Goodbye 2008

And good riddance!

Normally I dislike New Year's eve and see it as the end of another year that I didn't do such and such or go wherever. I have always found it to be the second most depressing day of the year.

But not this year. 2008 will go in my diary as one of , if not THE worse year of my life. It began in early January 08 with my Mom's first of four hospital stays. And she continued to get weaker as the year passed. And as her health declined my worry and fears grew. That brings us top December 6th. The day my Mom passed. I miss you so Mom.

2008 also saw three other family passings. An uncle in April, a great aunt in July and a great uncle in October. Not a good year.

The photo above sums up my sentiment for 2008. I made this for one of my sister's 50th birthday this past July.

So you see this is one year I am not at all sorry is almost over. Only five or so hours to go.

2009

I am hoping the upcoming year will bring me healing. But most of all my wish for all my family and friends is that 2009 bring us all good health, good friends, love, laughter, peace and lots of wonderful stitching.

Happy New Year to all!

Love and stitches
Kathy

New Year's Eve update

Holly and Berries

Designer: Little House Needleworks

fabric: 14 ct aida blue marble

floss as called for

The above finish is the last one my Mom saw me do. I was originally going to give it to one of my sisters for Christmas. But I just can't part with it. Not only because of my Mom but because I like it too. I am planning on finishing it as a flat fold. Maybe tomorrow. So Sharon if you see this and you like the pattern let me know and I'll stitch one for you.

I have another piece that I had hoped would be done for this posting but I still have about an hour or two left to finish it. So I'll have to wait until tomorrow to show that one off.

Now on to the non-stitchy part. CHEESECAKE!!!!! LOL A couple of people asked for my recipe. It is really simple.

Kathy's Cheesecake

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:

1 to 1 1/4 cups of graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons of sugar

3 tablespoons of melted margarine

Mix together graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Then add the melted butter. Mix well.

Press mixture in the bottom of your pan. (I have used a 9" round pan in the photo.)

Bake 10 minutes.

Let it cool while you prepare the rest.

Reduce oven to 300 degrees.

Ingredients:

2 8 ounce packages of LIGHT cream cheese

1 8 ounce package of regular cream cheese

1 cup of sugar (*you can substitute baking splenda for a sugar-free cake. I have in the past.)

2 - 3 teaspoons of grated lemon peel ( I rarely measure. LOL)

1 teaspoon of vanilla

3 eggs (I only use the liquid egg substitutes. That measure would be 3/4 cup)

Beat the cream cheese until softened. Add sugar, lemon peel and vanilla and mix until fluffy. Then add the eggs. Beat until mixed well. Pour over the crumb mix.

Bake about 50 to 60 minutes or until the center is firm.

Let it cool then add topping. I use the Comstock lite Cherry pie filling the most. But I have also used the blueberry and the pineapple. Or just plain.

I usually tell people that my dessert is much healthier than most since it is low fat and when I use the splenda it is also sugar-free. :)

See. Easy. If you make please let me know how it turns out.

Until next time...............

Love and stitches

Kathy

After Christmas update--Part two or Christmas S.E.X.

As promised here is my update part two. Lets begin with some CHRISTMAS S.E.X.

That got your attention. :) For those non-stitchers: No, I didn't get lucky. Yeah, I know, Darn it. :) Stash Enhancement eXperience. S.E.X. :)

One of my nieces gave me a very generous Christmas gift (Thank you Jenn) and another niece gave me some spending cash (Thank you Sandy). I added to that the few bucks I had set aside for a trip to the my LNS, the Lazy Daisy Stitchery. So on the day after Christmas I was able to take advantage of their day after sale. 30 percent off all patterns and precut fabrics!!! Whooooooooo Hooooooo did I have some great S.E.X. See the photo below for my haul.

Not bad, huh?


Two other gifts that I opened Christmas day were enclosed in my Christmas cards from Meari and Rene. They both sent me the prettiest handmade beaded scissor fobs. Unfortunately the photos are awful but I'll post them here anyway. As soon as I download better ones I'll change these. The blue one is from Rene and the pink and red one from Meari. I love them both. Aren't they pretty?


