Hello......are you there?

 Wait, you just may be asking me that. Yes I am still here. Hope your Christmas was wonderful. We enjoyed ourselves and Sammy, well he was very interested in tearing gift wrap. We loved all our gifts.

Things have happened in the time away. The Brother Alan had surgery on both hands, first the left then the right. He is doing well, still gaining strength in both hands, Lisa has retired from working and we certainly have enjoyed the freedom of gallivanting when we want.  Surprising that we are not out everyday. Sammy is now 8 months old and fully adapted to being our baby. He loves collecting socks and toilet paper, tissues and anything paper is for tearing into tiny pieces. He like to prune plants in the garden and find sticks to bring inside.  He zooms around at 100 miles a minute!... did I mention I have had a couple of falls? We love him 💓💓💓💓

I needed a think about blogging so I took a break, a 4 month break. I have been feeling a change with my self. My interests have taken a turn. I am still interested in quilting/sewing, embroidery and knitting/crochet. I recently have been looking to making a journal. I like the process of making and creating a book. I have been watching videos on book binding and how to make signatures interesting. I also have been looking into pen pals. However, many of the sites are more of exchanging items not just the old school writing letters and waiting for the reply. That is what I want, write a letter and eagerly await a letter in return. Still will look into that.  I remember my pen pal from many years ago. Her name was Peggy. 

I have been enjoying my grandchildren; Devin, Julian and Rosie even long distance with sending them packages and Face Tine. My great niece Natalia has also been delightful and texts me all the time. Currently I am knitting a copy of the afghan I made her for her best friend. So I have been busy. Oh and I am once again playing around with origami. 

Alan and Lisa and I have been redesigning my sewing area. We picked out new furniture and once the holidays are cleared we will begin. I have begun to re-home some of my things. Time to let go and make room for the new. My granddaughter Rosie and niece Natalia love dolls so they will be getting some of my treasures. It is nice to know that these things will be loved.

Yes, I agree that this is a  l o n g  post. I do not make New Year resolutions but I do make possible plans. The top one is to return to blogging with my new interests and hope you follow along.

I sincerely wish all of you a wonderful happy, healthy and peaceful New Year, 2026. thank you for stopping by and for your continued friendship.

A good month

 Can you believe but this is the last of August. The days have flown by. Arizona has been in a heat advisory and it does not look to end soon. Monsoon officially ends on September 15th. 

This little guy has kept me on my toes. He investigates gets into everything. Last night it was my craft cart.  Upset because he could not have the roll of toilet paper or the decorations on my tree....Sammy wants everything.
 He had a busy day the past Wednesday.  We, Sammy. Lisa and I, went to the pet store to buy him shoes as he lost one of his socks. He had no problems wearing or walking in the shoes. The guys in the store could not believe how cute he is and took a picture of him wearing his shoes.

Then it was to the vet. Sammy is now 10 pounds of energy. He made friends with all the techs and the doctors. You could hear them laughing and gushing over him. Of course Sammy was only to happy to be held and give kisses.

I do not like pets in the market but we had to stop for dinner items so off to Fry's. He was so well behaved. This is how he rode in the shopping cart....taking it all in. Now before you think all my time is spent loving this pooch....I am busy with other things. 

I am still crocheting the afghan for Natalia. The color is really a smoky lavender and white panels. This  is the first afghan pattern that I ever made. 

Also crocheted a bee and some mice

Not fond of the grey one...might need to find it a new home. Also still with crocheting, I mad a floral wreath.

On my working cart is a fat cat in the works. 

My dear friend Dianna has got me interested in baseball. We watch the Arizona Diamondbacks play from a distance, she at her home and me in mine....texting goes on. We live 10 miles apart (about 25 minute drive). I had stopped watching baseball years ago as I found it too long and boring. Now, the rules of play have changed and I don't mind following it again. Used to be the Yankees! After 20 years here in Arizona it is about time to follow the local teams....Diamondbacks/baseball and Cardinals/football. Guess that covers this past month. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words.

Side note: if anyone has pet insurance please share with me. We are looking to get it for Sammy. 

Introducing......

 Oh friends, it has been a long month of adjustments. Thankfully I do keep busy. All of us miss Murphy in the same way but different. Alan and I sat and both told each other...no more pets. Lisa did not feel the same. We had not only lost our boy but so much money spent. The other day Lisa said I want a dog. I said, oh I don not know and that Alan said no more. I kept getting emails and texts for puppies/dogs.  We looked at rescues but, well nothing hit it. I looked into the site where we bought Murphy. Lisa and I started to look more. 

