Thursday, December 10, 2009

Since Thanksgiving

Has it really been more than two weeks since my last post? It has! You know, I used to have some organization in my life. Sadly, it's gone now, and I still haven't adjusted.

Thanksgiving was a fabulous event at the folks' house. We ended up having 15 hungry people sit down to turkey and ham dinner. My sister, sister-in-law and I managed to get everything ready near the planned time, and Mom supervised as necessary. We had loads of fun. My only baking failure occurred when the pie crust I baked for one of the chocolate pies shrank about halfway down the side of the pie pan. Bummer. But in the true sense of accomodation, I covered it up with meringue. Hey, I'm not completely clueless.

I'm including pics for you today only to show you the pathetic lack of stitching progress since my last post. Oh ... my ... gosh! Get out your hankies, because it's rather sad. Here's what's happened to Shores Block Four ...

I know! Almost nuttin'! I'm gonna give it some attention tonight, though, so maybe a stitching miracle will happen and I'll finish the block. Yeah, and the lottery will be awarded to me for last night, even though I forgot to buy a ticket. And then there's the newest stand-up guy I've sort of been working on ...


Pitiful, isn't it? When I told Sharri (my sister) that I was working on this Santa, she said, "Oh, I did that one. It goes really fast." Uh huh, right. I guess I have to actually pull thread through the linen with a needle more than I do other things in order for progress to be made. He'll probably get some more action this weekend. I do enjoy seeing him in stages of completion. Now he kinda looks like he's wearing a hoodie or one of those hats with flaps.

So what the hell have I been doing instead of stitching? Well, let's see. I hung out with the family for Turkey weekend, and we did some fun things. Then I dragged out my tree and spent some days (ok, a week) working after school and in between other activities to get most of the ornaments on it. Today was the first day I've gotten home when the sky was cloudless and the sun was above the horizon, and the east side of my house (where the tree is) was still too dark to get a good pic. Saturday is the day for pics of the tree, so maybe I'll get 'er done.

Then we (my son, niece and I) decorated Mom's tree last Saturday. Dad was all about skipping the Christmas decorations this year, but Mom needs her tree up so rearranging the ornaments (a genetic OCD trait that's been passed on to me and now to my daughter) can be her non-stitching seasonal hobby. We got the job done, and Mom is content.

About Mom: the last chemo recipe didn't do the job the docs had hoped for, so Mom is now in a chemo drug trial. She'll be going once a week for eight weeks, and then there'll be another scan. These treatments require her to go to downtown Denver (about a 45-minute drive when traffic is good, like at midnight), and they take quite a while to complete each time. Because it's a great opportunity for her, the extra inconvenience is worthwhile. The big event the week before Thanksgiving was Mom's fancy new wig. Even though her head has a lovely shape, she wasn't at all fond of her Yoda-esque hair style. Her new hair makes her look a lot more like herself ... very cute. Again, I want to thank all of you who comment and email and ask about Mom and pray/think good thoughts/chant for her recovery. I tell her about everyone out in blogland who is doing what they can on her behalf, and she's very appreciative, as I am. What's most surprising to her about her illness is the number of people who do things to show that they care. That's how she is.

Before I leave you, I hope all of you affected by the gigantic snowstorm and extreme cold are doing OK and staying warm. Brrrrrrr! I haven't had much time to visit blogs, but I'll eventually catch up and read your stories about the storm. Now for some time on the exercise bike and then in the purple chair. Make some fun.

12 comments:

Jennifer said...

So happy to see your entry as I was wondering how you and your family were doing and was hoping to hear about your Mom . Thinking of you and sending good thoughts and cheer to all of you from my snowless but freezing neck of the woods.
love from Jenniferxo

Margaret said...

Hey, the holidays are way too busy to expect to get lots of stitching done. Your WIPs are looking great! I hope the chemo trials do the trick for your mom -- I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Missed you alot Doris! But you sound like you are having a great time!!!
Please send some snow to go with our cold air down here in North Ga. My philophy is that if it's going to be cold, let there be snow! LOL
Hey, your stitching progress is great. The santa looks like alot of block stitching and that takes a long time (or it does for me).
Keep up the good work and hope you stay warm and safe through the holidays.

Jennifer

Loraine said...

It's a busy time of year for all. What a fun post to read! You crack me up.
So glad to hear mom is doing okay, and I pray she will continue to improve with the treatments.
Enjoy the stitching chair, (and exercise bike! Good for you.)

Issabela said...

Congratulations for your blog, it is very nice

Laurie in Iowa said...

It's a difficult time of the year to get any stitching accomplished. There are just too many other things happening that tug at our free time.

Sending positive thoughts that the chemo trials will help your mom.

Maggie said...

Glad to hear your mum is doing ok, hope the new trials do ok for your mum.
Looks like you got as much stitching time in as me lately, probably more actually!
The weather in the UK is suposed to turn really cold over the next couple of weeks, probably not as cold as you get, we get the horrible damp sort of cold!

Good to know someone else with OCD, i've passed it on to my eldest daughter too, lol

Have a great weekend x

Siobhán said...

Every stitch is a bit of progress, Doris! I hope and pray that the new chemo trials do the job for your mom. Big hugs.

Annie Bee said...

What fun decorating those trees. And I love how your Santa is coming along he is just darling.

Glad to hear news about your Mum too. Looking forward to seeing pics of your tree.

Anonymous said...

No snow storm here, only a snow drizzle...
Keeping my fingers crossed for your Mom and your family. I know how frightening going through this can be. I can read between the lines how close you are keeping to each other, and it helps, believe me.
No stitching here. Bad arms and Go knows how long it will last...

Hazel said...

That's great progress. I love those blocks! I do have A Most Noble Pursuit started but not even done one block! I really need to get back into that. Sending hugs to all. xx

Brigitte said...

No wonder that you didn't get a lot of stitching in - you just were busy, busy, busy. But maybe the stitching miracle has happened since your last post??
I hope the new chemos will work for your mom. I'll continue thinking of her.