Slowly returning to a normal life

Hi Everyone, long time no see (write!)

This past year has been very busy, what with my friend Diane having her cancer return.  So it was many trips to the doctor's and the hospital.  This went on from last October and became more and more frequent as 2014 progressed.

The journey ended on August 23 when Diane passed away.

However the journey wasn't over yet, there was the task of cleaning out her house (she was a stitcher so many of you know there was lots to go though!) My husband and I also had to take care of Diane's mother, and get her moved into a smaller place.  Luckily Diane and her mom were already in a retirement community that had independent housing and apartments, then the progression to skilled nursing, memory unit and assisted living.  We were able to move Mildred to an independent  apartment.  This past weekend we finally finished cleaning out the house and turned in the keys.

 

Diane and her mom both were collectors of nice china, glassware and nick nacks.  Diane was also a prolific stitcher, so lots of stitched pieces to find homes for (Mildred also stitched and quilted).

 

So in the middle of all this (actually near the end of Diane's life) A lump was found in the neck of our son, Jeremy.  So off I had to go to California to be with him during his surgery and recovery.  Luckily, it was a benign tumor, but some nerves where over the lump and hence the surgery was a bit touchy.  Jeremy lost feeling in his left ear, face and neck for a short time.  His feeling is slowly returning.

 

Once Jeremy was OK, I needed to change my plane reservations (a very costly thing) to get home to Diane, she failed very quickly during my time away.  I had told her that she could not get any worse or die before I returned.  Well she didn't listen and proceeded to get worse.  I did make it home to see her and visit with her and tell her all about my time with Jeremy.  Of course, Diane is in a coma and I am not sure if she hear everything, but I do know that she was aware that I was there.  She died a few hours after my return.

 

I know this is a sad story, but Diane was a terrific person, who lead a really good life, and was extremely talented in the world of fabric and fibers.  Diane was 67, but she did manage to survive for 15 years (most of them very good years).

 

Now as to my stitching - it was nil!!!  I did get to knit a good bit because it was easier to do while sitting in doctor's offices or at the hospital visits.  As Diane became more and more sick, I became her caregiver and medical POA (not sure that is what it is called).  I am now that for Mildred.

 

I did add some photos of my time with Jeremy in San Francisco and of some stitching that I did just recently, it feels so good to have needle in hand once again.

 

Thank you for sitting through this long chat, but haven't been able to come up with what to say for my blog and today, I feel like I am almost back to normal and can get back to doing my stitching, gardening (this morning job before it gets to cold outside) and to my blogging.  I have done some reading of blogs when I had time and wifi was available. 

 

Jeremy and Mom at the Academy of Sciences in SF (after surgery)

Academy of Sciences

                                             
                                                                      The rooftop of TAoS
                                                 
                                                            Albino Alligator at the TAoS

One evening Jeremy introduced me to Ethiopian food, very yummy.

You eat the food with this bread, no utensils (unless you ask!!)

Jeremy before the surgery

Jeremy after surgery.  we shot this from his non surgical side

I did take photos of his incision everyday before I put on his daily dressing.

Here is a small Prim piece I did start in SF.

Here is what I am stitching on now. Since I am so far behind in my holiday and event stitching I though I would just pull out something new to work on.  Will get back to all of my WIPs, hopefully by next week.

 

I you have stuck along with this, Thank You for staying.  Looking forward to getting back on track with life.

 

HUGS,

Roberta

Where does time go???

Hi Everyone, I cannot believe that so much time has passed since my last post.  Have been really busy doing a model stitching, yard work, and helping out a dear friend who has been very ill.

I will not chat too much this time but did want to share some photos with you.

 

I have been trying to read up with everyone's blog, but time for that has been very slim so hoping that this is the beginning of me getting caught up with you all and posting some of  the things I have to share with you all.

This BBD was part of an exchange that I was in with the HoE group.

This also was part of an exchange with the HoE group.  Both were fun stitches to do and they were both in the mail by or before mid March.

Of course one always needs a cat in a HALOS box, now mind you this is no small cat!!! and all the cats try to get into this box - it is hilarious to watch them maneuvering themselves to fit!! 

My Irises in the back garden.

One of my Ikebana designs, I am taking classes in Japanese Flower arranging - this is from the second book, I completed the first book and hoping to get my certificate sometime at the end of this year.

Just had these English Boxwood put in by the front walkway, there use to be gardenias there but they had seen better days.

 

Most of the yard has been planted, weeded and ready for the hot summer months, just a bit more to do and then we can enjoy the view.  I will take some photos and post them in the future when all is done!

 

Thank you for keeping me on your list and for stopping by.

 

Roberta

 

Exchange, TUSAL, flowers and stitching

Hi Everyone, just a quick post.  Below is a Halloween exchange that came in the mail on Saturday. Isn't it wicked!!! love the ribbon bow as a hanger, this is just darling.

Below is my TUSal that I forgot to post 

Snowdrops in the garden 

Daffodils are popping!! 

Here are two washcloths/dishcloths 

this one had a snowman design. 

My February finish from 'stitching from stash' 

last is a fun cotton ball wreath I found and thought would look good on the front door on the inside 

I do love how it looks 

 

Thanks for stopping by off to get ready for a weekend stitching retreat!!!

 

Roberta

What keeps me busy!!

