IN WHICH MAGOO ASKS A QUESTION...

We're at the Notre Dame women's basketbsll game watching my #1 Irish take on the Iowa Hawkeyes when Magoo leans over and asks "Con, how come the broads don't have male pom pom dancers?"

A question to be pondered, indeed.

CURRENT MOOD

I'LL TAKE INANE FACTS AND TMI FOR A THOUSAND, ALEX

This is the display that greets me when I enter the lobby of the dialysis clinic. Fluid fluctuation is a big deal when you are a kidney patient. You limit your intake, try as hard as you can not to go overboard (with anything) and hope for no more than 1-3kg in extra weight. (1kg = 2.2lb) 

So far I've managed to stay well within my goal, but it has nothing to do with me being careful. It has to do with me being a complete nutjob and wanting little smiley faces on my monthly report cards. I hate frowny faces and have't gotten one yet, but I have taken it on as my personal mission to never see the likes of one.

Fortunately for me, I still urinate enough that I can have both of my cups of damn good as well as a little bit of goofy juice throughtout the day.  When that stops, however, I might have to re-consider the size of my damn good and sippy cups...a task that I am definitely not looking forward to.

OK...that's the public service announcement portion of the program today, Dearies. I'm snuggled up in the chair now and think I might watch a little Flosstube. I missed it Monday due to too much cyber browsing. I didn't make any purchases, alas, but I filled enough shopping carts to fill a mini mall. It was tons of fun with no impact on my pocketbook -  the very best kind indeed!

No stitching yesterday. I don't know why, really, except I found myself dozing on and off for much of the day, and I just couldn't get motivated to get needle and thread in hand, but I did achieve my goal of having a total and complete rest. It was divine.

The weather outside is cold and grey today...just how I like it!  Let's face it. This is Mother Nature's way of alleviating all of the guilt from bright sunny days that make you feel like you should be out doing something in the fresh air. A day like today, however, tells you it's OK to stay inside with your fuzzy socks on and just be cozy.

Check.

Here's hoping your very own Futzingday is wonderfully swell and perfectly perfect in every way! Come tell me all about it!

TUESDAY...COUGH COUGH...IN WHICH WE ARE...COUGH COUGH COUGH...COZY

I just can't shake this silly cough, so I am going to stay here in the Happy Chair today and rest my head off.

Here's my progress thus far on LJP's Christmas Quilt:

I've been going through these crackpot spinster fireplaces like a maniac!

I think I'll leave the little lights on the balcony until February:

And maybe the little trees too:

The Housewives are doing their thing on the TeeVee, I've almost finished my second cup of damn good, and I'm seriously considering a tiny little quiche for breakfast. Or a ham sandwich. Maybe 1/2 of both?

That's the report for a cold and snowy Tuesday here in Hoosierville, Dearies! What's new in your corner of the world?

OVER THE TUNDRA AND THROUGH THE WOODS...

Well, here we are...all present and accounted for on a snowy Monday chair time! It was a bit dicey getting here today, but nevertheless I persisted and here I am.

I did stitch last night, but alas, do not have a photo to share. By the time it was time to hit the big girl sleigh bed I couldn't keep my eyes open, and the thought of doing it this morning completely escaped me.

It's Cyber Monday, isn't it? I suppose this means the internets will be buzzing with lists of gifts and credit card numbers...bouncing all about spreading Christmas cheer. I am relieved to be a spinster on a budget with an extremely short list this year, but somewhat miss the days of shopping my heiney off for Aunt Chrissy and Bosco and Stewey.

(I also miss the tiny little wiggle butts diving into their Christmas bags and playing with their new toys on Christmas morning. I think the sight of those tails wagging as they discovered something fuzzy and new is just about my favorite Christmas memory.)

The shepherd's pie was absolutely delicious, and will definitely go into the books as the best way to use leftovers yet. I ended up freezing quite a lot of the goodies, but would bet that the shepherd's pie will be gone tonight.

So we're back to semi-normal for now, Dearies. Buzzy and Beepy are doing their thing, and I'm going to kick back with a little Flosstube and Outlander until it's time to go home.  I hope your Monday is swell and that you're doing something fun and exciting! Come tell me all about it!

