A Finish!

Last night I put the final stitch in my 'recovery' piece.

July 4th by Breanna Stewart

Sorry the picture is bad. Either I had to use the flash or put another sideways picture on the blog. I wish I had checked the mounting area on the glass. I would have cut the paper just a bit bigger. Oh well.

I need to go through my patterns and find another that I can do on perforated paper... I just am not able to manage cloth yet.

Therapy is going. I can see some progress. But, it is so slow. My patience for this is wearing thin. I just want normal back.

Yesterday afternoon turned out to be a beautiful day. I took a few pictures to capture the moment.

How many times do you find a heart in nature? 

Guess someone was sending me some love. It was funny though. When I got up from the hammock and looked for the heart....it was just branches. But, if you moved just the right way... the heart appeared again.

Hope you find your 'heart' today.

I'm Back!

Well, sort of...

July 4th Designed by Breanna Stewart
(Oldest daughter of Paulette Stewart of Plum Street Samplers)

I'm using perforated paper for this one. I can hold onto it better. This is 3 days worth of trying to stitch. 

Then there is this...

Can you tell it's a toboggan? Pinterest shows using a thinner yarn and now I know why. This yarn may be better for the yarn garland. It is so soft. I have no idea what it is..suppose the label would tell duh. Today though, I'm just running on fumes. 

This healing stuff is exhausting. Started therapy this week. Going up to 3x a week. My therapist has been terrific. I've been to some that seemed to think their job was to hurt me. Terri has said more than once, "Being uncomfortable is good, pain is not." She expects you to try your darnest, but understands how quickly you tire. And she gives a wonderful massage. 

But, being that it is Sweetest Day, I'm really trying to help Rob with the housework today. On load 2 of laundry and I washed a whole 9 glasses and some silverware. Isn't much, but it's way more than normal. Plus, I washed my hair today too. I know, I know, big deal. But, it really is a big deal to me. 

Well, the Clemson game is over and OSU doesn't start until 8p. Think I'll try to stitch on the porch. 

Here's to everyone having a wonderful weekend!

Doing My Part!

Well, I'm trying anyway. Gotta love your online stitching supply stores when you are grounded.

Hands On Design - Grab Life, Oh Whale, Anchor Down and Stars in the Sky

Lt - CCN Garden of Snow and Snow Days, Middle - Beneath the Harvest Moon by Whispered by the Wind,  and Rt - This is My Happy Place by The Scarlett House 

Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses by Hinzeit and Old School Santa 2016 by LK

As of today, I am no longer as grounded as I had been. I got my bra on all by myself! Yeap, definitely TMI, but I'm so excited.

Driving makes me nervous because one handed doesn't feel like I'm in control. Control...is an illusion.

But, I'm able to fold blankets now too. Dishes are still out. If the laundry is where it needs to be...the machines can do it...folding is still a pain. I can sweep, but a broom and mop are out. Cooking all depends.

Have to say though, men are oblivious.  The tub, toilet, sink, floors, and changing sheets....need desperate attention.  Hints don't work. My daughter even told me she can tell I live with males. Now, I should qualify that...my men are oblivious.

Today is gorgeous.  Think I may get some porch time today. Natalie, the porch is still open...grab your stitching and come visit!

Oh, I'm going to have to make plans to visit Indiana.  Paula will be in state soon, and there are some other Indiana stitchers I'd love to meet. And Mary Jane could meet me at a half way point. So, I'm thinking maybe next summer. hahaha. Wishful thinking.

Well, lunch time and then the hammock calls!
Happy Stitching all!

Quick Update

Well, my brace isn't quiet as ugly as that picture I showed you. Going to have to wear it 8 weeks. Until then, I'm to work on movement not strength.  Strength PT comes after the brace is removed. Had somewhere around 30 staples on the incision.  And that wasn't 4" the incision is closer to 6".

Not sure how long it will be until I can stitch. Guessing at least a few more weeks. But, this not having to cook, folding laundry, cleaning, and dishes is working for me. Not sure hubby would agree. teehee....

Oopsy...leads to Ouchy

Let's start this post off with good news...I finished both quilts before the first OSU game.  Let me tell you...that is one warm quilt. I won't show the smaller quilt as DD has been known to lurk on this here blog.

