Nitty is gone but not forgotten..........

I had her put down yesterday afternoon.  The day before when I mowed she had to get up to let me get the mower out of the garage and then again to get it back in.  It was a real effort for her to get up but she did.  That night she didn't eat nor that morning either.  I did see her drink water and she went out in the grass and urinated.  That night when I went to close the garage door and she was right under it.....she wouldn't move.  I tried to help by lifting her rear end as that is where she had no strength but she didn't even try to get up.  I ended up having to slide her out of the way so I could close the garage door.  The next morning she was in the same spot and had urinated right where she was so I knew that it wasn't going to get any better.  I took her water and food over to her but she wouldn't have anything to do with it.  She'd had enough and it was time.  I cried and spent the morning with her grooming her and giving her a 'shampoo' which is wet but all natural and you let it dry and then brush her.  I talked to her and explained what was going to take place and that she wouldn't feel a thing except no more pain or struggle.   I still hadn't called the vet or the moving guy but by noon I knew it had to be plus no one would be available on the weekend.  I called the moving guy but no answer and it said no mailbox had been set up yet.  I drove over there as he's only a few blocks away.  He was home and didn't know why his phone wasn't working but he said he would and to let him know what time after I talked to the vet.  I came home and called the vet and they gave me an appointment for 2:45 and so I tried calling the mover guy but still no phone so I drove over there again.  I told  him and he said he'd be over a little after 2:00 p.m as it takes about 1/2 hour to get there.   I waited and waited and he never came.  I was panicking so I called animal control and explained the situation and asked if someone could help me.  I offered to pay these people....I wasn't expecting something for nothing.  She said she couldn't lift as she's just had a baby but that she  would see if one of the police officers were free and if so she'd send one over.  Meanwhile I called the vet and explained the situation and they said not to worry that they were open until 4:00 p.m. and to try and get there before then.    An officer showed up and helped me get her in the car and I took off for the vet.  I told them when I got there but I went back out to the truck to stay with Nitty in the back with the back hatch open.  It gave me more time with her.  The bad part is she was bright eyed and very alert but then she would drop her head like she couldn't hold it up much longer and her breathing was heavy.  I kept telling her her friends at the vets would be there and she always loved them and was excited to see them.  Little did I know when they came out I didn't recognize a one of them!  There was even a new vet whom I'd never seen before!  I felt like I'd  lied to Nitty....there wasn't one person in that office that I recognized.  Dr. Mills must have cleaned house but I wish she would have sent out a letter informing her customers.  So, the new vet was very good and older....not fresh out of vet school thank goodness!  It went smoothly and Nitty was great as always even up to the end.....but you're still shocked when they're 'gone' and you almost want to say....'wait, stop, I've changed my mind' but you can't be selfish when you love someone....not if you really love them.  They will cremate her which I really don't like for some reason but I can't bury her so there's no real choice.  I paid the bill which was more than I remembered in the past but then everything goes up.....there went my budget! LOL!
I had planned on going to Walmart that day so I went ahead and went.  I didn't need a lot and I knew my eyes were red from crying but it's allergy season too so I wasn't too concerned.  I put on my sunglasses and got what I needed and came home.  I cried almost all the way home until I realized it was interfering with my vision so I pulled myself together.  It's funny,  when you lose someone you love you look around and see the world still going; people laughing, cars going places and you want the whole world to stop because yours just did.  I am devastated, even though I knew it was coming but I will miss her so much and the tears will be shed every time I think of her.  It comes and goes...you get busy and then all of a sudden there it is...she's gone and you can't get your breath and it's literally a physical ache in your heart thus the word heartache evidently.  I always pray for a sign that whoever has passed is alright and I've gotten those signs.  I slept like a log last night as I was physically and emotionally exhausted but this morning.....a bark woke me up and I sat right up in bed!  It wasn't Annie and my windows were closed.....I know it was Nitty letting me know she was alright.  Another thing happened that is so strange.  I love robins but they come here in early Spring and leave to go  up North and I don't see them until Fall again.  This morning when I opened my curtains there were robins all over my yard.  You may think I'm crazy and maybe I am....crazy with grief but it made me feel better that Nitty is fine and someday, hopefully we will be together again.  They say that when you pass over there will be people that loved you that will be there to greet you.  I have a feeling there will be more animals to greet me than humans and that's okay with me.    

