Wednesday, February 2, 2011

More Than One Failure

You have a cough? Go home tonight, eat a whole box of Ex-Lax - tomorrow you'll be afraid to cough.
~Pearl Williams

 After spending part of the night in the ER waiting room on Monday, it made me realize how much of our society relies on the ER to be their local physician.  There were kids running around with snuffy noses and adults that could have easily been taken by a family doctor.  The room was packed.  People complaining, people coughing, and people just looking for a place of warmth.  I don't have the answer but I do know that I am tired of supporting other people's health care.  Oh what the heck, it's free isn't it? (Boy, that was bitchy crabby, wasn't it?)
By the way, Mother stayed another night in the hospital.  Apparently there is major blockage in one of the neck arteries and will be doing a more thorough test tomorrow to determine exactly how much.  She had surgery on this artery about 3 years ago and they are puzzled as to why it has clogged up again. They will decide what steps to take after the testing.
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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Weasley all snug and warm in his bed

Sleep.  My brain is foggy today after not getting enough sleep the previous night.  Just that sort of dull feeling where concentration is just slightly difficult.  Sleep is a natural part of every body's life, but many people know very little about how important it is, and some even try to get by with little sleep. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not an option. Even though the exact reasons for sleep remain a mystery, we do know that during sleep many of the body's major organ and regulatory systems continue to work actively. Some parts of the brain actually increase their activity dramatically, and the body produces more of certain hormones.
Sleep, like diet and exercise, is important for our minds and bodies to function normally. In fact, sleep appears to be required for survival. Rats deprived of sleep die within two to three weeks, a time frame similar to death due to starvation.  If I'm very, very lucky I get about 6 1/2 hours of sleep a night.  How much sleep do you get a night?  How long would you like to sleep every night?

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MY FIRST DAILY GOAL FAILURE
I never should have started working on something new yesterday.  I tried to work on the Bee block for February.  I cut out fabric - big mistake there.  My eyes failed to register that some of the blocks were to be 3 1/2" square and some were to be 3 7/8" square.  I could blame it on tired eyes, not enough light, etc.  But, in all honesty, it was my lack of focus.  As a result, I ended up making two big mistakes.  And this fabric wasn't even mine!!  I couldn't admit defeat and be the only one in the group not to complete the block and only return a mess of scraps to this months hostess.  Had to go online and find some replacement fabric.  Luckily I was able to find a fat quarter bundle (6 in the bundle) that had both fabrics that I needed.  Hopefully the Etsy store that I ordered from will deliver quickly.

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MY GARDEN GROWS

After my morning fiasco, I decided to do some safe hand sewing in the afternoon.  I worked on my Grandmother's Flower Garden - I added some stepping stones and a couple more flowers.

It actually has grown quite a bit since the last picture I shared.  I do think maybe the flower on the far right hand side should have been turned 180 degrees, but then once it gets made into a full sized quilt and on a bed I don't think it will matter.

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Over the weekend, during the family meeting, I worked on hexagons.  First some stepping stones and then a few flowers.

But today I'm only going to share this happy little guy with you.  I just love that perky little face.

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NO REPLY BLOGGER
You don't know how much I enjoy reading every one of the comments left on my daily posts.  It brings me happiness and peace of mind.  I try to respond to each and every one of them.  It is very disappointing to hit 'reply' and see that the email contact area comes up with 'No Reply-Comment Blogger'.  I had typed out quite a lengthy response yesterday morning to Scrappy Quilter and just before hitting send I sadly saw that it would go into the vast void of undeliverable mail.  Please check the settings in your account.  If you are wondering why you are not receiving responses to your comments, this very well could be the reason why.  Please go to this tutorial from Pleasant Home "Little Item Of Business; No Reply?"  This could be the answer to all of  your questions.

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TODAY'S GOAL

I think I will start working on the newest Birdie Stitches block that was just released yesterday.  It is so cute!

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GIVEAWAYS

Hand Quilting is having a wonderful February giveaway.  Violette is giving away a copy of The Redwork From The Workbasket book and some new redwork patterns with winter scenes.  You must enter this giveaway before February 14th at 11:59 PM CST.

