Changed the background for the blog

I'm not a black and white person, but I do like this background. I still might change it though. :)

As for me, I am slowly getting better. I'm at 1 liter of oxygen per hour and I can take the oxygen off for 20-30 minutes at a time. I still can't drive, but that is moot, since we've had 6 or 7 inches of snow in the past 2 days. Icky roads.

Back to the doctor on Monday, Jan 4, 2010. He will hopefully release me from oxygen, clear me to drive and go back to work. I also need to go to the dentist on that day and have a stitch taken out. I hope it hasn't grown into my gums. :(

The holidays and hospitals

I'm back. :)

I've had an eventful two weeks. Since Thanksgiving I have been ill. And for the last two weeks, I've been in the hospital with influenza type A, viral pneumonia, and bacterial pneumonia. Yuck.

Can you say thoracentesis? How about infiltrated IV? I'm going to be self indulgent and put down my thoughts about my stay and illness.

Prologue

I'd been coughing since Saturday, Nov 28. Nothing serious, just a cough. By Sunday, I had a fever of 102 degrees and felt generally wretched. So I stayed home from work on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday the fever was almost gone and I felt better so I went to work. BIG mistake. I commute 40 minutes one way. That was one of the worst days of my life. I managed to work eight hours and drive home.

So on Thursday I called in sick and went to the doctor.


Dec 3, 2009:

At the doctor's office, they did a chest x-ray. While we were waiting for the results, my mom leaned over and asked me if I have good health insurance. I asked why. She knew how sick I was and that I was probably going to the hospital. I was clueless.

The results came back, kind of. My left lung had white cloudy stuff, but the doctor wasn't sure because it really didn't resemble pneumonia. So he consulted with his partner and came back and asked me if I had been exposed to TB. At that point, I start to get nervous.

My white blood cell count was elevated, as was my red blood cell count. So they decided to put me in the hospital so further tests could be done and they could administer IV antibiotics. I thought just a few days would get me all better.

We arrived at the hospital and by 3:00 pm I was in a hospital gown and being poked and prodded. I was a bit dehydrated, so they had a very hard time getting an IV in. They actually poked and dug six times. Ouch. They drew blood for general tests, then we had a break for 20 minutes or so.

Then the swarm descended. Everyone gets tested for H1N1 now (the swine flu.) I had a phlebotomist come in with at least six containers for blood. She had to draw the blood from 2 different sites. First site, not so bad. Second site, excruciating pain. Well, second and third sites. Right between my knuckles on my right hand.

Right after she got started 2 guys came in with an EKG machine to take an EKG. Then the pharmacist walked in to ask me about my daily medication. And then the H1N1 team swooped in.

And there was a nurse in the room too. The pharmacist was smart and said he would come back later. The two guys kept trying to reposition me, thus frustrating the phlebotomist. The H1N1 team was busy trying to stick a tube up my nose. The nurse finally restored order and had the phlebotomist finish getting the blood.

Then the EKG guys did their thing. (No heart problems.)

And then the H1N1 team stuck a tube up my nose and flushed it on the way out. Both nostrils. "This will be uncomfortable but it won't be painful." Right. The first time, their gizmo didn't work. So the second time wasn't too bad. The third time hurt. I could feel the saline flush at the back of my skull. They got their samples and left.

I had dinner. Then my parents came with my brother and my dad and brother gave me a blessing, which was very comforting. It really calmed me down and I knew that Heavenly Father was watching over me.

I thought I was coherent, but apparently by this point I was just mumbling. It's weird because in my head I was all there and talking and thinking just fine. Nope. More like hallucinating and out of it.

They came back and stuck a sign on my door. I was contagious. Everyone who came in had to gown up, use gloves, and a mask. I officially had influenza type A, viral pneumonia, and bacterial pneumonia. Offically very sick.

Dec 4,5,6:
General stuff in the hospital. Changing of IVs, doctors visits, etc.

Nights were my favorite though. I'd fall asleep about 10 pm. At midnight they would change an antibiotic. At 2 am, they would take my vital signs and a blood sugar. At 4 they would take blood (the vampires would descend.) And breakfast was at 7:30 am. I hear about those celebrities who check into the hospital for exhaustion. How can they sleep?

However, I was so sick that I would fall back asleep almost immediately. And sleep most of the day.

Monday, Dec 7:

Thoracentesis day. I'd had daily chest x-rays, so the pulmonologist came to visit me. He talked to me, listened to my lungs and heart and then said he was going to perform a thoracentesis on me. Goody.

