Some accomplishments this weekend

Yesterday was like a weather day from a movie. The morning was cloudy and extremely windy

This is just a peak into the Lanai. Leaves and dust from the winds and then it drizzled and then the sun and then it started all over again...a weird pattern of  craziness. the rain never amounted to much but the winds were like a hurricane. Of course with the winds came more dust...so the Lanai and the garden really need a good cleaning....but not today.
Considering the leg issues I did accomplish a few things this weekend.

I finished the Heart edged Ice Drop...not my best tatting but it passes. It is a lesson that when I have pain I should not tat.
Finally Dolly has her head and limbs!

She is resting while I decide on the fabric for her clothes. I also will be altering the pattern directions as I think it will be a waste of fabric to follow them. I at one time sewed most of my clothes so I know I can handle this. I am not changing the pattern just the cutting and sewing.
I think I have mentioned the keyboard issues and then the other evening the tablet after 2 years of use decided That I could not sign in for email. So Honey came by and after some messing around got it to work and then we had to change the password but the issue is no longer.

The new keyboard is really the same except a newer model of what I had and liked from 3 years ago. A very productive afternoon yesterday.
Remember the key issue? Well that is totally taken care of. While waiting for the keys to be cut I found.....

this magnetic Goldfinch for my screen on the sliding door from the kitchen to the Lanai. I bought a butterfly for the one coming from my bedroom. Now I have never walked into the screen door but you never know who might. A pretty reminder that it is there. If I should ever get locked out I have a way to rescue myself or I can call Glenda and Don to come to my rescue...like they do for so many things.
This afternoon I will have the Ultra sound on my legs and speak with the surgeon. How lucky I am to have you for a friend...and  that you have sent me encouragement and good wishes and concern for me.
"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the nicest things that you can be"...according to Pooh and me! So off now to do some chores. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words and of course you wonderful friendship.

*******13 days until you know who arrives!*******

A new angel in the house and a barn

Very nippy weather.... actually it is winter finally here. I had no plans to leave the house yesterday but I decided to and came home with

tis lovely glittery angel to top the tree. She is about 12 inches end to end. Of course there is glitter everywhere now. Along with the angel, I found something that we looked for last year and did not find..... a barn

Last year Denny began to find farm animals...just little ones and decided we needed a barn for the holiday. We never found what we liked or very many for that matter. Now there is a barn on the mantle with chickens, pigs and a cow and geese. I will continue to add as I find more. I saw this on Vonna's blog and loved it.....it would be just what wanted. I got it at Cracker Barrel and it was half off as was the angel.
Windows 10 decided to do an update...my computer has been crazy since yesterday afternoon! "Oh Honey....let's hope I do not have to bother you!"......poor Keith, I think I drive him crazy. Well, that is it for now. I actually have not had my coffee yet and I am really needing it..... it is after 7! My tatted Snowflake is almost finished so I will be starting another today. Once again this desk looks shabby and not in a pretty way so it will need attention. The Bissell is still standing around with Swiffer. I thought by now they would have done their thing. I guess I will lead them about the house in an attempt to show them what needs to be done. They are quite lazy with a push from me.
Thank you for stopping by and thank you for your kind words and your friendship.

You read it first here

Of course it would be my fault...The Brother Alan has caught a cold...no, as he said my cold. That's right. When we Skyped the other night my cold transferred to him...think he has been out in the cold too much. But, the good news is that the Skype issue is resolved thanks to Honey who spent time to investigate and fix the problem. So, last night The Brother Alan and I were able to finally see, chat and all without the telephone. Guess I will have to look my best at all times in case someone Skypes me! This morning however, my mouse pointer arrow seems to be confused and gets lost and it is difficult to direct it! Never ending computer issues.
Some lovely mail arrived

This pretty card and pattern along with angel buttons is from June. A lovely message inside the card form her as well. Then this arrived

The card is from Debbie Burke with a pouch that is both knitted and crocheted. Perfect to hold some needlework accessories. The also arrived a box which will wait until Christmas to be opened. Thank you ladies for your thought gifts.
Some of my packages have arrived and a few are still in transit....but at least all will should arrive in time for Christmas. I did the laundry yesterday and today will be to check the yard. The monthly Pest Control will be here in this morning so I usually get the yard swept before they spray. Had my coffee so now I will get outside. Glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for you friendship. Let's hope I can get this mouse to cooperate soon. Think it will help if I put a mousetrap on the desk?

