And Life Changed

It has been so very long since I have posted.  Life has changed, not necessarily for the better, but not for the worst.

My father passed on November 11, 2018.  After ten years of caring for him, it seemed anticlimactic when he died.  I realized early in the week that it was getting closer so I took time off of work to be with him.  He was put on Hospice on a Wednesday and passed on Sunday morning.  He went in his sleep...probably to spare me that last moment.  I must admit that I was calm and made the required calls.  I waited until he was put into the van.  Then I completely broke down.  It seems that the last year and a half has gone by in a blur.  I'm able to think of him without crying and can speak of him without focusing on the hard parts.  My uncle, my father's older brother, died the previous Monday.  There is only one funeral home in my town.  When I went in to plan my dad's cremation, I used my father's last name.  The poor secretary had to ask me which one as my uncle was there at the same time.  I find it funny now, but didn't at the time.

My husband's stroke is now at the two year mark.   There are still residuals.  It is difficult for him to walk but he carries on the best he can.  He knows that he is different, but tries to ignore all the pain.  He still wants to be seen as the man that can do anything.  Okay.  But I can see it and try to do most of the yard work and gardening.

I retired at the end of June 2019.  I had become annoyed at the never ending audits, budget meetings and general crap that comes with a state job.  I was invited to a wedding on June 28th and decided that I was never going back to work.  Really.  That is how I made my decision.  And...I have not had a single moment of regret.  I have my crafts, my gardening, my house plants...and my husband.  He doesn't drive much anymore, so I spend a lot of time driving Mr. Daisy.

I have thought of my blog often, of the people I met, the people that became my friends.  I really have no excuse...life just got in the way.  I would lay in bed and think of all the things I should post.  Then...nothing.  I just couldn't find the energy or time to think about my life. 

So this evening I gave myself a kick in the butt and told myself that I have no more time for excuses.  I don't know if there's anyone still out there, but I need to get back to myself.  And part of myself is my writing and sharing.  I have lots of craft projects to catch up.  Here are a few roses from my garden to brighten your day.



 


I hope that all is well.  Be kind to one another.

What? Pictures of Projects? Yes!

Good morning and happy Saturday.  Very quiet this morning at the rancho.  There is rain on the horizon, but so far, no drops.

Moto Kitty had to be up and outside at 5 am this morning.  I disagreed, but after fifteen minutes of having him perched on my back while trying to sleep, I decided that he was right...it was time for him to be outside.  LOL It's funny, the dog is still sleeping.  He has no intention of being off his bed until the sun is well up.

Hubby is doing well.  He seems to be walking a bit straighter and has good use of his right hand.  We are still waiting for the authorization for at-home PT from the insurance company.  Sigh.  It seems that they are moving at their own pace.  He had some problems with muscle spasms last night, but finally got some sleep.  I offered to take him to the emergency room, but he took some medication that he uses for his shoulders and back and seemed to quiet down.  It's tough getting old.  But after spending ten days at a rehab center, I've realized that we are better off than most.

I've been working on some stitching for my retreat mid-April.  I am still not sure if hubby will be well enough for me to go, but I am hopeful.

This is Black Cherry Tart by Plum Street Sampler...

On the sewing front, I've been working on project bags for me and a friend.  This is her stitching, my sewing.  This is one of the smaller bags, vertical placement.  This one will be mine.  I usually stitch in hand, so this is the best size for me.  Each bag has a side zipper and is fully lined.

Here is the fabric choice for the next bag.  Same stitching, but horizontal placement and the bag will be larger.  She likes this combination of colors.

Last bag.  It is 14x14.  She needlepoints and this is big enough to hold her stretcher bars as well as supplies.

The stitching was a free pattern.  Once I get mine stitched, I will most likely do the same fabric.  I love these colors!

Well, I'm off like a herd of turtles.  I am doing chores and sewing today.  I've been running errands with DH all week, so today will be a stay-home day.  Someone needs to scrub the toilets and do laundry.  Pretty sure it will be me!  LOL

Have a wonderful weekend.  Be kind to one another.

Home, Home on the Range...

Happy Easter from the rancho!!  We are back home.  SMILE.

It was a long two weeks.  Hubby spent a total of six days at the hospital and another nine days at the acute rehab center.  We are a long way from normal, but at least he is home.

The use of his hand is much approved.  Foot?  Hmmm...it's gonna take a while.  The rehab center wants us to do two to three days a week of rehab.  They said to go ahead and go to a center in our area, but hubby's doctor said that he would prefer at-home rehab.  Hubby's doctor is also my dad's doctor, so he knows that time is at a premium for me, so he would rather have the rehab at home so I'm not spread so thin.   I have taken another week off from work, so at least I can get everything settled before then.  Doctor is one of my favorite people right now.  LOL

I don't have much other news on the craft side.  I'm working on several different quickie projects, but no pictures yet.  I will try to catch up later this week.

I wish each of you a wonderful day.  Be kind to one another.

A Bright and Shiny Day

Good morning from the rancho.  It is bright and shiny outside my window.  That always makes me happy.

