Sunday, January 15, 2023

Slow Sunday Stitching

Despite a very stressful week for a variety of reasons that I will briefly explain at the end of this post, I managed to make a whole lot of progress on several projects.

First, I have started working on the birth announcement.

 Working from the center wasn't going to work, because that is where the baby's name goes and he isn't due until June. I realized that this piece of Zwiegart 14 count was plenty large enough start working from one end. I have been working on the border. Three sides are completed. It uses a whole lot of floss as the pattern calls for 3 strands of floss. I do like the thick coverage though.

I have decided to continue working on the stocking as the birth announcement is working up quickly and I enjoy stitching the stocking. I have been adding stitches to the tree to the left of the bear.

I stitched the final log of the 10 quilt blocks that I am working on. 

Now I just have to war through adding each log to the blocks. It takes some time....at least for me...to get the seams to match up even with pinning. I am always thrilled when it happens on the first try.

I have completed 24 of 198 rows on the baby blanket. I can only give you a peak as I want this to be a surprise.

 I have adjusted the way I hold the crochet hook so that I keep my thumb more stationary and I have found that I can comfortably stitch 3 rows each day. 

Now for a brief synopsis of my story. I am supposed to be informed of any changes to the schedule of aides that take care of my mom. I wasn't informed that there would be a different aide Christmas day, New Year's day and this past Sunday. On Monday, I called the agency to complain that I hadn't been informed of the changes. Too bad that the agency didn't know about them either. The aide that is normally scheduled for Sundays had clocked in for all those shifts, but had someone she knew taking care of my mother. Now this person seemed very nice when I met her, but it is unclear whether she was even certified for home health care. Needless to say, the aide who did this has since been fired and I now have several new aides covering her shifts. This is difficult at this time as my mother also reentered Hospice care this week as she is barely eating anything any more. The pureed foods that I was making for her are now too thick for her to eat. We have had to thin everything with broth. Somedays she is too week to even use a straw. I am stressed, mad and sad all at the same time. It has been one heck of a week to say the least. 

When I am stressed I not only craft, but I bake. This week I baked a Buttermilk Banana Bread. I thought it was very tasty and a nice way to use up leftover buttermilk and over ripe bananas.

This recipe was just average. I found the bread to be heavy and fairly bland. 

I am joining Kathy for some Slow Sunday Stitching. Pop on over to her site and see what other bloggers are stitching. My crafts have been my saving grace this past week. They allow me to slow down and take a breath and think. 

I am also linking with Kate at Life in Pieces for 15 Minutes to Stitch. I have no problem doing that each day lately. 

Thanks for stopping by!

18 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about the care for your mother , I know how worried you must have been .
    I had the same when my Mother and then my Dad were in a home , when they needed full time care , but did they get it ? no not always , it is a worry .
    Love your stitching and the baby blanket .

    Enjoy your Sunday hugs June.

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  2. So sorry to read of your mother's decline, Cathie, and the debacle regarding the aide. It must be so distressing for you and your family. On the crafting front, you certainly have some lovely projects you are working on. Please take care.

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  3. I love your cross stitches and esp how you dealt with starting the baby announcement for your son and their child on the way!!!
    I’m glad you figured out what was happening at your mom’s… glad the home health aide was fired… hopefully your mom will be back to regulars soon!

    Enjoy your 3 rows daily on the baby blanket!
    Kathi

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  4. It is so hard when these things happen to your loved one's care....do try to rest yourself. I am glad to hear that your crafts are helping you to cope during this difficult time...
    hugs, Julierose

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  5. I’m sorry to hear about your mom and the issues with the caregivers. Baking and crafting are good ways to deal with the stress…I do the same things when I am stressed. Sending a hug to you.
    The Christmas stocking is gorgeous and your grandson to be is one lucky baby! Gail at the cozy quilter

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  6. So sorry that your mother is having problem's eating, added to the home care situation, that does make for a very upsetting week. Hopefully things stabilize soon with your mom's health. You've got lots of fun projects in the works. Hopefully stitching helps with maintaining some sense of sanity.

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  7. Lots of pretties going on in your post. I used to work for a home care agency and I was shocked at some of the things the aides would try to do. I had one who was clocked in and not even there when I went to visit the house... several times. Her immediate boss started to warn her when I was going to make a home visit. Bless your heart and your mom's.... there is a lot of potential for fraud in those agencies. I hope the new situation is better.

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  8. Goodness that was a worry! Good job you got it sorted out though. Your projects are lovely.

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  9. Cathie, I'm so sorry that happened with your mom, on top of her needs at this time of life. That is stressful. Your stitching is beautiful, and the bread looks yummy! Take care of yourself. ❤️

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  10. You have some lovely projects underway and the bread looks so good. I hope things with your mother's care gets better.

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    1. So far this weekend with a couple of new aides has been fine. Thanks for visiting.

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  11. I am so sorry to hear about your mom and the struggles that you are facing with her care. I can certainly understand your anger and sadness all at once. I hope that all gets straigtened out very soon.

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  12. Lovely cross-stitching projects. So sorry about the care of your mother. Hope everything is sorted out now. I will keep you both in my prayers as she was placed back on Hospice.

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  13. some people just want to get away with everything. The aide might not have known she was breaking the rules but probably did seeing as she didn't tell anyone. It really is too bad but lucky you caught it.

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  14. So sorry to hear about your mother health and all the stress you went with the aide and home care, Cathie. Your cross stitch projects are lovely. That buttermilk banana bread looks delicious! Have a nice week.

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  15. Hi Cathie: I am so sorry that happened to you, I hope things get better for your mother.
    I am looking forward to seeing the new design.
    The stocking is looking great.
    I hope you have great week.

    Catherine

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  16. It must be so upsetting that the expected notifications did not happen, upsetting both your Mother and you. I'm so sorry to read that you Mothers health is declining, such a worry to you and your family. Hopefully you are getting some relaxation and peace from working on your lovely projects during this stressful time.

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  17. I cannot believe that aide did that! How unprofessional of them and stressful it is for you. May one or many of the new aides bond with your mom and that life gets calmer in her care. (squee for the baby to be!!)

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Thanks for your comments! I love to hear from you.