As I've told Mary Jane, no good deed goes unpunished.  And also, we all know I tend to be an overachiever.  On the 2nd, I journeyed to the store to gather provisions for Logan's birthday dinner. Wish we had decided to eat out. I saw someone crash their scooter and I stopped to help. I stepped back on an uneven sidewalk catching my foot. My bad knee had been acting up all day and I tried to protect it as I fell. DON'T DO THIS. TUCK AND ROLL. I landed on my right hand. There is no memory as to how I ended back up on my feet. But, I knew I had broken my arm. A call to 911, an ambulance ride, xrays, manipulation, lots of pain meds, long holiday weekend, ortho appt, and bad news. Not only had I dislocated my elbow, I had shattered the radial head. In doing so, I guaranteed surgery and a new titanium implant.

Here's an ugly xray. Lots o'pain when it was taken.

Surgery is next week, two weeks more in a splint, stitches out, and then this ugly a** brace for at least 6 weeks. I hope to be able to help with Thanksgiving dinner. lol

So, you all stitch your little hearts out and make me proud. I'll be sitting in my chair playing Township. Stupid addictive game....

And So, It Begins...

Does stitching a blanket stitch count as 'stitching'? My mojo has gone on vacation. Wish I knew where it went. I may have liked to join it. I think an email helped it take this vacation. See, I subscribe to this quilting store's emails. Not sure why. I haven't made quilts for years. Like several years. And then an email shows up in my inbox and all hope is lost. And this was the quilt pattern shown on said email.

Red, gray, and black....O's all over.....O-H-I-O! A raggedy Ohio State quilt and just in time for football season. Finshed size 48"x 56". Not very big. But, too big for a baby quilt. Oh, a baby quilt. Hmmm...

Never too early to introduce this baby to OSU. Right? So, what if I scale down the block size and make another quilt to be 36"x 48". Ok, then I can buy more fabric and use the extra in mine to make it bigger. Sounds about right. Except, as I tend to do, I over bought fabric. I even made a second trip to the quilt store to get more fabric today.

The bottom row of fabric came pre-cut for the quilt. Nice colors. Look great together. So, I need more for the baby's quilt. Can you explain why I purchased 13 pieces of fabric for a quilt that only needs 80 - 6" blocks?

Lots to be left over for my quilt. Teehee. Hubby didn't even flinch. So, now I need to pull out the cutting mat, rotary cutter, the plastic templates. Um, not sure where those are. Thinking I may take this all up the my loft (genealogy area) and then I can spread out.

Wish me luck. First game Sept 3rd. Two weeks. I better go get busy!

Two More Complete!

Hot off my needles...

32 ct. Toasted Almond - Hands On Design -
On Beach Time

I swear blogger drives me crazy sometimes. This picture was not taken this way. grrr

Anyway, as you can tell I changed it a bit from the pattern. I was running out of the color for the chair - so, I improvised. 

And this I finished this one last week - 

32 ct Toasted Almond - Hands On Design -
Little Cottage by the Sea

This one is pretty true to the pattern. The sign took much longer than I guessed it would -- all solid stitching. 

Remember I mentioned running into Natalie a month or so ago. In talking to her (ok, emailing) I mentioned I collected my orts. She wanted to know why we do this. I told her I saved mine so I can see my old projects in the floss. Also, some stitchers save the floss for the birds. Why do you save your orts? 

This is my ort bottle. Sixteen years worth of threads rolled into little balls. Does anyone else roll their orts up like this? 

On another front - both of my kids now have their 'big kid' jobs. Courtney just got hired for a community hospital as a Rad Tech and Logan is working for a climate firm recruiting voters. Thank goodness. In this job market I was beginning to worry. 

Wish me luck this weekend - heading to another auction for more Fostoria. I just need a few glasses and I would like a large straight sided vase. 

Off to gather my floss for the Nora Corbett sleigh. Hmm, I hope I have them all. 

Forty One Days Until Fall!

Come on Fall! These blast furnace summer days are for the birds. Although, I'm not too sure how the birds feel about them. You know the birds don't speak to me. Dr. Doolittle I am not.

So, since it is so toasty outside - I stay inside where it is blessedly comfortable. And I have results! Do you wanna see what's been on me needle?

