July 29, 2009

After dialysis this evening, we had our usual last-Wednesday-of-the-month stitch-in at the cafe inside Borders Books at Annapolis Mall. I worked on Ocean Star some more, trying to finish the diamonds. I almost did it, too, but the store was closing so we had to leave.

Genia made me these wonderful handwarmers! They're the perfect combination of colors, too! I'll be able to stitch and read at dialysis without my hands turning into ice cubes! Thank you, Genia!

July 23, 2009 - Spoiled Kasey

Here is today's pro-gress on Ocean Star. I'm still working on filling in the dia-monds, but they're coming along. I seem to be having brain farts, though, because I keep skipping parts. I made mistakes in every single diamond when I stitched the lavender parts and had to go back to fill in the stitches I missed. I didn't have to frog, but having to go back to add two stitches here and two stitches there was quite frustrating! I did the same with this diamond on the left, not stitching the purple square that is supposed to be in the center!

As I suspected, today was a very long day! We left for Barnes & Noble stitching group around 12:30 and arrived shortly before 1pm. I worked on Ocean Star but did not accomplish as much as I had hoped to.

I decided to let people pet Kasey today (as long as they asked first) since it was her special day. She basked in the extra attention. Here is her birthday bow. I made it for her last night.




Belly rubs! Kasey loves belly rubs!

My DoRS appointment went well. I signed the exchange of information releases for my DoRS counselor to send and receive information to the college. I'm still waiting to hear from them about my financial aid. Sue and I discussed ways to go about buying my books and other needed supplies. Basically, I'm supposed to get whatever I need through the school's bookstore, unless I receive grant or scholarship money. When I told her the cost of my books for the two classes she was flabbergasted. The DoRS limit for books is $250 per semester. She said there was an "Other" category she can use for computer and other necessities, so she could put one or more of the books in that category, too. If I receive any financial aid, I will buy the books myself and only have DoRS pay for what that doesn't cover.

We had two hours between the end of my appointment and the start of Borders stitching group so we went home to relax for a little while. I decided to leave early for the mall so that I could get dinner in the food court and have time to eat it before everyone else arrived. Chick-Fil-A wouldn't make me a wrap with no tomatoes. I wasn't thrilled with Wrap It Up because they don't have the CFA balsamic dressing I like to put on wraps, and Arby's didn't appeal at all. After looking around the food court and reaching into my purse for my tea and not finding it, I decided to go to Wawa and buy and sub and a tea. It was closer than going home to pick up the tea I left on the counter.

Needless to say, we were about half an hour later than I wanted to be. We had a great time stitching, chatting, and taking pictures because Jette is going back to Belgium. She and her family have been in the US for two years but her husband's work is completed and they must go home.

Kasey received a new toy bone from Aunt Carol and obliged by holding it in her mouth for about five minutes after it was given to her. Carol also graciously took this picture and some others of me and Kasey. I only have one other picture of us together and that's the one Mom took on the Ocean City boardwalk in May.

When we got back to the house I gave Kasey her cup of cheeseburger icecream. It had little bits of ground beef and cheese in it! As you can see, she thoroughly enjoyed it!

June 29, 2009 - Sorting out some things...

I said in this afternoon's quick post that I would take a picture for you to see the yellows I was discussing for my purple suede bag. Here they are. On the left is Marigold by Weeks Dye Works. This is my favorite. The concensus at Borders tonight was that the Belle Soie/DMC Perle are too light and don't look nice with the purple of the bag. The Marigold seems to shine, and in a black backgroud, it will POP!

I stitched today! I met Genia, Nancy, and Marsielle at Borders Books' Cafe and we stitched for about two hours. I have three more stitches to do in the 'I' of "It's Good to be Home" and the words will be done. Then I all that's left is the border and adding the buttons. I'm very excited to see this project complete because I want to start Desert Star (which I've renamed Ocean Breeze) by Nancy Buhl of From Nancy's Needle! I have been restraining myself from starting anything else until this HIH project is finished. I don't need any more UFO's hanging around here.

Speaking of UFO's, I have decided the fate of two of mine...

