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Thank you to all who have left comforting comments about my Dad. Yes, it is hard. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think anything like this would happen to him. I always think of him as a strong, confident, independent person and to suddenly, without any real warning, see him in his present condition is very upsetting. I received a sudden call last weekend that the doctor had said it would be a good idea for the family to come so I have been out of town this past week. Once again, his condition was very touch and go. When I left on Friday, he was beginning to show some improvement but there is still a long road ahead of us all.

And thank you for also leaving comments wishing me well also. This is definitely not a good time for me to be ill. I was able to get in to see my doctor before I left town and he seems to feel that one of my new medications was causing the problem. He has taken me off of it and so far so good! Fingers crossed!

I did not work on my stitching much this past week but I hope to find some time for it this week! I took this picture of my current progress since I haven't posted any of my work in awhile (or so it seems to me). After getting back home from a long and emotional week, I told Harold that I may not be waiting too much longer to get some new stash! I am also thinking of a new start! I know I should finish up the present one first but.........!

Thank you all for stopping by to see me! Your friendship means so much to me especially during these emotional times! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart!

Good News

No pictures today as you will find out the reason why as you read on.

Thank you to everyone who kept my Dad in your prayers. I talked to my stepmother yesterday and his primary care doctor didn't even know about any of this and once he found out, he really got the ball rolling and made sure these other doctors got busy on Dad's case. Both my stepmother and I feel relieved because for so long it was as though the doctors were just sweeping his case under the rug. Now they are taking action! There is still the posibility we may lose him to the cancer but we take one step at a time for now.

The reason there is no picture is that I was not home most of day yesterday so no stitching got done. I spent almost all day in the Emergency Room at the hospital. Harold was convinced I was having a heart attack and I kept telling him no, it wasn't but the pain was still really severe. They did alot of tests and found some things they want me to discuss with my primary care physician next week. Today I just feel really weak and will probably spend the day resting. Thank goodness they did enough testing because they were talking about sending me into surgery!

So for today, dear friends, I will keep this short so I can get back to resting in bed.

Christmas in July

Check out this fun giveaway!

More Fun!

Patti is having a wonderful giveaway so be sure to drop by to check it out!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and fun weekend!

Listen Up!

Go to Violarium's site and sign up for this wonderful giveaway book of cross stitch alphabets! After all, what stitcher doesn't need more charts or books!

It looks like it will be an overcast day of clouds and maybe even a few rain showers. That sounds good to me. The clouds will keep the hot hot hot sun at bay and we could definitely use some rain around here! Plus it's another good reason to stay inside and stitch after I get the basic housework done!

Have a wonderful day and until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart!

A Giveaway and Happy Places

There really isn't a lot of exciting and fun news to report on right now. I am already sick of this hot weather (although our July 4th weekend turned out nice and comfortable). Usually when July comes around, I am so ready for Fall and try to satisfy my desire for this season by surrounding myself with any and everything Fall. Of course I can't pull out the sweaters just yet but notice that I changed my blog template! Actually, I enjoy all the Seasons. I can just tolerate some longer than others. Summer is definitely on my "short" list with all the heat and humidity!

How do I start off my mornings? Why with a cup of coffee, of course and reading my stitching blogs while enjoying them. There are also a couple of other blogs I especially enjoy. Daisy Cottage and Birdnest Cottage. Wander on over and visit them!

I am going to have a different type of giveaway this time. It's not anything stitching or craft related. In the past I have mentioned how I enjoy collecting miniature books. I realized that I recently bought one that I already have. I could take it back to the store for a refund or just exchange it but what fun would that be! I have alot more now than what the picture shows and I think I will leave the book as a surprise!

Leave a comment on this post only by Friday, July 10 at 9pm EST stating that you would like your name to be entered in the drawing for this. Make sure you leave a link to your blog or an email address so that I contact you if you are the winner! The winner will be annnounced on Monday.

Good Morning!

For several months running, I have forgotten to post my goals (past and present). Oh well, for now I need to give myself a break! I will start listing and posting them again in the early Fall.

I hope everyone had a long and enjoyable Holiday weekend! We did some our usual errands and routines but nothing special (unless grocery shopping counts. Nawwww!). We cooked out, watched some movies and enjoyed some neighborhood fireworks from the front porch.

I took some time off from stitching to help Harold with repairs on the front porch rails. We ran into a few minor problems that were fixed easily enough until--------- we realized that the majority of the wood was just rotten and it all needs to be replaced! *big hard heavy sigh* The joys of being a homeowner!

In the meantime, I was able to get some more done on my recent work in progress. After all my bragging about not having any problems with my hands, I overworked them with more yardwork and stitching than usual and both hands had a bad flare up so I had to slow it down a bit over the weekend.

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart!

Gardens and Needles

I have psoriasis. Not a fun topic but I have it non the less and a pretty bad case of it. I have had it since I was a young child and found no comfort back then when the doctors told me that my children probably wouldn't get it! Of course I am glad now, though. Any hoo, years ago I was in an experimental program for a new medication being used to control this beast. I cleared up -- completely! I wore tank tops, swim suits, dresses, shorts and more with no worry! I chose to leave the program after a year because it was experimental and some of the side effects were pretty spooky to me. Also I was not allowed to get pregnant while taking it and we wanted children. So naturally the psoriasis broke back out.

Many moons later, I go to see my rheumatologist for my aching bones and she diagnoses me as having psoriatic arthritis and puts me back on this same medication! Only now it is no longer experimental and they feel since I handled it well last time I will do wonderfully this time also. I will be clear again! I am having a blast look through catalogs at shorts and dresses and short sleeve blouses!

Oh and it is obviously helping my arthritis too! Since I began taking this medication, I have had not one problem with my hands, fingers and wrists that were always swelling and very tender to touch. I can stitch, garden and even open a jar of mayonaisse with no problems again! Yea! Two benefits!

Speaking of gardening, our tomatoes are out and a couple have some! This year, I decided to mix it up a bit and bought several Heirloom tomato plants also! And speaking of cross stitch, I have been working on my WIP alot more lately so I hope to have some real progress to post next time!

Thank you all for your get well wishes. Both DH and myself are feeling much better and hope to be able totally over this by the time our meds run out and then we schedule a trip to go see my Dad again!

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart! Thanks for stopping by!