Back To The Stitch.....

I spent a rainy day doing what I enjoy so, gathering all the supplies to pursue the next Liturgical Stole.
I must add, the green I have in the photo is not the *real green*...the camera went off on it's own and got creative.....hmmmmmmm.......there is no glow in the dark, or tall yard after a week of rain color! Much more dignified!
Currently on the cutting table, I have the main fabric; pinned into submission on a padded flannel base. It is a lush and slippery brocade, with enough weight to require a lot of containing. The whole pattern must be straight and true before cutting, the interfacing carefully matched and pressed in. I think it will benefit from one more layer of an interlining.
Green is the color for *Regular Time* and is worn the most, yet the choices in shades and patterns are for the most part, well, awful.
I had dreamed big in what I wanted to do with this piece and then began the fabric search.
OH MY.
It was not going good.
When I was at the point of giving up, I got an e-mail from the company I always buy from that said, "See our new brocades!"
(like they need to entice me????)
So I give it a shot, thinking there wouldn't be anything in an acceptable green.
And I was wrong.
My heart almost stopped.
There it was~~exactly what I had wanted, pattern, color, everything!
EXACTLY.
But it was not the shade my minister had requested.....yet I kept looking and looking and I knew in my heart, "Anne, this is IT!"
And I ordered.
Sometimes, when you are doing what you are meant to do, the world delivers exactly what you need.
Even if it is in a slightly different color. ;-)




Pax....

M.I.A. -- or --Missing In ART!

My apologies.....I truly have been Missing In Art. While I have had a few spare moments to pop into Face Book and say *hi*, most of my time has been feverishly spent getting the following pair of paintings, designed, created, varnished and OUT the door!

All rights reserved; 2011.

The photo is nominal~~I was (as usual) in a rush and just wanted to record them for posterity.....plus I was so tired from working nonstop in the studio for a week, I couldn't see straight!
Never the less, I was delighted in two things~~First, I got it done.
Second, I have not worked on 18"x24" canvas in a long time, and to manage to do TWO, well, happy dance time. ;-)
Sometimes it seems when we think we just don't have another ounce to give, that is when you discover how deeply you DO or DON'T want to make art. And I do, very much.
I am off on another project, which of course has a short deadline. I am not sure how many blogs I will be around; if you comment and have an e-mail addy, I'll pop you a note back. I feel bad about my lack of time to read and reply on your blogs, but I am hoping you understand.
It's always feast or famine, and right at the moment, I'm feasting away!
Until I am back on a somewhat *normal* schedule....haha.....
I bid you all,


Pax....

A *Feet-Up* Moment.......

Yep, those are some big hams....and another big ham on the table....

Ah, I live for those few quiet moments, when I have on hand knit socks, my Doc's and the feet are up.
Resting.
Doing nothing.
Those days are few and far between.
But I'm popping out until the 17th and try and get some work finished up around here; some is class work and some is sort through, pick up and put away or throw away. It seems I have managed to get the studio in a state that is, well, beyond being able to work in.
I managed to find a small corner yesterday to put an ATC together, and that was all the free table space available.
Something's gotta give.

Yeah, I'm gonna need these....bouncing soles!

I was e-mailing a friend and we both were saying how we felt as if neither of us had accomplished much this winter (don't suppose my AGE has anything to do with it? Nope, thought not....) and soon Spring would be here with it's own work demands.
I find late Winter odd....I want everything ready for Spring yet I would rather hole up in the studio and not leave. No cooking, no cleaning; grab it and run---you're on your own. 
It is that last chance to have more dark hours for work and the quiet of the outdoors sans mowers, tractors, loud cretin-mobiles and the other things that come with warmer weather.
Now matter how I have despised the hard physical labor of this past Winter, I am not yet ready for it to go. I want to squeeze a few more dark mornings at the computer out, have a few extra pieces of art made, knit another pair of socks....just enjoy the remaining chill before the balmy breezes start again. (a.k.a. tornadic storms!)
So I'm hiding out. Just for a day or so.
You should too!  ;-)

Pax....