SUNDAY...IN WHICH WE DISCOVER THAT HALF-ASSING IS APPARENTLY OUR NEW NORMAL

It's done, Dearies. 

Not at all how I envisioned, but I did the very best I could with the very little energy I have in me today. I remarked that it's a good thing Stewey isn't here to inspect my efforts, because I'm fairly sure he would have pulled out his little valise, fished around for his official things, and stamped a big fat VETOED on my forehead.

But I am happy with it all, and despite the fact that there are no Jim Shores or no big huge tree with a whimsical top hat deciration...it is Christmasy nonetheless.

The chicken sisters are now directly in front of me and will be more closely supervised:

The three little trees that used to live on the front porch at Chez Spinster now stand in for what once was the official spinster tree:

All of my stitchy things are hung in the entranceway:

And from the other side:

And my favorite part of the entire mess...outside lights on a remote control:

I've got an experimental shepherd's pie in the oven. I took Magoo's ground beef stuffing, corn pudding, green bean casserole, and carrots and topped it with the leftover mashed potatoes and cheese.

It will either be very tasty, or we're having pizza for dinner.

After a bite to eat and a hot scrubby shower, I am going to hit the Happy Chair for some Christmas stitching if it kills me. I am going to pick up that LJP Christmas Quilt and give it my very best try. Pray for me, Dearies. If last night is any indication I'm going to need all the help I can get!

Here's hoping that your Sunday was winderfully swell! Did you play with decorations and stitching today too? Come tell me all about it!

DANG. DRAT. PHOOEY.

If I could give one piece of advice to any stitcher, it would be this:

Write. It. All. Down.

When you start a project, take a piece of paper and a pencil and write down the name and designer and the fabric and then every single thread you are using on said project. 

Why?

Because when you get in some crazy tizzy fit of cleaning and you de-kit your project and then pick it up ten years later and decide to finally finish it, you won't have to spend the entire first half of the Notre Dame/USC game stitching and un-stitching eleventy seven different threads that just don't quite work.

Dang it anyway.

I'm going to bed.

WELL...IT'S A START

So much for my visions of tarting CS2 up for Christmas today. I had a ROUGH treatment yesterday, came home, went to bed, and stayed there until this morning.  I'm still not quite awake, Dearies, and here it is 2:30 in the afternoon!

Oh well, such is life.

I did manage to get a few things kitted up and in project bags for the 2018 Spinster Stitcher Christmas Basket O' Fun:

The Drawn Thread Shining Star

The Drawn Thread Christmas Thoughts Sampler

Prairie Moom Holiday Farm

Janet Zickler Casey Snow Globe Santa

Laura J. Perin Christmas Quilt

Laura J. Perin Christmas Panel

A little bit of everything, I think. Cross stitch, counted canvas, drawn canvas, old and new. I'm sure I will add and subtract as the season gets under way, but for today...it's a start.

What's in your basket this year? Come tell me all about it!

BACK TO NORMAL (OK, BACK TO AS NORMAL AS ONE CRACKPOT PORTLY SPINSTER CAN BE)

Well, well, well. A good and happy Friday to you, Dearies!

I'm not gonna lie...I am one exhausted spinster today! I suspect that the shopping and cooking and cleaning and feasting and pageantry of the whole entire week has something to do with it, but boy oh boy am I dragging!

The lingering cold/flu/plague of death isn't helping matters any, but I am determined to remedy thatthis  weekend with lots and lots of rest.

Um, well, er....lots and lots of rest after I get my list completed.

I want to tuck all of the Fall decorations away and break out the Christmas, switch out all of the Fall stitching on display for Winter, and gather every single piece of festive holiday everything I have to play with and get it ready to go.

That shouldn't take too long.

Right?

Today, though, is a d-chair day and that means I need to sit still and quiet for the next five hours. I think I will catch up on Outlander and You Tube and Instagram and then read all the things and plan all the things and celebrate all the things and enjoy all of the things.

No more drama and excitement for a bit...just quiet.