Alan sent us a text on Wednesday around 3pm. He sent this picture and told us to look into "him" and then face time him.

It was love at first sight and I said we are on our way, One hour later this little guy was in our car and headed home. Meet Sammy. He is a very affectionate mini schnauzer who is 3 months old and weighs  about 11 pounds. From the moment his little feet hit the floor  Sammy ran around the house and made himself at home. He is a cuddle bug....loves to be held and gives many kisses.

 

Look at that ear! It is 3 inches long. I was happy that his ears are not cropped. Sammy already knows how to get out of the screened lanai and comes when his name is called. He has gone outside for doing business but hasn't quite got to make it into the yard. He does not know about walking on a leash yet but it is so hot that that can wait. What is the expression?....Never say never.

Saying good-bye

 Murphy was readmitted to ICU on Saturday. He is not eating and the diabetes is still not under control and top that with pancreatitis and now an eye infection....just too much for him. We love our babies with so much of our being but must face realistic decisions at times. This is the time. IVs, catheters, NG tube....just not fair to put him through it all with a very uncertain outcome. He can not stay in hospital indefinitely which at this point is what is happening. 

This precious baby has brought so much love and fun to this home. From the moment he stepped into his new home he made himself very much at home. My heart is empty.....

Today I ruffled his fur and held  his furry paw one last time. 
     

                           

 

Murphy , taken at 4 months old

      August 3, 2019 - July 7, 2025 

Murphy~~~~~

 It has been a few difficult days around here. We noticed this past Saturday that Murphy was not feeling well. On Monday we took him to the vet. They ran  tests. At 9am Tuesday morning the vet called with Murphy's results. I knew by the tone of her voice that it was serious. The test showed that he is Diabetic ketoacidosis... needing immediate treatment.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in dogs is a serious and life-threatening complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. In some cases, the affected dog had previously been diagnosed with diabetes.  Not the case for us.  However, in many cases, the vet makes the diagnosis of DKA at the same time as the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. 

This is a major, life-threatening illness. In some case the pet might be euthanized. The reasons can vary; from severity of illness to  inability to provide long term at home care and the financial burden.

By 2pm Lisa and I took him to the emergency hospital and he was admitted for intensive care. .His labs were very much off and they began to stabilize him. Before you think we ignored something with him, we did not. Again, symptoms that something was wrong began on Saturday, June 28th. He was not eating, drinking copious amounts of water and had a few incidents of spitting up and lots of urination.  I initially thought he might have a UTI.

Around 4:30 yesterday Murphy began to respond to the IV for fluids but not out of trouble yet. Today he will see a specialist for diabetic care and we should know more.  They will insert an NG tube for nourishment. It was very difficult leaving him there yesterday. I cried all morning and Lisa cried all afternoon. We are all feeling sad. He is our baby...many of you have furbabies and can relate.

Murphy will be 6 years old this August.  To us he is still just a pup.  Please keep him in your thoughts. 

Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. I will update  as soon as I know anything more.

 FYI

Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include any combination of the following:

•  *Increased urination—the kidneys have to work extra hard to filter excess sugar in the blood, leading to increased urine output.
• *Increased thirst in dogs—what goes out must come in; dogs in DKA have to drink a lot more water to make up for the loss through urine.
• *Weight loss—because the dog can’t properly metabolize glucose, the body breaks down fats and proteins for cellular energy.
• Muscle wasting—altered energy metabolism deprives muscle cells of energy, so muscles can start to deteriorate.
• *Decreased appetite—the electrolyte imbalances and acid base problems caused by DKA can make dogs feel bad and not want to eat.
• Nausea—similarly, the blood chemistry disturbances in DKA can cause nausea.
• *Vomiting—nausea can become severe enough that dogs with DKA may vomit.
• *Depression or being a lethargic dog—without proper glucose metabolism, DKA in dogs can significantly reduce their overall energy.
• Weakness—muscle loss and poor energy can make dogs with DKA very weak.
• *Dehydration—sometimes dogs can’t drink enough water to overcome the extra fluid loss, leading to dehydration.
• Diarrhea—fluctuations in fluids and blood chemical levels can cause soft or watery stool.
• Cataracts in dogs—high blood sugar can lead to excess glucose in the eye fluid. This glucose is metabolized into sorbitol, which draws water into the lens and causes cataracts.
• An enlarged liver—breaking down fat stores for energy causes fatty accumulation in the liver.
• Increased respiratory rate and effort (dog is breathing fast)—dogs breathe more heavily or pant to compensate for altered metabolism and acid base balance.
• Dull mentation—the brain relies on glucose for energy.
• Stupor or coma—in severe cases of DKA, the brain is so deprived of cellular energy it starts to shut down.
• A sweet odor to the breath—some dogs will have a fruity odor to their breath that is from the buildup of acetone—one of the types of ketones—in their bodies.
•  
• Symptoms with the * are what Murphy exhibited. 