Back To The Grind

Yes, I have a rather sick sense of humor, but with the amount of work I have ahead of me, I pretty much feel like I am going to be sending myself through those blades for a couple of weeks.
Thus, Anne's blogging is going to suffer. Hey, work before blithering, right? ;-)
Let's see......the studio is in shambles but progress is being made on the commission. It is not as fast as I would like, but what is done makes me HAPPY. That is priceless. So I will continue at whatever pace produces good work.
Sweet Pea has taken over the studio and knows that "S.P. is the bird that rules the roost"! It has been delightful to watch this little miracle adapt and become comfortable in new surroundings and be very happy! And love Jazz and sing along......I have good birds.
Between work, teaching and studies, I barely see Gary so my time is oddly arranged and I am trying to adjust to this schedule. It is a matter of chunks of time here and there, which is not how I normally work but it is what is afforded me at the moment.
Forgive me if I am absent on blogs---there is just a lot to DO and I need to buckle down and deal with all of it.
Oh.
Due to many people asking me to save Milo's exploits, I took the leap into the new Blogger templates (which I might add, I despise) and gave him his own blog. There are no comment options--it is strictly all the exploits he had here on my blog, preserved over there, in order. Just hit older posts to go to the next page. And he was so friendly,  if you would like to add yourself to Milo's Friends (a.k.a. followers) I am sure it would make him happy.  Just click below:

Milo!!!

As for me, I am off to the tables and pattern making, painting fabric, and all the other things involved with the current project. Sometimes it is like juggling cats.
No, it is constantly like juggling cats! LOL!!!
Until I have some brain dribble worth posting, I remain in the studio, slaving away, pushing myself into that meat grinder!

Pax....

Not Enough Time......

......I feel like a hamster in a wheel......too much to do and not nearly enough time. In fact, sad as it is, I may have to take a couple of days OFF BLOG (aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!) to catch up.
I got a new printer successfully installed, got some steam straightening of bargello work done so it can be cut and sewn, got the desk somewhat clean, but still a load of papers everywhere, have not touched my art and know there is no time today or tomorrow.
It is one of those pouty, grim, foot-stomping moments of life where you have to assess the necessary and ignore what your really want to be doing. Not that I don't want to be sewing; I just don't want to be cleaning, cooking and fighting the never ending laundry battle. And I can't put those off any longer. I am now *well* enough to resume a few of the duties and have a regular sleep pattern back so I can't paint in the middle of the night (I miss that one) and also am so far behind on visiting blogs that I am ashamed of myself....AND.....more new WELCOMES here.....  :-)
YIKES!!!! This is going into a spiral and I need to catch my breath before I hyperventilate as I type!
I did however get another piece in the "Java Love" section of my Zazzle store....STICKERS!!! Inexpensive way to satisfy the urge for, well, bright fun stuff! Click HERE if you feel the need to warm the plastic...LOL!!! (and the cockles of my heart!)

So, my friends, the blog mistress may be away a bit. (most of you who have read for long know I never am able to keep this promise....) Unless something extremely exciting happens that I absolutely MUST blither about.
The brain-dregs you've been getting are not fair. You deserve better.
Now I am off, to my appointed tasks, and I wish all of you fun, happiness, good art vibes and above all else...

Pax.

While I should have been cleaning and finishing the decorating....

...I discovered my friend Jan in Oregon sent me this YouTube video, and I watched it not once, but three times because anyone who has had someone touched by breast cancer will find this uplifting and dang it, I want to go to a hospital where they dance!!! (super job!)

And I heard that apron pattern calling my name again........

... so I chose instead to escape for the afternoon to the studio and play with the short apron in the pattern envelope---I knew that Day of the Dead fabrics would be just right for it. Although this one was in some ways quicker than the other, I screwed up the first set of ties thanks to the *hemming-foot-that-hates-me* and had to redo them, and they still are not stellar, but servicable. Hey, it's a work apron.

