Showing posts with label Samantha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Samantha. Show all posts

Monday, June 4, 2018

June 2018 remembering Samantha

Hello everyone,
It's a sad day today as I write this. Our beloved Samantha is no longer with us.

Friday morning was a typical start of the day for Samantha except that she didn't want to take her daily dose of medications. Lunchtime came and she ate very little and went out for a short walk (due to the heat). She came  in and settled downstairs on the cool concrete floor by the fan. She moved around a few times until her next mini meal at 4:00.

Immediately I noticed that something was wrong - she had no interest in her meal.. so I figured that maybe she wanted to go out first. She got up (on her own for DH) and went outside with us only to lay down immediately in the hot sun. Took some coaxing and some lifting assistance- but once she was up, she slowly walked back inside unassisted (we noticed a lot more weakness in her back legs). She didn't go to her water dish.. just settled inside in one of her favorite spots. She drank some water that we brought over to her but still had no interest in food...She stayed in that spot and slept - and only drank water every couple of hours through this morning. We think that she might have had a stroke while sleeping earlier Friday afternoon. It affected her strength in her back legs as she never tried to get up after that, and she didn't have her normal responses to us or  anything else.


R.I.P. Dear Sweet Samantha
born 2004
Rescued on a brutally cold and snowy December 16th, 2013
passed  on  06/04/2018

You rescued us and filed our lives with love and laughter during the 4.5 years you spent with us.

From that cold morning, you arrived with a multitude of  health issues that you overcame while with us: severe ear infection that took more than one medication to cure, demodex mites, hookworms, tapeworms, thyroid imbalance, a severe urinary infection that required a prescription food, multiple vet visits to drain a cyst on your neck,  hip dysplasia, severe arthritis, problems with your paws bleeding (some tissue damage), and a failing liver issue.






You remained a bit camera shy throughout your stay with us but you settled in pretty quickly and soon found several resting spots upstairs and downstairs.In front of the bookcase, In front of the TV cabinet (blocking the magic eye so the remote wouldn't work until you moved), by the couch, under DH recliner when the hassock was up, in the middle of the living room and under the dining table to name a few.

 It was so funny to see you stretch out you paw to grab a dog bone when it was tossed just out of reach and how you would stare and get our attention with a low grrrr.. when it bounced too far away and you wanted us to get it for you. .. or the way you tilted your head when asked "who's hungry? " The smell of fresh chicken cooking had you watching the oven intently until timer would go off. You had such a soft mouth..never bite-y.. and you would lick us everyday..your tail would thump on the carpet whenever we came back into the living room where you were.

When you came up the stairs, you would peek around the corner to see where we were before reaching the top step.
You loved being outside - except when it was rainy.

You were scared every spring when the frogs would start their peeping. You didn't like finding them on the driveway during your nightly walks. You always waited for the deer to run off before attending to your business on those late nightly walks. You never minded the 3am pills as you looked forward to going out.


The jingle of your leash meant that it was time to go for a ride and you were always very excited to climb the pet steps to claim your space. You squealing with such a high pitch bark (so different from your low pitch grrr..) and pranced around until the door was opened then made a beeline to the garage.

One ear would always raise up while the other one only lifted about 1/2 way anytime the doorbell rand or there was a knock at our door.


You were always so peaceful napping on yous blankets,  laying with your head on the hassock of DH recliner (or under it moving DH's slippers), stretched out along side our bed,



or sleeping feet in the air alongside the sofa or recliner.



Oh, how you loved the snow...You'd lay at the top of the stairs and stare out the door just waiting  to go outside and lay in the fresh snow.





 




























You picked up Bucky's habit of chuffing anytime I sat in my stitching chair, or laying under the kitchen table nudging me whenever I was working on a beading project.

We miss you - the house seems too quiet without you here.

Now you are resting peacefully next to your brother by your favorite oak tree.

Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

May 2018.. april showers bring may flowers... or not?


Hello everyone,
I'll start with the stitching and beading and then fill you in our very busy month.

I just had to use one of the painter threads that I ordered - so beautiful- and lovely to work with.

Lucky Me © Frony Ritter of Frony Ritter Designs published in the April 2018 issue of Just Cross Stitch
Fabric: 28ct White Evenweave
Threads: DMC, Painters Thread Metallic Braid #4 from Threadnuts
Stitch Count: 18 x 29, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch








Next up is this  St. Patrick's Day Mini Cat Freebie © Lynn B. happiness is cross stitching here
Fabric: 28ct White evenweave
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 29 x 50, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch


Still have to iron this one... You can see I just removed the hoop to take the pic.