My aquarium

 Finally fish that will live and a tank that needs very little care if any at all. I know, it is not real, but for me that is okay.

they were fun to crochet and set up to "float". The cover has a few sea items and a turtle. 

The shells are from Rhode Island. They are the only ones I have from there.  the sea bottom is aquarium sand sprinkled with "pearls" and sea glass and shells from Bermuda. 

the Brother Alan and Lisa brought them back for me.  I added a string of tiny lights to give it a nice glow at night. I am still thinking the covering for the cover which for now is raffia. I think I will get some green raffia and try it.

Eventually I will catch you up on what i had been doing. Let's start with this cute owl. I made it for my

nephew Antonio. He loves owls because that is the picture that appears when he is talking to his Papa (Alan). 

 My niece Natalia asked for a poncho in her favorite color of purple. 

I made a flower broach and then 2 other broaches so she can change or pin them to anything else. Another project I have enjoyed making...more of them to come.

And now she asked for an afghan made from the same yarn , so that is a project in the making. I love making something special when asked. .... or just because.

Glad you stopped by today. My goal is to post at least every week or two. Thank you for your welcome back to my blogging and your kind words, Thank you for your friendship.

Another year~~~~~

I miss the man I married on April 25, 1970...my best friend. We shared so many special times, happy times full of love and laughter. We met and married before really knowing one another but we did know that we loved each other and that was all that mattered.

His smile melted me..... his laugh tickled me....

There was only one Dennis....my Denny. He left me on June 21, 2017 . Not a day goes by that I do not think of him. there is a bright star that shines down for me every night....

I have decided~

 Oh I know...where has she been....what has she been up to....

Well the only explanation I have is,  I have been mulling over whether to continue my blog. The bottom line is I really have enjoyed writing this blog. Through the years I have seen many blogs disappear. Our feelings and plans change, I do understand that. When I first began back in September 23, 2010,  most of my needlework was counted cross stitch. Then through the years my interests have changed. One reason is my hands...arthritis and several surgeries have made some things uncomfortable painful. Also I have some vision issues. I have been enjoying more sewing, crocheting and knitting with some embroidery added.   Anyway, I decided to share my new/renewed interests. I hope you will continue to stop by and I will be posting weekly. It was time to update the blog look....any opinions?

Currently I am crocheting an afghan requested by my great niece Natalia. she has keep me busy making Barbie clothes! Remember my attempt to have a gold fish? After several tries with no success, I made an aquarium....crocheted. With the upcoming posts I will share what I have made. 

Thank you Catherine aka Diamond c for checking in on me. So , look for the next post!

Thank you for visiting with me and thank you for your kind words and friendship. See you soon. 

How time flies....

 Hello friends.....I am still here. Time flies in a whirl. Life does have a way of getting in the way. Everyday I keep busy with this and that.

On February 3rd I celebrated my 78the birthday. This box arrived n the post from my sis Lyn. When I lifted the lid it played Happy Birthday and it was filled with a few bags of different popcorn and sour gummies and a sample of cookies. Fun in a box! Alan and Lisa bought me flowers and my request for Alan to cook for my dinner was Shrimp and Lobster Mozambique.  We had an ice cream cake...very nice.The Grand-kids sent me a video birthday wish. Thank you to  those who sent birthday wishes on Facebook and email. It was a nice day.

I made this Valentine Crow (designer, Alaina Carris, Avery Hill Designs) the fabric for the backing and border was originally white back round so I tea dyed it and it was perfect.

i just ordered this kit for making Yorkshire Buttons, from Gina B Silkworks. I can not wait to make some. Today my eyes are blurry so it may have to wait.

 

This little spool doll is waiting for hair and clothes. I remember these from long ago and decided to make one.Clothes will be a dress that is a tube dress.....simple.

Sorry for the absence....I hope to return soon.  Glad that you visited today. Thank you for kind words and thank you for your friendship.