There are two pockets on this one, as it just felt unbalanced with one (much like the maker--LOL!!!) and quite by luck I ended up with the little skellie drinking beer, and the bass player as focal points of the pocket! Trust me, this was not planned.....
Again, it was fly by the seat of your pants sewing day, and then it was go clean up the mess started in the kitchen, in the process of thinning out junk that somehow breeds at an appalling rate.
I have to run the sweeper, which the Keets HATE....it is war, usually when Mr. Sweeper comes to visit, but the house is in desperate need.
I have hit that time of year when I cannot think and don't want to do what I have to; I am doing my imitation of a naughty child misbehaving before the Holidays.
Which is okay......get it out of my system now.
Now gentle readers, it is back to the real salt mines for me; since I played, the house fairy didn't show up, soooooo........
Off to clean.
I'm hoping you're creating something fun and wonderful instead! Or at least, go dance!

Pax.

Soooooo Close......

(the photo has nothing to do with the post.......I just love ginkos and they make me happy!)

.....I can almost taste---yes, taste!---these banners being complete! Yesterday yielded more good work, even with a surprise visit from a cranky DH, who had to attend a luncheon with the boss. While he expressed himself, I cooked.
Do you know how nice it is to eat real food? Not something frozen or dehydrated? Put together a pretty spectacular crab, shrimp and corn chowder, french bread and then whipped up a carrot cake with fluffy cream cheese frosting that almost went down my gullet instead of onto the cake. I am a sugar freak......it's not good.
Still, even with the *hubby-break*, all the candles are freemotioned on, the iron on stars were pinned, the basting for the hanging sleeve done and no blood on anything! (yes, there is Anne-specific DNA in every set of these I make; it's just worse with white....)
Today will be a challenge to see if I can get these one step closer to a Monday delivery. I'm waiting before I e-mail......I just want to be sure they are done. Right.
And then I swear I will not know what to do with myself.
Cry?
Run naked?
Go buy shoes? (always a good option!)
Bang my head against the keyboard?
Or get online and order the braid I would like for the Easter banners, which were half done back in March.
Decisions, decisions........
I am hoping, when the banners are delivered, they will hang them so I can try and get at least one shot of one full length. The lighting there is soft, the sanctuary huge, so it is not going to be a good pic, but sufficient so you can really appreciate the size.
Okay, time to go hide behind one of the two machines and slam the pedal to the floor. Yes, I sew like I drive......look out...... ;-)
Hope you all are having fun creative time and not too much housework before the impending Turkey-Day!

Pax.

Minutia Of The Moment

Yesterday was a work-a-thon in the studio. I think I spent at least ten hours out here, which, with my decrepitude, is a lot......  ;-) 

So today I thought it appropriate to post a few detail photos of what has been going on.

Each of the tassels is cut from regular fringe, making sure not to nip important threads holding the top together. Then a bead and a sequin are added as a visual stop where it joins the bullion fringe. These all have to be pinned in place in advance so the spacing is right, then hand sewn tightly.

Rosettes were constructed from two lengths of ribbon, sewn atop each other and then gathered, steamed and sewn to the backing. (the camera, or maybe the operator, was having a hard time focusing this morning) Of course, this is by hand too.....

The main candle has pearls and tiny gold beads sewn at intervals on every woven repeat of the fabric; the white cross is purchased then applied to the gold backing and all the gold stitching is freemotion, built up layer after layer until there was enough gold to be visible. That, in itself, was a daunting task, as it is being sewn directly TO THE LARGE CANDLE with the freemotion......

                                              

All the candles have to be basted by hand to the backing and batting before going under the machine for freemotion attachment. I got wise and found a huge hooked upholstery needle that made the work easier and a bit quicker. These blasted things are always a learning curve....by the time you've figured out how to do them  in a manner that is time efficient or better on the body, they are done. (and so are you!)

                                           

Then, when the large tassels are attached, you get to use the needle that could sew up a cow....because the cording is such that it requires both needle and pliers to get the thing through. Again and again and again. There is a lot of weight, they will hang a goodly while and it has to all be very secure.

That's enough for now. I was having a heck of a time loading these pics for some reason this morning so I have no idea what Blogger is going to do with the post......it may be quite abstract! It may be all over the place! Which is kind of how I feel at the moment, physically. Mentally I am focused, but boy, I should have been out of here earlier, and I probably should have laid off the knitting last evening? Perhaps?

Common sense was never one of my better features......

Sorry for the late post and lack of humor in this one. I think I stitched my funny bone underneath something. I need to find it again before they are delivered because I cannot function without it, and no one would read if it was the whiny brain dribble of the past few posts. ;-)

And I really like having you read....and laugh.....