I signed the papers, then he numbed me. And stuck the needle in. Which didn't hurt until it started drawing the fluid out between my chest wall and lungs. They use a big syringe, then a big jar to collect the stuff. Avert your eyes as I describe it. It looked like gravy or caramel topping. Yikes. He drew almost two liters out, then withdrew the catheter. That hurt worse than anything.

The pain was like a giant L that started at my left shoulder, traveled down to my waist and made a turn over to my right side. Pain meds on the way, which did help. Actually, 1 pill, then no more because narcotics can suppress breathing, and I was having a hard time anyway. But the pain was gone.

I did start breathing easier, a little bit. More mumbling and gibberish from me.

The pulmonologist also ordered a bipap machine for me. I'd heard of CPAP machines, but not BiPAP machines. Here is the description:

i-Level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machines are non-invasive machines that provide positive pressure while a person breathes in and lowers the air pressure when a person breathes out. Thus, the BiPAP has preset pressures: EPAP (exhalation pressure) and IPAP (inhalation pressure). The machine may also have a timing feature for breaths per minute (BPM). If the sleeping person doesn't take a breath, the BiPAP machine increases pressure, forcing the sleeping person to take a breath. The air pressure then decreases, allowing the person to work less against the airflow pressure to exhale. Because the sleeper's breathing varies, so does the BiPAP's pressure, allowing the pressure drop to vary according to the needs of the sleeping individual. This ability to vary air pressure allows the sleeper to exert less energy to exhale and sleep deeper.

The nurse had come in earlier in the day and found that my oxygen level in my blood was at 37. It should be over 90. Carbon dioxide was at a dangerous level in my blood too. So a couple of hours after the thoracentisis procedure, here came the BiPAP machine.

Oh my. I am claustrophobic, so the mask scared me. But they fitted the mask on and fiddled with the dials and pressure. And I could breathe better. A little bit. It was noisy, but I was fine, no closed in feeling.

I fell asleep. My parents came to visit and I woke up. My mom said I was curled up, and looked up at her. My hair was wild and I had that mask on. Now she says she wishes she'd had a camera, but at the time, they were very concerned. Not me, I waved and tried to smile. (I'm still in the "I'm coherent" mode.) They left and I went back to sleep.

Dec 8 and 9:

I start to feel a little bit better. I'm still contagious, so everyone is in their lovely yellow gowns, gloves, and masks. Each morning I had an xray. A strong young man would come and get me and wheel me down for the x-ray. We'd go down seven floors in the elevator, then they would literally swoosh me down the hall. The wind would ruffle my hair. Seriously. Really nice guys, but I wonder if they timed themselves on the speed of getting a patient to x-ray.

I also had the hospitalist daily visit. A hospitalist is a dr who works exclusively in the hospital for doctors who have private practices. The hospitalist visits the doctor's patients and they work together. This frees the doctor for his practice. I had three during my stay. Not impressed with two of them. One was kind of passive, the other one had no bedside manner. I thought my mom was going to leap out of her chair and punch her lights out. I'm still in the mode where I think I am functioning, so everything missed me.

A hospitalist is a good idea in concept. In practice, in my experience, not so good.

Thursday, Dec 11:

I start to feel like I might live and get over this stuff. My favorite nurse stopped by and asked if I had heard of LTAC. Um, no. LTAC is a long term care facility. I had visions of being sent there for a few months. LOL.

A representative stopped by and talked to us. I was very interested and she left a brochure with me. In the afternoon, she stopped by and said that they had a spot open and they could get me in the next day if my doctor would release me and I wanted to.

At this point, I was moving around much better. They were able to stop a couple of the antibiotics (I was on five.) I wasn't contagious any more. I was feeling a bit better each day. And the level of care wasn't as intense.

So on Friday, I was off to the LTAC facility.

Friday, Dec 11:

My first ambulance ride. Woo hoo! The two guys came up with the gurney and strapped me in, sitting up. Then they swooshed me down seven floors and outside. I had a hospital gown on and a blanket over me. Brrrr. A few moments later I was in the back of the ambulance. Pretty cool, but I don't want to do it again. Ever. :)

The LTAC facility is lovely. My room was twice the size and the bathroom was huge. It was probably almost the same size as the room itself.

I got settled in and they checked me over. At that point, they notice my IV had infiltrated. It was hot and hard above the site. It hurt. So they took that one out and stuck me again. Three times.

My case manager visited me and oriented me. They were going to administer the antibiotics, do respiratory and physical therapy to regain my strength. It was a step down from the hospital care.