April - Snowflower Diaries
28 ct Jobelan Summer Skies

May - Snowflower Diaries
28 ct Jobelan Summer Skies

Adjust Your Sails - Hands On Design
32 ct Toasted Almond

The Snowflower Diaries pieces have a few changes...Once again the B5200 wouldn't have shown on this fabric and I changed a few flowers to more colorful ones. The rabbit became gray because my rabbits in Ohio are gray. My squirrels are gray/red. I attempted to do them justice. And in May...I re-graphed the kitten. And made the bird a bluebird.

I love the Hands On Design series To The Beach. There are 6 designs so far in this series. I hope there may be a few more. I passed on picking up the whales (Design #1) and then it hit me how I want these finished. Going to find a nice summery fabric in matching colors and make these a summer bowl. So, now I need to get it and #6 Stars in the Sky.

I thought my older GAST colors called for seemed to be a bit washed out - so, in the Flock Together piece I have ramped up the colorway. Instead of Old brick - Poppy, the yellow became Daffodil and the blue is now some deep turquoise. And wow do the colors look fabulous.

Switching gears here -- I have to tell you about a coincidence (remember, I do not believe in coincidences) that happened a few weeks ago. DD had an interview at nearby hospital. I drove her to the interview hoping to let her relax on the trip and be fresh and ready to go. While she was back doing her thing - I sat in the main lobby and stitched on 272 Words. A nurse came over and admired the piece. She asked where I was from...I told her and low and behold...she grew up here too. And the really weird thing...I KNEW her. We worked together in my grandfather/uncle's dairy in the late 70's. And the icing on the cake...I had just been thinking about her a few weeks before I ran into her. Then, she started talking about HER stitching! Yep, she's one of us! And we love the same stitching shop in Cleveland. Needless to say, we are now emailing and catching up. I love the way the world works. (btw -- waving hi to Natalie)

Today I am once again enjoying being at home. The last several days have found me traveling every direction. On the 11th - north to Cleveland, the 12th - east to the genealogy library, 13th - lunch to the west, 14th - south to meet a new-to-me cousin, the 15th - back to the library, the 16th - west to a bridal shower, home the 17th - the 18th north to another interview for DD, the 19th to the library. I had started to forget what staying at home felt like. And I dodged a trip to Lake Erie this week. Dodged would imply I didn't want to go. Far from it, but it has been put on hold until after the school year begins.

Okay, time to email some photos and catch up on the laundry. It isn't going to do itself.

*****************

PS -- since I wrote that last post I have become a bit more aware of the violence happening in the world. It's been 13 days since that post. We have had a shooting in a courthouse in MI (I believe), a hospital in FL, more violence in Baton Rouge, and then there's Nice, France. And it has made me repeatedly ask...What are we so angry about?  

Another Tragedy...

I rarely speak of real life events on this blog beyond my family.

Way too many times the things heard on the news are tragedies, violence, and all to rarely pleasant.

This morning I awoke to police in Dallas being killed. This in a week when two men were killed by police.

None of us know what those two men were thinking before the police opened fire. We're they happy, sad, having a bad day? We're they frightened? Did they react on impulse? I'm sure they weren't perfect, as none of us are. But, they are our brothers, fathers, sons, and neighbors. If they reacted badly to some things they still had time to make things right. We all have the chance to ask for forgiveness.

The two police officers involved the shootings in MN and LA....we're they having a bad day? We're they dealing with problems at home or at work? We're they tired from staying up all night with a sick child? What made them react the way the did?

And last night....those police officers were protecting others' First Amendment rights. It sounds as if they were targeted.  What were they thinking before the shots rang out? I bet they were thinking about getting off work and going home. Dinner, spouse, children. We're they thinking about plans for this weekend?

And those who killed the officers...were they frightened? Obviously they were angry. Why?

Why are we still killing each other? This is the 21st Century.  Have we not evolved enough yet to value human life? All human life. So many want to say it's about the color of the skin. Bullshit...we all bleed red. We are all human.

We need to find a way to get along. We need to respect each other. We need to stop and take a breath before reacting.

I visualize God above looking down on us. He is shaking his head in disgust for the way we treat each other. We are all His children. He loves all of us like we love our children.

How do we teach our children to behave when confronted with anger? Do we have to sometimes yell "Stop!" to get their attention?

People are angry. We want respect. We want dignity. We want to be heard. And this is a 'we' issue not a 'they' issue.