Deftly Wrought by Midsummer Night Designs has been in my UFO drawer for over a year now. I can't stand to stitch on it. I can't even stand to look at it. Not only does it use solely DMC, but also its border is RED! UGH! The solution? Frog the red border and cut the fabric, leaving the four miniature samplers that were stitched over one thread. I'm not tossing out two months' worth of work.

I have to say that I cannot take credit for this marvelous solution, however. I didn't come up with it. I have to thank the ladies at the Columbia Interest Group of EGA's Constellation Chapter. Up until their helpful advice and input (including an offer to do the frogging for me!), I was at a complete loss as to how to salvage DW without starting over. Oh, start over? Not an option!

The second UFO I've finally made a decision on is Stitches Stars and Stripes, my patriotic gameboard by Blue Ribbon Designs. Its fate: complete frogging. You read that correctly. I'm frogging everything I've done, putting the fabric back in my stash, and adding the chart to my Trade Blog! Every time I look at it I see how much stitching there is to do and my heart drops. It would take me forever. I thought about replacing some of the fully-stitched squares with charms, but how many hearts, stars, and flags enameled in the stars & stripes can you use? Besides that, I'm allergic to nickel and I am NOT buying gold-plated charms for this one! So that's it. I'm done. Two down!

Remember the other day when I mentioned that I would be doing some giveaways in July? Well, get ready! They're all lined up and I will be rolling them out this week! To whet your appetite, the giveaway themes are: Crossed Purposes' 18-month/400th Post, Christmas in July, and Myrl's De-Stash.

I have also promised myself that I would ruthlessly go through MY stash and pull out the things I know I will not stitch. The second part of my Promise to Me is that I would have all these items, and those already set aside for that purpose, added to my Trade Blog by the end of July. I will let you know when the first batch of items has been added.

Spoiled by the Generosity of Others-June 24, 2009

I came home from dialysis this evening with the intent of picking up Kasey and leaving directly for stitching group at Border's Books. I'd forgotten that tonight was our meeting until Carol called me, asking if I was going to be there. Of course I would!

But when I got home there was this box waiting for me. While it wasn't unexpected, as I was told something would be coming, I never in my wildest dreams expected all the goodies inside. It looks innocent enough, right? OMG!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Myrl!!!!

The note says:

"Since it is a Flat Rate Box I decided NOT to send it half empty!

In addition to the NN & Eileen Gurak stuff I cleaned out some stash stuff I no longer need/want. Keep or trade or give away.

Myrl"


This is what I found!




The first thing I noticed was the beautiful crocheted scarf. It's made with velvety yarn and will definitely keep me warm. Maybe I should put it in my dialysis bag for those days when I'm freezing and no one will turn up the thermostat? I ooh'ed at it for a minute before my eye caught the acorn.


I saw one of these at an EGA meeting where a lecture was given on antique and vintage needlework accessories. Not only is it a gorgeously carved acorn, but also the top comes off to reveal a carved thimble and a tiny spool of thread with a needle. It's a sewing kit! I think this is my favorite "gadget" of all time! If you click the next picture, you can see the acorn opened with its contents displayed.

See, these were what I expected: charts by Nancy Buhl of From Nancy's Needle. Myrl had emailed me to ask if they were still on my wishlist and told me she was going to Nancy's shop for a retreat. She even got Nancy to sign all the charts for me, and the Iris and Fans Quilt chart is personalized to me! Never in my wildest dreams did I think she'd get ALL of them! Included were Shades of Spring, Evening Star, Patriotic Stars, Medallion, and Iris and Fans Quilt. IaFQ is completely kitted up with mono canvas and fibers! I can start as soon as I like (although I think I'm going to go with a green that's more sage-colored). Also pictured are the purple suede bag with needlepoint insert and the Madiera silks to stitch it, the acorn, and the scarf.

Then there were the two needlepoint pieces by Handblessings that Myrl kitted up for me. They are "Needlepoint Spring Garden" and "Needlepoint Spring Wreath." I am sooooo looking forward to stitching these! Mom likes the Wreath, so her birthday present may have just been taken care of!

