So far

 only one error.  And that one moved a few other stitches and their color in that corner flower, no harm at all,  no corrections needed.  I've always had a problem with flowers and motifs that have scattered stitches, not easy for me to follow.  I've tried coloring the chart before progressing, and then coloring each stitch after it was completed.  Neither worked. 

This border is taking some time, so I will do a section and then move to the interior.  I am loving this piece of Ale and of course, it is very different from the second piece I ordered which is much darker, less mottled.  This piece is similar to my Tobias (one piece of it, not my other!).  I ordered a piece of Heartland for the large sampler I am kitting after seeing Nicole's two projects.  Mine has very light mottling on the off white background, nothing as expected, so I am quite disappointed.  Nicole's is highly distressed and fabulous.  I'm not returning this piece, I will dye and hope for the best.

One thing that I should have noticed is the angled cut.  My left margin will be narrower as I progress but since the fabric measures the same top and bottom, I didn't notice it.

Hope you all had a nice long weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

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My legend

 Well, not all of it yet.  But I've chosen what I thought would do well on the Ale linen for the border, and I am very pleased.

This will be a little more difficult than my routine practice of color changing since the design is more detailed, more shaded.  A few of the symbols that I can identify color of may be used, most all look good on this fabric.  But I'll work it out as I go along.  

Much more work in this border than what I prefer (a simple row or two), but I am loving these colors on this linen (and the linen color!) so I will continue on.  A smaller sampler (I'm doing the hunter design first, then the house) but a lot of stitching packed in that space.   A trip to Staples is necessary to enlarge the chart and it will need to be color.  I am having such a difficult time and need to get the chart very close to my face.

We took dinner to Carole and spent a few hours with her today.  They started the paperwork to approve her for the home care plan and to leave the facility.  She will be missed, has become a help to the limited staff.  Goes around in her scooter and reports those trying to get up, snooping in another's room, needing assistance.  They sometimes listen to her but she lets the staff know if they don't.  A few are very foul mouthed and nasty, but not to Carole so they call her to calm them down.  Just like shaking coins in an empty coke can to startle/distract a dog from a bad habit, a sugary compliment on a blouse, lipstick, hairdo, distracts and changes focus from nasty to a smile.  Except to me.  I'm too smart to fall for that.  Especially since I'm the one that suggested that trick.  

Happy Labor Day everyone.

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What is wrong with me?

 I decided to start the Two by Julia charts.  What am I missing?  This is the legend and there are several in the booklet.  Why can't I identify the symbols?  (Pine is 2)

I am only showing small areas, hoping you can offer help, neither chart has the symbols I am searching for.

The star in the border and throughout.

What looks like a solid circle on blue but enlarged... may be edged.

Two different colors printed for the P.

This symbol like a little house.

This diamond.

What the heck is wrong that I am having so much trouble?

Moving on to another, I can't handle searching, questioning, doubting, feeling incapable of reading a chart!  I worked outside today and this time felt odd, probably anxiety.  But am I so preoccupied that I am missing what is right in front of me?  Anyone have this booklet and can put me on the right path?  I would appreciate it!

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Next step

 I slept last night without anxiety about the contrast dye because the office never called with instructions, never ordered the pre-medications, and the hospital/scheduling departments never answered the phone.  Rang the last time for four full minutes, the main desk would not take a message, I don't know who the doctor administering the test is, and all are closed until my appointment time Tuesday morning.  I tried my best to give them time to offer another patient my spot, but no one seemed interested.  I also registered online with this new hospital and tried to message, nope.  But I had access to prior EKG results and I am concerned with the reports.  Another cardio will be called for a second opinion but since my eye appointment is a twelve month wait, I wonder how long this one will be.  Whatever.  Shoveling gravel without symptoms is a good sign, but not a reliable one.

As for Kezia, her appointment was postponed also.  She is not having any issues, but her provider is.  Miss Kezia offered her spot to another gal and will wait for an opening in the coming months.

Have a swell Saturday.

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The gravel grind

 Hi folks.  Almost finished moving all the gravel, wanted to show you a few places we used it.   But first, a peek at Kezia.  Time was spent on correcting the misplaced floss cut colors in the border, all is now the same throughout.  I never received a reply about the incorrect symbol from Sassy Jacks.  I'm sorry I didn't change to 3371 for a darker brown.  Am I loving her?  Nope.  Whether linen tone or that green, something is not exciting me.

