A Long Week

My infusions have started. One down, three to go. The doctor is spacing them out further each year. I started at every 6 months but it was not helping so we started doing them every 5 months which made a big difference! My Vasculitis went quite and I have not had a flare since November 2016. We went back to every 6 months during 2020 and so far there have been no problems. If all goes well, we will change them to every 7 months next year.

After my coffee that the infusion nurse always has for me, getting hooked up and my Benedryl nap, I began to stitch some. No updates pictures of the Bee Skep this week because I wasn't able to stitch much due to location of the IV.  I hope to have a big update next week!

I am not a fast stitcher. I admit it. I take breaks. Sometimes the breaks are because of hand cramps and other times they are just because. Period. I see other stitchers who get two or three pieces completed a month. I could probably do that if I decided to but I am happy to just putter along. LOL.

While window shopping over at Etsy, I ran across this wonderful PDF file called Feed Your Soul. I know, I know. I don't need another piece to add to my stash but my heart just wasn't going to listen to logic! I will finish up Bee Skep before starting on this. I have seen several other "soon to be released" pieces that I know will just have to become a part of my stash family!

Last week, we mozied on down to our home improvement store for some ideas. We have been getting estimates on some of the things we want to do around the house. I am so excited that these are going to finally become a reality instead of just  wishes in my mind! Everything is picked out and we know exactly what we want but we are prepared to change if needed after we start getting quotes. Now to get prices and start!

First things first. We have both been wanting a walk in shower for a good while. Since my hip went bad and I had the hip replacement, climbing in and out of that tub has become as tiring as climbing a mountain plus my balance isn't quite the same as it was before. I looked and looked at pictures and finally found what I want (with a few changes).

Our tub and toilet are located like the one in this picture. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this shower. The changes I have made are 1. just a sheet of shower glass (no fancy cut outs), 2. nice clean white subway tile all around,  3. several safety bars and 4. an extra shelf or two for soaps and shampoos. This is just a sample picture so I can show the contractor what I basically want after we find the right person to do it.

My kitchen is a big "must do" on our list. For such a small room in the house, it probably has the most to be done!

There are a few other improvements we are still checking on for outside. It's amazing how fast a "to do" list will grow over the years if left unattended!  I will be sure to share as we get started!

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well.

No Update

What a dreary, dark, cloudy day! It is a good day to stay inside and stitch! For dinner, I am planning on making spaghetti. I use my moma's recipe for the sauce. I also use her recipe for my stuffed green peppers. These were two of my favorites that she made when I was younger so it always brings back such sweet memories as I fix them.

I tried a few new recipes over the past several weeks. I have my tried and true basics that I fix on a regular basis but a new recipe here and there can even perk up the old ones!  I had to pull out the crock pot for several of them but it was worth it. I fixed some slow cooker beef stew one night with a salad and some crusty bread. This is usually a meal for a cold Winter evening but with the crock pot, it was Summer do-able! Talk about good and filling!

I can't believe the media is telling people to stock up again because the hoarding is starting all over! Things were just starting to get back to normal a bit at the grocery store! I really don't want to deal with this nonsense again!

What an awful week I had this past week! I was feeling really sick for several days but it was my own fault. Those yummy nutty buddy ice cream cones were the culprit. It happened to me last summer but I forgot and did it again! For some reason, they just don't agree with me anymore! Seriously! Of all the things to make me sick! I eat chocolate and am fine. I eat nuts and am fine. I eat ice cream and am fine but put it all together in a cone and I explode!

I have come full circle and am once again grocery shopping all by my little lonesome! I did it by myself when we first got married. Then the kids came along and I had company PLUS a larger grocery bill because they just loved to sneak things into the cart when I wasn't looking! After the boys got older I was shopping alone again until The Grumpy Ol Gazer retired and he started to go with me which was sort of like taking the boys when they were little cause he would stop to look at all the candy and cookies and sneak a few things into the cart. But since his return from the hospital I have been shopping alone again. All that walking in combination with the heat just doesn't help his breathing. Hopefully when the hot days turn into cooler days, he can join me again. I miss the company!

Big News! I am a Great Great Aunt for the second time around! Isn't he adorable?

I really wanted to finish up my current stitch before my infusions start next week so I have been doing as much as my hands will let me.That house has been a bear to stitch! Otherwise, it has been an enjoyable piece to work on. I almost set it aside several times because of tedious brick laying but I am staying with it and am glad I did!

I have a change in my infusion project for next week. Since I felt bad and did not get much stitching in, I have my doubts about finishing up Bee Skep before it starts so I may just take this in to stitch on. I should be able to finish up before my infusions are over then I can resume on This is the Day for the remaining infusions as planned.

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well.

And the summer goes on.......