On the left is "Mini Noah's Ark" by Hester's Sister, a complete kit. Beside it is "A Miniature Reversible Sampler in the Style of the 17th Century" by The Drawn Thread. Linen and Needlepoint Silks were included for AMRS. I would like to do this one, as I've long been intrigued by reversible cross stitch. I want to give this a go.

I also drooled over this hardanger pouch. It is completely hand-sewn, made from evenweave band. This is the front of the pouch when it is closed.



This is a look at it when it is open. I will have to try one of these, too. I love it! Carol does, too, but it's staying in MY possession!







Then I came across a chart from the Mary Jane Collection, part of the Welcome Series. This one is "Stitcher"...as in "Welcome to the home of a Stitcher." The bottom is black- and goldwork, which can easily become purple-y-ness! (See how twisted my mind is? As I look at designs, I picture them how *I* would stitch them!)

Then there was this wonder of purple-y-ness! I've not seen it before but it's called "Treasured Jewel II: Emerald and Amethyst" by Karen E. Dudzinski. I'm in love! It came complete with canvas, fibers, Rainbow Galleries' Splendor Silk Ribbon, and beads! Oooh! FOUL! Too many yummy choices, Myrl!

I next came across "American Heart" by Stiehler, an EGA Master Craftsman-Canvas Embroidery. This is right up my alley! Patriotic combined with different embroidery stitches! My idea of fun! And there was another Eileen Gurak design! It's called "A House is not a Home without Needlework." How perfect is that??

This is "Bands of Pearle Sampler" that Myrl started. I noticed she starts her rows with an "away knot." I've seen this discussed and suggested, but have not seen it in use until now. I think you're supposed to trim off the knots when you're done and run the thread ends under some of the stitching to secure them. Myrl generously included the fibers and linen for this project as well.

Last, but by all means not least, are these kits and charts. From left top corner: Dimensions' "Learn a Craft," Sunset's "Bay Inn" (stamped kit), "Alphabet" by the Historic Needlework Guild, "Sweetheart Topiary" Treasured Stitching Band by Mill Hill, "February" a year with charm by Lizzie*Kate, "Spring Hare" by Norden Crafts, "Celebrate Life" freebie by 4 My Boys, "Papa Noel" by Mary Engelbreit, "Hydrangea" by Donna Dewberry, Vertical Spool Pincushion kit by Sudberry, and "Easter" holidays with charm by Lizzie*Kate.

Not pictured are a Rainblow Gallery freebie called A Maze in Grace and The Flax Sampler by Sampler House. Don't ask me how I missed them, okay? I'm just overwhelmed!
Oh, so THEN I had to leave right away for Borders, remember??

Yeah...leave all this fiberous wonder to go stitch. The hardship!

But I tore myself away and when I arrived Deb gave me this book, "A Signature in Time" contemporary samplers to stitch. She said she found it at a yard sale and picked it up for me. Thank you, Deb! This was very thoughtful of you! Carol and I looked through and saw several motifs that can be used for a variety of finishes. Maybe I'll have time at some point soon to go through and flag the pages of special interest?

I worked on "It's Good to be Home" and chatted with the ladies around the table. We left when the store closed and I found another envelope of goodies in my pile of mail! Wawanna sent more hand-made floss tags!

Her newest creations are Dazzling Drops! I don't know how she finds the time to do all she does. Not only does she have her own gardens, make her own baked goods (including sourdough bread, y'all!), take care of three gorgeous girly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, create some of the prettiest Dazzling Ornaments I've ever seen, but also knits, blogs, and paper-crafts! Did I miss anything, Wawanna? I'm exhausted just thinking about all that! You are my hero!

Look at the attention to detail in these! The seahorses are so cute! Thank you, Wawanna!! I'm so honored to receive these! I didn't realize they were a new addition to Dazzling Ornaments until I looked at the Dazzling Ornaments blog.

June 14-19, 2009

First off, I would like to apologize for taking so long to post an update. Apparently Blogger and Internet Explorer weren't getting along this week, as I was repeatedly told that IE couldn't open Crossed Purposes; hence, no updates. But it's working now, so here goes...