If you've been out and about shopping on this fine Black Friday morning, I hope it was with somebody you love for company and that you found all the bargains! Sustain yourself with lots of something tasty, remember to take breaks and hydrate, and come tell me all about it!

HOLY LEFTOVERS, BATMAN!

This is normal for two people...right?

They really should make pills for this. Will I ever learn how to prepare a meal that wouldn't feed the Notre Dame offensive line and six assistant coaches?

EIGHT HOURS OF COOKING..FIFTEEN MINUTES OF EATING

...and I am thankful for you, Dearies! My hope is that you will someday know the depth of my appreciation for each and every one of you that comes here to visit with me. I have a crazy happy life and am in perpetual awe of the joy that comes from you and this thing of ours. May you all be as blessed and lucky as I have been!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Coni

The Spinster Stitcher

WEDNESDAY! IT'S WEDNESDAY!

It took a hot minute. but I finally figured out what the heck day it is. Today is Wednesday...Futzingday, which means I am happily futzing about.

(Well, what I'm actually doing is sitting in the Happy Chair post-quiche writing to you, but futzing happily nonetheless.)

Today I'm cooking a few things ahead of our feasting tomorrow. First up is Ina's Sagaponak corn pudding -- a recipe I have loved for about ten years now I think. Then, I will make Magoo's stuffing --something completely new to me, but it is his very favorite.

(It's basically a big Italian meatball that you put up the turkey's heiney...ground beef, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and sharp provolone.)

All of the other sides will be made in the morning, and yes, there will be enough food for at least twenty eight people even though there are only two if us because that's the way I roll and have always rolled thankyouverymuch.

Once all of this fun has concluded, I think I will clean up the kitchen, have a hot scrubby, and then settle in with some stitching. I haven't had needle in hand in far too long, so I need to remedy that immediately.

How are things in your corner of the world today? Come tell us all about it!

IN WHICH CHRISTMAS HITS ME SQUARE IN THE FACE...

I've never been one to rush the holidays. I like them to unfold with their own natural rhythm and pace...Halloween...then Thanksgiving...then Christmas. I like the build up. I like the anticipation. I like the planning and futzing and arranging of things.

So I find myself sitting here on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so excited for Christmas I can hardly stand it.  This is unexpected and unusual and a little discombobulating for me, but I've decided to go with it.

The shopping for Thursday is complete and the big 'ol Butterball is doing its de-thawing thing in the fridge. I'm pretty sure I can do most of the prep tomorrow morning with a little help from Magoo, and then Thursday is going to be nothing but feasting and footballing and basketballing and parading all day long.

But then comes the weekend.

I have dialysis on Friday, but I have already planned my day to revolve around all things stitching. I want to plan and futz and ponder and kit and bag and organize and enjoy the 2018 Official Basket of Spinster Stitcher Christmas Fun. Perhaps an ornament or two will make an appearance in the chair. Who knows? It will be wherever the holiday stitchy gods take me.

CS2 will get tarted up, I promise. I'm already thinking about lights on the balcony and presents under a tree. I'm ready to jingle my bells all over the damn place, Dearies! As I told Magoo on the phone yesterday "We're gonna have a fun old fashioned family Christmas if it kills us".

Stay tuned for New Year's plans. I am hoping to don a pretty dress and kick my heels up someplace...even if it's the living room and 4:00 in the afternoon. Then...a full day of planning the new year!

But first...Tuesday. Buzzy and Beepy are doing their thing and I am enjoying the good cheer of my pod mates. There is a lot of buzz about the food that is going to be enjoyed. For a kidney patient, many things like mashed potatoes and gravy become a rare treat, indeed!

Pretty light today, Dearies! Enjoy it from your corner of the world and come tell me all about it!

I HAVEN'T A CLUE WHAT DAY IT IS!

I'm off to the big girl sleigh bed, Dearies, but just realized that I did not post on this here blog today!  Oh, my goodness am I completely in sixes and sevens! Between the time change, a new chair time, and an adjusted schedule for this week I don't know if I'm coming or going.

This darn crud is still hanging about, but it will be gone before Thanksgiving. 

It simply has to be.