Now to find scissors that will go with these beautiful fobs. Thank you so very much Rene and Meari for brightening my Christmas morning.






Much of December is a blur to me. but shortly before Christmas I received two other packages in the mail. I apologize for not publicly acknowledging these before. But like I said there were too many days that blended together. :)
First up is a prize I won from a drawing that Michelle held on her blog. I do remember her email telling me I won and then promptly forgot until the package arrived. Thank you Michelle. Greek chewing gum too!!

And among the Christmas cards and condolence cards I also received the sweetest condolence note and a special RAK (random act of kindness) from another stitching friend, Dani. Thank you Dani.

To those who have left comments--Thank you so very much. I treasure each and every one.

To those who commented on my cheesecake. Yes, it is baked. I'll post the recipe on tomorrows post.

Until then

Love and stitches

Kathy

After Christmas update

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. I have to be honest and say that mine was okay. Different. Quiet. I had my moments. But then I do everyday. But I am doing alright and trying to keep myself busy. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I spent Christmas Eve cleaning house, wrapping gifts, finishing and framing a small piece that I stitched for my Aunt and Uncle. Since I was going to Christmas dinner at their house I HAD and wanted to make sure I got them a gift. It also dawned on me that I have never stitched anything for them. How that happened I have no idea. Especially since I am sure my siblings can attest to the fact that they have ALL gotten numerous stitched gifts from me over the years. The pattern is a freebie from The Sampler Girl called an Irish Home Blessing.

Since I still had time before going to 8 PM Mass I spent some of it making cheesecake to take to my Aunt and Uncles for dessert. Cheesecake with cherry topping. I love my cheesecake and it is really simple to make. Doesn't look yummy?

Christmas morning was quiet. Rosie provided the entertainment in opening her gifts. She was persistent in getting all the toys out of her stocking. Of course a little catnip helped. :)















Well that's all for tonight. Blogger and my computer aren't behaving and this post is long enough. Plus it is time to go stitch. I am working on a very special project. I hope to have photos of it soon.

Tomorrow I'll continue with another finish and some Christmas S.E.X.

Until then........
Love and stitches
Kathy

Merry Christmas to all

My Christmas wish for you all:

May Santa fill your stockings with peace, love and laughter.

Love and stitches
Kathy

Christmas Spirit

Mine is sorely lacking.

Christmas has always been my favorite of all holidays. And not just because of the presents. But let's be truthful. They are nice.

I love to give presents. I love everything about shopping for that special something that someone will treasure. Or stitching something that I hope and think they will love. Over the years I know I have succeeded in getting someone something that they will love and use and those memories I hold in my heart.

But shopping, wrapping, hunting for that perfect gift is not in me this year. I have gone through some of the motions. The wrapping and sending part and even a little shopping. But it just isn't the same this year and my heart isn't in it.

I also went out and bought a tree. Now not just any old tree. I decided that if I were going to put up a tree this year I wanted something I could plant in the spring. In honor of my Mom. Well, I found not one but two!

I had gone to the nursery to pick up cut greens to decorate the family graves and saw two trees. When I went to ask about the price I told them why I wanted the little trees. They aren't big. Maybe two to three feet tall. The saleswoman said "Ten Dollars" and I said "Sold."

Here they are decorated.

This one has the few stitched ornaments I have. I have joined the 2009 Ornament Challenge and hope that by this time next year I'll have enough to fill at least a tree this size.

The second tree sits on the floor in front of the other. This one has a few of my favorite ornaments on it. And if you look closely you can see Rosie, my Mom's kitty, checking things.

Here is a better photo of her inspecting the Nativity set to make sure I set it up properly.

Until next time...........

Love and stitches

Kathy

One more for today

That's right. I don't post for a little bit and then you get three in one day! :)

Actually my posts may be a bit sporadic as the days go by. I have a lot of adjusting to do and some days may be hard. After taking care of my Mom for so long I find myself bewildered with all the free time. I know it will get easier as time goes on. But in the meantime bear with me.

That brings me to the slight change in my blog title. Rather than start another blog I thought I'd just use this one for the occasional non stitching comments. Like now.