Sunday
I still didn't feel well so no stitching was done. I finally made myself eat real food but unfortunately it didn't help the situation any. This usually only lasts 3-4 days, so Monday night I should be okay. I spent the day watching movies on Turner Classics and reading emails.

Monday
Shortly after midnight I picked up LCKQ and continued with the fill-in of the Celtic band. I usually get bored with so much repetitive stitching but am not having any trouble with this project.

Tuesday
I went to Provinces library for the Heirloom Stitchers' meeting but Kathy Y and I were the only ones there. While Kathy did a little stitching, I did none at all. We had a nice chat for an hour and a half and then decided to head on home.

Sarah called me while I was driving and we decided to meet up at the Super WalMart. I bought Anna a pair of D-D-Dora (that's how she says it) tennis shoes for her to play in. She always wears Crocs whenever I see her and they just make me nervous on one so young as she.

Do you mind if I ask why the uncouth morons seem to congregate in WalMart stores? I had Kasey on one side of me, Anna holding my hand on the other as we walked into the pet supply aisle. Four adult women were in the aisle, squirting each other with dog shampoo bottles. Two of them came running right at us. I had to pull Kasey out of their way. Meanwhile, I shot a dagger-filled look at all of them. They had shampoo all over the floor, and of course Kasey couldn't help stepping in some of it. I was very worried that she'd slip.

I found a store employee and told him "four blonde women" squirted shampoo all over the floor so that someone could come clean it up. I was completely disgusted and I think that will be my last foray into Super WalMart. I guess manners aren't taught or adhered to in public anymore?

Wednesday
I woke up with a sore throat so I called my clinic and told them I'd be staying home. I felt better a couple hours later, but I still didn't feel like going to dialysis. Instead, I went to the post office to mail some trades and RAKs. I came home and the sight of the livingroom just depressed me. I couldn't handle the mess anymore. This is what it looked like as I got started cleaning the hearth in front of the fireplace. Here is the view from the hallway. I apologize for the spots on the one picture; I'm not sure what happened.



I'm embarrassed to show you but I'm also very proud of how much I accomplished in just one day. Of course I had to take breaks to rest and that weak muscle in my lower back gave out before I even finished moving things off the hearth, but I persevered!

By midnight I'd cleaned the majority of the room. All I had left was the area between the couch and my stitching chair in front of the door. I'm still working on that, and vacuuming the rest of the carpet. I'm hoping to cover the stains that my Saluki left with an area rug. I'll have to look around for a sale when I get paid next month, if I can fit that into my budget.

Thursday
I was awakened by a bad thunderstorm and a deluge of rain before 8:00am. I tried getting back to sleep for an hour and just couldn't so I came out and stitched for an hour and a half. By 10:30 I was exhausted again and went back to bed to sleep until my alarm woke me at 12:30.

As usual, it was the AnnapolisKnits stitch-in at Barnes & Noble in the afternoon. Kasey and I arrived shortly after 1:00pm and stayed with Judy and Linda until after 5:00. I completed the fill-in of the Celtic band on LCKQ this morning, as well as one side of the last purple border, so I went to work on completing the last two borders. Before I left I'd done the entire purple border and one side of the Abelone border.

I was determined to finish LCKQ that night and went home to keep stitching away. At 9:00pm, the wall of exhaustion slammed into me once again and I could not keep my eyes open. I told Debi, who I was IM'ing with, that I was going to take a nap and would be back "in a couple hours."

Friday
HA! That "couple hour" nap turned into five hours! I woke at 2am. Luckily Debi was still online. We resumed our chat and I started reading emails instead of stitching, but did finally pick it up around 3:30am. And then the frogs attacked LCKQ! There was an error in the Abelone border all the way at the first corner. I had to frog two of the three sides and then started re-stitching them.

I finally went back to sleep at 9:00am and woke up in time for dialysis. I still can't stitch during my treatments, so I read a book for an hour and then slept for the last two hours. Gloria woke me up shortly before 6pm to tell me that I was done and needed to hold my needle sites.

Carol B-C, Carol B (Knitter Carol), and I had arranged to meet at Border's tonight, so I went home to pick up Kasey and headed straight for the mall. Knitter Carol was already there, as she'd been doing some shopping earlier, but Carol B-C came in just after I sat down.