I picked out my own meals. They took my vital signs, blood sugar, gave me my meds, and IV antibiotics. And helped me shower. And untangle myself from the tubes.

I was on oxygen 24/7. I had antibiotics five times a day via an IV. At night I had a BiPAP and pulse oximeter on my finger. If I had to go to the bathroom, I had to push the button and shout through the mask that I needed help. LOL.

They'd come down put the machine on stand-by, take the finger probe off, unplug the IV, and I'd do my thing. Put all the stuff back on and fall asleep.

And of course, the nightly routine continued. Midnight IV start, 2 am blood sugar, etc. I finally go to the point where I'd just flop my arm out for them.

Friday, Dec 18:

Home! My doctor released me. My lung x-rays are still a bit cloudy. He said that it can take up to two months for the x-rays to clear up. I'd been on antibiotics for two weeks, and hadn't had a fever at the facility. I'd done physical therapy (riding a stationary bicycle for 10 minutes a day), and even showered by myself. I was ready to go home.

Thursday night was like Christmas Eve. I was so excited. I did sleep pretty well. They gave me one last course of the antibiotic. It finished and I did something. The IV fell out. Just in time. I called my mom so my parents could pick me up and my ID bracelet fell off. Must have been a sign.

They sent me home on two liters of oxygen. 24/7. I can't drive until my doctor releases me. But I am home. And free of all the tubes and poking and probing.

I am grateful to the doctors and nurses at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for the great care and kindness they showed me. I am also very grateful to the staff at the Utah Valley Specialty Hospital for the care they gave me.

And I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for watching over me and helping me get better.

Part Two to follow. Stories about the patients during my stay.

Nothing about the holidays though. I've pretty well missed the leadup to them. It will be very laid back this year for me. I still need to get in the Christmas spirit of things.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. I think we will have 34 people for dinner. Lots of people, good company, food, and especially love.

I leave you with my favorite roasted root vegetable recipe.

2 potatoes
2 pounds baby carrots
2 lbs brussel sprouts
4 parsnips
2 onions
olive oil
salt
pepper
fresh rosemary
fresh thyme

Heat your oven to 400 degrees F. The key is to make the vegetables about the same size. Cut the potatoes in a rough chop. Peel and cut the parsnips. Peel and rough chop the onions.

Put all vegetables in a large bowl. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper to taste. You want all of the vegetables to be oiled, but not dripping in it. Use the leaves from a fresh sprig of thyme and a fresh sprig of rosemary.

Put the vegetables on a greased large cookie sheet. (I use PAM to oil the cookie sheet.)

I roast the vegetables at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. Toss the vegetables on the cookie sheet. Roast until done. (Note: I turn down the heat to 375, I like my veggies soft. You may finish cooking them to our preference.)

Feel free to use your favorite root vegetables. For Christmas I add beets, turnips, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, and butternut squash. It's all good.

Enjoy!

New background

Not so sure I like it, but that is OK. I will change it next week after Thanksgiving!

Scam alert!

I just wanted to let everyone know there is a new sneaky way of companies getting more money out of you.

I paid a bill online today. The due date is today. They had already tacked on the late fee. I was a bit steamed about the whole thing so I called them. "We will take off the late fee if the payment isn't late. If you pay today, don't worry." Grrrr.

The moral of the story is make the payment earlier (on this occasion that wasn't possible.) Lesson learned: watch account like a hawk and make sure the $29 late fee doesn't 'accidentally' stay on your account.

Finished projects!!!

I'm so excited. I finished 2, count them, 2 projects last week.

The first is a Christmas stocking. My friends talked me into taking a knitting class, even though I gave up knitting several years ago. I could not resist a Fairisle knitting stocking in chunky yarn. I finished that stocking last Saturday. It just needs to be blocked. Here is the picture from the website, I will take a picture of my finished stocking this week and post it.

The colors in the photo really don't reflect real life. The teacher of the class has gone crazy and made the stockings out of many color combinations, even red, white, and blue.

Then I just finished another beaded Christmas ornament. It is done in deep purple and silver.

I have also started another Christmas stocking. I'd like to knit one for 2 of my sisters for Christmas. Here is a photo of the pattern. I chose an olive green, cream, and brick red for it. I didn't realize a green for Christmas stockings would be so hard to find...

I'm back!

I'm going to try and enter something each day. I've been crazy busy, but it is nice to look back and see what has gone on.

