It's been nuts.

I know, it's been quiet around here. 

It's not that I haven't been doing anything...I mean, I have, but it's largely been trying to get over this god awful funk I caught.  I GOT COCKY.  While everyone else in the office was getting the creeping crud, I made the error of saying out loud that I haven't caught it yet.  Well.  I did.  And did I.  Every time I get a cold, I have a very high chance of getting a sinus infection because I am lucky like that.  And that is exactly what happened.  I got the sinus infection from hell.  Usually with a little neti potting (gross, I know but boy it works) and ibuprofen, I can treat it on my own.  This time, no such luck...it was a doozy. My nose has finallly stopped running at inconvenient and socially embarrassing moments though.

So I spent a significant amount of time home  a few weeks ago because I couldn't kick the fever before I gave in and went to the doctor.  I hate staying home because I am one of those weirdos that has to be doing all the time.  I'LL REST WHEN I'M DEAD.  So while I was home sick, I decided I couldn't just sit there like a sniffling lump...I binge watched history documentaries, napped, and embroidered.

I have gotten like, super into embroidery.  Am I great?  No.  Do I know tons of stitches?  Ehh...in theory sure, but in application...not so much... But I do really enjoy it, and I love learning new stuff.  My stem stitch where once really shitty has gotten a lot better.  My back stitch is pretty decent too.  One you get the hang of it, there is a definite rhythm.  And it wouldn't be me if my embroideries weren't a little attitude-y.

Of course...not everyone who has tried embroidery has taken to it...

It's also been quiet because (after I got over the hideous funk) I got asked to assist with organizing and cleaning Mom's sewing room.  It is a gargantuan task, and somewhat of a challenge because she and I are on opposite ends of the organizational spectrum.  We have very, very different methodologies, and when what works for you doesn't always work for the person you are organizing for...whelp, it's tricky.  We managed though!  It's looking really good in there, and I think another weekend will do the trick.  I really hope the new forma works well for her. It's off to a good start anyway!  I should have taken before and after pictures, but I didn't think about it. 

It inspired me to tidy up mine, because it looked like a tornado went through it.  I am not the tidiest person in the world (my living room is always in a clean, but uh, "lived in," state) but I cannot stand it when my work spaces are messy.  I overwhelms me big time, and my sewing room was awful.  I bought a new bookcase, and for the first time in nearly four years I was able to unpack my seasonal fabrics and get them set out - five boxes worth!

 New storage?  Check.

 Reorganized fabric?  Check.

 Corralled scraps into the Scrap Heap of Doom/Black Hole of 2.5" strips (left)?  Check.  

Isabelle (BFF) got a Cricut and was psyched to test it out.  I benefited from this with bitchin new metallic labels.

I still have work to do.  I mean, I can't cut and I have nowhere to sit. 

Until I get this mess fixed, I can't really sew.  Nothing like motivation!

Weekends like this are why embroidery is still a thing.

What. A. Weekend.  

I wish that statement was resultant of a tiring and fun/happy weekend, but lort, it is not.  

We made it a record four months without an ER visit.  That is a record, at least for the past 2-3 years.  It concerns me just a bit that one of the ER nurses I made eye contact with had that look on her face for just a moment like she knew us, but couldn't place us.  Shit like that really shows A.) that the nurses are ON POINT with the people that come through there, and B.) we have clearly been there too often.  

So, to make a longish story shortish, Mom broke her hip.  We made it from the shop to their house in record time, even before the ambulance, and ran to the ER.  X-Ray and CT scan revealed a clean break in the joint area.  

Go Big or Go Home: The Femur Edition

It was a six-ish hour stay in the ER before the moved her up to a room.  Pain management was a critical thing.  I think this has replaced childbirth and pancreatitis both as most painful experiences.  Apparently this one has taken the cake there...that's a cake no one wants.  

But if I learned anything from my time in the Girl Scouts (hey, I was solely in it for access to those cookies.  Not kidding) it is to always be prepared.  Yes, I always have something to stitch on with m, either on my person or in may car for these WHAT IF I GET STUCK SOMEWHERE AND NEED SOMETHING TO DO?!?!? situations.  I am a master of coming up with What If scenarios, so yeah...I always have something. 

This time, it is Hocuspocusville, from Crabapple Hill.  I am relatively new to embroidery, but despite hating handwork in general, I enjoy embroidery.  I guess I can't say I hate it anymore, huh.  Willingly tolerate and occasionally seek out?  Sure.  

Here's a pro-tip: If you ever find yourself in the ER, not as a patient hopefully but as someone accompanying the patient, this light is amazing.  I have no idea what it's for, and I am quite sure we were supposed to not touch it, but it is amazing at giving you light while not impacting the brightness of the room while your patient has the lights out because of having a banging migraine on top of a broken bone (Mom seriously had the SHITTIEST weekend).  It didn't illuminate the room AT. ALL.  Only where it was pointed, and that was it.  I suppose it would violate my lease if I installed one of these over my side of the sofa in the living room.  I also suppose Ikea doesn't have a reasonable imitation, either.  

But for several hours of the stay last night and the stay today, this is all the nursing staff saw from my corner of the room.  That is, except when they came in to do bloodwork or whatever.  I watch them like a hawk.  John got sneaky and snapped a pic.  Note the light output on my fabric.  Hella. Light.  

So the most important thing here?  Mom is fine, and will be fine.  She went into surgery today, had a few screws put in, was out in an an hour, and is on the way to recovery.  She still has some pretty high levels of pain - I mean, she just had SCREWS put int her BROKEN BONE.  Like I said, she had the shittiest weekend.  But she is already slinging a little sass this evening when her pain isn't too bad (yay for pain management), so that's always a good sign.  

I want to publicly thank all of our friends and shop customers who have been sending us kind words and thoughts.  The last year has been overly rife with hospital visits for my (and my family's) taste, so having such a wonderful network of people who understand and care is awesome.  Thank you.