We stitched until around 8:30 and then went to the food court to get dinner. Since it was so loud that Kasey was nervous, we returned to the Borders cafe with our meals and ate in a much quieter environment. We picked up our stitching after all the food was gone and I put the last stitch into LCKQ five minutes before the store closed! Lavenderblue Celtic Knot Quilt is my 14th finish of 2009, the Year of the Sampler! I'm sure you could hear Carol B-C's "Wooo Hoo" where ever you were!

I took LCKQ off the stretcher bars and put a new canvas on them at home. I want to start Desert Star by From Nancy's Needle next.

April 10, 2009

I settled in for my dialysis treatment and realized I forgot my book! For some reason I took my stitching bag with me, so I picked up my Patriotic Hearts & Sampler Stitches WIP and was able to stitch today! My mood immediately improved and I kept myself occupied for the remainder of my treatment.

After dialysis I went home to pick up Kasey so that we could go to the bonus night of stitching at Borders Books. The ladies decided they wanted an extra night to get together and I was more than happy to hear it. Carol was able to make it, so I was not the only stitcher among the knitters and crocheters.

Since it was Friday night, Borders was open til 11pm so we even had an extra hour of stitching time, although Carol and I seemed to be the only ones in it for the long haul. By 10:15 we were on our own. I'm happy to say that I made great progress today!

I completed the red stripes on the flags and began stitching the large cross stitches at dialysis. I finished the large cross stitches, stitched the upright crosses, and started on the Mosaic stitches at Borders. By the time we left, I had three Mosaic stitches left to do in one box and only four more boxes, total, remaining to complete the design.

April 7-8, 2009

I won't bore you with the lack of details, so just suffice it to say I've done no stitching in the last two days. I also haven't beaten my Mah Jong high score, either. I've tried really hard, though!

Dialysis has been going good lately, so no news there. What can I say? It's been pretty boring around here.

Kasey made Uncle Wes take her for three walks today since it was his day off and she didn't feel like going for a walk on Monday or Tuesday. It is so funny because she will just get up from where ever she was sleeping and stumble (and I mean that literally) down the basement steps. She walks into his den and starts doing her dance. If he ignores her, she starts barking at him. And if he takes too long, she starts moaning, which is more like a yawn and a moan combined; it's loud! That's her I'm-ready-to-go-and-you're-holding-me-up moan. She does the same thing to me when I tell her "let's go." That's her que that she's going to work.

As for her stumbling down the steps, I really don't know what to tell you. She also stumbles going UP steps. I think it has to do with our basement steps being painted, because she isn't that graceless when we're at Mom's. She doesn't fall down the entire staircase, but she does slip and slide down the last few. We've learned not to interrupt her on her way up or down. I love my girl, but it's almost as if she can't think about anything else when she's on a staircase. If she tries to, that's when she gets in trouble. Yanno, she was blonde when she was a baby! lol

I guess it's apparent who runs this house, huh? She's so cute about it, though! She doesn't ask for much and she is an absolute delight to be around. She's happy as long as she is around people, preferably me. Everyone that has watched her for me (Mom & Uncle Wes included) tells me that she is much calmer when she has me close by. That goes both ways, though, so I don't mind at all!

I will have a stitching update tomorrow! It's Thursday, so Kasey and I will be going to Barnes & Noble for the afternoon stitching group. I also have a stitching group on Friday night at Borders. Everyone wanted to have an extra day and I never pass up an opportunity to get out and stitch.

I will be missing Monday night's stitching group at Border's because I'm heading to Mom's with Kasey right after dialysis. We're staying up there with her and her new dog, Ricco, and Jake. Dad will be in Texas on business and Mom likes having company when he's away.

This is a pic of Mom's new boy, Ricco. He is a 13-year-old Spitz/Golden Retriever mix. His owners could no longer keep him because they are busy with work and a new baby. They contacted the local Golden Retriever rescue group about giving Ricco to them, but he didn't have enough Golden in him to qualify. The intake coordinator did, however, get them in touch with Mom and they brought Ricco to her over the weekend. Since he wasn't actually IN rescue, she didn't have to pay the adoption fee. Luckily Ricco and Mom's old guy, Jake, are getting along, so it looks like Ricco is there to stay. I love happy endings!

