New Computer

We finally bought a new computer. It's a "bargain" from Wal-Mart; an E Machine. It's incredibly basic, but at least it's an Internet connection. I have yet to figure out where to attach my printer and scanner though.

I suppose I should be overjoyed at the fact that I am now back in touch with the cyber world, but the real world is getting me down. Our Sammy has been missing since late Wednesday(7th) night. He has gone missing before, with the longest stretch being 18 days. He has FIV, a form of Feline Leukemia. He has times when he goes into a 'shut-down mode" when he doesn't eat or move at all for several days. If this occurs in the house I can get him a medicine that relieves some of his congestion and he recovers in about three days. If he is feeling bad he usually (in that common animal way) hides out until he feels better. I know there will come a time when he will not feel any better and he simply will never return. I hope this is not that time. He is not a terribly old cat (about 13) and in all other respects he is rather healthy. We call and search for him day and night, but there is now sign of him.

The tasks of every day life do little to distract me from thinking about Sammy. Of course the other cats keep me company and I know they secretly visit Sammy wherever he is hiding, especially his #1 fan, Coal. Here they are last week sharing a patio chair in the sun. Sammy is on the left (on the bottom!). As for everyday task, most of it is sewing , especially doll clothes. I had a sale this week with the Parent League at the gym. I think I did pretty well. I'll find out my total later this week. My next big sale is at our home competition on 12 December. In the meantime I've gotten a special request for German dresses from one of the Team parents. She belongs to a German-American league and they will be having a Winter craft sale 20 November. Here is one of my better attempts:

I tried to research authentic German dresses, but the lady prefers these rather 'stylized' versions that look a bit cartoonish to me. Oh well, the customer is always right.

This new computer seems to be behaving itself. Hopefully I will be able to post a bit more often.

I Think I've Found The Trick To This.

Take photos. Download photos from camera to computer. Upload photos to USB memory stick. Take stick to the hi-speed computer at work. Upload photos to blog there. Click "save as draft" button. Come home to edit the post. Write leisurely, knowing the photos are already up there!

Yeh, it doesn't take a computer genius to figure all that out. Some geniuses just work a bit slower then others, OK.

I had intended a very up-beat post full of photos but I must take a moment to send my prayers and good wishes out to Harmien. Her lovely cat Kisse died today. I was so heartbroken when I read her post.

Some bargain hunting. A new dollhouse kit that retails for $450. I got it for TWENTY BUCKS at a yard sale.A very cute sewing basket found on clearance at JoAnn Fabrics for $7. Originally $25.A not-so-much-of-a-bargain purse. My mom has the white one and I just had to have one for myself. A weeks worth of pay went to the black one for me. DS Squared by Sondra Roberts for any millionaires who are interested in this purse for themselves.
Progress on new wood flo0ring for the computer/craft room. Also new blue paint. Some stitchy updates too. Frederick and Susanna Goose Tombstone.

And a little artsy photo I will call "Homage to Edgar". No it's not the real thing, only the microwave variety......Orville Redenbacker Kettle Corn!

Oh Frederick, Dear Frederick

I have looked at you on-line for months. Admired your beauty, your regal bearing, your striking colors. Then finally the chart arrived. I organized all the colors and the fabric. If possible, you were even more beautiful in person. Then away you went, into the zip-lock bag to wait your turn in the stitching rotation. Weeks passed, months passed. Finally I started to stitch you on Tuesday. Oh, my wonderful Frederick...............you take me back to a kinder, gentler, more peaceful time. You ease my unsettled mind. You are more then just a collection of x's. You have come to life.

Photo Crazy!!!

I have a matter of seconds to write before I have to go into the gym and coach my junior group. This hi-speed computer at work is a dream!

Very quickly.......the tombstone update.

Five Birds a Barrick Samplers freebie

A miniature carpet for the dollhouse (with assistance from the neighbor-cat Twinsy)

Mystery plant. Does anyone know what this beauty is?

and of course Pet Snaps........

Tombstone SAL Will Be Late.

With the randomness of my computer I can't even update my own SAL on time. I've actually tried this post several times and even without photos it gets "lost" somewhere in Cyberspace!

Here's the Royal Lady of the day. The computer is liking these photos and not any that I have taken. This is Queen Alexandra, nee Princess Alexandra(Alix) of Denmark.(1844-1925) Her younger sister Dagmar was Empress Marie Feodorvna of Russia. These Royal sister were very close and had many gorgeous portraits made together. They were famous for dressing alike, even as grown women. As Princess of Wales, Alexandra was quite the fashion plate, much as Diana, Princess of Wales was in her day.

Alexandra, the second child of King Christian and Queen Louise (nee Hesse-Cassel) of Denmark, was born December 1, 1844. On March 10, 1862 she married Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) son of Queen Victoria. Alexandra was a keen photographer in her own right, traveling around with her Kodak box camera capturing contemporary scenes and members of the extended Royal Family. I highly reccomend the book "Developing The Picutre, Queen Alexandra and the Art of Photography", by Frances Dimond.

Not a very stitchy post, as it was intended to be. But I have to take whatever the computer chooses to give me these days. So I better hit the 'publish' button right now before I lose it all again. Hopefully, I will have access to the computer at work and be able to post a few photos later in the week.

Brite Birds

Lots of WIPs and finishes to show, but my computer only seems to like the photos of Brite Birds today. A lovely freebie from Barrick Samplers via Barbara. Thanks Barbara!

The computer gets slower and slower and gives out the familiar "connection is timed out" message, so I better post this before it disappears.

A Moment of Silence

The anniversary of September 11, 2001 makes all the anger and sadness in my own life pale by comparison. So rather then fill this space today with idle chatter, ramblings or bitching of little consequence I'll share some photos instead.

Once again, the photos aren't uploading, so it will just be silence.