Laughter is a gift to give ourselves every day. Unfortunately, I seem to be in situations frequently where I tend to get overdoses via my own lack of forethought, stupidity and just plain not paying attention to my surroundings.

And no, I have not crawled on the table or stood up on top of the tall stool of late.

Maybe today.......just for the heck of it! LOL!
Go make something, and have fun!

Pax.

Of Better Humors and Health

Well, sometimes it takes just a bit to shake off the crud and get life back on a managable path. For me, it was purging on blog. For DH, it was finally feeling like he was at the end of whatever it is he has had to suffer through. Thankfully, nothing resembling pneumonia this time around....  <:-)

I am sewing, or doing errands. Both have to be done today and it is just a matter of which is going to fall where. You know; the typical artist juggling act. Should we EAT and have MONEY in the bank or should I work in the STUDIO? (we all would pick the second choice, I know...)
Decisions, decisions.
HA.
The second banner is progressing and I must admit the voices of friends make the work easier and more managable. Like, I can believe I will have both done! Barring illness or the complete collapse of the universe as we know it...and then it wouldn't matter.
Later I will have to post the pics of the finished "Socks-From-Hell" and the "Almost-Stockings" I have toiled away at in the spare resting moments of evening, sitting with DH. The "Almost-Stockings" are almost done, needing a ribbed top, which could take a while, or until the yarn runs out....whichever comes first!
And now I am off to become Wonder Woman and get everything done today.
(I hear you laughing....)
May you have a great week and may you be creative!

Pax.

A Quick Update From Germville.......

.....I'm sure this is true, but I cannot say either DH or myself feel FREE from all poisonous substances!!! LOL!
Just popping into this germ-free-zone for a quick hello. We made it to the Dr, we have the regular flu now, at least DH does (and being the overacheiver he is, he has it quite well) but I may have gone straight into a sinus infection.
So! I got the heavy duty meds, DH didn't and somehow it seems backwards, although I learned a long time ago there are certain bugs you just suffer through. They run their course and make you as miserable as possible during the hosting period.
Today I will be working on the banners, then I have a  funeral home visit I have no choice but to make this evening, and a funeral tomorrow that I may have to read in place of DH. That's just how it is. I'm a whole lot healthier than him thankfully.
In the midst of all this bedlam, my brain decided to kick in and solve a few more dilemmas with said banners, which is good, and I got a tiny bit of work done yesterday. (in between the florist, the doc, and an HOUR at the drugstore waiting for scripts......) Will take the few minutes I have today and put them to good use, as I can.
I'll be back when I am either:

A)  Done with the banners and have pics
B)  Tired of working and being the nurse and need escape
--or--
C)  When I am well

Or, as with any woman, I have the right to change my mind and I might be back tomorrow just to blow off steam......one never knows.
As of now, we are doing as okay as possible but flu sucks rocks and I want it gone immediately! (Like it's listening....ha!)
Hope you all have a creative day!!!

Pax.

An Unwanted Visitor......

......yes, *THE BUG* is back at Chateau Lockard. I would say I can't believe it, but indeed I can as DH came home with a very light version of *it* the other day and I have been okay other than tired (and that's just because I'm very much an old fart, right???) and allergies.
Oh no. That's not enough. Yesterday it knocked me for a loop and really took my legs out from under me; today, so far, it feels the same.
Lovely.
I need time I can't work just like I need a hole in the head. Well, okay, maybe the hole in the head wouldn't be a bad idea, but not right now.
So while this nasty vermin does it's thing in my head and lungs (and every joint in my body) I believe I will be in the reclining position for the most part, unless of course there are a few bursts of anything remotely close to energy and I can try and sew rosettes or the trim on the one banner side.
I'm not holding my breath.
Maybe that's what I should have done in the first place to avoid this.....or maybe I'll be calling my dear Doctor promptly tomorrow morning, requesting an audience.
Geez.
For the rest of you, have a good day and get into a bit of mischief for me too, would ya? (hack! wheeze!)

Pax.

P.S.Yes, I did stagger out to get shots of the fog blanketing the countryside this morning......bug or not.

