WEEKEND PLANS

 

JUST CALL ME BOBO BAGGINS

 

THE TUESDAY REPORT

I missed my evening Guild meeting last night. 🙁 One minute I was pulling on my outside go-to-meeting clothes, and the next my lunch/dinner was making an ignominious exit.

Phooey.

(This is not a new phenomenon for me lately, but I had thought the worst of it was behind me.)

(No pun intended.) 

But, once upright again, I was able to gather my wits about me and finish another section of Spring Medley. Only the right-hand section of birdhouses and the border to go!

Today is all about gratitude...as is every day. Collins looks particularly fetching in her little ND jumpsuit, and I confess that the "necklaces" on it made me giggle. 🤭 I also pause today to be glad I lead such a small, quiet, happy life now without the trauma of dialysis.

Thank you, Angel!

I happened to see some kerfluffle a few posts back about my Jersey Boy and whether or not he was still in the picture. I'm sorry to cause such intrigue by not mentioning him every six and a half minutes, but yes, he is still in the picture. He visited with his friend Fish for a few days in sunny Florida and then went up to New Jersey to visit with his mom for Mother's Day. He returns late tonight to resume our regularly scheduled programming.

No drama, Dearies. Just a dutiful son who likes to visit with his lovely mom every few weeks! ☺️

So that's the report from Hoosierville today. I hope your very own corner of the world is full of your own things to be grateful for. What are they? Come tell me all about them!

STEWEY AND DAD...(ORIGINALLY POSTED IN 2017)

 For a brief time (about a year, to be exact) May 13 was a very sad day for me.

And then it wasn't.

On May 13, 2004 my dear dad took his last breath and passed away.  He went quickly and peacefully, and at the last moment raised his arm up as if someone were reaching for him.  I like to think that it might have been his own father who had died when he was a little boy and whom he said was the first person he hoped to see on the other side.

That first year after Dad's death was a bit of a blur, to be honest.  I remember Chrissy living here with me and our friend Kavanaugh coming for chicken and vegetable dinners a few times, and the two of them ribbing me about whatever silly shenanigans I had been up to.

Sometime during this year I got the bright idea to get a dog, and I decided to get a Jack Russell Terrier from Ireland.  I had always loved Eddie on Frasier, and the idea of paying thousands of dollars for a special Irish Jack Russell terrier, its travel to the US, and all of the expenses for its special companion person to travel with and then stay and acclimate said Irish Jack Russell made perfect sense to me.

What can I say? 

I never really was the brightest bulb in the chandelier.

Fortunately, both Kavanaugh and my sister put the kabosh on that.  I think their exact words were "Are you out of your bleepity bleeping mind?!?!", and I started to look elsewhere.

I found a breeder of Jack Russell terriers right here in Hoosierville.  And not just any old Jack Russell terriers...these were Shorty Jacks.  Also known as Puddin' Jacks.  And the website for this breeder...whimsically called Willowswamp Farm, told the story of a man named Rex who had fallen in love with Shorty Jacks when he was five or six years old, and how his farm was full of the most loveable, nicely tempered, well behaved little dogs ever put on the planet.

So I sent Rex an email, and his response changed my life forever.

Stewey was born on May 13, 2005...one year to the day of Dad's passing...to Mrs. Arrowhead "Headley" Willowswamp and Mr. Angus Willowswamp.  He was the smallest of three boys, and although purely bred, was not breedable or showable because of a distinctive overbite.  His small size and "special feature" meant that he was also discounted to fifty bucks, and if I was interested I could pick him up in July.

On July 6, Chrissy and I drove my little blue car through the cornfields of Ligonier, Indiana (literally...right through the cornfields...because I missed a turn and thought the tractor path was the only way to get to Willowswamp) and I met the love of my life.  I picked him up, said "I'm your Mommie", kissed his little nose, smelled his perfect puppy breath, and was a complete and total goner.

He was quirky, to be sure, and often funny, exasperating, and sometimes misunderstood.  But the eleven years, four months, and eight days that I spent with him were a grand adventure that changed me forever.  I can honestly say that I never imagined myself capable of such a deep and unconditional love, nor did I ever think myself worthy of receiving it in return.