I don't have the answers. I don't know where to find the answers. But, killing each other is NOT the answer.

Come on people let's collectively pull our heads from our rear ends and make this stop. It's time to be sick and tired of the violence and no longer tolerate it as an answer.

It's time to put down the weapons and talk. And listen! And react with respect and dignity towards each other. It's time for peace. It's time for unity. It's time to be adults instead of reacting with anger.

And let's address those who blame the weapons. A gun can sit in a box and not kill. It's the human who loads, points, and fires the gun. A knife can lay on a counter and not kill. It's a human who turns it into a weapon. Hands are not weapons until used in anger. A penis is an organ until it's used to rape. It becomes a weapon of control.

Anything can be used as a weapon. Sticks and stones. Hammer and nails. A voice used in anger, bullying, and gossip. All are weapons! It's how those things are used.

I hope I've not offended, upset, or angered you in voicing my opinion. My voice is not being used in anger or violence.

It's time for peace, hope, faith, and grace.

Three Finishes!

Woohoo! Three down and only two to go.

Here's July - as you can see I am having difficulties with the white showing on my fabric. So, I am outlining those areas. Now, I just decided to completely change the flowers that were to be white.

Finished 6/27
28 ct. Jobelan Summer Sky - mostly called for threads

 Ah, January! Loved this stitch when I first saw it. The only issue I had was how straight the fox's back was. Why this bothered me is beyond my comprehension. So, I scoured around and found a sitting fox and used it instead. Had to fatten him up a bit but...

Finished 6/29
28 ct. Cashel Cobblestone - mostly called for threads

  And February...don't look too closely...the mistake is rather glaring if you notice spacing issues. I went with a Smoky Pearl Cashel thinking my 'snow' would stand out. It does so wonderfully. Except I lost the greens and grays some.

Finished 7/1
28 ct. Cashel Smoky Pearl - mostly called for threads

This leaves me with April and May. Going to have to rethink my squirrel as squirrels in my neighborhood are grey with bushy red tails. And my bunnies are gray. So, do I use the same floss for both or go with different shades? Go with a darker fabric so the bunny shows up and use white...decisions.

And then there are the cats...do I want cats? Do I like the cat, but not the kitten?  Keep it as is or go for a change...change the positions or colors....what to do?

Plans for the holiday weekend are rather quiet. There is an auction and of course fireworks (but, which ones...,), we have steak for one nights grilling pleasure, there is a local festival that might be fun to look around. The temperatures don't look to be too outrageous. Guess it's going to be spur of the moment entertainment. lol

Now to post this bad boy and see how long it takes to actually go live. Is anyone else having this problem? I post and it shows up hours later. Why? Am I doing something wrong?

Need to go thaw chicken...tonight is a Pinterest recipe. Greek Lemon Chicken soup. I've made it before and we decided to double the couscous and add spinach instead of chives. Maybe a bit more chicken...and toasted cheese sandwiches.

Have a wonderfully safe weekend!
Denise

272 Words

All done! It is nice to have this UFO finished. Woohoo!

272 Words by Primrose Needleworks
Stitched on a 28ct fabric with recommended DMC floss

I do have to say...I wish I had done this on a higher count fabric. My eyes work best on 28 ct, but 32 ct was recommended. This stitch can be put on a wall 12' away and you could still read the dang thing. 

 

Started July from the Snowflower Diaries. Loving the rhubarb on the flamingos. Such cute patterns. 

Looks like the weekend is shaping up to be an inside (too hot outside) stitching weekend. DH wants to ride his motorcycle and visit his step-mother. Who am I to complain with more stitching time? 

Well, time for dinner and some television...

Update time...

Mary Jane...seriously this is a quick stitch! Can't believe how much has been accomplished over a weekend!

Page four is nearly complete. But, the word brought on the top line is 10 stitches from fathers. Most other word breaks are between 6 and 8 stitches apart. And the last two words on this line look a little smooshed together. Brought is being ripped out and moved a little closer to fathers.

Something I have noticed in this pattern is sometimes the s's have tails and other times don't and the i's are sometimes 4 stitches high and other times 5. Why do designers do this? Is it me being picky or is there something going on I have missed?