This entry is really a tribute to my Mom. One of the most caring and loving people I'll ever know. I have been my Mom's caregiver for a number of years. And as the years passed the care on my side became more as my Moms health went downhill. I have been trying to find the right words for a week now but nothing sounds right.

There is a pillow sitting on her bed that says “Mother – Daughter, Friends of the Heart”. That pretty much sums up our relationship. Our tastes in books, music, TV were so much alike. I miss her so much. And I know I always will.

I also wanted the thank my online friends for their heartfelt sympathies, prayers and support. You all have no idea how much those have meant to me. You all have helped me get through some very dark days. I have saved every email, every post here and every card as it arrives. I love you all. And thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Muriel Rose Kiley

My Mother, my friend, my hero.

I love you Mom.

I know time will help heal the sorrow and pain but until then……………

Love, stitches and tears
Kathy

A finish

This is the ornament I stitched and finished for my 12 Days of Christmas partner. Since this should have been opened last Friday, the 12th, I guess it's safe to post my finish. I love the way this one turned out.

12 Days of Christmas wrap-up

I apologize for taking so long to post my thank you and the photos of the rest of this exchange. To say the last week or so has been awful is an understatement. But better late than never.

On day 6 I received a hand towel and a crocheted pot holder. At least I think that's what it is.

Day 7 was an oven mitt.

The photo above is for day 9. A notebook/journal.

The gift for day 10 was a package of aida 14 count fabric, 2 skeins of DMC and the prettiest, softest silk floss.

On day 11 I received a fleece throw in a soft flannel drawstring bag .

On day 12 my partner was revealed. Georgena. Below is the lovely stitched piece that she sent me. Thank you Georgena.

Until next time........

Love and stitches

Kathy

My Mom

This is the hardest thing I have ever had to write.

Saturday evening at 6PM my Mom passed away. She had been ill for quite some time and now she is at peace. My Mom, my best friend. I am so lost.

Kathy

Post 18--TGIF

It's Friday. I actually made it through the week. And a pretty stressful one. But I made in one piece. :)

The update on my Mom is a good one. I only hope and pray that the trend continues. I got home last evening after learning from her aide that she still wouldn't stand and support her own weight. Which made it awful hard for the aide to transfer my Mom from her recliner to the commode and back. Well, I get home and fix a little dinner than go wake Mom and tell her she really needs to concentrate on standing so we can move to her wheelchair and go into the kitchen. I put her arms around my neck and up we go! SHE STOOD!!! Woo Hoo!! After the last three days of trying to lift and move what amounted to 130 lbs of dead weight it was so wonderful to have my Mom back again. You just can't imagine the relief. And to make things even better she ate some dinner with very little swallowing trouble.

I am not sure what prompted the previous few days of rapid decline with Mom but I am just so thrilled and relieved that she has bounced back part way.

Then this morning I got a lovely phone call from a very dear friend that has done wonders for listing my spirits even more. After being out of work for a while now and getting more and more depressed she just called to say she got a job!!! Way to go girlfriend!! I am soooooooo happy for you. That is such fabulous news! A very special early Christmas gift for you.

Now on to stitching news. I almost finished one of the pieces I mentioned in an earlier posting. I have about an hour left so I know today will end with a finish. Another Wooo Hoooooo. With luck I'll be able to post that tomorrow.

And finally below is my gift for day 5 of the 12 Days of Christmas exchange on ILCS yahoo group. A jigsaw puzzle.

Until next time.........

Love and stitches

Kathy

PS. I forgot to mention the photo at the top of my blog is from last Christmas. My Mom's kitty, Rosie, checking out her stocking of gifts from "Santa".

4th day exchange gift--Post 17

Day 4 of the 12 Days Of Christmas exchange is a jazz cd of Christmas music. I am not a fan of jazz music but I'll give it a listen this weekend.

Something has to start bringing me the Christmas spirit. I hope. I just can't get motivated for Christmas this year. :( With everything going on with my Mom and the complete lack of funds I am finding it so hard to get into the Christmas cheer. Christmas has always been a favorite of mine and I love to give gifts. And I usually overdo in that department. For the last two days a song that I love keeps running through my head. The first verse kind of sums up my mood.