Monday, Monday....

I apologize for not relpying to all the comments yesterday. I was out of the house most of the day (it was delightful! church out of town and lunch with friends!) but by the time I got home was pretty wiped out and headed for familiar territory...the couch! And that is pretty much where I was the rest of the day.
My blog activity is probably going to be sparse for a bit; the deadline for my banner project is quickly approaching and the banners, while a goodly way along, are not DONE.
I would freak out, but I have not had sufficient coffee to do a good job of it yet, so I guess that's for another post. And believe me, it will be here.....when I do it, it has to be just right....LOL!!!
All of you who have to meet deadlines know the dreaded "Oh-My-God-I'm-Not-Going-To-Have-It-Done!!!" sick feeling, and that is where I am today. So. The old blog-a-roonie may be a bit on the dead side for a while. Work is work and sometimes I have to completely hole up and focus. Sometimes I can juggle six things at once with no problem but for whatever reason, this is a project where I cannot. It has taunted me and continues to do so. Plus there have been some personal issues (friends, family) that have kept my mind distracted--yes, more than normal! Everything hits at once, eh?
At last check, I had 149 e-mails I had sort of glanced over.....just the title headers and not the contents, so if there is something DIRE that I need to read, please send it high priority. If I have not received your snail mail addy for the box give-away, please send it with high priority attached to the message! I don't want to miss anyone.
If luck is with me, I can get some good progress made and be back here babbling about squat pretty soon and just making everyone's day! (said with tongue firmly implanted in cheek!)
I hate being in this position, but if some of us would check the calender earlier in the year, some of us would have realized when the first Sunday in Advent was........
Until I can provide proper laughs and giggles, allow me to sign off; the lame brained, overworked and totally clueless Anne, bidding you all...

Pax.

Quick PEEP!!!!

Bear with me....I am in the throes of actual sewing and WORK! Yesterday was productive, today will be too and it seems like finally I am making headway on this project.
I will be back when I have a spare moment but if I don't strike while the iron is hot, well, you know how that goes. And my iron goes cold quick!
I envy folks with an attention span longer than a piss-ant........
You can guess which I have.   >:-\
Okay, time to make the banners, time to make the banners, time to make the banners......AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!  LOL!

Pax.

P.S. Feeling well. Amazing when you take your meds like you're supposed to! SNARF!!!

Work, work, work.......mini-rant.......work, work.....

Breaking News! Go to yoborobo for a delightful Halloween giveaway! Now!

(and now, back to scheduled rant....)

.....ACK! I am in a state of getting further behind rather than any ahead, though I must admit yesterday had it's UP moments.
Like when I was UP crawling on the cutting tables, trying to get the batting and fabric all in order, marking edges and then hitting everything with the temporary adhesive, that I am quite sure will require another can for the completion of the second banner. And did I mention that only half of the work surface is real table? The rest is home exterior foam insulation on two rickety metal ironing boards. That works fine when one stands at the sides and works, but crawling atop it.....no. Bad idea.
I am back to the exercise of crawling UNDER the table to get from one side to the other to work, which seems safer at the moment than trying to flop myself over the top. This hip business is, well, a great nuisance! And a pain in the arse...and groin too. I know, way to much info....la, la, la, la, la.......
I also had the dubious *pleasure* of spending (wasting?) I don't know how much time on the phone with a customer service rep from one of the very MAJOR credit card companies, who got themselves in deep financial ca-ca, so to bail themselves out, they have passed it on to the honest, paying users of said card, to the tune of 29.9% interest rate. Yep. Loan Sharking is legal kiddies! If you're corporate, and you've screwed up, you just pass it on to people who have done right by you since 1990. The person at the other end---and I do mean OTHER END, because he could barely understand my language and I could barely understand him!--- kept trying to get me to transfer a CC balance onto said Loan Shark Card. I kept telling him I wanted a lower interest rate and I did not carry a balance!!! He was clueless.........it was a perfect case of Catch 22.......around and around. I hung up. This was just a broad, across the board interest rate raise before laws come into effect to STOP stuff like this. Ai-Yi-Yi. Where is my USA???? Who abducted the Country I so loved growing up? The honesty? The work ethic? Oy.........
Anyway, back to the work.......I guess, in protest of said company and their policies, that I will have to ask more up front from churches I work for, to make sure all the costs are covered and use a debit card, thus avoiding adding another third onto a commission price. See, this was all going somewhere. Everything I order or consider will have to be firm in stone, which hurts my clients as well as my creativity.........I really, really detest big business. May they have the fleas and fire ants from a thousand sandy acres firmly take up residence in their nether regions. >:-)
So I'm back to the banners, which thankfully all the supplies are paid for, and the second set too, where I have paid for everything needed. Then when delivered, the cash into the account to be saved for the newest commission, a lovely wallhanging for a more modern church......I'll post the sketch when everything is finalized.
Okay, I'm off my high horse now. Or low jack-ass, as the case may be.
That wasn't even a rant......how pitiful!
I am definitely aging....... >:-(
Off with ye---find people to enter the big milagro box give away. We might as well have a little fun from the good old days of CC purchases, which are, officially, no more.
As always.....