 Then in the mood for something a little more spring - summery I chose:
Holiday Stamps Backyard Bird Three Cent© 2017 Handblessings Eileen Gurak Designs

Fabric: I substituted 28ct Silkweaver Bluebell Cashel Linen for the Lavender Mist perforated paper
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 29 x 31, 2 over 2 and 1 over 1
Cross Stitch, Half Cross, Straight Stitch

Oops... I didn't pay attention to the pattern and stitched this design over 2 and over 1 as I wanted to have a matching fob.. the inner border should have been a half cross stitch.. but I didn't realize it until I was doing the outer border so I just left it that way.





 This is the over1 that will be a fob









Now for my beading project:
 
Eiffel Tower Paris © Lisa Strassheim (SmartArtsSupply) from her etsy store here
Miyuki delicas
gray silimide
36 rows,  99 columns
even peyote 

Since I don't wear jewelry, this cuff bracelet will be dipped in acrylic and finished as a bookmark for my niece who starts college in the fall. She visited France and Italy this past spring - part of a school trip.






April showers bring May flowers... but did someone forget to mention it should be rain showers... NOT snow?  You guessed it!  April 30th we saw snow - covering the few crocus that had bloomed.

Severe thunderstorms rocked on the 4th with severe winds that caused several mature trees to snap like toothpicks.
All told we had one snap about 12' from the ground, another one got tangled in a cluster of pines so we wound up removing 6 mature trees.


 Luckily no one was hurt.. power came back earlier than expected, and the only damage was to the trees.






You can see this 40+ foot pine laying on the ground.







Our Hummingbirds returned on the 5th to cooler temps and very few flowers. Spring has finally arrived and with it - several beautiful shades of green. Swimming pool is now ready for warmer weather to help heat the very cold water. Tree damage is cleaned up and the dreaded black flies have returned. The frogs have been serenading us - peeping away during the nights. Our pair of mallards showed up by the pond for a few days earlier this month.

May 8th .. another frost.  May 9th  - hyacinths and daffodils are just beginning to open up.



This past week: The apple and crab apple trees have been blooming. Sometimes I wish the trees could look like this all year.

Saw a garden snake while walking Sam...  she's more afraid of the frogs.



Looks like it will be a good year for apples. Look at all these blossoms!










The lilacs have opened and we have had several yellow butterflies busily flitting around. Our dragonflies have also returned - hope that helps keep down some of the black flies.


 

 


Today - The azaleas have just started to open up.. what few buds the deer have left on the lower part of the bush...but at least the upper portion has several buds just waiting to blossom. Aren't these such a nice shade of orange?




We also had to replace our television. Watched a movie - took Sam out ...came in and the TV was black.. sound but no picture...and it was only 5 years old. Took awhile to find out why the new TV wouldn't work when blu-ray was off... forgot to change a setting.


Samantha went to the vet - she had the cyst on her neck drained again.. and a nail clip... Dr. noticed a problem in her paws... she must have stepped on a thorn or dried stalk leftover in the garden so she's been on an antibiotic(Keflex)  for the past 10 days.. only 20 more days to go... UGH.. (Sam hates these - 2 pills 2x daily).

Until next time,
Have a wonderful day,
Lisa M.

Sunday, April 8, 2018

April 2018: Back after a long absence


Hello everyone,
Apologies for the long absence. February was a tough month. Superbowl Sunday we had about 12" of snow. The following morning Dad got the stomach flu bug. A few days later Mom had come down with it and then a week or so later it was in our house with DH & I sharing a cold for the rest of the month. March came in like a lion... we got hit with 3 coastal storms. This month we saw a touch of spring with the robins returning earlier this week before the arrival of more snow.

I mentioned on an earlier post that I had signed up for a bookmark exchange on the 123stitch message board. The exchange is over so now I can share. We listed a few of our favorite things, and since birds were on her list, I chose to stitch for my partner this lovely
Chickadee Bookmark published in the December 2008 Issue of The Cross Stitcher (US)
Design by Melinda Medeiros
Fabric: 32ct Silkweaver Spanish Moss Belfast
Threads: DMC, DMC Color Variations
Stitch Count: 34 x 87, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, Four Sided Stitch, Hem Stitch


 I'm so glad my partner like it.

 





I listed some animals that are my favorites, and my partner selected and stitched me this lovely wolf design.



Such a beautiful job of stitching and finishing... I just adore my new bookmark.

















When I finally felt better I picked up this quickie...


Christmas Log Carrier Ornament
Design by Judy Ignasiak
Published in Just Cross Stitch February 2018 Issue
Fabric: 18ct Fiddlers Light Oatmeal
Threads: DMC
Stitch count:42 x 41, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Backstitch, French Knots, Modified Smyrna Stitch



 




Next stitch was this lovely design:



Woodsy Bookmark © Design by Nicoletta Farrauto of Nikyscreations
published in the February 2018 issue of Just Cross Stitch.
Fabric: 28ct WDW Natural/Tin Roof Gingham
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 33 x 85, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, Smyrna

 






 Then I picked up my beading so I could get this present for DH finished for opening week of baseball season...  These bracelet cuff patterns make really nice bookmarks.

