Answer to my question..

 when do you know to shut up?

When you are personally, intentionally, financially, and medically, not affected.  Even though you think you are stepping up for someone else that is, shut up.

I did not.

And half way through this post, you will be asking "when will she shut up".  Sorry.  This really bothered me, still does.  I hurt a very sensitive and sweet person's feelings to the point of tears. Big ones. Long time.

Not to justify my mouth, but since I am the one that does all the "look this up for me", "check my balance for me", "order this for me", "find a contractor for me", "order my groceries for pickup for me", "what is my co-pay", "were my insulin supplies shipped", "gather 5 years of papers to apply for aid", "find an attorney about nursing homes", and a multitude of others, I feel I am in charge.  I am not.  I've paid bills, cemetery plots, fines, car loans, income taxes, bought lawn tractors, more clothing than I had, helped financially for many years, and also a multitude of others, I feel I have a right.  I do not.

Carole's grandson Matt who moved in before Carole came home from long term care (we did not believe it would happen), rescued a pup that turned into a ..... Great Dane.  A stupid one that has flunked out of every class.  Destroyed her furniture, is in the way of her power chair, and everyone grew to love her anyway.  Except me and hubs.  But so many other acts that were irresponsible and unnecessary already had my snark up.

Tracy, Matt's sweet, lovely, caring, generous girlfriend became Carole's caregiver because if you remember, she was sent home as a double amputee with no caregiver or home health workers available.  Tracy has been a Godsend to Matt's kids, Harley (the Dane), and loves Carole dearly.  She has wanted a cat for a long time since she had many growing up, and her ex kept the four they had.

Matt works with troubled kids.  Loves it.  Two days ago, a tiny kitten walked up the facility's drive.  Matt scooped it up and brought it inside.  Carole said absolutely not.  Always having cats herself, she also misses that, but the house is in constant disarray, messy, kids in and out, too much stuff and no space, can't take any more!  NO!!!  She called me and was not only angry but upset that they would even consider another pet when she has been adamant for months.  So I got ticked too, the last straw so to speak.

Yep.  That sweet tiny kitten is in her house.  And if a litter mate appears, he will probably bring it home too. When I was asked by the kids if I wanted to see the kitten, I answered that I do not, the house does not need a cat.  Tracy was so upset, she left the room and cried for some time.  She has wanted a cat to care for for a long time.  That is how sensitive she is, and that is all I said.  It's not my house, my dog, my mess, my kids, my pets, my expense, so I should have kept the pie hole shut. 

It is such a struggle for Carole to open that patio slider first, then maneuver through with an inch to spare (so it takes some time), while trying to keep Harley from busting through before the door shuts, now keeping a kitten from going outside is another concern.  But it's not mine.

Lesson learned. I will help when ASKED, offer opinion when ASKED, and buy the baby girl a gift card for the pet store.  How can you hold this tiny creature and not fall in love?

The End.

We had a tremendous wind and storm that took seven trees on my street, and it will be a few days before our yard is cleared of branches.  Carole lost power, none yet, thank God they bought that portable generator (Westinghouse brand from Lowes).  Excellent unit with plenty of power.

The End 2.

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Thar she blows

Me.  

Really. When do you know to shut up?  Do you accept the idiocy of a relative or tell them how stupid they are?  What a shame this country has become when friends tell you to accept major problems because ... they aren't on drugs.  Can't tell you how many have adult kids, grandkids, other loved ones that are, and are willing to accept things in exchange for them not to be.  How far?  When do you stop coddling just because they aren't addicts?  How much irresponsibility and laziness should be overlooked?  I'm turning 73 this week, and the change in how youth become responsible adults, is so vastly different from decades ago.  Yes, society progresses, things change, but respect, decency, common sense, manners, responsibility, and accountability should not.  

