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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ONE FLOWER WEDNESDAY

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!