There is a parade to watch, a turkey to roast, and a Purina National Dog Show to enjoy! Besides...how will I ever enjoy a Siggie Special if my nose is stuffy!

(Turkey, mayo, celery sticks, salt and pepper, on Pepperidge Farm white sandwich bread thankyouverymuch.) A Spinster Stitcher tradition for as long as I can remember!

Rumor has it that there might be Christmas decorating at CS2 this week! I am suddenly feeling very much in the urge and...festive!

Happy Whatever Day it is, Dearies! I'll report more tomorrow from the chair, I promise! In the meantime...night night!

SUNDAY SPINSTER BLISS...INTERRUPTED

It's 8:15 on a Sunday morning, and rather than the paper and some damn good and some stitching to look forward to, I am up and showered and dressed and ready for dialysis. Sunday, Tuesday, Friday this week due to Thanksgiving. I just need to keep chanting that to myself so I show up on the right days!

I'm rocking the pink today...figured it would be soft and cozy. I have leggings and really old sherpa sweatshirts that I made into dialysis uniforms, and the pink seems to be a favorite among my pod mates. 

Cold and snowy here this morning, so I'm going to head out a bit early and take my time. I just wanted to pop in and say a hale and hearty hello and wish you a happy and peaceful Sunday, Dearies!

DEAR UNDER ARMOR...

This is what the damn football hats should have looked like today:

I do like the Yankee striped pants, though. They are better than last week's 1970ish mess.

Love,

The Spinster Stitcher, '89

SATURDAY SPINSTER COCKPIT...

Newspaper and stitching and magic blankets...check!

Hot and fresh damn good and crackpot spinster fireplace...check!

It's 11:15am, and I am just getting myself situated in the Happy Chair! I did not sleep well last night, so ended up spending more time burrowed under the covers that I would have thought humanly possible, but here we are.

Thoughts of cleaning the apartment have totally left for the day. It's clean enough for spinsters and rock and roll, folks. Instead, I am going to attempt a little laundry and play with needleminders and stitching all day.  Notre Dame comes on in a few hours, so that will justify me sitting on my heiney and stitching rather than scrubbing something to within an inch of its life.

This flu still has me by the gotchas, unfortunately, so I am going to listen to my better judgement and just lay low, drink lots of fluids, and push the chicken soup until it's over. I have dialysis again tomorrow, so I need to get my act together!

OK...switching channels. What's new with you? Tell me all about your plans for the day, what you're stitching, celebrating, cooking....all of it, Dearies! I do so love to imagine that you are in your very own cozy corner of the world and we are giggling over damn good and needlework!  WooHoo!

IN WHICH WE PUT OUR SHOES AND SOCKS ON AND GO TO DIALYSIS...

It was rough this morning, I'm not going to lie. Between the snow and ice and me not feeling well it took every ounce of spinster courage I had in me to get here.

But here I am, and warm and safe and dry, so absolutely nothing to complain about. In a moment I'm going to go let Buzzy and Beepy do their thing and all will be well.

I did stitch a fair bit on Gilded Cage yesterday, but forgot to grab a photo. I'll see what I can do to remedy that this evening, Dearies!

Have a great and wonderful Friday, my friends! The weekend is upon us! 

IN WHICH THE SPINSTER IS...COZY (AND MORE THAN A LITTLE BIT NUTS)

A day in the life of a flu-ridden spinster begins in the big girl sleigh bed...we got snow overnight!

Ahhhh...coffee maker's on and ready!

Woopsie...need to find my fuzzy socks and put them on...stat!

Happy Chair...I'm coming your way! Gird your loins!

Oh baby! Hot and fresh damn good ready to do its magic!

No. Words. I just don't have any words for this...

Now before you feel sorry for me, please know that I am warm and safe and dry, have plenty of meds and provisions and things to keep me busy, and because Magoo is in New Jersey it is blissfully quiet and I can move from place to place without feeling the need to have hair, makeup, and wardrobe fixed.

I'm a big lump of sick today and just enjoying every minute of it, Dearies!

What's new with you?

TWO YEARS...

THWACK!