Oh, thank you everyone for your advice on how to frame cheaply. I need to check your stores out. And no, sorry Dawn, I can not be your partner is a stitch shop. The drive is a bit long for a daily commute. lol. Now, Lori, how far from Cleveland are you talking? A bit further south...I'm in! Heading towards Toledo or Youngstown....umm. And Cincinnati is OUT!! Now, Columbus is fine. So, what town were you thinking?? :)

Well, kids, I'm off to rip my stitches out and try again. Hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer!

Mary Jane...better catch up!

Last night I wanted to stitch something, but starting on Colorful Sky just wasn't cutting it. So, I pulled out an old SAL I started with Mary Jane (CalamityJr.). Although, I went through old blog posts...I can not find when we started this.

In just a few hours I had reached the right side border and was ready to fly! And now I have the whole border in!!! (terrible lighting...sorry)

272 Words - Primrose Needleworks
28ct unknown color (until I find that post)

Oh for pete's sake!! The photo rotated again. And I did check to see if I had an 'auto-rotate' on my camera...I can't find it if it's there.

And when I pulled out Colorful Sky...I found that I had been rather optimistic in saying that I was nearly halfway done. Let's go with 1/3 of the way done.

Colorful Sky - Mystic Stitch
14 ct white aida

Courtney and I went to Cleveland today. Had my heart broken. The store may close. The owner is in the process of selling the store and if the financing doesn't go through...she will close before the end of the year. So, cross your fingers the potential new owner can finalize the loans!!!

And then - it broke again. We figured out the cost to have Naturistic framed. Needless to say, DH will be making me another frame and I will have to do the framing. At nearly $300...I choked.

And I wanted these two pieces to be framed by someone other than me....uh, they are bigger by far than Naturistic.

While shopping I got more fabric for the monthlies, stash fabric, 3 patterns with fabric for them, and a frame for the monthlies.

Adjust Your Sails, Flock Together, and A Little Cottage
by Hands On Design.
will be stitched on 28ct Cashel Toasted Almond

These have to be worked in to the rotation. Rotation...how did that happen? Colorful Sky, 272 Words, The Snowflower Diary monthlies, and these. Geez...I better get busy.

Time for bed. Let's see what time this post actually hits the web. lol Lately, it has been nearly 12 hours until it shows up on the reader.

Hey, MJ....better get your needles flying!!

Goals Met!

Not often anymore do I get to say that I met my stitching goals. This weekend...I did!

Can anyone explain why these pictures turn? This isn't how they were taken nor how they were uploaded. Sigh....

Anyway, here are March and June from The Snowflower Diaries. I ended up outlining the stork because the B5200 just didn't show up on the fabric I used. There are 4 "white" flowers that are now Apricot Blush. Again the floss didn't show up.

March - The Snowflower Diaries
28ct Cashel - Country Cream
GAST and DMC flosses

Now June went so well! Such a great little stitch. For some reason every picture I could get of the pattern was blurry. Ended up re-charting it. Not sure if I managed to get all the colors where they were supposed to be. But, it doesn't matter as I am thrilled with the outcome. Told DH I did something with the bear that I think went well. Instead of my usual straight across stitching and making something striped with the hand-dyed floss. I grouped the stitches per area. Did the foot, then a hip, front leg, etc. That way each area seemed to be a slightly different shading. Kinda like real fur. Yeah, I'm breaking my arm patting myself on the back. 

June - The Snowflower Diaries
28ct Cashel - Country Cream
GAST and DMC flosses

It had been years since my last Lazy Daisy stitch. I managed to make them at least equal. lol

Hoping to make it to Cleveland this week. I want to pick out a frame for these and another for Naturistic. Courtney is coming along to help with the process. I haven't had a piece professional framed....ever. Always done my own. So, this is scary. Oh, I need more fabric for these monthlies too. Maybe I can find a hand-dyed that is a blue on white. More sky-like looking.

Tomorrow is my first fasting day ever. Wish me luck. I just read a book that explains why diets don't work and how to re-set your 'set weight'. So, fasting...a new way to drive myself crazy. :)

Time for bed...
Night Night!

Naturistic Finished!

I did it! Finished Naturistic yesterday afternoon. One of the fastest large projects ever.

Started Feb 6, 2016 - Finished May 26, 2016

If I figured correctly, that is 109 days and 49,750 stitches. Which when you think about it isn't some amazing number of stitches on the average day...about 2 1/4" square per day. But, there were several days, even weeks that there wasn't one stitch stitched.