I made a big mistake this year and waited too long to go buy my chocolate mints and other herbs. By the time I went, the ones I wanted were totally sold out. So I promised myself to go much earlier next Spring.

Another thing I fussed at myself about was my yearly pots of petunias I put out on the deck each Spring. I love the yellow petunias (I put out at least 2 pots of these) and I always put out a pot of red ones in memory of my moma. I got lazy this year and decided I just didn't feel like watering them every morning and pinching them back each day! Bad decision. I have really missed them and next Spring, the deck will once again be graced by these gorgeous blooms!

I may just go one step further and put out some potted tomato plants again! I used to put out at least 3 each year (2 better boys and 1 heirloom)  and we always had some delicious tomatoes for sandwiches and salads! Not to mention fried green tomatoes!  I always put a few marigolds in with the tomato plant and that keeps away any bugs that may want to nibble on my fruits without pesticides!

The threads arrived for Mary Ann Hutton and the order from my LNS with Vintage Animals and threads also arrived. They are tucked safely in my project basket (which is flowing over) awaiting their turn with the needle! My project basket is a nice big basket by Everlove Creations over at Etsy! Lots of room for plenty of future projects.

I have another update on The Bee Skep by BBD. I am almost finished with page one! Once I can finish up this house, I am pretty sure it will sail along smoothly. I am staying away from designs with houses like this for a while! LOL

The Grumpy Ol Gazer has been on oxygen since he came home from the hospital. It is not the first time but I have my doubts about him getting off of it this time. So does he. It is so hard to haul around a tank when we go out. They can be loud, hard to handle and you usually have a time limit. We discussed those portable concentrators that you carry like a shoulder bag. We liked what we heard and he now has one. So far he been very happy with it and it is so much easier when we want to go out for the day or just a quick trip to the store!

Right now we are in the talking/planning stage but hopefully this Fall, we will begin on some home improvements! We have our list and have picked out certain items we want! Now to start looking up contractors! I can't wait to share them with you!

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

After the 4th

I am slowly getting more done on my current stitch! The Bee Skep by BBD (in the Agnes Platt Strawberry Sampler book). The bees in this chart were not Aida friendly so I will use some bees from a different design. I am using 18 count Aida in Caramel Creme by My Vintage Needlearts over at Etsy and most of the colors are from the called for list. A few changes here and there out of necessity.

For such a small piece, it is really taking me a long time to stitch it. What with the Grumpy Ol Gazer being in the hospital. Then getting him back home and settled in with home health care. A few personal issues that caught me off guard and that house! Beautiful but very painstakingly tedious! Plus I have had a few ehhhhhh days. You know, the ones where you feel ok but just don't feel like tackling any projects. I am hoping I can finish it up before my infusions begin.

I found this old WIP one day while sorting through some drawers. I can't even remember the year I started it. It had to be after 2005. I did start it with the intention of dedicating it to my FIL who had recently passed in 2005. There isn't much left to do on it so I may just take this in as my infusion project if I can gather everything I will need to work on it.  I have most of the threads except for remainder of the border so I may leave that off. I will see how it works out. If I should happen to finish this up before my infusions are over, I will probably take in Never Enough Thyme by the Goode Huswife to finish. As a matter of fact, I am thinking that I may just take my WIPs for my infusion projects for a while!

A few trips to the grocery store. I found some clementines! Be still my heart! They are very seasonal and not available year round so when I find them, I am in heaven! A few trips to the doctor and pharmacy. Pretty ordinary for us. Once in a while we may venture out to get some ice cream at the drive thru and eat it in the parking lot. A haircut every other month. Once or twice a year we may venture out to our favorite steak house for an eat in meal and go to the home center to pick up plants or other needed items that can not be ordered.

A lot of people are working on Jolly July aka Christmas in July stitches this month. I usually do at least one Christmas stitch a year but I did not get any holiday pieces done last year. This year, I only have one I want to do so I have pulled it, ordered the threads and I plan to work on it. It may not get finished for several months but I will have a good start! Her name is Mary Ann Hutton and she is by The Scarlett Letter. I doubt I start her this month but she on my Top 20 list.

My list of TOP 20 to stitch in 2020 just may roll over into next year. I doubt seriously I will be able to finish them all this year but they are among my favorites and definitely a priority! I really wonder where I will put them all!

I wear my mask like a good girl when we go out in public but I prefer to go out early in the day before the heat gets too bad. Otherwise, I do have difficulty breathing good with the mask on. I haven't said anything about the events here in the US with the monuments being destroyed and so much more. Destroying these statues will not change history or make it go away. History is there for a reason. To help us learn and grow stronger. It is not be ignored. Enough said. This is a happy blog and this is how it will stay!

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well.

Have a Happy

Welcome July!