Sunday Scripture...

Psalm 62:8

 

Goldwork Floral Wreath...

ClaraStitching Goldwork Wreath Class Piece

I received an email today from @clarastitching (on Instagram) with a pre-offer to her new class offerings. She's going to do another Zoom session for the Four Leaf Clover class that I took last month. When I took that class, we asked her about a piece that was behind her in her work space. The gorgeous embroidery shown above was that piece.

We asked her if she'd teach it, and if she did, to please offer it to her former students first. (We were pretty cheeky on that point, I admit.) She did just that yesterday, though. I immediately signed up and paid for my kit. I'll have the opportunity to prepare my materials prior to the start of the class in early April. 

If you're interested in taking this class, you can go to Instagram and follow @clarastitching. She'll soon offer the class to all, and you'll get signup links for both classes.

In the interest of full disclosure, I didn't get any stitching in today. I ran errands in the morning, went with Handsome for our hair appointments, and then went for a late lunch with my girlfriend, Wendi. We tried a new bar/restaurant that offered Caribbean fare, and it was delicious. We sat and visited with the owner until the after work crowd started arriving. His restaurant is in Kewaskum, WI and it's called Caribbean Joe's. (He's from Chicago, IL, and his mom grew up in Mississippi. He explained to us how he came to this specialty, let us taste his personal season blends, and then we placed our orders.

Everything he brought to us was fabulous. Some was spicy hot, and others were flavored with the perfect blend of seasonings to compliment the dish. I had what I think was the best mac and cheese I've ever had. I'll definitely order that again (when I take Handsome to check it out).

Wendi and I sat and visited for a couple of hours, so I got home in time to air the dogs before Handsome got home. I think I told you about him slipping on the ice a week ago. When he went to Urgent Care right after the event to say he was in pain, they sent him home with meds, but they never did x-rays.

Handsome got his hair cut before me, so after he "got his ears lowered" he went bakc to Urgent Care to find out why he still hurt. They did x-rays, which revealed that he actually has two broken ribs. I felt so bad for him. The doctor sent him home with a new pain killer prescription, and instructions for a bit of breathing therapy to help him. 

We also kept track of our two loved ones who were hospitalized yesterday. My niece is stabilized now, and will be hospitalized and monitored over the weekend. She'll possibly go home on Monday. They'll determine that after Sunday.

Our friend has been admitted to the hospital, too. She was diagnosed as having an "ischemic stroke" last night. I had to look it up, and my search revealed good explanations. She had speech therapy today and her husband said she did well. We're waiting to see if she will regain use of her left side, and what we can expect for that issue. She's in her early fifties, so we're praying that she heals completely from this scary diagnosis. 

Thank you to all who lifted prayers at my request. We all appreciate it, and know that every prayer is heard and answered. We know their families are grateful, too.

Oh!! before I go, remember the opossum photos I shared last week? Well, the little black one is sleeping in the Compass Barn during the day. It seems that my concerns about him (or her?) being bullied by the cats were unfounded. They're all in the barn together, and they're not bothering each other one bit. Cool, right? 

I'll get back to the teddy bear soon enough, and you know I'll share photographs as soon as she's finished. I'm going to have a little coffee and then go out and feed my girls and their house guest. See you tomorrow with my Sunday post.

Hope...

Hope - Image © Youngblood

 

The weather was wonderful on Wednesday. The sun shone brightly all day, and the temperature stayed below 30º. We were happy for that because we spent most of the day trying to locate someone who might come and try to repair our freezer. No luck getting anyone here before next week...and the temps are expected to be in the 50s by Saturday.

So we did what we had to do. Upright freezers are more expensive than chest freezers, so rather than purchase another upright, we decided to purchase a 9 cu ft chest freezer. It also seems strange to purchase the same brand freezer as the one who just quit on us as only three years ol, and it certainly wasn't money we wanted to spend this way right now. However, we don't want to have to buy all new food either...or make a homeowner's insurance claim for the loss!).

Thankfully, the one we chose was in stock and it should be delivered any minute now this morning. The food that was still frozen when we realized there was a problem, stayed frozen in our coolers on the porch overnight and through the day yesterday. The food that was starting to thaw fit into our upstairs freezer, so that's saved, too.

We'll switch everything into the new freezer as soon as it's up to temp, and we'll schedule a repair for the upright for next week without having to panic over a delay. 

Of course, all this telephoning, etc. preempted any needlework today, so my sweet bear still waits in pieces for me to finish her. I'll see if I am able to do that later today. We have hair appointments right in the middle of the day (after the freezer is delivered), so I'll do my best.

I'm asking that you lift prayers (or good thoughts, if you're not a prayerful person), for two people we love very much. I received a message from my dear niece mid-day, saying she'd gone to the hospital and needed urgent care. Her sister contacted me after dinner to tell me we were fortunate she was able to get to the hospital and quickly treated. They'll keep me updated as they know more in the coming days.

The second person - a dear friend - called for help late last night. She'd fallen and couldn't get up on her own. I got to her home and knew we needed an ambulance right away. EMTs were at her door within minutes of me calling "911", and took her to the hospital. I'm praying really hard for her right now, so I don't worry. I know you can do one or the other, but not both. All of us who love her are praying for her complete recovery. 

It seemed appropriate to use this image today. We have so much to be grateful for, and events like today remind me to live each day fully. I'm going to count my blessings as I go about the rest of this week.