After Andersen comes to fix the new patio door (I I had the money I would rip it out and replace with another brand), we are going to Carole's with loads of new clothes for the kids' two birthdays and a piece of cake.  I have a few hours to calm down, but I don't believe it will be enough.  I don't want to hurt feelings when the issues are not intentional, just lack of common sense caused by the environment they grew up in (me first).  Very good with their kids, kind to people, volunteers, just .... I don't have a word for clueless to results of their actions.

That cake better be fricking fabulous.

And it better come with ice cream.

Another thing blew this morning, or should I say exploded.  A half case of Bud Light Dark Cherry from many years ago was found tucked under a table in the basement.  Just by moving the box to the kitchen, all hell broke loose.  Never saw cans explode with the tab still intact. Good thing we haven't painted yet.  

Enjoy your day!

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Downsizing a chart

Sometimes easy, other times a royal PITA.

It takes a while for me to choose the next project.  I have not been feeling up to par, so it's taking even longer.  Out of breath, weak, a little jittery, chest discomfort, no pain.  I suspect a-fib, but my doc no longer does ekg in office, can't get in to cardio.  I had a nuclear stress and echo two years (?) ago, fine.  Improved for two days, now back again.  I may go to urgent care if it worsens and the office can't get me in.

Anyway.

I love this ...

but not its size.  So I reduced 185 stitches to 160 with this layout.  You can't see the actual charting, just the changes. 

The chart did not copy or scan with any clarity so except for two symbols, will need to work from the chart but refer to my copy for placement.  Should be fun.

A decision was made on the painting.  White Dove minus a few drops of yellow.  I've tried numerous options for the cabinets just a smidge darker but it wasn't working.  The same paint in the newly lapped room is quite greenish with lots of natural light.  Maybe the Low-E glass in the windows is the culprit.  So why did I make this decision?  I'm paint weary.  

But I have a plan that will avoid a sterile/boring result.  (You can see the paint change on the ceiling to the WD, the new crown is primed only.)  The two small cupboards on the left of the large one, will have doors removed and walnut stained baskets fit to shelves.  A walnut stained shelf may go above the window between the two cabinets.  With a few darker wood accents, I think it will be good.

I hope the heat will be tolerated and pets offered relief.  Keep a wet towel from the freezer on the back of the neck, it does help.

Stay safe everyone.

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Finish

Benezet Alphabet

Cross Stitch Antiques

Width was changed, border was changed, bottom row was changed to date and doodads, colors were changed. 

 Routine for me.

A bag finish, leather strip at bottom, leather strap, holding turkey and pheasant feathers?

We'll see!

The dye blend on this was Rit taupe with a touch of Marigold.  The gold is quite strong so very little is needed.

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Every year, this day

If Sjogren's had not stolen my tears, there would be a river.

The sadness in my heart every year on this day cannot be taken away.

That generation has always held my heart.  Mom's neighbor's concentration camp tattoo, my cousin's life altering visit to Auschwitz, the photos of suffering and evil, the brave young men that faced this battle, the mothers saying goodbye, those left in foreign lands.

Forever grateful.

How many will be here to honor next year?

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What's the point?

 Wonk by one!

This is a simple in and out stitch, but a troublemaker.  Taking my time, stitch a point, frog a point.  But that's so easy to do with satin stitch.  

I thought the third one was a little hippy but assumed it was because of thicker linen threads since a placement error could not be found. 

 I separated the threads (Colour and Cotton Eucalyptus) several times until finally...

found it.

Since frogging this is so simple and to me, a noticeable error, I will correct it.  And then miss the correct hole several more times.  But eventually, this thankfully not wide row will be completed.  Tension is always an issue with my stitches and quite tricky with these long loose satins.  

This is the section at my Hobby Lobby that has the 46 count in Cream and Oat colors, also a selection of Aida and others.

Tins, fancy pins, needle minders, quite a few doodads.  The green case is a needlebook on ?felt? with several interior pages of the same.

I bought another in Oat and lightly sprayed to darken.  Warmer tan and very close to my favorite Winter Brew, so I did the other two with the same Rit mix and mottled it darker.

Hope your week is going well.

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