"Where Are You Christmas"

Where are you Christmas Why can't I find you

Why have you gone away

Where is the laughter You used to bring me

Why can't I hear music play

Faith Hill sings a version of this that I love. But the words are so true for me. Especially this year.

My Mom's illness and slow decline is just zapping the Christmas cheer from me. I try to stay upbeat for her sake. It's not easy.

Over this past week I have been noticing some changes going on with her. And yesterday some had seemed to worsen so I called in the hospice nurse to evaluate her. Her prognosis wasn't good. Mom is having difficulty swallowing and a couple of other issues going on. I only hope and pray that I can keep her home with me where she is comfortable and her kitty can spend time on her lap. I'm not sure how much longer I can but I will try.

Remember that to-do list in posting 15? Guess what? I only only managed to get ONE item accomplished! That's right--ONE! Staying close to my Mom and waiting for the nurse as well as the nurses 2 hour visit and phone calls to some of my siblings left me little time to get much done outside. Oh well, maybe Saturday. Yeah, yeah I know--wishful thinking. LOL

Oh I heard they are predicting snow for Sunday. Maybe it will be just enough to cover up all the unraked leaves. Hey, I can hope can't I?

Until next time.
Love and stitches
Kathy

Post 16 or exchange day three

Well, I haven't yet started my to do list. Too chilly to rake leaves, I haven't finished my pot of coffee, I just HAVE to post my day three exchange photo,........

I know, procrastination is my middle name. LOL

The gift for day three in our 12 days of Christmas exchange is a photo mouse pad with a calendar. It is pretty neat.

I wonder what my secret Santa has in my day four package?

I guess I better go get something done today. :) Stitching sounds good to me.

Until next time.........

Love and stitches

Kathy

Post 15--a rememberance, an update and exchange day 2

December 2, 2002. That is the date my Dad passed away. Dad, you are forever in my heart. Though there were times that our relationship was strained I always remained your "little girl". I miss you and remember the good times often. The long Sunday rides to find just the right spot for sleigh riding, the summer Sundays at the ocean, the family packed into the station wagon trying to stay awake for the second feature at the drive-in movies, me bringing the nieghborhood children to stand in front of the television to see the baby white mice while you were trying to watch the football game, holiday dinners, thoserare times we were all together and many more memories. Love you Dad.

"On the second day of Christmas my exchange partner gave to meeeeeeeeeee........."

A package of tissues and three pencils.

I wonder what day three will bring?







I managed to get a bit of stitching done last night. My Mom was a bit better when I got home and slept better too. Thank goodness. I really needed the sleep.

I am hoping to get a finish in tomorrow, Wednesday, since I have to stay home. My Mom's aide can't make it.

My list of to do for tomorrow:
1. get the front yard raked and leaves bagged so I can start putting out some Christmas decorations.
2. bring my house Christmas decorations up from the basement. (that's four 40 gallon bins worth)
3. Decorate the house or at least get it started
4. finish stitching one of my current WIPs (a gift for one of my sisters)
5. run to the grocery store for a few things I didn't get Saturday.
6. Make a turkey pot pie with the rest of the leftovers
7. start my Christmas cards
8. I am sure there is something else but I haven't had enough coffee to think yet. LOL

Well, I'll be happy if I get just part of that list done. :)

Wish me luck. :)

Until next time,
Love and stitches
Kathy

Posting 14--Exchange day 1

I think I'm suffering from PHSD. (That's post holiday stress disorder.) LOL I'm at work but can't get motivated. Oh well, I guess I'll check out blogs for a bit and update mine.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was mixed. Thanksgiving was quiet and Mom enjoyed her dinner. Oh so did I. BUT there is just too much darn work involved for such a tasty meal. All that time I could have been stitching instead of cooking and cleaning up!!

Friday and Saturday were laundry and errands. You know the usual weekend stuff. And Sunday was to be the day for ME. Yeah, right. My Mom had other ideas. :( A rather rough day. Something was bothering her but she never did tell me what it was. :( I guess she just didn't want me to sit and relax. :)

On the stitching front I don't have any finishes from this past week but have three that are very close. Oh wait, I did have one finish but I can't show it yet. It's for an exchange that starts today. I do have one finish from October that I'll update now. Just to include a stitchy photo in today's posting. :) I am sure my secret stitcher received it, at least I hope she has, even if she hasn't posted. I hope she liked it. I sent this to my secret stitcher in the last SS round on ILCS. It was sent to her in late October. I think it turned out cute.