Pax.

It has finally happened......

.......I am having a complete and utter Blog-Brain-Blank. There is nothing there but a few disjointed thoughts pinging off the interior of my skull, moshing in my sinus cavities and generally trying to push my eyeballs out.
Are there interesting things in the studio to photograph?
Yes.
Am I doing that?
No.
The rain and cold has brought in a humdiginger of a sinus headache that has me almost seeing double. Now, considering on a good day when I go to use the camera, I don't see too well, I'm not pushing the envelope for this. Photos can wait for another day. And cropping, and reducing sizes...all the fun that goes with trying to make this blog look somewhat attractive.
Thus, the antique clip-art drivel instead. It was that or a skull in pieces, to show where all the cranial plates come together....okay, I find that interesting but I didn't think others would. Gentle readers, you ARE on my mind! (just look closely at the illustration and see which little compartment you fit into!)
I think---not sure but THINK---I have DH home this weekend, got an e-mail about firming up a commission, so that will be some online time for supply prices, and have the bank to do and a pile of bills calling my name.
Ah, the drudgery of life.........Calgon, take me away!!!! (or any good quality wine, with a nice fruit and cheese platter of course!)
So until I am a more fit blog authoress, I hope that creativity is pinging about in YOUR brains and not trying to push your eyeballs out. ;-) Or if it is, well, it's a creative push!!!
I bid you, most sincerely.....

Pax.

Welcomes, a *major award*, and yes---I took Sunday off!

I'm still here; I just needed a break yesterday. Allergies are in full swing and I had killed myself working in the studio on Saturday, and enjoying the Open Studio On Line! What fun! Two new followers to welcome to the madness here---sometimes things calm down and I get to make art; it's just not often enough.

I have to thank Georgina at La Llorona Arts for the Kreativ Blogger Award! Now I have to do two things to totally *earn* this.....I have to come up with 7 things people don't know about me and I also have to pass it on to seven other deserving bloggers.

Let's do the blogs FIRST so they can kill me...ahem....THANK ME for passing to them the honor of displaying the award!

1.Lynn Devine McDonald

2.gypsylulu delights

3.Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

4.marianne's art blog

5.Marbled Musings

6.Uncommon Threads

7.The Quilt Rat

These are all creative people who do diverse things and hopefully don't live close enough to come after me....okay Gayle, you probably do but I know you're busy and Lynn, you love me too much....right??? :-)

Now, seven things y'all don't know about me (or really could care less about; yes, it's okay to pick that option!):

1. I was born in Vicenza Italy in 1959.

2. I used to be utterly TERRIFIED of skeletons. Now I practically have a collection of anything with bones.......and save them for artwork.

3. I dated an Undertaker and am acquainted with how a Jewish corpse is treated due to their religious guidelines, and also how their caskets are made.

4. I love reading medical texts for the fun of it.

5. I am trying hard to relearn the Latin I knew as a child from Mass, though there is a difference between *pure* Latin and *church* Latin---the latter being referred to as the vulgate.

6. I regret not having seriously pursued some sort of art/medical related career when I was young, smart and mobile.

7. I lived in California twice and was stupid enough to return to the Midwest the last time.....OY!!!! That comes back to haunt me frequently.......

