Crazy ~ Crazy ~

~ weather.  Here in northern Ohio, it's been in the low 60's the last couple of days.  I've had daffodil bulbs poking through the ground since December, but now they are growing entirely too fast and may be in for a rude awakening.  Tomorrow should be about 35 degrees colder than today.  They say if you don't like the weather in Ohio stick around for 24 hours and it will change.

Winter aconite is quite hardy and hopefully will fare okay.

Ditto for snowdrops.

I've finished hooking another simple mat, but of course the binding is not yet on.  I think this one measures about 6" x 8".

Not a good day at work today.  My three annual reports are due tomorrow.  Our new copy machine that arrived on Monday kept jamming and no one could get it to work.  I called service by 8:30 this morning.  They were supposed to be out in the morning . . . and then this afternoon . . . and now it's tomorrow morning.  That really messed up my day!!!  

Friday I'm off with hooker friend and partner in wool crime Melissa for a two day hooking retreat at Sauder Village.  It will feel so good to get away.  Hopefully I'll get lots of hookin' done and have lots to share.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

OOPS :)

I really shouldn't plan to give away a hooked mat that has not been completed.  I got the hooking part done, but of course the binding is not yet on.  I really do have a good excuse.  Or two.  Or three. Work, work, work.  I had to work late Friday because of snow.  I also worked Saturday and today, not because of snow, but because of annual reports.  On Friday I was told they are due this Thursday.  ACK!  I was still several months behind on my data entry, so I spent my weekend entering daily reports.  Can you say boring?  Every year I promise myself I will not get behind, but every year I do.  So much for my promises {sigh}.  The data entry is done but I must now compile the reports.  Hopefully that won't be too bad.  So anyway, the winner of the heart mat must be patient and give me a couple days to "finish" it.  Gayle, (The Middle Sister), can you please do that?  Thanks to all who entered.  I am humbled by my blog friends who would like to win one of my mats.  {This is showing up way too orange on my monitor.  Trust me, it's not!}

Ellie's mom is doing a bit better.  Her C Diff is still contagious, but she is out of the hospital and back in to rehab.  Please keep her in your prayers.  I did sneak Ellie in to the hospital while she was there, but now that she is back at the nursing home, we can visit on a regular basis.  Pet therapy is wonderful!

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Ellie loves to burrow under the covers at night.  Here she is this morning after I got up.  I think she's making herself quite at home.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pugless hugs :)

Lauren

I Heart You ~

Here's a sneak peak (cuz it's not done) at the latest hooked mat I've been working on.  It's about 7 3/4" x 11".  If you'd like a chance to call it your own, it's simple.  Leave a comment on this post only or drop me an email with give-away in the subject line.  (Due to spam I do not accept anonymous comments).  You don't even need to be a follower (though is would be sweet if you are).  {{Please do not post this on your blog!}}  I will pick a winner Sunday evening.  Simple, very simple :)

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Tuesday's This 'n That ~

Thank you kindly for all your sweet comments regarding Annie's adoption.  I got an email from Annie's new mom yesterday and it sounds as if they are adjusting well.  Please continue to say a pug prayer and keep your paws crossed that Annie stays on her best behavior . . . lol :)

A few of you commented that I would have another foster soon.  I would love to, but because I have no idea how long it will be before Ellie's mom can go home, I am holding off on getting another foster pug.  Not having a fenced yard, one dog is my limit.  I am happy to report that Ellie's mom did not have another stroke, but unfortunately has C Diff which is a very nasty bacteria, most likely contracted from her previous hospital stay or while at the nursing home.  Please keep her in your prayers.

It feels so good to finally have my house back together from the holidays.  It just seemed to take forever this year.  I finished the hooking on my belated Christmas present.  I will share the finish when the binding is on and I promise it will be soon.

Have you heard of Folk Magazine?  Laurie Lausen of the Wooly Red Rug will be in an upcoming issue.  If you click here you can get 6 issues for only $10.00.  

Time to pull a few loops.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

522 Days . . .

. . . but who's counting?

Over the last 522 days, I've shown this face many times.  I've said it's a face only a mother could love :)

Yesterday, DSO and I took Annie 2 1/2 hours south to just outside of Columbus, Ohio.  KaSandra and Travis were anxious to meet Annie, and I think it was love at first sight.  She wanted a pug ~ he wanted a dog that could go for a hike.  I do believe Annie is the perfect fit.  I am so happy for Annie!!!  Aren't they just the cutest family?  Thank you KaSandra and Travis for adopting my Annie Banannie!!!