I also spent part of this last weekend kitting up and starting some new projects. I have five more things I'd like to get done for Christmas gifts. Nothing like waiting for the last minute. LOL I managed to get to the sale at Joann's fabrics and found some great fabrics to use for the flat folds I have in mind. If I actually get the stitching done that is. :) Wish me luck. :)

Today begins the 12 days of Christmas exchange. We are supposed to open one gift each say until the 12th and that one will reveal who are partner is. Above is a photo of my 12 wrapped gifts. I just love presents and surprises so I couldn't wait to start opening. I opened day one before I got Mom up this morning. And here is what I got:

Since I am diabetic I'll give the lollipop to one of my nephews.

Now to see what day two brings. :)

Well, I am off to check out a few more blogs.

Until next time

Love and stitches

Kathy

Happy Thanksgiving to all

The turkey is stuffed and in the oven. My Mom is resting and I can relax. I have a bit of time before the potatoes, turnip and sweet potatoes need to be done.

I hope everyone has a delicious and happy Thanksgiving with good food and those they love.

This year has been one filled with sorrow and joy. But I am especially thankful that my Mom has pulled through some difficult health problems. The time I have with her is a blessing each day.

I am thankful for being blessed with wonderful online friends who have added their prayers and support to mine for my Mom. My online friends have helped pull me through some hard emotional times this year. Thank you my friends and Bless you all.

Love and stitches
Kathy

Post 12

It's a blah, damp and dreary Tuesday. And very hard to get motivated. I had hoped to have some stitching to show off but, alas, the only thing I got done all weekend was for an exchange. I'll show it after it arrives at its destination.

My Saturday was my usual round of laundry and shopping for the week. So I have all the ingredients for Thursday. Thanksgiving will be a quiet one with just my Mom and I. Oh, and Rosie the cat too. And that's okay. More leftovers for me. LOL

Sunday I had hoped to get the stitching done for another gift but the frogs were out in force. I probably spent as much time ripping out stitches as putting them in. :( Another piece that I started I just don't like the way it looks. Even with a floss toss prior to stitching I don't care for the way the white is looking so it's back to the drawing board. I hate when that happens. Sigh.

That pretty much sums up the weekend.

It's Tuesday and only one more day to go. I love short work weeks. :) I only hope we get out early tomorrow so I can get a start on the turkey dressing.

A tradition in my family is my Mom's recipe for sausage and chestnut dressing which we only make once a year. It is extremely labor intensive but oh so delicious. Yummmmmmmmm. Now that Mom can't make it she supervises while I do all the work. I complain but love to eat it just the same. :)

I am so looking forward to the four day weekend. I only hope that those pesky frogs stay away so I can get some quality stitching done. I have six ornaments I'd like to stitch up and finish. :)

Until next time. I'll leave you with a photo after all. My Mom's pride and joy, Rosie. (oh excuse me, Stormwatch Sunset Kiley Rose is her official name. She gets very proper when she's first introduced. )
Love and stitches

Kathy

Post 11 or perfect timing

To those who read my last post. Thank you, yes, we did get a decent nights sleep last night. :)

And for the stitching news. I won a contest!!! Whoooooooo Hooooooooooo. This just tickles me to no end. :)

Donna at Princess Pattern Collector held a contest to guess the pattern she had started stitching. My guess won!!! How cool is that? The pattern? Lizzie Kate's Big Girl Panties. What did I win? Donna is sending me some GA Sampler threads as my prize.

How is this perfect timing? Well, I had splurged and ordered a couple of patterns last week. One was Blackbird Designs Beyond My Heart. I just fell in love with the saying. I received the pattern yesterday and saw that it used 7 GASTs. I figured I wait and order them after Christmas. Now I don't have to wait since Donna asked to choose the one I wanted. Guess which ones I chose? :)

Thank you Donna for the fun contest and for my prize. :)

Love and stitches
Kathy

Post 10 or Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

A little background.......... my Mom has been in ill health for a while now. Each hospital stay, each illness leaves her physically weaker. I am her primary care giver and much of my free time is devoted to taking care of her. (When I'm not stitching that is.)