The only explanation I've been able to come up with is that my mom and dad sent Stewey to me specifically on May 13 so that I would have something happy to think about this day rather than something sad.  At first I thought it was all Dad's doing (because of the date), but the more I think about it, the more I see Mom's hand in it.  She knew that Dad was my hero and that I needed somebody to look out for me once he was gone.  And, in perfect Mom-like fashion, she found the perfect little creature to do just that and give us all a few laughs at the same time.

Life without Stewey is different, but for the first time in a very long while I feel like I'm going to be OK.  My heart still physically hurts from missing him so, but I'm convinced that he was here for a reason and my memories of him will sustain me through even the darkest days.  The outpouring of love that I've been blessed with is all him...I know it to be true...and I am sure that if he were here he would be as humbled and profoundly grateful for it as I am.

Happy Birthday, Stewey Little.  I couldn't have loved you more if I had given birth to you myself.  Thank you for being my BabyDear, and rest easy that your Mommie is going to be OK thanks to this family you sent here to look out for me.

P.S.  I know that last picture isn't one of your favorites because it is from your "chubby period", but it's the only one I have of you with one of your Aunt Chrissy birthday daisies.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

 

FRIDAY NIGHT SPINSTER BLISS

Miss Charlene was kind enough to let me tag along to Land O' Goshen this afternoon to visit with Miss Myrtis and to celebrate her birthday. If you're involved in EGA or ANG or have been involved with this thing of ours for any length of time, you might know Myrtis, since she is truly a legendary figure in the needlework community.

It was wonderful.

I came home to a clean and tidy apartment, thanks to some elbow grease and organizing sessions over the last several days and a visit from the Cottage Care crew. I don't think I have felt this peaceful in here for quite some time!

Tomorrow is Hoosier Heartland (my ANG chapter), so I decided to play with Spring Basket from Nancy's Needle for a bit:

This one might occupy my time until completion, since I think it really will be very pretty once finished.

Time for bed, Dearies! I hope you, too, had a splendid Friday, and that the weekend ahead is full of fun for you. What's new in your corner of the world? Come tell me all about it!

 

DAY COMPLETE

 Lizzie Kate

Inspiration Boxer

28ct Cashel in "Margarita" by Colour & Cotton

Threads are all Colour & Cotton chosen by me

DERBY DAY WITH COLLINS AND AUNT SARA

Little Miss Collins enjoyed her very first Kentucky Derby with the entire family! The beauty on the right is my younger god-daughter, Sara. She is proud Auntie and so happy to have a perfect wee bestie!

HOW IT'S GOING...DAY THREE

LET THE SPINSTERING BEGIN!

 

OH, BUZZY

Well Dearies, my little friend Buzzy may be leaving us soon. I spent the day in the ER with a very sore, very red, and very quiet Buzzy. He is completely clogged up, it seems, and if they are not able to revive him with angioplasty in the next few days...he might have to be removed completely. 😲

(They leave AV fistulas in place after renal transplant as a matter of course in the event that it will be needed, but if it becomes a problem (which it looks like it has), then a vascular surgeon will go in and try to fix things up.)

I realize it's completely nuts to mourn the loss of a medical device, but that fistula was my LITERAL life-line, and without it, I would not a have made it.

OK. On to more pleasant news...a finish! Here's Botanical Bee finally complete:

That's it for me today! I'll keep you posted on what happens next. In the meantime, come tell me allabout you!

THE TUESDAY PROGRESS REPORT

 

Botanical Bee is buzzing along quite nicely, thankyouverymuch. 

See what I did there?

I haven't felt like myself in for...ever. If the source of my charm and wit used to be a cauldron of fire fueled by life's ups and downs, I suspect that the current state of affairs is being driven by age, wisdom, and the fact that Yours Truly is just...tired.

But!

I remain insanely happy and in love with this thing of ours, and I get excited to sit down every day with iPad thingie in hand to dingdong your collective doorbells and come in for a peek at what you're up to. I used to get so many ants in my pants to run right out and find ALL THE THINGS that were in your toy boxes, but now I'm satisfied to just admire and appreciate what's on your hoops and q-snaps.

Is this what maturity is all about, Charlie Brown?

Not much new to report. BellyBean and I have been trying our damndest to behave, and we're learning to like new things like spaghetti squash and almond milk, and we've hacked our afternoon cold brew to within an inch of its life to make it as diet-friendly as possible.