New projects:

Christmas stocking - Fair Isle. Cute!!! Chunky yarn, so it is going fast. I am turning the heel. I couldn't quite remember how, so I researched. Ha. There is a youtube video on it. 5 minutes later, I'm like, yeah, now I remember. I hope to have the stocking done this week, so I can go onto....

Beaded Christmas ornament covers. I am bartering/trading for a couple of dolls from a friend. I am making beaded ornament covers. I'm almost finished with the third one, I'd like to make a dozen. Her colors are purple and silver. Here is an example:

Woo hoo! My nephew is coming home from the hospital

One of my nephews, Jacob, is 7. He has an extremely rare disease called Familial Recurrent Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. He started exhibiting symptoms on Wednesday of last week. He's coming home from the hospital today. It's a true miracle.

Jacob got swine flu from somewhere. Any bacterial or viral infection will start the HUS. If the infection is bacterial, his body will fight it off. If it is a viral infection, he can be in the hospital for weeks.

Jacob is the happiest child, very loving, and very mischievous. He ate a big breakfast this morning, then sat on the hospital bed and pushed every button he could find.

Our family rejoices and thanks our Heavenly Father for his mercy in helping Jacob recover.

If you want to read more about HUS, here is the link. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

The most amazing stitching

I just added a link to a stitching blog: Love to stitch. Just scroll through what she has stitched. Wow. My inspiration.

Here's what caught my eye.

Cellphones and bathrooms

OK, when did it become acceptable to talk on the cellphone while in the bathroom? The last couple of weeks, there have been several women in the bathroom at work who are talking on their cellphone while in the bathroom. In the stall. The rest of us in other stalls. Nothing is private any more.

Funny story though. We had a conference call a few months ago. The salespeople were in town, and most called in from their hotel rooms for the night's call. All of a sudden, the toilet flushed. Hello!!! Lay down the phone, take care of Mother Nature, and get back on the call. No one ever confessed though.

OK, rant over.

Changes, changes, changes

I was on vacation last week. Spent time being a slug. :)

Today I went back to work. I found out: (a - one more person off my team (I am now a team lead of one other person than me. LOL) (b - The boss I would crawl over broken glass for is leaving at the end of this week. :(

Very unhappy day. All of us were on a pity party. Tomorrow we need to get back to work.

The other change is that I changed the background of this blog. Love shabby stuff.

Going to bed now....

Susan Boyle - Semi-final

Susan Boyle - starts at 1:30 into the video

Wow.
(For whatever reason, I can't link to just the song from You've Got Talent.)

Picture of Snail Mail

This is a fun pattern to stitch and I think it turned out cute. I was worried about the colors, but it all came together. Back to Luck.

Finish

Woo hoo! I finished a project. It is a small project, done on white perforated paper. It is a freebie from Lizzie Kate called "Snail Mail." It turned out really cute. I am going to Wonder Under some fabric on the back and attach a ribbon at the top. It is for the receptionist at work. No one knows where to put outgoing mail, so I thought this would be fun for her.

Because it was a freebie, I can't find the picture on the web. I will drag out my camera and take a picture of it to show off. I'm so proud of myself. :)

Jane Austen fan

I am a big Jane Austen fan. I own 3 versions of Pride and Prejudice (the movie, mini-series, and movie), 2 versions of Persuasion, 2 versions of Sense and Sensibility, and 2 versions of Emma. And other related books, movies, spoons, stitching, etc. I was kinda looking around and found a Jane Austen action figure. I must have this. But not for awhile.


I was watching the BBC Pride and Prejudice several years ago with my sister. Lizzie and Mr Darcy were strolling on the grounds of Pemberley. We both thought what lovely lives we would have had we lived back then. However, we probably would have been the chambermaids, not Lizzie strolling with Mr Darcy. Hate it when reality strikes.

Here is what Amazon.com says about the Jane Austen action figure:

This 5-inch tall Jane Austen action figure is made of hard vinyl and comes with a mini 'Pride & Prejudice' and a writing desk with a removable quill pen. Despite a rather sheltered life, Jane Austen was able to capture the subtleties of human interaction so perfectly that her novels continue to be immensely popular. Born: December 16, 1775 - Stevenson, England Occupation: Novelist Died: July 18, 1817 - Winchester, England Weapon of Choice: Character Study Accomplishments: Six major novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Emma, Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Interesting Fact: Over 40 sequels to Pride and Prejudice have been written by other authors. Jane Austen, an enduring and much-loved English author, wrote novels which reflected universal and timeless truths about humanity. She wrote about the times and people she knew without using popular plot devices such as kidnappings and class struggles used by other authors of the period. Her light irony and humor earned her a devoted and consistent following. To this day, readers appreciate the way she captured the tranquility of a more leisurely era, combining cleverness and morality with poignant depictions of English country living. She died and was buried in Winchester Cathedral in 1818 with the inscription: 'She opened her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness.'