That sound you just heard was the universe smacking me down hard with the flu.

I know, I know...if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all, but I suppose getting sick is inevitable when you are on high dose immuno-suppressants for Crohn's and spend three days a week in a high risk setting.

Damn, drat, and phooey anyways...but it could be worse, right?

I'm in my Happy Chair cockpit and armed with the necessities. Cough drops, the phone for emergencies, and fluids:

Stitching, the paper, and my magic blanket:

And my little half-assed spinster fireplace:

The sun is shining today, but it is pretty chilly outside, so methinks I will stay right here in my cockpit resting. I know for sure I will venture back to the big girl sleigh bed, because I put the flannels on it this weekend and they are so crazy soft I almost can't stand the coziness!

Needleminder orders continue to come in. Thank you for that, Dearies! And it looks like my sister's little shop is growing nicely also, which makes me very happy for her. I think she has some new things listed today, so I might have to head over and peruse.

Not a lot of other news to report. JB Magoo is New Jersey bound and I will have eight days again to kick up some trouble around here on my own. Given my current state, though, I can promise you that there will be NO marathon cleaning or re-organizing sessions. Instead, I think my marathons will be of the Outlander/Housewives/Ina variety! There is, after all, a Thanksgiving menu to plan, and I always love to add a new something or other to the mix!

We're off like a herd of turtles! I hope your Tuesday is full of fun and frolic. Do something interesting and come tell me all about it!

MORE HALF-ASSED BUT SINCERE NEEDLEMINDERS! -- CLARIFICATION

The shipping and handling fee of $4 is a one time fee and covers mailing for your entire order. In other words, if you buy multiple needle minders, you only pay the $4 once, Dearies!

Here is another round of needle minders for your consideration! (For any non stitchers interested, these can be used as fridge magnets, too!)

SPINSTER STITCHER HALF-ASSED BUT SINCERE NEEDLEMINDERS ARE MADE BY HAND AND WITH LOVE BY YOURS TRULY. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THESE NEEDLE MINDERS ARE DEPOSITED INTO MY IU TRANSPLANT FUND TO HELP COVER THE COSTS OF A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT (WHEN ONE BECOMES AVAILABLE).

DOT PAINTED HEARTS

Hand painted wooden hearts

Measure approximately 1 1/2 inches across

Rare earth magnets

$12 each

SPINSTER STITCHER 10 YEAR LOGO

Printed image under acrylic dome

Mounted on wooden square

Measures approximately 2 inches square

Rare earth magnets

$10 each

STEWEY AND HIS DAISY

Photograph under acrylic dome

Mounted on wooden square

Measures approximately 2 inches square

Rare earth magnets

$10 each

SHIPPING AND HANDLING FOR US ORDERS:

$4 per order

I will happily combine multiples and ship them in one package

FOR NON US ORDERS:

Please provide your mailing address and I will calculate and quote shipping costs.

HOW TO ORDER:

Send an email to spinsterstitcher@aol.com with your complete mailing address and which minder(s) you'd like.

HOW TO PAY:

PayPal is preferred. Go to: paypal.me/spinsterstitcher

Checks may be mailed to: Coni J Rich, 244 Toscana Blvd, Granger, IN 46530

Thank you, Dearies, for your continued support!  Pease don't hesitate to contact me with any questions!

THEY REALLY SHOULD MAKE PILLS FOR THIS...

(Three magic blankets, a coloring page, some markers, Goofy Juice, and stitching on deck for the duration I think.)

Last night I dreamt I was sitting in a restaurant eating a sandwich and James Gandolphini walked in and sat in a booth and I tried to take a picture of him but a tiny little dog wearing gold wire spectacles came up next to me and I reached down and picked him up and took his little glasses off and rubbed his tummy.

(Oh dear God...she's finally gone round the bend.)

Good Saturday morning, Dearies! I am in the Happy Chair trying to get my silly self together. I had a rough treatment yesterday and never quite bounced back, so it was early to bed for me with the hopes that I could accomplish lots and lots today.

Naaaaaaaa.

I think I will stay here in my jammies and watch the snow and Outlander.

How about you?