The last few months she hasn't been sleeping all that well and awakens often during the night. And of course that means I am awake too. Some nights there are real reasons for her not sleeping. Such as her stomach acting up or breathing difficulties. But most nights she just can't sleep. I often tell her that's because she sleeps too much during the day! Ya think?? :)

Anyway, this brings us to last night. (Forgive me if I fall asleep as I type. LOL)

I get my Mom to bed, washed, meds, pj's and tucked in by 9:30 PM. Most nights I go to bed around 10. But last night I wanted to stay up and see the new Law and Order:SVU. (I just LOVE that show. Elliott can put his shoes under my bed anytime!) So now I am a little later than usual. 11:15 PM Mom is moaning and making humming noises. I go see if something is wrong. She says nothing, she just can't sleep. So I give her a tylenol in the hopes that it will help her relax and go to sleep. It works. Off to bed.

1 AM I hear AAAAAAAAAAA, (breath) AAAAAAAAAAAA. It's Mom. I go and see what's wrong. I ask her "Mom, what's the matter?" AAAAAAAAAAAAAA is Mom's reply. Again I ask "Mom, what's the matter? " Again the answer is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA After a few more repeats she finally says, "I already told you. AAAAAAAAAAA"

?????????? Huh?? Now I can often figure out what might be wrong but this one stumped me. So I asked to please go to sleep since I have to go to work which means getting up at 4AM! 15 minutes later she does and so do I until 3 AM and I hear "dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, ....." (kind of sounds like the theme from Batman. LOL)

I go in and ask what's wrong now. "I just wanted to see you." Sigh. How can you get upset with that?

Back to bed and a very short time later the alarm goes off. Of course Mom is now sleeping very peacefully. LOL

Oh well, I had to laugh at the "I already told you" line. But I still have to figure out what AAAAAAAAAA means. :)

Oh, the best part of today so far? I commute by train to the City (that's New York City) and I catch a little sleep on the morning train. Well, my train was 2 hours late this morning so I had a really good nap. :)

Love and stitches
Kathy

Post 9-- photos galore

While Monday started off slow. It ended on a pleasant note.

I got home last evening to a package on my front steps. The final package in the latest round of Secret Stitcher/Sister exchange in one of my yahoo groups. This package had taken it's own sweet time to arrive. Apparantly it landed in the postal system in Jersey City, NJ, on November 4th!!! Numerous phone calls Friday to try and track it down proved fruitless. But I must have stirred something up because here it was on my steps on Monday. :)

And what a wonderful package it was! I was spoiled rotten by my SS. The photo is just the third and last package that she sent. The photo below is the sweet piece that she stitched for me. I am bringing it to my office. This way I'll see it at least 5 days a week. LOL

And who is this She, my wonderful SS? Why it's Debbie Jo! Thank you so very, very much.

I can also show off another finish today. The track and confirm from the post office says that the ornament I made for another exchange has arrived at its new home. I love the one my partner, Elaine, sent to me. I hope she likes hers.

Here is the ornament she stitched and sent to me. Isn't it sweet. Little did she know that I already have a number of cardinal ornaments for my tree. This one is perfect!

Have a great day!

Love and stitches

Kathy

Number 8 -- Is it Friday yet?

Snip for Queen by Raise the Roof

used 18 count white aida

and DMC floss called for

The above photos are of an earlier finish of mine. I was hoping to finish finish it into a fob this weekend but................. :) Is it Friday yet??

(deep breath) Yes, I know it's only Monday but I'm tired. :)

The weekend was mixed. Friday night I had very little sleep. My Mom had a bad night and was up until after midnight and then again at 4 AM. I gave up trying to sleep at 5:30.

Got up made my coffee and checked on Mom. She had finally fallen asleep. Figures. :)

Well, I read a little, stitched a little and tried to doze. Got Mom up at 8 and my day was really off and running. Typical Saturday of laundry, grocery shopping, errands and taking care of Mom. I was finished with everything by 8 PM. I was so beat that I didn't get much stitching done and went to bed early. So that my Mom would sleep (and therefore I would) I gave her a tylenol PM to see if that would help.