I really like the inscription "She opened her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness." I'd like to be remembered like that.

Graduate!!!

My nephew graduated last weekend in graphic arts, with a minor in Japanese. He is with his wife, who has 2 more years to go in pharmacy school. You made it!!!

Cute great-nephew

As I promised, another picture of my family. This is my nephew, who is almost a year old (11 months.) Such a cutie and so laid back. He is making a picture for his mom for Mother's Day.

Phew!

Fixed the picture of my nephew and niece below. Very cute, I must say. Watch for more pictures of my family, there's lots of us.

Family

My nephew and my niece. He is five and is playing T-ball for the first time. I love the sheer look of happiness on his face. My niece is the coach.

I forgot to say that the picture in the header of this blog is how I think of the atmosphere in M M Kaye's books.

Blog changing

Changed the theme of my blog today. Not quite sure I like it.

One of the books on my top ten list of favorite books is

It is an epic story of Ash and Anjuli, written in the times of the uprisings in India (1857 and the 1870s.) Anjuli is an Indian princess, Ash is a British officer and they fall in love. Excellent story with a lot of historical background. I highly recommend it (and yes, my blog name is from this book.)

M M Kaye has also written several other books:

Shadow of the Moon
Tradewinds
Death in Berlin
Death in Cyprus
Death in Kenya
Death in Zanzibar
Death in the Andamans
Death in Kashmir
The Sun in the Morning
Golden Afternoon
Enchanted Evening

I daresay M M Kaye's mystery novels are every bit as good as Agatha Christie's (and I am a huge Christie fan.) I promise you won't go wrong reading M M Kaye's books.

Up too late

I need to go to bed. But... first I looked at blogs, a very dangerous thing to do. Found some fun new ones too. I added the links to this blog.

Found a great new designer too. Posie goes cozy. Great ideas. I looked at her book Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share from the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy, so many fun ideas for keepsakes. I especially liked this garland and thought it would be really cute made into Merry Christmas, Happy Thanksgiving, etc.

Still looking for fabrics for the Traveling Stitcher for our stitching retreat in Park City in September. I think I am going to recommend having a sewing activity on a Saturday and have everyone come to my house and put the sewing pouches together. Only six to make (because surprisingly, Don doesn't want one).

Other things on my mind. The reorganization at work. That will be a good thing. We will be captains of our own destiny. This last year has been stressful and one that is going to take some time to get over.

Stitching. Haven't stitched at all this week. I had a dr's appointment on Monday, and the pizza party to celebrate. Tuesday, I took a snooze on my lunch, woke up much refreshed. Didn't feel well today, so stayed home and crashed. I'm the sloooow stitcher in the group. But I enjoy it and as long as I am making progress and having fun, that is the point for me. Off to bed.

Odd weather, pt 2

It is April 26, 2009. And it is snowing again outside. I thought it was just the wind stripping the blossoms off the trees, but no, it is is snow.

Weekend

I rested most of the weekend. One more week and the project I am working on will be done. Finished. Released.

I didn't get Come Come Ye Saints on the frame yesterday. I did get more stitching done on Luck though, so yesterday wasn't completely wasted.

I'm going to start a new blog that will be password protected. It is for our stitching retreat in September. I did pick up the little stitching bag. I like the fabric but for what I paid, it really wasn't worth it. We'll make the bags for the retreat and let everyone pick their own fabric out. I also need to order patterns for everyone. I'll let them decide on the floss, although I think we can shared the skeins for this pattern.

Today

Shepherd's Bush called today. The kit for America (Oh Beautiful) is wending it's way from Ogden to Provo. Also, the thread for Remember 9/11 will be in the same package. I think I just need to get the last beads and threads for Remember.

Tomorrow I am going to have Don help me put Come Come Ye Saints on frames. I finally got around to buying the velcro to attach the linen to the frame. This will be the epic project.

The finished size will be 10" by 41". I changed the fabric from 32 count white linen to 28 count Vintage Mocha linen.



Teri Richards of Shepherd's Bush helped me switch the colors from DMC to overdyed threads from Crescent Colors and Weeks Dye Works. I will post a picture of the floss. This is going to be a beautiful piece of art. The colors do pop against the fabric. The colors are more muted than in the picture also.