Well, save and print that for those night of heinous insomnia, read through a few times and you'll be nodding off to snoozy-poo land in no time flat!

Now I'm off to work, and call for repair on my dishwasher, whose motor decided it needed a vacation. While the dishwasher was full of water. Of course. Grrrrrrr.......

Have a happy and productive Monday and may you see all the little blessings about you that we tend to ignore daily.

Life is good!

Pax.

P.S. For a neat tutorial on how to reuse plastic cookie trays, go here! See what Robinsunne has done with what we would normally throw away. This rocks and is better than buying the expensive kind of shrinking plastic!

What A Day!

Sorry kiddies, no pics today--this is just to update y'all on my day yesterday in Ft. Wayne.
DH took the day off to drive me up, which was good because I had managed to work myself into such a lather that 1 mg. of my anxiety med barely touched my *state*.......now is that stupid or what??? I've known for a while what the options were going to be and still, I feel the need to do my "Hamster-In-A-Wheel" routine. ACK. And OY!
Actually, we ended up having a lovely day; found a half-price bookstore. DH came out with a stack of CD's and I came out with a stack of books--one on ATC's that I had wanted but did not want to pay $23 or even half price when some of the stores had coupons. There was soooo much intellectual material; I holed up in the medical section, looking at a book on Orthopaedic Pathology which was rife with quite interesting pictures! Came home with a more recent version of the Physicians Desk Reference, something I feel I *need* for full medication information.
The Dr. visit went well; I finally found the one. His P.A. came in first, we talked a long time and discussed the films, pain, history, etc. Nice young man with a sense of humor who was trying to keep it under control as I called the previous "person" (refuse to say M.D.) a jackass. I told him it was quite alright to laugh, and I could see the mischief oozing out in his smile and snicker.
The Dr. was fabulous; the consult was probably 30 minutes---no rush, asked the P.A. what he saw, I had copies of the post-op films for them to look at---then the options started. (I'm not listing that stuff here--hope you understand) I looked at him and said politely, "Look, I worked for a physician, I've had surgeons and M.D.s for friends; so no sugar coating." and that was when he kicked back and we REALLY talked. It was sooooooo productive!!! He was relaxed, I was happy, information flowed, concerns were answered and a course of action planned.
I felt relieved, for the first time in ages. Of course, poor DH was about green in the waiting room because of the time spent with me----I came out happy, he came out looking like he needed to head to a bar! (which we did not) Told him everything and that I was delighted to have ANSWERS. Then he calmed down.
Now for the humor.
Of course they wanted their own set of films since all the films I had brought were mine to keep (art-art-ART!), so they had me put on a pair of grey work out shorts to shoot the xrays, as the trousers I wore had a metal hook and zipper.
And there I stand, all 5'10" of me in grey knit shorts, black top, grey and black tight bolero sweater, 3/4 sleeves, white anklets with lace trim and black patent leather shoes with small heels a bit higher than kitten heels, and of course, my white, pasty legs going on for miles. I looked like I should break into a bizarre tap-dance at any moment! THAT is what I needed the picture of! LOL!!!
So for anyone who wants details, e-mail me and this evening I'll do a bulk e-mail about *the works*.
Today I have business I have to get taken care of, the dry studio to convert for the large banner fabric and then of course, dinner for DH.
And on much less sleep than I needed! Way much less... I am in Zombie-Land right now and the coffee is not helping.
Maybe tomorrow I can do a bit of a tutuorial on a discovery I made with German Glass Glitter and the continuation of what I am doing with the b.g. we did the tute on earlier. Depends on how today goes. It might require another day....... (sigh)
Thanks you ALL for your prayers, thoughts and energy; I know I was guided to where I was to be!
And now I'm to be at work or something like it, so I bid you all.....

Pax.