Recap....where does the time go?

This week has been a blur but a good blur!  I haven't blogged much but I've gotten a lot done which gives such a  great feeling...to me anyway.
I've cooked of course.......pasta sauce of which some will get frozen in bags.  I put it in the jars to cool off.

BTW...........I tried the Earth Balance butter substitute and it is very good!  The sugar substitute........

is fine so far but I don't care for it in my coffee.  I might have to switch to something else at least for that.
I've also been cleaning and de-cluttering.
Today was out to the highway for gas for the truck and the mower and then I mowed but before that.....I made chicken and noodles in the crock pot.   The jello pudding is for peach cream cheese pie tomorrow.

 My daughter gave me the idea and I got the ingredients that I needed yesterday.  I already had the chicken.  I knew I would be tired after mowing so a crock pot dinner was right up my alley!

      Yesterday I was able to participate in the Fat Quarter Shop SAL of Sew She Did cross stitch...you can win prizes too but I'm not sure I will be able to keep up...I have gifts to make and yard work and gardening and housework and cooking.....I can't devote whole days to it nor would I want to but it's fun regardless!

I still haven't received the dark teal that the majority of the sewing machine is stitched in but it should be here soon.  What I did receive were my patterns that I won from Priscilla and Chelsea on The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch pod cast awhile back!  I love them!!!

Well..everyone else has been fed and medicated and they've been outside....now it's my turn....I've got my pj's on, I'm ready to have my chicken and noodles and then watch some podcasts and do some cross stitch.  Annie's all tucked in and ready............

 and the evening candle is lit.  I hope you have a great one!

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #50

 FO's (finished objects):
1. My Blueberry Socks: They are finished but I can't start another pair as I have no sock yarn....I need a bigger budget for crafts!  That's okay as I have lots of plans for YOP 2019-20.

2) I made 4 scrubbies for a friend of mine who requested some.......she wanted to pay me but I refused.......they'll be getting mailed off to her this week.........

 WIPs (works in progress):
1)  I auditioned fabrics for the next 2 Pickle Dishes...trying to  utilize scraps which these are great for....

These are the 5 I have finished.......

 For those of you who were asking this is what it should look like when I am done.........mine will be framed also and I might even have an old window for it...........

The pattern is from this book which is on Amazon or maybe even Thriftbooks...........these gals run a Quilt Shop in the town next to my hometown in Illinois...............

3) Last year when the grands visited me they brought me a little present....a crochet kit of little woodland animals. It has all the supplies in the kit. They have been asking me ever since if I've made any of them yet......so I decided I would make some for their July birthdays.........it is tiny and not easy for my arthritic fingers but I am managing...............the kit makes 2 animals a fawn and a fox but if I get one fox done they will all probably get a fox! LOL!  There are patterns for all kinds of animals in the accompanying book.  It's really cute and the grands said "We knew we had to get it for you because it's crochet and we know how much you like to crochet".  They are so funny and they were so serious when they said it....I knew all along they wanted me to make them for them! LOL!  You can't fool Garndma Sam!  The hardest part were those safety eyes....I almost got a hammer out! LOL!

3)  My treasures came in the mail and boy is Fat Quarter Shop fast!  Love that store! This is the kit for the SAL that just ended! LOL!  But that's okay as I want to make it regardless.....it came with the pattern, the fabric and the 'fancy floss' (hand dyed) and the needle!

I cut the fabric as I didn't need all they sent and I zigzagged the edges.  I'm on my way!  This is my new Stars and Stripes Saturday project.  I had another one started but somehow misplaced the pattern....imagine that.  This is not a 'small' but a picture sized project.  Easy and enjoyable on 14 count Aida and no back stitching or fancy stitches.....just how I like it! LOL!  