Taking this one to Crafty Ewe in Broadview Heights to be framed. DH just doesn't have enough time to make frames like I would like. Sigh....how dare work get in the way of a craft....geez!

Usually, I sign the large pieces below the lower right corner. This time I signed the piece in the picture like a painting. It's in purple and doesn't scream, "Hey, look here...a signature!"

My son has spoken for this piece. Courtney wants Colorful Sky.

I have the top half finished and need to get on it. BUT...

What did I kit up this morning? The Snowflower Diaries March and June. Going to do them both on a 28ct Cashel Country Cream. Just loving the bear in the June piece. These are going to finished in a frame so I can pop them in and out. I do this with some Lizzy*Kate pieces. It's just kind of wonderful to be able to see them all and tire of none.

Well...time to go enjoy the porch. The humidity is low and there is a nice breeze. Not going to be on the highways this holiday weekend. Let the cops bother someone else...and not worry of wrecks and wackos!

Hope everyone has a wonderful enjoyable weekend. Maybe on Tuesday I'll have another finish. Ha, that would be my second this year and twice as many as last year. What's happened to me? I used to stitch 50-70 pieces per year.

Ok, off to herd turtles.(as Coni would say)
Denise

Blogversary Win

A few weeks ago, Edgar over at Blacksheep's Bit of the Web had his 9th Blogversary Give Away. I was lucky enough to have the one of his pups pick my name!

Edgar sent a wonderful package to show me what I am missing by NOT being in San Francisco. Next time I'm on the west coast...San Francisco WILL be a destination!

Ghirardelli Chocolates, Noe Valley coffee, Dianda's pastries, and an
amazing coffee mug from Starbucks!

The cookies....yummy! Most had a hint of lemon!

I was so amazed at the goodies he sent. I've not used the coffee mug for coffee. It is perfect for dinner of chili though! lol If you notice on the mug...it has the Golden Gate bridge and the skyline on it. I still have a few chocolates...which is beyond belief if you know the chocolate hound I  am. The cookies were delightful. Light, lemony, soft, and smooth. Not sure if Edgar knew I loved Italian food or I just got lucky. Can't speak for the coffee though...that falls under the men in my house. As soon as they brew it...I will have my very first cup of (sober) coffee. ;) We are not speaking of the time I had the other 3 cups of coffee in my life. Um, I barely remember them.

Had a surprise visit from my niece and nephews. Haven't seen them much this year. So, I grabbed the camera to commemorate the occasion.

Bryce -- will be 3 this fall

Alivia - 6 in August

Garin -- OMG...10 this fall

 Stitching has taken another slow down...library projects have taken precedence. One project at a time.

Until next time...enjoy the locust....
Denise

Rainy Monday

Had a wonderful weekend!

First, DD graduated from Zane State College with her Radiology Tech degree. Here are the girls from her group.

Courtney is the one on the left in the front row. 

 We decorated her cap. And had a great time with it! Mind you it took 4 hours...

The school knows her by her first name.

And here's a shot of the proud momma and poppa...

The graduation speakers tend to be long winded and we were feeling the pain. lol Actually, compared to Logan's graduation at KSU last winter...this went quickly. And the chairs were comfortable. 

Then later Saturday night I was inducted into Guernsey County, OH First and Pioneer Families. Meaning I was able to trace relatives to Guernsey County, OH prior to 1820 (First) and 1850 (Pioneer). 

Checking out my pins.

And I am still stitching. Remember when I said, "Arthritis be damned!"? Well, boy did it show me who was boss. Thumb pain won hands down. Compression gloves were purchased and worn. They helped, but rest was the solution. 

There are lots of black stitches that will make the finish a quick one. Then the framing. This one is going to be done by Crafty Ewe. Normally, I stretch and frame my own. But, I'm feeling plucky and want someone else to do this baby. 

Until next time....

What We Have Lost...

Unbelievable to lose such great talent so young....

Prince Rogers Nelson
1958 -2016

Why I've Been Gone!

If we just start with oops - then maybe everything else will explain itself.

See, a few weeks ago I thought it would be heavenly to get away to a B&B with the hubby. I found a neat place in south eastern Ohio and thought -- "Ok, we could try this." And filed it away. Then imagine my surprise when DH comes home to tell me he'll be working in that area (a mere 15 minutes away from the B&B).

