car, sharing meals, sleeping together.  So I expect it.  Mark took his temperature several times a day since he was exposed last weekend and even through yesterday, never came close to a fever.  That is the test given everywhere before entering, we assumed it was the definitive guideline.  Nope.

I will be selling a 12" Riley Blake still sealed wooden clapper.  I bought two sizes, do not need this long one.  When I look at pricing and shipping, I'll post if anyone is interested.

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And now it's three steps

back after two steps forward.  Becoming more like a polka.  Roll out that barrel baby!

 You would think this is the photo from days ago after I had removed the border because of being two stitches off.  And you would be wrong.  What?  That numbskull wouldn't have removed it the second time, it was aligned exactly as the chart.  Again, wrong.  I have so many faults they could be alphabetized, this one is in the S's.  Symmetry disorder.  I didn't want to say symmetry obsession because it's not always an issue.  Just when things aren't the same on each side.  Yep.  That's only a disorder, no?  

When I removed the basting and unrolled the left side, a second look made me realize that Miss Rachel was not blessed with a symmetry disorder.  Her left side is two stitches closer to that damn alpha border which made my original error symmetrical!  To end this dance, I scanned the left side into Paint, flipped/reversed it, and I am using the layout of the left for the right.  Basically the same, and now it's position will be also.  Once I clean up the fuzz left behind, I'll give it another go 'round.

It feels like Sunday evening but isn't.  Maybe too many sweets.  I made the banana cake with coffee frosting that Carol forced me to with her description and photo.  I am embarrassed to admit, I consumed 80% myself.  I do need to make an attempt to drop 10 pounds.  

If you're interested in the harvest soup recipe, go to my recipe blog and you'll find it along with Upstate Minestrone (cabbage and sausage favorite) and although I am a bean denier, French Market is also wonderful.  Our local meat shop smokes the best ham hocks and that actually makes the beans tolerable.

https://marlanco.blogspot.com/

Hmmm.  Now that I looked up the recipes and saw the Orange Julius I want one.

Have a nice Sunday, already the second in Awktober.  Damn skippy.

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Wow.

 I thought about it, and thought about it, and thought about it, and realized I was wasting a great deal of repair time trying to avoid it.  Big girl panties on, carefully reversing some and Lift 'n Snipping the rest.  This was a major improvement over my impatient hissy fits of months ago.  Well, weeks.  Maybe a few days. OK, yesterday.  And then, and THEN, I started stitching it again with correct placement.  Am I sure?  I was the first time and look how that ended.  So this time, I started with the stitch closest to that alpha border and worked out from there.  I hope to get the flowers back in tonight.  But I do believe this newfound tolerance is temporary because my laptop is still at high risk of a window toss.

We won't be getting our Covid results until Monday, still fine, and my cousin received a call to report to a hospital in Erie PA for monoclonal antibodies this weekend.  He would have received treatment today but it's a several hour drive and he couldn't get there in time.  I received this information about treatments, some for early stage and one is even for patients already on ventilators.  Some doctors are willing to offer, others may not.  If I may be at risk of a vent or dying, I would not hesitate.  I think everything and anything you put into your body has the possibility to adversely affect some and not others.  So here's a few, not all, that have shown to be life saving drugs against Covid.

My husband had to cancel the 36 hole last tournament of the year even though his group encouraged him.  Outdoor event, certainly distanced, but he did not feel it was right.  So I instructed him to make dad's harvest soup which I will partake in shortly.

Have a good evening.

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