Love Laugh Quilt is having a giveaway.  You have the opportunity to win one of five patterns or a copy of Vintage Notions.  Beth will be drawing the winners on Friday, February 4th.

Comfort Stitching is also having a giveaway.  They are giving away a jelly roll of 'Sherbet Pips'.  This giveaway closes on Monday, February 7th at 9 PM GMT.

One More Quilt is having a mini giveaway #3.  She is giving away a little over a yard of some darling license plate fabric.  The giveaway will end on Thursday, February 3rd, at 10:00 AM CST.

Pleasant Home  and Crafty Girl are having a giveaway.  Wouldn't you like to win 11 Fat Quarter's in a Bundle of Black, Red and White?  I do not know when this giveaway ends :(

There's a real quick giveaway over at Ala Mode.  She is giving away two fat quarter packs - one in blue and the other in red colorways.  This giveaway ends Thursday, February 4th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

The week started out so well on Monday and definitely took a nose dive on Tuesday - well, at least as far as my productivity went.  I really don't care for roller coaster rides - the real ones or the emotional ones.  Steady as you go, don't rock the boat, and just keep on truckin' - that's me.  A little excitement every once in a great while is fun but not the high of good and low of bad all within a 48 hour time period.  I'm going to think optimistically - today will be another good day.  My brain and my fingers will work as one.  I will see the proper numbers and make the correct cuts.  I can do it!  And with a smile on my face - well, at least without a scowl - lol!

Optimist: someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's a cha-cha. 
~Robert Brault

Woohoo - it's Wednesday!  May your be wonderfully wacky!

29 comments:

Mommarock said...

I know what you mean about the ER. I've taken my DD there with a broken hand or broken foot (sports injury) and little kids running around with runny noses.. GRRRR. I'd like to get 12 hours of sleep a night.. the more the merrier, but I have too much stuff I want to be doing, and I just sit and think about all of it. I love your hexie.. that little face is SO cute! I have a hexagon quilt that I am working on as well, but it isn't a Grandmothers flower garden. You can check it out on my blog. http://runtomomma.blogspot.com

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Still keeping your Mom on the prayer list - it is good they are keeping her for a watchful eye. How much sleep? I am an insomniac - have been since a child and so much worse as an adult. I just keep going on projects. It's usually an hr. nap with furry. I need to pick up the new Birdie block - thank you for the reminder. Just love your little flower face hexie. Sometimes all it takes is to remember to breathe. My Wacky Weds will be spent shoveling - predicting 16" - and sewing some more on the postage stamp quilts.

Kasey said...

i understand your frustration. It brings to mind a T-Shirt of my brother's that reads, "Work Harder! Millions of People On Welfare Depend on YOU!" I"ll keep your mom in my thoughts.
But, on a lighter note, your flowers look very pretty.
Happy groundhog day!

Impera Magna said...

You are very right that sleep is more important than most folks realize. Me, I typically sleep 8-10 hours at night and sometimes longer.

I'm glad you found the fabrics you needed on Etsy... it's a great place and I spend way too much time there!

*grinning*

Hilachas said...

I hope you and your mother have a better day today. I don't know how you manage to do all you do. Glad you were able to find your fabric replacement and wish you a better day today. Cute hexie.

Kathy H said...

Hope your mom's tests come out ok. Love the optimist quote, I will try and remember it is like a cha-cha. It made me laugh and sometimes that is so important.

Gerda Hartman said...

What a happy flower. Good luck with your mom.

Needled Mom said...

We all have days like that. Don't be too down on yourself. I had a sewing day like that on Sunday and I couldn't help but think of a line my grandmother always used..."what ye sew on Sunday, so shall ye rip on Monday"!!!

I do hope they find an easy answer for your mom and can get it cleared up quickly.

Glad that you were able to find the fabrics. Thank heavens for the internet!

Megan Harmeyer said...

I'm sorry you had such a hard time cutting yesterday! Today will be better. I'm sure you got a little more sleep last night - that always helps! I hope today is quiet for you.

Scrappy quilter said...

I'm so sorry. I'll definitely change the e-mail later today.

Scrappy quilter said...

Linda, I changed it. Thanks again for letting us know. Hugs

GerryART said...

First off, Good Thoughts for your Mom.