6:30 am Sunday. Yippee! Sleep. A whole 7 straight hours! I feel like a new person. The tylenol did the trick for Mom.

I love the morning when all is quiet and I can sit and enjoy my coffee and a book. maybe a little computer time or stitching. I did a little of the above.

Now it's almost 8 AM, the usual time when I get Mom up on a weekend. Since it is Sunday I am hoping to get her hair washed. 7:50 am and my head feel odd. My eyes feel like there is something in them. Within 10 minutes my suspicion is confirmed. A migraine! Geeze but I hate those. I get the "aura" that signals the migraine. It's like a jagged bolt of lightening that blurs and clouds your vision. When I get it I quick go take my med, Imitrex. It works-- no light or noise sensitivity, no awful headache pain. BUT there is a side effect. At least for me. Within an hour or so my joints start aching from the tips of my toes to the tips of my fingers. I still have to give Mom her shower.

By 8:30 the "aura" is gone so I get Mom up. This week her shower and hair washing were a little harder but she is getting a little stronger. I'm sure next week will be even easier.

Once breakfast was over I could do a little housework. (And I mean a little! LOL) I was so grateful that I had finished the errands on Sunday because I had a hard time moving at all yesterday.

I had a couple of finishes with all that extra stitching time. One is for an exchange so I can't show it. The second was a really quick stitch from the Christmas SAL book that was RAK'd to me. A quickie design by Helga Mandl. Maybe next weekend I'll have the energy to turn this into an ornament.

I Believe by Helga Mandl

stitched on 18 count aida. hand-dyed by me

using DMC

I changed the green called for in the pattern to a darker one so it would show better on my fabric.

Last night was another fairly early night. And here we are Monday.

Whew but I'm tired. :)

Oh, that's right, that's why I came to work today. Just to get some rest. :)

Until next time..............................

Love and stitches

Kathy

Lucky number Seven

And I do mean lucky or maybe it is just a lucky day for me. At least a brighter day. And here is why.

I belong to a number of Yahoo stitching groups. I seem to lurk on many but I try to keep up with the postings. Reading the blogs of others. Checking their webshots albums of finishes. Being inspired by the wonderful stitching of others. Well, one of the groups is getting ready for a stitch-a-long. The catch? The wonderful, whimsical and adorable patterns being used for the SAL are up for sale. Payment by Paypal only.

(To make what could be a rather long story I'll just state that I will not use paypal. Because of them my checking account was a mess for quite a while and I was robbed of over $300 in fraudulent charges. And, yes, I am absolutely certain it was because of Paypal. )

When I saw that the patterns were only available through Paypal I was so disappointed. I emailed the designers to ask if there were another way to pay and if not I would have to pass on the SAL.

10 minutes ago I look at my inbox and see an address I don't recognize. Hmmmmmm the title says Christmas SAL Book. ?????? Oh maybe it's an answer to my query about alternate payment.

Nope. It IS the book of patterns!!!!! Along with the note that read:

Dear Stitcher, A friend want to make you a gift (see file attached), enjoy! :0)
Happy stitching! Barbara

Whoever you are Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God Bless you. You have really made my day, my week, my month. You are an angel in disguise. A heartfelt thank you will be stitched in each design I do.

Now to decide which to stitch first. :)

Oh, yeah, the SAL is a new set of Christmas designs by Helga Mandl designs and Barbara Ana designs. I'll post a photo of the designs as soon as I hear from the designers that it's okay.

See Below:

** I just heard from one the designers and she said I could post the cover photo. Aren't these designs just adorable!! The Yahoo group for Helga and Barbara's deigns is Wonderful XS World .

Until then............. love and stitches
Kathy

Number Six-- I've been tagged!

My very first tagging! And thanks to Carolyn and Mare I have been tagged not once but twice!

Does that mean I have to double the answers? :)

1. Link to the person who tagged you

.2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Write six random things about yourself.

4. Tag six people at the end of your post.

5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

So here goes.

