Slowly stitching

 I started a cross stitch project this week. I figured before trying to figure out my 'time out' cross stitch pattern, I should start with something simple and get back in the swing of it. I started this cute stitchery I picked up for free at a swap on Wednesday.

Another flowering snowball block was completed as well. I think I have 2 more of these and one shoo fly block for a 6x6 setting (72x72). Unfortunately, when I laid out the blocks a few days ago, it insisted it wants to be 84x84. Sigh. I'll be selecting 13 more fabrics and running them through the two dies to cut out more parts for hand stitching.

Linking up with Kathy and the other Slow Sunday Stitchers. 

Since Diann asked in a previous comment, I figured others might be wondering as well.

Horses - I take off riding in the heat and will think about it again in October. Emily is riding today, and seeing how a potential new barn with the same trainer is. I sent Greg with her since it is about 50 minutes across town for her first time driving there. I have a Hammer and Stain event I am going to from 1-3 today to decorate some apple themed cookies and make an apple themed shelf topper.

The chickens are doing ok but it was a rough week. The heat has them producing a lot less, but we are still getting some eggs despite the heat. Emily noticed late Sunday that Buttercup (the Rhode Island Red) was not acting like herself. She set her down and she didn't run away and was having trouble with her feet. I did some belly massaging thinking maybe egg bound. She was able to poop (always an issue as if eggbound it turns off that part and it is deadly quickly). Her crown was also not bright red like it should be and her legs were bleached out. Hmmm. I kept an eye on her Monday, but she did seem better. Em wanted us to give her a butt bath, to help things move but she was walking around ok, so I did not. She appeared better so it was a wait and see. By noon, she was acting more like her happy self. I sent her a photo to see at her lunchtime. She agreed she looked better. 

Tuesday, her crown was getting redder. I'm not sure she is laying again, but she does appear better. We had put a treat block in their run a few weeks ago. When Emily cleaned their coop and went to fill water and feed last Sunday, their feed was still full. No, I did not fill it. It got me thinking and I pulled the block out of their run. Maybe they were eating that instead of their food? They got a little outside time this week but were in yesterday except when Emily was out doing their weekly maintenance. I saw a hawk on my walk Saturday morning, so keep them in for a day or so until they go to a different area.

The parking pass drama. Emily turned hers in and has her pass as of early last week. I did not hear the message Sunday from the principal that the passes were running low. I did send a few texts to the boy Monday at school to turn it in already. I signed it a week ago! He did after school when he got my texts, but then the payment never showed up in his account. He went to check on it, and found out that somehow, they though he owed money for a textbook not turned in. Ummmm, we have no textbooks at home from last year. 3 teachers later (he learned earlier in the week to check with Mr. F the librarian to get things done) he figured out the admin put a summer reading library book in as a textbook! Let's just say a few teachers were not happy with the front office and it took a bit to get corrected. He was not the only one that happened to. It got fixed, he has his pass and opted for the senior one with a dedicated space and a 3x3 ft white box to put an approved design. He went with the lightning logo. All set on that front. 

I mentioned there was admin issues earlier this week. He is a senior this year and is through all the math classes available on campus, so he is taking Calculus from virtual school. He spent most of the first week of school trying to get signed up for his math class. The guidance counselor wanted it through her, so a few trips to her office and the head of AICE and it seemed some kids got accepted through without her say, and she was waiting for them to get put in her queue to do them all at once. A little back and forth and he is finally signed up and started his class mid week. I had to chat with the teacher on the phone for e-mail address verification and how things work. I get to deal with this next year with Emily as well. Seems he has 2 classes 'in the closets' this year. This math class and his advanced Chemistry.

So, that has been our fun this week. Greg took his Dad to his cardiologist last Tuesday and all is well. He took his walker and was fine. He is now using his walker to get down to meals 3 times a day, rather than the wheel chair, so that is great news. We went over Thursday to his house and did a little check on it and gathered a few things. We still need to go through everything and then have someone paint the outside, clean and sell everything off before putting it on the market. We will wait a month or two more until things cool down a bit.

I'd better get dressed and moving. The house is quiet with just me and the animals. Aidan just left to go spend time with Grandma. Greg and Em are at horses. Time to go play in the sewing room!