Stitching Post and More

 I am back for a mostly stitching post.  For stitching almost everyday, I feel like I should have a lot more to show for it. I think that is because I am enjoying stitching again and there is just so much good stuff to stitch.

I have put the bunny aside for now. I am coming back to her though. She needs to be displayed by fall with her yellow sweater. This is where I am on it.

She is a cutie.

The reason for leaving her is I just am in the mood to stitch my patriotic stuff. I have a stack of other goodies that are calling to me as well, but red, white and blue is winning now.

I started the Pledge of Allegiance by Plum Street Samplers and was happily stitching ---although I did have to pull out some because I made a mistake in counting. Arghh...

This one is just so pretty. I really can't wait to stitch on it exclusively. It is all over Instagram and it is a beaut!

This is the pattern for the Pledge.

I set aside God Bless America too...

I honestly don't have much left on God Bless America. When I return it should be a quick finish.

What has happened you ask???

Too many to choose from ---

You see Jeff put an idea in front of me that I found to hard to resist. He suggested I stitch the grandkids a remembrance of America 250, so I knew just what patterns I wanted. I had already been looking at them. Both are by Teresa Kogut. They are similar and I thought they would be perfect.

My idea was to do one of each for both kids' families. Then the grandkids would have one of their own to keep. I want to maybe make them hanging like ornaments so they can hang them on their shelves or whatever down the road.

I ordered them right away and went to my stash for linen. I picked out the lighter linen shown below to stitch. This linen looks similar to the chosen colors on the patterns.

I kept thinking that light blue was too light, so I went back to my stash and chose one a little darker. Thank goodness for stash.

I have ultimately decided both are ok. I think the light blue is indeed light and the white of the eagle is very light. I have decided to complete both and outline in 801 anything that needs some definition. I think the trim on the finish can help with that too.

I have enough of both linens to do all four so that is not an issue. Anywho, I am stitching away on these and then I can't wait to get back to the Pledge stitch.

***If all that is not enough patriotic for you, I have another pattern someone gifted me that I am wanting to do as well. My goodness.

Thanks, America 250 for getting me back in the mood to stitch.

That is just a little look at where I am in the stitching department. I am not one to skip around, but I am breaking my rules. Let's see how long I last at jumping around before I go crazy.

*****

I have enjoyed my first week of no grandkids. I have slept a little later, like 30 minutes later. Nothing to sing about. I know many think I am crazy for keeping the littles everyday, but it truly is good for me. It brings life and purpose to me. 

I have a lot of sadness around me with a 91 one old negative mom (who just doesn't seem to know she is negative) and a hubby with Parkinson's. Children keep things in perspective. 

I needed June to reset my mind, but I will be ready to go back to my routine. Even in one week I found time to think and plan and change plans, etc. Week one proved fruitful.

*****

Jeff and I drove over on Thursday to Falling Waters State Park  near Chipley to see the state's only waterfall. Nothing like living that close to something and never once going to see it. It was a small park so not a lot of hiking or anything, but very much the Goldilocks moment for us.

Not Yosemite, but pretty cool for Florida.

Jeff had bought tickets to go see a comedian in Mobile last week on that Thursday night. I knew from the moment he told me that was a terrible idea. So many reasons... it would not be a quick trip to the car in a safe location like something in Pensacola. It would not be an easy drive where I can do it with my eyes practically closed. I was kind of fretting over it, but had let it go. 

Tuesday morning I walk into the living room and he announces we aren't going. I didn't really need to ask questions. I knew it had been too much.

Lindsay was none to happy about it. She thinks we need to travel the world which is not what we want nor what he is able to do. She has a very hard time watching her dad. Paul Allen seems to accept it better and just do everything and anything he can. They both love him immensely. They just deal with this ugly diagnosis differently.

He came up with this ride over to the park, so I said yes, instantly. That is more my kind of thing anyway. Quite frankly, I have learned that too much and too many people are hard for him. He has always been the outgoing one, but he struggles with a large crowd.

You never know when things you once did routinely will be LASTS. I don't think he will ever be able to go to an Auburn football game. I am so grateful for all those years we had season tickets. My thoughts are as the grandkids get older I will take one of two of them to the less crowded games myself so as not to stop all things for myself. Maybe Tucker and I will go to one this year. 

All those lasts are not just hard on Jeff, but myself AND the kids.

The progression of it all is difficult. I have moments. Like the other Sunday he came in after me to sit at church. The gait he was using almost teared me up. We are so blessed and I do my best to focus daily on all our good, so a little drive over to Chipley was a good day for us.

Lunch in the railroad southern town of Chipley with a cup of coffee from the Boxcar Coffee Shop was a special treat for us. He even went to a war movie with his friend Mike who he and Cindy were supposed to go over the comedian with us. Thankful for good friends!

We have our family trip to the Cape (Cape San Blas) soon and going to make the best of it. Mama is going to stay with her sister while we are gone. Praying all with be ok, but resting in God has us.

I had planned to get outside today and wash some windows or even sun, but I guess I am going to get to stitching on my patriotic things.

Sandy