Some use er and urgent care clinics as social gather places.

no reply bloggers are more or less defeating the purpose of commenting

I don't know how many of my response are sent into cyberspace. I don't alway catch the re-reply-blog address.

Hugs,
Gerry

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

Your hexies are so fun to see! I admire your tenacity. Have a great day!

quiltzyx said...

Today's hexie flower is so cute! Maybe he should be framed, just to give you a smile when you need one!!

Sending good thoughts to you & your Mom & hope the docs figure it all out quickly.

I know what you mean about that kind of a day cutting. Better luck today!

Happy Quilting!

Anne-Mettes Oaser said...

What a cute and happy-making hexie you have made today. It made me smile, when I saw it.

Monique said...

Lovelu happy hexie you made. And what a great Grandmother's Flower Garden to be!

Deb said...

Understand your frustration about the ER, what don't folks understand about the word "emergency"? Keeping your mom in my thoughts and prayers. LOVE your flower garden. I have wanted to make one of those for a long time, but appears they take a LONG time to make, but I should break down and make one some day....lots of hand work I'm assuming. I'm sure I don't get enough sleep, about 6 - 6 1/2 a night...would prefer 8 but just doesn't happen.

Janet said...

I think there is nothing more difficult than caring for aging, ailing parents. Please be kind to yourself... I love how you are doing your hexies. I have been waffling on the connecting colour for mine, but I think it might have to be white.

Birdie said...

Well your flower is just lovely, so cheery, and your garden is so nice and bright.
Luckily I haven't had to spend any time in a larger ER, I've been in our small local hospital one and I have heard people from the city come out here because they get treatment faster.

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

Sorry to hear that you had a destructive sewing day, at least your hexies look great! I am looking forward to getting February's fabric - and now if I make any mistakes I know I can maybe get a little more from you =P

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I work at a local hospital and we see the same things daily. They opened a walk in clinic hoping to ease the traffic in the ER but they charge people without insurance $175.00 for a basic visit. I do not like that people use the ER as a free family physician but at the same time there should be somewhere they can go that they can afford.


Your GFG is looking wonderful. The white stepping stones bring out the beautiful colors in your flowers. Your happy face flower is too cute.

When I am working I only get around 5 hours of sleep. I know that isn't enough and I realize the problems I am causing my body. Since I am out on medical leave right now I am getting around 7 hours which feels good for me.

Miss Hillbilly said...

My thoughts have been with you after hearing of your mothers stroke again. This is something I fear all of the time since my husband had a small one. One little stroke has completely changed who he is.

As for the goof up...sorry about that too. I am working on a prayer quilt and completely cut some of the blocks wonky. I have to use them anyway. Oh well. I never get very focused time for quilting anymore.

Sleep either. I get about 4 hours at night and then 1 during the day. Would love way more...but once baby goes to bed then it's time alone with my husband or other son. My much needed ME time is only late at night. 7 hours sounds glorious!

People keep telling and keep telling people to set their blogger replies but it still doesn't happen. Others go back and comment on their own blog to comments. I never do that. People don't come back and read them, do they? I don't.

Lee Prairie Designs said...

My thoughts are with you and your mom.

Love your hexie with the center flowers and a big smile.

Take care, Carolyn :)

Shannon said...

After 5 weeks of coughing maybe that is what I should do. I know what you mean about ERs, they are a joke. This week has been a hard week for many. I am sorry about the cutting of your block. That is a bumber. I am sure I will be doing that also. Take care today!

Talin's Corner said...

Hope all is well with your Mom. On another note, I love your hexagon with the happy face flower center.

Cheryl said...

You poor thing! ERs are a nightmare! Take care of yourself. A tired caregiver can give no care! Cute hexie with the smile on its face.

Wendy said...

Ditto on the ER comment!! And sorry about the low spots so far this week. Just hang in there...it'll turn around! Hope your mom gets to feeling better.

Your hexie garden is coming along and what a cute happy face flower!

Take care! and also thanks for the Optimist "cha cha" quote!!

Karen said...

That sure is going to be one bright and happy flower garden!

WoolenSails said...

I haven't been to an ER since my son was little, I hate them. I hope your mom gets better and they can figure out her problems, will keep her in my prayers.

I did some hexagons today too, making diamonds for a christmas quilt.

Debbie

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