No matter how hard I try, I can never get to sit and post to my blog on a regular basis.  I really wanted to post at least once a week, but we will keep trying!!

Below is a small pouch that I made for a friend's birthday, she likes Hardanger so I put small piece of Hardanger on the pouch.  These pouches are great for holding and carrying around ones needle work.

Last week was the celebration of Girls Day in Japan, so the program for our Ikebana meeting was making an arrangement that would be suitable for that event.  Below are two photos of what I created.

Last Monday was my 35th wedding anniversary and DH brought me flowers.

and this really great OTT light for my stitching area in the living room to replace the small dinky OTT light that was there.

I am part of the Stitch from Stash group and below is my huge purchase for February.  I spent all of $13.  On the right is a clamp for your frame or hoop that will hold a small stitching design.  the product on the left is a really neat basting thread made of plastic.  Yes, it is red, but it does not leave any residue and when you are stitching your needle does not piece the basting thread but slides around it.  I learned about this from a designer/teacher.  I truly love this product, you can find it at Hobby Lobby around $9 to $10 less your 40% coupon.

Here is what the thread looks like both in the packaging and out plus on a project that I had stitched last month (and still haven't put together!!)

I have finished Lounging Hare now to find time to put it together into it's finished form.

In February, I took a class with Terri Bay on Ukranian work, it is a small little basket stitched in whitework and blackwork, this is a darling piece, but lots of stitching.  This is in my to be finished pile for March/April.

Some springtime flowers, it was very cold outside when this picture was taken, but today and yesterday we had beautiful weather and I was able to work in the yard!! yeah!!!

And as if I had nothing else to do, DH decided that we needed a new couch and coffee table, the other couch was literally falling apart, so here is what we picked out and it fits nicely in our livingroom.

 

Well if you made it through all of the photos and the chatter - THANK YOU for stopping by.  And I do hope to get better at posting.  Do have a wonderful weekend and week ahead and hope those of you who are still dealing with terrible weather - prayers for spring to arrive soon.

 

Roberta

What I am stitching at the moment

Hi All,

Just a quick note to show you what I have been working on.

Below is the Berry Box Sampler by Perwinkle Promises.

This was a class I took at Callaway Gardens NeedleArts School in January.

I have put it down for the moment, but will pickit up again this weekend.

Below is Lounging Hare by Patrick Woods, I have all the stitching elements done except for the Hare that is in the picture below.  Still have to put in the grass and flowers, hoping to have this done this weekend. 

Not sure why this photo below came upside down, but it is baby caps that I knit at night when watching TV (actually watching; some shows are just listening shows and I can stitch with those shows!!) These will go to a hospital for the tiny wee ones that are born early. 

Could not leave without showing you my sweet little Miss Saddles, she is quite the lap cat and sits while I stitch or knit in the evenings.  At night she sleeps on me when I am sleeping!! 

Here is DH Terry, watching TV with little Gingersnap.  As you can see she really has made herself comfortable; its like having a baby in your arms. 

Bought these tulips last week when the snow and ice was around, needed to have a bit of spring sitting in the window.  Of course this week, the weather has been just gorgeous - 60's and low 70's. 

Thank you all for stopping by, due hope the weather is improving wherever you are in the country or the world.

 

Roberta

Happy Valentine's Day

Just a quick hello hope everyone is having a loving and quiet day. Hopefully the weather has calmed down and spring is on the way.

Will post some photos and what I've been up to stitching wise this weekend.

Roberta

Finally catching up

Hi all, I know I have been a terrible blogger, and I was hoping to start off the new year with a bang, but it has just been crazy busy and the computer is not always my friend.  It took me forever just to up load photos.

 

Below is my TUSAL for January

Next is The Berry Box by Barbara Rakosnik, a class that I took at Callaway Gardens NeedleArts School

                                     

 Below is a cute strawberry pattern by Barbara Jackson, that I worked on during the Callaway School and Exhibit.

 

Let me explain how I became involved with The Callaway NeedleArts School.

Our EGA Guild - the Dogwood Chapter, was asked to set up and maintain the Exhibit for needleworkers to submit entries for judging and display during the schools duration.  Our guild also, handled Merchandise Night and the Bookstore.  It is a fun, tiring, wonderful time for those of us who participate.  We were fortunate that the weather for the past few years has been nice, sometimes cold, but bearable.

 

Below is my Potting Shed by Shepherd Bush which won a red ribbon at the exhibit.

 

Here is Quaker Christmas which won a blue ribbon in the cross stitch category.

 

 

So I had mentioned good weather, well came home and Atlanta and surrounding areas received a very white surprise.  I live in Macon, GA and we received 3 1/2 to 4 inches of snow.

Below is on Tuesday evening.

This was early Wednesday Morning

                                     

Here is mid morning.

                                    

Now here is sweet little Jazmine sitting in a HALOS box she is 16 years old and ever so sweet

 Here is Mars looking out of the bathroom window at the snow.

And finally, this is my purchases for Jannuary that I found at an antique table.  a 1 yard piece of 32ct linen and the 6 older Inspirations magazines at $2 each.  Such a deal, could not walk away from them.

Well, that is it for now, thank you all for staying with me especially with my long absence, I am truly going to try to do better.

Have a wonderful day,

Roberta