A quick update

Hi all,

Everything went good with my *Adventures In Various Radiologies* yesterday; I got into the spirit of things and wore my black t-shirt with the glow in the dark skeleton chest on it! I just found some great irony/humor at having to visit two areas that see inside the body in a shirt showing what was there! I know, I am one sick puppy, and quite happy!
It was a cool, rainy, windy day here, and that went straight through to my bones. (mine....not the ones on the shirt) By the time I was done from my second run into Peru I was dead for the day and after soup and ciabatta bread for dinner, I was on the couch and in bed reading by a little after nine. Mad because I wanted to knit and completely wiped out---too tired to do so.
I apologize for your blogs I have not kept up on to comment; I will as I can. Don't take offense. I am hoping to have some extra rest this weekend along with work in the studio......and hoping maybe DH will buy take out so I don't have to cook! I can always dream, can't I? ;-)
Anyway, I'll keep you posted as to what is happening.
Oh, a self-deprecating bit of humor.
You know you are overly tired when you are putting on the scrubs for the CT and discover you've been wearing your underwear inside out all day, and are too lazy to do anything about it.......Probably way more info than you need, but I just thought "Geesh! Do I now need someone to DRESS me in the morning before I leave???" (don't answer that....)
Have a productive day and hopefully you will be having beautiful Fall weather. I have my black leather jacket on the ready.....it will be Leather Weather soon! YEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!
I bid you,

Pax.

Entering Another Round......

...of the Doctor thing.
Here's the scoop; Monday's X-rays show a "questionable persistant Fx line on the R femur".....
Plain English:
Something is going on and not healing. As I suspected.
So. Friday I go for a CT, will pick up films, and then come home and have a total collapse. Next Tuesday I see an Ortho in Ft. Wayne, and I have a feeling I know what he will say, which I refuse to write here because I just think it is bad luck.
I feel like the statue opening that crypt door. Immobile. Trying to work and mind so in knots I can't remember what I am doing. Attempting to get everything in order in case of another hospital stay. Can't figure out how to get banners done and everything else, and they must be done because I have too much money involved in them and I can't ask the church to wait for a second set.
I also feel like I am getting ready to step through a door I do not want to........
I am anticipating downtime on the blog, strictly because I need to get a lot done in a little time.
I hope you'll all be there when I get back with something of value to post.
This has been a year of ups and downs, and one more down and I am going to throw a big fit.
So, that's where we are kiddies. No more till I know what the heck is going on.
Go out and be creative and enjoy this Fall season upon us.
I bid you......

Pax.

Busy As A Bee......

(Leslie, this one is for both of us Celts!!!)

Yesterday was pretty much a blur. I was hopping from the moment I got up but again, by days end I was scratching my head as to what I had accomplished.

Dishes--done. Twice.

Cooking--homemade soup and a delightful coconut cake from scratch.

A bit of cleaning.

Computer work.

Basement work.

Trying to glue angelina onto the candle flames of the church banners. That should have been on video, because what I thought would be quick and easy was a slow, delicate, questionable process. I also spent a good deal of time attempting to locate the proper glue.

Spent time picking out beads for the banners.

Also spent time finding the bowl of beads for the banners....

Finally gave up in the early afternoon and retreated to the chair for some knitting and rest. Feet up time.

I started another pair of socks, this time knitting Noro. It is the first time I have knit a one ply wool, and if the colors weren't so absolutely scrumptious, I would throw it out the window! I have spun and tried to deal with one ply not twisting back upon itself, but socks on---again, stupid pill time---size ONE needles with the squirmy, twisty stuff........whole nuther realm. But the tiny bit of the toes that are finished are lovely....the color flow......oh yes, I think I can tolerate the demands of the wool!

So since basically today may be a *sock knitting day* we have the thistle pic in honor of Leslie and all the knitting she does, although I believe she actually enjoys more of hers..... ;-)

I'm not making any promises on accomplishments today; what gets done, gets done. I have a reception I have to attend tomorrow evening and need to rest up for that---Monday's hospital adventures sort of took it out of me!

Therefore, I give you all my blessing for a day of something easy and fun! That way my guilt-trip doesn't kick in.....

At least not too hard!

Pax.

P.S. I woke to discover not only my Facebook badge screwed up and useless but also one of my other sidebar apps that lets me help keep track of comments so I don't miss anything. Another blogger lost all the pics of her followers....what is going on???? Now I get to go BACK into Facebook and try and rebuild my badge, which has gotten picky and I guess just wants wall photos........someone hit me NOW. It's too early for all this thinking....... >:-(