Rehab is going well.  Hubby has regained some of the use of his right fingers and is walking with the use of a walker.  He hopes to be able to walk alone in a few days.  He is insistent that no matter how much therapy they have him do, he does another few hours on his own.  He does leg lifts and ankle flexes every single hour.  In order to gauge his progress with his hand, he writes his name and address over and over again.  I have to laugh, he has always had terrible penmanship.  I'm not sure how much they can tell from what it looks like now.  LOL

I take walks while he is doing therapy.  The rehab center is on the edge of Arroyo Grande, an small ocean side town.  Less than two blocks away, there is farming.  Since we are in California, there are areas that grow vegetables year round.  Here are a few pictures I took yesterday.  It was a beautiful day.  Even got hubby outside in the sun when I got back.  I wasn't allowed to take him further that 100 feet from the rehab.  I guess they think we will try to make a break for it.  LOL

This is broccoli that has already been harvested.

Long rows of some type of red lettuce...maybe?  LOL

Here is a close-up...so pretty.

Last week we had lots of rain.  Five inches in one day!  Here are pictures of the ditch by our house.  I won't call it a real seasonal creek, but it fills fast when it rains.  LOL    This was the morning after our storm.  The water had already went down about a foot.  Please ignore the weeds in the wall...I'm a bit behind.  LOL

This is the neighbor's side.  The kids love to play in the water!

I've been taking some stitching with me the last few days.  Finished my club piece.  If my husband is home and well enough, I will be taking this to my yearly retreat in late April.  He says that I'm going no matter what.  I don't know about THAT...

Meanwhile, I am taking the day to catch up with life.  Hubby is settled at the rehab center, has plans for some visitors, and I really need to get stuff done at home...I started a list last night.  Yes, that was me outside mowing the lawn at 6 pm.  LOL  I've got one load of laundry done and am ready to start cleaning the bathrooms.  Boy, do I know how to party.

I hope that each of you have a wonderful day.  Be kind to one another.

Husband Update for My Peeps

Good morning, peeps.  Here it is Tuesday and and my husband is still at the hospital.  We are hoping to move to acute rehab today.  It was a small stroke, no bleeding, no clots, no blockages.  He is able to talk and eat...walk?  Not so much.  He is using a cane and has to have someone with him, even to the bathroom.  His right arm works, but his fine motor skills are not there.  It could have been so much worse...I talked to rehab yesterday.  They are planning on him being there for at least a week.  My husband is very motivated.  He is only 59 and doesn't want this to be the rest of his life. 

I am getting nothing done.  LOL  I get up, take care of Dad and chores, head to the hospital.  I haven't been able to do any handwork.  I just sit and worry.  I took the week off of work, so that's one less thing to deal with.  Dad's daycare leaves at 3:30 pm, so it's back home, get him fed, me fed, the animals fed, more chores, and drop into bed.  Oh, I did get to Walmart yesterday...we were out of kitty treats and yogurt.  Important stuff. 

Thank you for all the prayers and good thoughts.  We will get through this the same as all of the other walls we've hit in our lives.

Give someone a smile, a hug, some happiness.  Be kind to one another.

Quick Check In...Life in Turmoil

Checking in. 

Short and sweet...my husband has had a stroke.  He went into the hospital yesterday morning.  Small stroke, didn't appear to be much damage.  It seems that being a Type 1 diabetic for 52 years has started to catch up with him.  The neurologist wanted him to stay the night...just in case.  Well, the "just in case" happened.  He woke up this morning with worse damage.  So far, it seems to be his right side, arm and leg.  I am worried...and scared.  I spend what time I can at the hospital, but I've got Dad at home, so I feel pulled both ways. 

I ask for good thoughts, prayers, whatever you have to offer. 

Hold your loved ones close.  Be kind to one another.

Wednesday Whining...And A Cute Wool Kitty

Well, I'm still fighting the internet war.  I want on...it won't let me.  I am starting to think that my ten year old computer is a wee bit out of date.  Or, maybe it's just an operator error...LOL  Either way, calling it bad names does not impress it at ALL!  And tonight, it is ignoring my requests to post pictures.  Really?  Really really?  Bad word....Hmmmm...Wait.  I believed that may have worked!

I've been diligently working on projects.  Trying to get some baskets ready for my finishing retreat next month.  I finished getting them sealed, but I think I may need to paint or stain the lid.  I just don't like the plain baskets.  Still deciding.  I've got four more pincushions to stitch, so that's my focus this week.

I joined a couple of stitching clubs this year through Dying To Stitch.  Here is my first project.  The pattern is by Pineberry Lane.

The colors are very muted.  I changed a few of the threads...I didn't want a white face.  LOL

I finally finished-finished this little bee stitching.  I found the charm at a local bead store.  I went in on a whim and was very impressed.  They had a huge selection of charms.  I will definitely be going back to do a little more shopping.  LOL

While hanging out on Pinterest (I should have been grocery shopping) I found a picture of a cute little primitive wool kitty.  Of course, I dropped everything and made one of my own.  It was basic, so I made my own pattern on a piece of paper.  Pretty darn adorable!

 

Of course, he shouldn't be alone, so I made him a friend.

The general shape is the same as an owl.  Change the eyes, add a beak, no whiskers?  It could work!  And no, I never made it to the grocery store that day.  LOL

Okay, peeps.  Off to get ready for tomorrow.  I really need my beauty sleep this week.  LOL  Have an amazing Thursday and be kind to one another.