Acquisitions:  I got the kit above and I also got the pattern and most of the floss plus the fabric for the Sew She Did SAL starting this coming Wednesday live at 9:00 a.m. on The Fat Quarter Shop Floss Tube channel on You Tube.   I still need to cut the fabric and zigzag around it.  I also ordered the rest of the floss and 2 other patterns from Everything Cross Stitch as FQS ran out of one of the colors that requires 6 skeins!  This will be going in my craft room/studio when done.  I love it!  Another easy project, I think.  I just need the little colored buttons she uses for the machine and the pin tops.  They sell them at FQS so I will get them later....when I'm done.  

The only other SAL is the Jolly July starting July 1st where you start a Christmas ornament every day in July...so 31 and then spend the rest of the year finishing them.  I have to gather them together.  I have 2 or 3 so far.   There is a pattern that I will order later that has 12 vintage images on a pillow by Lor Holt but I will separate them into 12 separate ornaments so that will get me about halfway.  I also have some books and magazines around here to check out.
 New Starts Planned: they're all secret! LOL!  There is planning a foot!
Only 2 more weeks for YOP until the next season!  I am so excited!  I have already started planning my projects and I am much more realistic this year and wanting to finish things....strange but true!

YOP Goals from last week:
*****1. finish sock?
***2. audition and cut fabric for Pickle Dish #6
3. measure Grayson's blanket and work on
4.  finish stitch Maynia #5
5.  work at least 4 square inches on Diamond Painting
6.  work on Frida Kahlo basket
***7.  plan YOP 2019-20
***8.  plan gifts for July birthdays and Christmas
*****9.  plan SAL's if possible and gather materials
10.  final finish a xs item

YOP Goals for this coming week:
1. cut fabrics for Pickle Dish #6
2. measure Grayson's blanket and work on
4.  finish stitch Maynia #5
5.  work at least 4 square inches on Diamond Painting
6.  work on Frida Kahlo basket
7.  finish plan for YOP 2019-20
8.  finish planning gifts for July birthdays and Christmas
9. SAL for Sew She Did
10.  final finish a xs item
11.  get back on schedule with XS days

TOP 10 (or more) WIP's:

1)  Pickle Dish
2)  Stars and Stripes Saturday - America x-stitch - done but needs finishing
3)  Amy's Frido Kahlo basket (July birthday) - done but needs to be sewn together
4)  Pin's embroidery
5)  C2C blanket for Grayson (July birthday) 
6)  Monthly Monday - HRH January
7)  Witchy Wednesday - Button-Eyed Cat
8)  Fall Friday -
9)  Santa Sunday -Old St. Nick - done but needs 'finishing' work
10)  Turkey Thursday
11)  Seasonal Sunday -Summer
12)  Santa Sunday - new house ornament

 Finishes so far in 2018-19: 
1.  4th of July cross stitch pillow/ornie
2.  Hitchhiker shawl
3.  Felici Hibiscus self-striping socks
4.  Felted wool loafer slippers with leather soles for me Sam
5.  washcloth (extra large) and back scrubber for Christmas or birthday for SIL
6.   Iowa Hawkeye hats for Sam and Grayson
7.  Techniques learned so far this year: a) knit cast on, b) reading a knitting chart, c) lace work, d) inserting and using a lifeline e) charting a graphghan
8.   dishcloth(s)...I need to count them
9. Cubs hat for Uriah
10. 12 days of Christmas Advent gifts
11. Cowl for Ben
12. Cowl for Tracy
13. Cowl for Natalie
14.  # 2018 Collectible ornaments for the grands
15.  Cowl for me or gift basket
16.  11 scrubbies for gift basket
17.  1 pot handle cover for gift basket
18.  Ben's Bear's hat
19.  Falling Leaves Scarf
20.  Tissue Box Cover - 5 of them!
21.  Granny Square Shawl
22.  Kathleen Tracy doll quilt
23.  Pumpkin Spice Farm xs
24.  Spring xs
25.  Blueberry Socks

Miscellaneous Trivia:
For podcasts I continued watching  Sandy Ran's By the Lakeside knitting podcast. I also watched some FQS and Priscilla and Chelsea videos on You Tube about sewing xs project bags with vinyl, decorating a tiered stand and also Priscilla's methods for xs finishing.  
 Please stop by and see all the other fantastic projects that other YOP'ers are working on.
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and I wish you all a happy, productive and creative week ahead!
Happy Trails!!!