Blowing smoke

The week started poorly and with all going on, the end is a crap shoot. 

Mark put the roast in the electric skillet to brown, added the wine and covered, moved the skillet to the cooktop with a damp towel beneath to be out of the way for the next few hours.  I went outside with the phone to get some fresh air and see how my covid friend was feeling.  Mark went to the basement to work on a project.  After a little while I hear my neighbor's alarm blaring.  And blaring.  And getting louder.  But the cars haven't moved and there is no activity.  As I get off my large size cotton panty ass to walk closer, I tell my friend I need to hang up and call 911 for them.  I turned to the door to let Mark know and can't see through the windows for the smoke.  Filled.  It's MY alarm!!  His movements in that corner turned the panel's burner to high and the damp pad melted and filled every inch of the house with thick smoke.  We can't get the smell to leave and need to do a deep cleaning which I had not planned until closer to Christmas.  And the plan was not as deep as we need now.

I had to cancel my test because Thursday is the background issue date, a contractor is coming for estimates on Carole's doorway, Chris has been ill and I may need to go with him for a test, and today I have to ream a few behinds there.  He needs a med called Xifaxan that requires PROVIDER authorization for coverage, they "don't do that".  Without their OBLIGATION as provider to notify the insurer that THEY PRESCRIBED the drug, it will be $1500.  He has coverage IF the provider authorizes.  I was very nice, Chris was not as this is the second time they refused and ordered three other drugs instead that have not helped.  I will not be nice today.  I'm smokin' baby.  They have five centers in two states and will hear me loud and clear.  Three months of this and he could have a very serious situation that is worsening because of their office.

I won't even attempt to explain what my obsessive brother has been putting me through or Carole's complaining that I have not cut her hair and she can't stand it.  There is a salon at the facility.  Use it. 

So as I sit here and bitch to you all, wreaking of smoke odors that surround me, I want to show you my latest purchase of two charts.  They have been in my Etsy cart for some time, I need a smile, and these will do it.

From North Sampler House, I present Miss Lizzie Peddie and IA 1812.

Boom.

That's all folks.

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Contenders

 First, a forgotten WIP, half done.

And the others....

But this is exactly what I looked for.

So will this be the one?  Liking them all, plan to kit each and have ready when a break is needed from a larger piece.  

Not feeling well today, up all night.

Nuclear stress scheduled for Thursday.  After research, decided the Heartflow with iodine contrast was too risky.  Autoimmune patients are significantly more sensitive to drugs.  Thyroid can be affected as can kidneys (from iodine) and my antibodies for Hashimoto are very high.  That could trigger symptoms to present.  Since I had a reaction 40 years ago before Sjogren's, it's a chance I would be foolish to take.  If catheterization is necessary, the same contrast is used but in that case, I would have no other option.

Mark is finishing the deck today, I will try my best to be out there as foreman.  Knowing I feel like a runny egg and want to get my footing first, he got out there as fast as he could.  From the sound of the tool he's using, doing what I said NOT to.  

Robin, the bench holding charts was a purchase, we modified interior for files.

Have a safe and relaxing weekend.

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Slouching and slumping

 I have always slouched.  Very poor posture.  That's one of the most important aspects of your appearance, and mine resembles cave dwellers.  First and foremost to appear shorter but adding arthritis takes slouching to a new level.  On the bright side, this position makes it much easier to spot the m&m I dropped.

Slump .... well... no reason or excuse.  But I feel it in my aching bones.  I love Ann Stone even though I have never found a photo online, but I am not feeling it.  Some of the lighter colors are difficult for me but being 30 count makes it easier.  The low count coarse linen was always my favorite in the beginning but I don't like the feel at all now, and the eyelet stitches are tedious.  I've gone through the kits, I see over one.  Not just words, but critters and faces.  I could leave those areas for the end but may be frustrated with the project and that would really close it down.

So how can I avert a slump?  What do you do and does it work?  My plan is to browse this bench for something small and simple.  I really don't have a lot of charts, mainly because I will not purchase unless I believe they will be stitched.  That wasn't always the case!!  There are a few special samplers and smalls that will not be, but I had to have the chart.

 Nash. Cohen, Merry Wind, previously stitched favorites have their own folders in the hutch. Christmas and freebies, some samplers, are in notebooks.  But I will go through the bench for now looking for what I don't believe is there.  I want a little square, solid color, simple outline, and I don't remember anything like that.  But there are a lot of things I don't remember so maybe I'll get lucky.

The background issue is not resolved and has been pushed into mid November.

Our friends have covid, again, five pharmacies were out of Paxlovid.  I made an appt with a new rheumatologist (out of town of course but not far) and will see his PA on December 23.  For the doc, I wait until March.  I wanted a fourth and final opinion on getting the vaccine and would like an antibody test done.  Been a year, some are gone in weeks, some last a very long time.  

Mark is golfing this afternoon, hoping for a few more perfect putts!

Have a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

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The little things

 that make me smile.  Well.... close anyway.  

I bought these little tins and the battery tea lights from the dollar store.  That little flame light looks like this ...

So I cut waxed paper and lined the tin with a double layer.  

Now the entire cutout glows.

That's better.

Waxed paper.  Who knew?

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Ann Stone

 is back on the stitching station.

For how long?

Since my flashes are back, aggravating, irritating, and contributing to my crabass mood, your guess is as good as mine.  Will they ever end?

I do plan to pull out the big girls sitting in my basket, kitted and ready, and chose one to alternate with Ann.

Tomorrow is the day that will determine the background issue, and the daunting tasks resulting.

We have been working on the deck during the past three days of beautiful warmth, and now the damp cold has returned.  

Hope all is well with you!!!

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Final

 The last of my hydrangeas in a half gallon jar.

Yep.  They're big.

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