 Miyuki delica beads
White Silamide thread
98 Rows , 36 columns




I'm currently working on another beaded bracelet cuff panel from the same etsy store (Lisa Strassheim/SmartArtsSupply) that will be finished as a bookmark - will share next month.

I also stitched up some St. Patrick's day themed smalls.. but I have to wait for the camera batteries to charge .. so I'll share those next time.



Samantha is doing fine... just had to share this ... she's must have been watching the commercials leading up to the dog show on Animal Planet.. (Actually DH sneezed- she got scared and this was the result!)








She also had a grand time with the snowfall during the coastal storms...










Stash: I saw a design by Frony Ritter (Lucky Charms) in the April 2018 issue of Just Cross Stitch. It used a metallic thread by Threadnuts.. so I went to their site and a few items hopped in my shopping cart with it. Aren't these lovely looking fibers?








This was Friday night... looks so nice - but only if you don't have to go anywhere.




Sunset Early April.








Until next time,
Have a wonderful day,
Lisa M.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

January 2017 Hearts abound

Hello everyone,

Do you ever plan your stitching around the season or upcoming holiday... or perhaps you choose a theme for the month? I thought about a new start for the new year, but I really wanted to finish a few of my HAED's this year.

So with that in mind, I  picked up my 2013BB SAL QS Mystic Garden (It is a cropped version of Peacock Garden.) Design by Michele Sayetta Artwork by Ciro Marchetti
28ct Picture this Plus Valor
DMC & Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross
Last time I shared a picture it was at 7840 stitches finished. Now at 8430 stitches completed. I had planned on getting more done - Life got in the way.


My smalls this month are a few more finishes for Valentines Day. Hopefully things will calm down a bit so I can "finish" these lovelies.

My first chart stitched was this freebie chart I received with an online order.
Bless Your Heart Free-Bee by La-D-Da
Fabric: 32ct Mystery from a Bookmark Grab bag that I bought - Very Stiff Stuff
Threads:WDW
Stitch Count:50 x 39, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch

Then I grabbed another freebie from my binder -
A Hug Will Do © 2000 Lizzie Kate Inc
Fabric: 28ct Flax
Threads:WDW
Stitch Count: 37 x 40, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch








Digging through my binder of freebies, I came across
Ewe Heart © 2005 Linda Stolz dba Erica Michaels
Fabric: 28ct Mushroom /Gold Luguna
Threads: DMC#12, GAST
Stitch Count: 48 x52, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, back stitch, running stitch




Next I worked on this design by The Little Stitcher that I found online.
Give Love Freebie©2013 The Little Stitcher
Fabric: 32ct off white evenweave
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 35x27, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch






I also worked on a Valentine exchange piece that I will share with you next month.


New Stash?
Silver Needle Erica Michaels Kit- I love her berries.. and was so happy to get this special kit.

and a few small pieces of fabric, Sue Hillis Christmas Ride, and a few threads...






January was a month that had a lot of bouncing temperatures. We had a lot of snow/ice mix storms and periods where the temperatures either stayed cold with the ice or warmed up for a quick thaw. 


 

The chickadees were enjoying their seeds on their feeder despite the winter weather 

Mid-month was Samantha's annual vet visit. Her liver value was a bit high - but she had been sick with a stomach bug since just before New Year's and was off her usual medication for that.  Everything else was good. She had a few cuts on her paws from the ice...but easily remedied with some antibiotic ointment at night. She got her lyme and distemper shots and her rabies shot will be in 6 months. She had another flare up of the stomach bug the following week, but is better today, and she is slowly getting back on her normal food regimen.(Only a few more days before everything is back to normal.)


Just about the same time, DH's face swelled late one evening. A trip to the dentist the next day indicated that he needs a root canal. However his dentist doesn't do them and the specialist is booked until early March. So he was on antibiotics to get rid of the pain ..after 10 days they were used up ...he still had pain so he was put on a different antibiotic for another 10 days.

My Dad had an unplanned trip to the Doctor as he was having some difficulty walking - luckily it was only some slight bruising of his toes and an ingrown nail.

Last week Dad had a major health  issue - he had another heart attack. His 2 year old stent gave out and had to be replaced. Luckily there was no damage this time. But they found another blockage and he will have to have more surgery in a few weeks to open up that artery. He came home yesterday - taking it easy - resting and watching some DVD's we gave him.

Last night I picked up a few of my beading projects that I had started last year but never got to finish. I can work on them in short bursts of time which makes it easier to check in on my Mom & Dad every few hours. I want to finish them off before I start the next one that I have picked out. Hopefully I'll have them finished in a few days.

I also signed up for an Easter exchange so I started to look through my stash to figure out what I wanted to make for my partner. I found so many patterns that I had forgotten about - not Easter - but some that are now in my stitch next pile. I did pick out my Easter pattern and hope to get it started next week so I can mail it off before my Dad's next surgery.

Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.