On to gravel.  These areas can have pots or crocks added with flowers for color, no need to mess with our horrible soil.  I think the neatness of the gravel will accent a pot very well, I can see more annuals in my future!

The gravel is 2" deep, 24' long along the backside of the old garage (mom's rooms) and will certainly make a difference in keeping the dark siding clean.  No more mulch and dirt splashing on it and requiring a scrub.  I added a mini hosta called Bedazzled that grows only 6" - 8" tall, a compact little mound that will be neat and sweet.  Found at Lowe's.

This area of crap clay would be too difficult to excavate and plant, so adding a higher focal point like the wheelbarrow makes a display visible from the rooms.  This is 4" deep.  I sliced plastic pots into rings and pushed into the ground to protect the hostas growth around their base.

This was a mess of roots and moss, now 4" deep stones all laid on landscape fabric.  Edges lined with wood to hold the fabric and prevent stones from roaming, back is done, front will be soon. Short pieces of rebar are pounded in ground against the back of the boards keeping them in place securely, easily removed. All the window wells got a few inches, and there is still more to move.  Why they dumped heavy gravel almost 8" high is a question never answered.  But it's almost gone.

Have a good day.  In September.  Damn.

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I am chicken,

 hear me cluck.

My scheduled HeartFlow test is Tuesday and I am needing an Ativan which no doctor will prescribe.  Not even ten of the .5 mg.  Everything I went through the last two years with Carole during covid and her crises, I was denied a few pills.  My neighbor, friend, and cousin get them like M&Ms.  My blood work from the new doctor after complaining of continued exhaustion ordered CMP and CBC, no B-12, no iron, no d, nothing else.  My husband has no issues and after his yearly visit is ordered CMP, CBC, and a boatload of various tests for all sorts of levels, kidney function, liver, D, B-12, Iron, Magnesium, and some I am not familiar with.  Also offered carotid scan since he's over 70.  

Anyway, I am terrified of the iodine contrast since I have had a previous reaction.  The pre-medications are 50 mg of steroid every 6 hours along with 50 mg of Benadryl.  I took a Medrol pack of 4 mg doses and puffed out with flushing for days.  Half of a Benedryl OTC 25 mg puts me to sleep.  Seriously.  Two doses (even one dose) of 50 and I will be knocked out.  Sorry, but I am very drug sensitive.  The anxiety about this is causing more palps than ever which would most likely require a heart med to regulate/slow beat during the imaging for a better scan.  Since I am so sensitive, how slow would I go without .... well, you know.  Am I being a baby?  A small clot dislodged during a heart cath and Linda had a stroke that required a three month hospital stay, she will never be the same.  Both of us have afib and PVCs (more prone to clots).  So I am clucking away and feel I am being foolish since I could have a blockage in my heart.  Or it could be nothing.  Yoi.

We drove to Hubbard Ohio to get cheaper gas, and stopped at their little General Store where I had previously bought this little tin for a few bucks to offer Carole.  I kept it.  And then bought another later for her.  And kept it.  So today I bought hers.  And another for me.  The dollar (1.25) store has the little LED candles that last 100 hours so I got a few for inside.  My favorite item and the only one they had left is this faux leather pumpkin.  Sweet.  At the General I found neck gaiters in pink for 1.99 so grabbed a few for her aides.  So much easier than scarves and less bulky.

There are tomatoes growing on the large porch off her room, includes a variety I never saw.  A nurse has the seeds, they are strawberry shaped!!  Small and sweet, not a grape, perfect little berries.  Her grandmother grew them and she saves seeds every year.  Not growing well this year, a low spreading plant loaded with fruit waiting to ripen.

These are the magnificent monster baskets lining Hubbard's main street.  Holy crap.  Every year, massive! And although September 1, these beauties show no signs of bare centers or failing blossoms.  The fire truck goes around at night to water them.  The greenhouse I showed months ago with the unusual arrangements must be their creator and I will certainly ask next year.  And the baskets are moss which never hold enough water.  Probably lined.  

I did some work on Kezia, the over one tent and it is taking some time.  As for Jane, husband and I studied the two linens with stitching and the second green in the vine is not showing, neither is the apricot/rust flower.  I really like the Confederate Gray but it may require too many thread changes.  I dipped the Tobias to remove green and it is now luscious.  Will work on that decision after another day with Kezia.

Blab blab blab.  Sorry.  I'm just torn as to what to do and quite anxious.  

Keep on clucking.

Be safe!!

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