Well, I'm heading into the closet to tidy and re-arrange and futz and putz about for a bit. I've left things a bit...chaotic in there, and I'm ready for it to look like an actual human person lives here rather than a fraternity of pack rats.

Happy Tuesday, Dearies!

SPINSTER WEEKEND BLISS

TGIF, DEARIES. TGIF.

It's been a long week, Friends, but I'm happy to report that progress was made on Botanical Bee:

I also managed to finish reading The Hobbit. I confess...not my usual bookish fare, but I needed a bit of escape, and Mr Bilbo was just what my tiny little brain needed! Next up will be one of the six novels in my library book bag...probably something a bit more contemporary.

Here's hoping that I can get myself back into a better/healthier/more delightful routine in the coming weeks! My horoscope says this is a time of new beginnings, so...fingers crossed!

What's new in your cozy corner of the world?

 

THANK YOU, DEARIES! WE'RE OFF LIKE A HERD OF TURTLES!

Thank you, Dearies, for all of the lovely birthday wishes! Can you believe I'm 58?! I'm pretty sure I have the emotional maturity of a 13-year old, so as the years keep passing by, I sometimes catch myself looking in the mirror gasping "Whoa! What just happened?!"

I had a lovely day and managed a new start:

This is Botanical Bee from Hands on Design, and I'm stitching it on a beautiful piece of 28ct fabric from Colour & Cotton called Lapis Medium with threads pulled from my stash. My progress was so tiny that I'll wait to wow you with it when there's more, but methinks this will move quickly since I do love it so.

Today has dawned bright and beautiful here in Hoosierville. I'll leave you with a pic of the pink tulips at the Grotto. Aren't they swell?

Happy Monday to you! Come tell me everything that's twirling skirts in your corner of the world!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT CHRISSY

 

DEARIES...WE HAVE A PLAN

 

WHAT I'M STITCHING, BY THE SPINSTER STITCHER HER VERY SELF

 Daisy Chain

Carolyn Manning Designs

Colour & Cotton 28ct Ligana in Peony

DMC threads

THERE WAS EASTER FEASTING. AND IT WAS VERY GOOD.

First, we had to promenade down Fifth in our Easter Bonnet:

And then it was time to find my inner Ina and remember what it was like to futz about in the kitchen:

Before you have a complete cow, Betty...the plate above was for Rich. Mine was significantly scaled down:

(And no...that's not an impertinent little Merlot. It's cranberry juice.)

I am sad to report, however, that the eggs in a nest were just....eh...and will probably not make the next feasting occasion, unless I tart 'em up with cheeses and hams and vegetables.

We're Dyngasing here in Hoosierville today, which means a lot for some, but an excuse to stay inside with stitching and books and lots and lots of damn good for others (Hello, Nice to meet you. I am others.)

Not much else to report, Dearies.

Happy April! Happy Monday! Happy Everything! What are you celebrating today? Come tell me all about it!

 

HELLO, DEARIES

Is it just me, or have I been phoning it in recently?

Goodness gracious...everything is just so very...difficult...lately. My oomph seems to have gone missing, and I feel like I'm treading through jello under water.

Or something like that.

Stitching here at CS2 has been a very slow grind, but with cheery colors and pretty bling to keep me delighted. My fob was a gift from Siggy's Closet, and matches the thread pallet of this piece, so my itch for matchy-matchy was scratched perfectly!

This is Daisy Chain from Carolyn Manning Designs. I'm stitching it on Peony 28ct Lugana from Colour & Cotton and all of the charted DMC threads.

Today is dark, blustery, and cold, and Rich is over on campus all day, so I am tucked under a magic blanket with a big cup of damn good and lots of determination to stitch the day away while listening to podcasts. I recently discovered one called "Currently Reading", and I'm enjoying it immensely!

Speaking of reading...thanks to Stitchy Guild Sister Gail's excellent recommendation, I am making my way through the Tom Hanks novel. I'm really enjoying it!

Time for a refill! Is it cold where you are?

You can't see them in my craptastic photo, but there are snowflakes flying and herds of them gathering on the rooftops across the way. Hello, end of March!

Well, Dearies. I hope that you are well and that your skirts are a'twirlin with everything that makes you happy! Come tell me everything new with you!