I started the ball rolling and showed him pictures of the rooms available. DH, in his typical way, chose the largest room. (Ok, he makes the money and I spend it. What can I say when he spends more than I would have?) I made the reservations and we were set.

Our Room - The Southern Cross

The views from my two balconies.

Now, mind you, he's to work in this area for 2 weeks. Remember that - 2 weeks.

I arrive at the B&B on Tuesday afternoon. I'd taken all snacks and even one evening meal so I never have to leave. DH shows up on his 2nd day at this job site telling me he is finished already and is leaving the next morning for Louisiana. Imagine my surprise and disappointment.

In the morning he needs to get up bright and early (3a) to leave for his office. A normal 20 minute drive has become 45 because he isn't at home. The boss tells him he needs to go to Pittsburgh, PA before leaving for Louisiana. (Not a direct route if you ask me.) By the end of the day - he has been in Coshocton, OH and to Pittsburgh, PA and back to Coshocton. And then he heads down to spend the evening with me in Salesville, OH. The next morning he again gets up early and treks to Coshocton to leave for Louisiana. He get 5 hours south before being called back to Coshocton as the job has been delayed. So, he meets me at our home that night.

This takes us to Friday --- now he's leaving for Terre Haute, IN. Then to Chillicothe, OH and repeat. One trip a day for two days. Oh, goody, he's working on the weekend now. Except - not. No, they get loaded from Terre Haute and get stopped at the Ohio border with over weight loads and have to spend the night there. At 6a the next morning the company has sent a crane and another semi trailer to move the loads around. He finally makes it home around 4p Saturday afternoon and the 2nd trip to Terre Haute is cancelled.

To say the least, he was then ready for the B&B.

While I was taking my breather days - I managed to stitch for hours uninterrupted. Just me, the floss, the fabric, and the tv tuned to Dateline on OWN. I did have amazing breakfasts! Amazing tasting and amazing amounts!! The first morning I had bacon, eggs, sausage links, french toast, and juice. I just couldn't eat the french toast or sausage. On Thursday morning, I was made a bacon/sausage/cheese omelet, toast, more sausage links and two juices. Needless to say, my dog was happy with her leftovers when I got home.

Now, I didn't get this all done in two days. I took this picture a few days ago. But, it is moving along nicely. See that little black block to the right of the 'grass'? From that point across the whole piece and below is completely black solid stitching. Can we say fly?

Here's a picture of the main living room of the B&B ~

Since I've been home the family has had our Easter dinner, We took both kids, the son-in-law, and Mom to dinner at Outback. Yummy! And I didn't have to cook, clean, or do the dishes. Best meal ever when being served to you and you don't have the work. lol

So, on Easter Sunday, DD and I are shopping for her interview clothes. It's almost time for her to graduate from Radiology school and go be a big girl. She is more than ready. She just needs to finish these next 5 weeks and all is well.

If you've made it this far - congratulations! I'm done. Sorry for yapping about my hubby's terrible week, but it is almost humorous how this crane company works. There have been days when I have received 5 phone calls with him telling me his plans have changed. I mean really.

Well, to all of you still here - happy wishes to you.
Until we meet again ~ Denise

Three Down and Nine to Go!

As of Feb 29 - I have completed three pages. This is some type of record for me. Just 23 days of stitching...14,823 stitches!

 

I purchased some Piecemakers needles. Vonna had mentioned how wonderful they are. And she isn't lying. They sing in the fabric. Perfectly balanced and smooth. 

Nothing new to report - a bridge near us will be imploded April 15th. I went and took pictures of it the other day. 

It is (I believe) the last of its type in the county. There have been 3 others taken down near my home that were the same kind. Guess it is the end of an era. This one was built in 1948. A new picture for my history wall. The price of progress? 

Last Sunday we finally caught up watching all the Downton Abbey we've missed these years. Took us a month to watch all 6 seasons. So, Sunday I will watch my first and last 'live' Downton. It's amazing how invested you can become in a tv show. I have the ending I would like to see in mind, but I hope they do even better than I hope! 

Tonight has turned into a stitching night. At least 6 hours with little to no interruptions! Woohoo. No dinner to make - no tv I have to watch. Although, I did pick up the last Terminator movie today. Think I may save that for tomorrow. 

I hear my needle calling my name! 

Denise