Random Facts -

1. I was a music major in college and have a bachelor of mucis degree. (Otherwise known as a BM. LOL) I taught classroom music for a while. I loved it. Unfortunately there weren't many jobs then so I ended up changing careers and am now in publishing.
2. I still live in the town I grew up in on the south shore of Long Island, NY. I live about 5 miles from the Atlantic ocean but have always wanted to live in the mountains.
3. I work in New York City and have been commuting on the Long Island Railroad for over 26 years.
4. I love old classic movies, especially the musicals from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.
5. I have been working on my family history since the late 1970s. I love sitting in libraies and going through old records and newspapers.
6. I enjoy walking around old cemeteries. And have been known to take a picnic lunch to one as I hunted for my ancestors graves.

Now to tag six others.
1. Deborah
2. Rene
3. Vonna
4. Nancy M
5. Elaine
6. Kelly

You've been tagged!

Until next time. Keep those needles flying.

Kathy

Post Five

First the non-stitchy comments.

I brought my Mom home from the hospital late Friday afternoon. That’s the good news. The bad? She is a lot weaker and standing is now difficult. Which means it is much harder to get her from bed to wheelchair to chair, etc. She sleeps a lot more and doesn’t always respond when you ask her a question. I continue to hope and pray she improves each day.

I did see a little improvement yesterday, her first full day home. Getting her up, washed and dressed was hard but we managed. Come tomorrow her hospice aide should be back to help.

I want to keep her home as long as possible but deep down I know I won’t be able to if she has another episode of CHF. Each one has taken more and more. And the next ............ Well, it is breaking my heart. You see, my Mom is not only my mother but my best friend. We have always had a great relationship. Rarely fought and have many of the same tastes. We have read the same books, liked the same TV shows and music and like the same foods. Differences of opinion are rare.

If you can please keep my Mom in your prayers.

Now for stitching.
I didn’t get a lot done this week. Some but not much. No photo because what I did get done is for an exchange.

A few weeks back I managed to grab a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon to try something I have wanted to do for ages. I hand-dyed some fabric. A couple of years ago I was able to get a fabulous bargain on a few yards of aida and have been saving it just for this purpose. It was lots of fun and I really liked the coloring on a few of the pieces. If time permits I want to try it again. Maybe this afternoon.
The photos here show a few of the pieces from my first "dye job".

Well, off to do the laundry and house cleaning. Yuck. :)

Until next time. Keep on stitching.

Kathy

Number Four

I started this post on Sunday evening but as you can see I didn't get to finish and post it. At 9 PM Sunday evening I had to call the ambulance for my Mom. She was in severe respiratory distress and the meds we have home hadn't helped. By 4 AM the meds at the hospital had her breathing much better and she was moved to ICU.
Today she is doing even better and out of heart failure. Her breathing and oxygen saturation levels have also improved. They moved her out of ICU this evening. With luck she will have a good night and I can bring her home tomorrow. I hope so because this running back and forth is exhausting.
Oh wait, that might be from lack of sleep. :)
Below are two photos that I had downloaded Sunday.

This is the ornament I stitched for an exchange on the Lizzie Kate yahoo group. Christmas is Love is the ornament I received from Louise D. And Merry Chrismouse is the one I stitched for Louise.

Thanks for listening. Have a good night.

Post number three

Or my latest weekend update.

Remember what I said about last weekend? While this one wasn't quite as crazy and hectic, not as many errands to run, my Mom had me up very early both Saturday and Sunday (this) morning. This time she was having trouble breathing and that can get scary for both of us. :(

One good thing about not getting a lot of sleep. I actually downloaded the photos off my camera! :) AND got more stitching done that usual. Also got the laundry finished early and spent a lot of time just watching Mom for any breathing difficulties.

The photos above are the front and back of a fob I stitched for a dear, dear friend. The pattern for the front is Boo House by Helga Mandl. Stitched on 18 ct aida with DMC.

Next is another fob I stitched for another dear friend. She needed a little cheering up and I am so glad she liked it. I used an 18 ct aida and parts of a freebie pattern.

I just noticed that the photos are at the top of the post AND in reverse order. :) Okay, I wonder how long it will take for me to figure this out. LOL

I have a few more to upload but will save them for tomorrow.

Until then............. keep those needles humming