At least we laughed

Early and dark morning here and chilly....in the 50s to start but as it did yesterday it will be warmer by afternoon, in the 70s. Socks on my feet this morning for sure.
My finally Post Office visit yesterday and a complaint. I mailed a large manila envelope to my niece Tonya...clearly addressed and guess what? It was delivered to me! It was never cancelled. So I brought it to the Post Office and told them to handle it and get it to Tonya. they were puzzled?! But mail did arrive from The Brother Alan and Lisa last week

Yes--- a Web Camera so we can Skype. Simple enough. Plug it into the computer and get account and settings and you are ready. Not so! Last night we decided to try it out. We could see one another but I could not hear him...yes, he heard me.

My goodness we had so many laughs....and we won't repeat some of the words out of Alan's mouth...I could understand  even if not hearing! Anyway, he finally called me via phone so we could chat. Now, I totally blamed his end of the set up for the missing volume.....probably something from my end! Tonight Honey (Keith) will stop by to check it out for me. While we chatted, he and Lisa opened the gift I sent as I told them they did not have to wait until Christmas unless they wished to. So it was fun and nice to see them open the box. Lisa bought a new dress and she even modeled it.She will be wearing it this weekend to a party...no matter what, we had fun....now if we can only fix this....
Today will be a quiet day here...laundry and hopefully a tatted snowflake! I will try a different pattern and I plan to succeed. I checked with my friend last night and the procedure went well....now to wait for results...so please continue to keep good thoughts. It has been nice chatting but the washing machine refuses to work without me. Thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship. 

So I really can use the drill by myself!

Where does the time go lately? It is Saturday and Thursday will be Thanksgiving already. As Vickie of Christmas24-7-365 told us is 6 weeks until Christmas. If that is so, then year's end is almost here.
I may not be cross stitching much, and tatting has slowed but sewing has been my current project as has been the house and garden. Thanks to Don for his coaching on using the electric drill I was able to install the screening for the lanai.

We always have this screening across the lanai opening to help diffuse the sun and it helps keep the  dust from getting all over the furniture. It is the screening that is used on gazeebos. So, I had to re-drill the holes for the eye hooks and then attach the wire and tighten it taught before I could hang the panels. Now to be honest, it should be tighter but I could not get it very taught but it is fine. I used hooks to support the center area. So far it is working. Glad Don and I had lessons in using the drill! The picture makes it look darker than it really is....

During the day when the sun is not a problem they are tied open and (can be opened completely) then when the sun shines in filling the half way area they are closed. I am able to zip them closed during the windy times and keeping the powder like dust out is helpful. Of course it also help to keep the furniture from fading. Denny never got the chance to hang the new panels. We have been replacing them every 2 years. Last evening Honey (Keith) and Dear (Al) stopped by to bring me some homemade chocolate cookies and to pick up the shortbread ones that I made.....we do share our baking/cooking.... they gave me the pat-on-the-back approval. That is what my friends do, encourage me.  

I finally decided on the embellishments for the Swaddled Bay #2 so that is the project for today.  Hopefully I will enjoy the outdoors again. We did have some rain drops yesterday for about one minute. The day should be seasonal around 79 and still another cloudy day. I did manage some yard work yesterday, trimming the Fountain grass and getting cut up in the process! I also moved Denny's Lantana so it would be on the watering system. As a matter of fact it is about to come on so out I must go to be sure the water flow to the plant is correct. Nice to have you to chat with today. Thank you for your kind words and friendship. Have a good day my friends.