I just wanted to pop in and post a quick update so no one worries about me. I'm doing good, but just haven't been in a stitching mood. Nothing monumental has happened, so I didn't think I had much to write about. I guess that's what I get for thinking!

February 25, 2009

I didn't go to dialysis today because I could feel that headache trying to come back. I knew if I went to the clinic and sat under those fluorescent lights with the machines alarming around me I would be a goner. I've already toughed it through more than a week but today I stayed home with the lights and television off and stitched on Lasseter's Reef.
Today's mail brought more birthday goodies. Debi surprised me with the complete silk pack of Vikki Clayton's Hand-Dyed Fibers for Maw Maw's Quilt by M Designs. The chart arrived from Wawanna last week. Lynn in TX sent "February" Amethyst & Violet from The Monthly Birthstone Sampler Collection by The Sweetheart Tree and the card and floss are from Laura. You all are too much! I am very grateful for your generosity.

I forgot to include these in yesterday's post. Cards and floss arrived from Sue, Chris, and Kim W. Chris also included the birthday confetti in her card. More fibers to feel and fondle...mmm! Thank you, ladies!

Since Carol was going to be there, I went to the stitch-in at Borders. Kasey and I went up in the elevator without mishap. I think the main reason I had a problem last time is because I was looking down, so I made sure to keep my eyes on the ceiling to see if that would help. I'm not sure if it was that or something else, but I felt fine after getting off the elevator.
Kim W joined us tonight and we had a great time talking and stitching. Carol worked on her BRD gameboard and Kim was working on Comfort & Joy. I'm closer to finishing LR than I was this morning, but I was hoping it would be complete. There's always tomorrow!

In order to avoid another possible issue with the elevator, Carol took Kasey down in it and I used the escalator. As soon as the elevator door opened, Kasey came running at me. Carol said said Kasey sat when she told her to, but all bets were off when the door opened. I didn't do any stitching after returning home because exhaustion seemed to just come out of nowhere. After reading a few emails and talking to Debi I went to bed.

February 9, 2009

I tell you, I really, really, really love my Kasey Kay!

But sometimes I could wring her neck!

I went to sleep at 3:30 this morning and she woke me up at 8:30am. Of course I couldn't get back to sleep so I got dressed and we went to run errands. I was in the mood for an Egg McMuffin. I arrived at the drive-through order screen at 10:35am. "We're serving lunch" I'm told. So much for McD's serving breakfast to 11am like my brother told me! I don't eat anything else there, so I just pulled out of line after saying "no thanks" into the microphone.

To give Kasey more practice in her long down-stay with distractions, we went to Muddy Paw Wash. I ordered a chai and sat down with my stitching. I didn't have to be at the Crownsville service station for my brake inspection until noon so we had some time to kill.

The new management of the service station was very helpful and took the time to explain what needed to be done to my truck without talking down to me. In fact, he had three other customers while I was there and the only thing he would accept payment for was a 95-cent light bulb. They did three different quick-fix/inspect jobs, including mine, without charging anything. I will definitely be using them for all my future vehicle maintenance and repair work!

The verdict on the truck's brakes is that, yes, they do need to be replaced, and as soon as possible. The good news is that it'll cost $133 less than what the Rt 50 Exxon service station was going to charge me. But there's more...I also need to replace the rear tires, quickly. I paid $333 in December for front tires but the estimate for rear ones is $280 if I have the Crownsville station do them.

The third bit of news from the Exxon station totally confused me. Last summer they gave me a printout of what's included in the 30,000 mile service and told me parts and labor would be $600. Last week they gave me the same printout and told me that all the parts were fine so it would only be $249 for labor to do the service. I didn't say anything, but the question in my mind was "what parts were needed last summer that are suddenly okay now?! How bad are they lying to me?" The estimate from the Crownsville shop was $198 for the service. Jason told me that 90% of the items included in the 30, 60, and 90,000 mile services are included in his station's regular oil change. Uncle Wes and I need to sit down and figure out when each issue can be dealt with. In the meantime I'm going to keep the truck in the driveway as much as possible.