This will also be my first chance to stitch on a lap frame. We'll see how it goes, I've always used a hoop. However, this project is big enough that there is no way I am going to hold it in a hoop.

Here are the words to this beautiful LDS hymn. It is one of my favorites.

Come Come Ye Saints

Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy, wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
’Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell
All is well! All is well!

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
’Tis not so, all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward,
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take;
Our God will never us forsake,
And soon we’ll have this tale to tell,
All is well! All is well!

We’ll find the place which God for us prepared,
In His house full of light,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;
There the saints will shine bright.
We’ll make the air with music ring,
Shout praises to our God and King;
Above the rest these words we’ll tell,
All is well! All is well!

And should we die before our journey’s through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the saints their rest obtain,
O how we’ll make this chorus swell,
All is well! All is well!

Dilemma

I have a major dilemma. A work dilemma. Do I vent to my boss about what is going on? Will it really changes things? Life is not fun at times.

Weather

OK, who ordered the snow? It has been raining for 1 day, then is started snowing this morning. It quit mid afternoon for the commute home. I am working late tonight and looked out the window and yes, it is snowing again. It's the middle of April!!!

I just went to KSL.com and looked at vipir5. The clouds haven't moved for the last 60 minutes. Which is true since it is still snowing. I wonder if they will call a snow day for work tomorrow???

Fun stuff

Lizzie Kate is another one of my favorite designers. Over the past couple of years, she has come out with the cutest double flip designs. The first one was Words of Wisdom to live by, the second release was Christmas, and the third one is titled Boo club.

.
They are quick to stitch and are so cute.

I was out looking around last night and found this one. LOL. Raise the Roof's designers are young (in their twenties.) I love their sense of humor. Some day I'd like to stitch this one and hang it in my office. (This would be my evil twin speaking.)


This one is a lot less reverent, but I'm sure would be great to stitch.

September Retreat II

Here is a picture of the Washington School Inn. They have wonderful people who work there, who really spoil you. I highly recommend the Washington School Inn for anyone who needs a break from everyday life. And I almost forgot Chef Steve! He was the chef in 2007 for the retreat. Oh my, he is a very creative chef. The food was superb.

September Retreat

This September we are going to have a stitching retreat at the Washington School Inn in Park City. The retreats first started in 2004 and went through 2007. The stitching store that sponsored the retreat closed it doors around Oct 2008 and a retreat wasn't held in 2008.

However a few of us who still stitch together have decided to take 3 days and spend them at the Washington School Inn in September. It will be nice because it will be cooler and not so crowded.

We want to take it easy the first year. So we decided to make the Traveling Stitcher (see post further down.) I also found these cute little button magnets that I think would be fun to make. Quick to make and quick to finish.

I found a new blog. Crockpotting for 365 days a year. I hear my crockpot rustling around in storage. These recipes sound yummy.

Crockpotting for 365 days a year

I also changed the style of my blog. I'm still trying to figure out how to add events to the calendar I just added.

Tomorrow is Monday. Work. Eh.

I also need to pick up an order that has come in. Little House Needleworks is one of my favorite designers. She designed this traveling stitcher. I have the pattern and floss, I need to pick up the case. The case also contains a removable piece to store scissors and needles. I love the colors too.

As soon as I pick it up, I will post more on how it works. I'm not quite sure if it folds over or across or what. And it is finished. All I have to do is cross stitch and attach. My kind of project.

Patriotism

I found a new blog today. The designer is creating a new American sampler called "How to make an American sampler". I am following this blog. The sampler sounds truly wonderful.

Here is the link How to make an American sampler

I have one sampler on order from Shepherd's Bush. It wasn't in stock when we visited in March. It is designed by Shepherd's Bush and is called America (Oh Beautiful.)

The picture doesn't do it justice. I also have a Just Nan sampler pattern titled "Remember 9/11". Remember takes a special thread by the Thread Gatherer, which is also on order. I really like Remember 9/11 because the colors are so subtle. The 3 pansies in the top band represent the 3 buildings that were destroyed on 9/11. The four flowers on the next band represent the 4 planes that crashed that day. I love the Remember in ecru. All in all a true heirloom.

Today

I did get most of the links back on my blog. Off to bed.

Just added a background. Still needs work. I'm getting a cold. Will work on this tomorrow.

Perhaps I should start posting to my own blog. I can't sleep so I am editing my blog. Look for future updates on stitching, work, and my life.