I've given up on stitching at dialysis because the placement of my new graft doesn't allow me to bend my arm once the needles are in. Today, for example, I slept through my treatment. The 2-hour-plus nap helped make up for some of the sleep Kasey caused me to miss. My dialysis doc was doing rounds today and asked why I was so tired. When I told him I only slept for five hours he cautioned that I was heading for a cold, and maybe worse, if I didn't get a full night's sleep each night. He also said that he wants a picture of Kasey in her service band once it arrives. I told that was completely do-able and I would get it for him as soon as possible.

The stitching group met in the cafe of Border's Books at Annapolis Mall tonight from 7-10pm. Carol called me to let me know she would also be there but would arrive late because she was still making dinner for the family. I picked Kasey up and headed to Border's after leaving dialysis.

I continued working on my Flag Monthly Musing and am very pleased with my progress. My needles have been smokin' ever since I started this project. To give you an idea, here's a little timeline:


Two o'clock this morning






Three o'clock this morning

Three thirty this morning, when I went to sleep.




My progress on the Flag Monthly Musing as of midnight tonight.


I had a scare tonight when Kasey, Carol, and I were leaving Border's Books. The cafe is upstairs in the two-storey store. The only two ways to get to the cafe are an escalator and an elevator. Because Kasey can't ride the escalator, we take the elevator despite neither one of us liking them. We were fine going up. The way down, however, was a different story.

Carol noted that the elevator had a hard jerk when it started and stopped. I didn't say anything at first because I thought I was imagining it, being uneasy on them as I am. Kasey got very spooked and bolted out the elevator door as soon as it opened.

We walked across the store, about 25 feet, to look at the cross stitch magazines. All of a sudden I had a feeling like I was still riding the elevator. My head and my knees made me feel like I was sinking through the floor. Kasey helped me maneuver to a stack of books I could sit on. I put my head down on my knees, resting my forehead on the top of Kasey's muzzle, until the feeling in my head stopped. Carol brought magazine issues to me so that I could peruse them from my perch.

I wasn't light-headed or dizzy. The closest I can compare it to is that it was similar to when you've been on a boat and return to shore, yet still feel like you're on the water.

For years, elevators have disrupted my equalibrium. Tonight was the worst episode caused by riding an elevator that I've ever experienced. Carol mentioned that Kasey's spooking was probably due to her picking up on my discomfort and uneasiness. Kasey continued to dance around and pant nervously until she got in the truck. I was okay to drive home after sitting on that stack of books for several minutes. I'm hoping this was a fluke, but will definitely say something to Borders staff if the elevator jerks sharply the next time I'm on it. I'm also hoping that my problem with elevators isn't getting worse. I'd hate to have to stop going to this group just because I can't ride the elevator anymore. It's too bad they don't have stairs because the escalator could rip off one of Kasey's toenails if we used it.

January 12-13, 2009

Because of the placement of my needles at dialysis I was unable to do any stitching on my Peacock Chair. But after dialysis was a different story! I went to Border's Books after leaving the clinic and joined a group of ladies who sit in the coffee shop and stitch the night away. The meeting officially starts at 7pm, but two of us were there shortly after 6pm. A few, including me, brought something for dinner and most of us enjoyed a drink from the barristas.

I didn't get alot of stitching done at the meeting, with all the talking going on, but I had a very nice time. Unfortunately Carol BC, who told me about the meeting, couldn't be there because of continuing problems with her mom's nursing home, but I hope to see her soon. If things work out, we'll be meeting Sue V and Laura P at a Baltimore-area Starbuck's this weekend. *fingers crossed*

I was unable to get to sleep on Monday night so I played Spider Solitaire until almost 3:00am. At 6:00 I gave up on sleeping and got back up. I was afraid to stitch after going without sleep for almost 24 hours so I didn't pick it up.

After a too-short nap I decided to get to work on my Sale/Trade Blog, adding more than 50 new items. Please stop by and have a look! I have also placed a wishlist in the sidebar to make trades easier.