And while I'm on the subject, PLEASE . . . if you are considering adding a pet to your family, consider adoption.  If you must purchase, DO NOT purchase from a pet store.  Chances are the animal came from a  puppy mill and they are not nice places.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

As always, even though I am pugless, pug hugs : )
Lauren

A Not so Little Snafu ~

I've been making progress on Lydia Broome, stitching a little every day.  I had to do a little frogging, but nothing major.  Isn't that the term stitchers when they remove stitches?  I wonder why it's called that.  Hookers call it reverse hooking.  Anyway . . . today I discovered a major snafu.  I had started stitching with the required 3021 but after stitching in the upper left, I grabbed 3787 and have stitched with that.  I did not notice until today when I grabbed both skeins and wondered what was going on.  With the skeins side by side, the difference is quite noticeable.  

The difference is very subtle when stitched.  Had I not grabbed both skeins I may never have noticed . . . sigh.  There is no way I am changing it and I'm hoping with a little staining after completion no one will ever notice.  Heck, I never noticed!

I only have the tail left to stitch, but the tail goes all the way up the right side and then over to the left so there's lots of stitchin' left to do.

BTW . . . do you know what the acronym snafu stands for?  You can find out here.

* * * 

Please keep Ellie's mom in your prayers.  When we went to visit this evening I was told she was taken to the hospital.  A bit ago, I received a call that she has had another stroke.  

* * * 

I hope your weekend is off to a great start.  Mine is three days!  Gotta love those government holidays!

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren 

French Creek Ruggers ~

The French Creek Ruggers were the first group I ever hooked with. They made me feel so welcome and still do.  I don't get to hook with them since they only hook during the day, but tonight they had a special event at the library where the public could come see what hooking was all about.  They also had a rug show.  Oh, there was so much talent displayed!  Here is a sampling of the rugs ~ enjoy the show.

Hooked by Carole, this rug was in
Celebrations in 2007.

A Karen Kahle pattern hooked by Deanna.
She added a crocheted edge.

Arlene's Santa.
I LOVE this pattern.

Another magnificent rug by Carole.

Hooked by Karin (eBay seller primitivesprits).
I've done a punch needle version of this rug
but hope to hook it someday.

A wonderful rug hooked by Donna.

Laura's rug is only about 8"x10".  It is hooked in a 3 and 4 cut and the detail is wonderful.  It is a gift for her daughter.

Jean's rug.  It is HUGE!  (Maybe 4' square.)

The colors of these rugs are very washed out :(

Does anyone know of a rug hooking guild that meets in/near Myrtle Beach?  Two hookers from Nova Scotia are heading that way and are looking for a guild to hook with.  Any information you could provide would be most appreciated.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

A Word of Advice ~ ~ ~

NEVER go to the phone book and pick a plumber ~ especially one with "affordable" in the name.  Oh, did I learn the hard way.  Less than two months ago I was having a drain problem in the basement.  The plumber I called kept telling me all the things I probably should have done since my plumbing is 70+ years old ~ a new clean out, a new line running from the house to the street, etc.  I just had him clean the line - or so I thought - to the tune of $400+.    He told me what he did may last a month or perhaps six, but I really ought to consider what he suggested.  Today I went to the basement to do a load of laundry, only to be greeted with a flooded basement.  Thankfully nothing major was ruined, but nonetheless a huge mess.  Today's plumber was recommended and said it was tree roots plugging the line (we had heavy rains overnight) and I did not need a new clean out, new line etc. And guess what?  He said it's obvious that the previous plumber did not do what he claimed to do.  So a good part of the day was spent cleaning up and then disinfecting everything with bleach.  ARGH!

* * *

On a happier note, I do have a little progress to share on Lydia Broome.

I am still working on putting my house back together.  Obviously, I did not get done today what I had planned.  Seems to be the story of my life . . . lol!
Thanks for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Springtime in Ohio ~

What a beautiful day here in northern Ohio.  We were in the low 60's.  Woo hoo!!!  I will take it.  The snow is all melted, but alas, winter is to return in a couple days.  Have you noticed the days are getting longer?  It is still not dark at 5:30.  Those few extra minutes of daylight each day are adding up.

Ellie's mom is now at a nursing home in rehab.  Thankfully it is close to my house so Ellie and I can visit often.  Today when we visited, Ellie showered her with lots of kisses.  It is so good for both of them.  Hopefully she can return home soon.

For the most part, Annie and Ellie are getting along.  They tire each other out playing.  Today I caught them on the couch - almost touching.  That was a first.

For whatever reason the Christmas decorations went up slowly this year and they are coming down the same way.  I don't think it's ever taken me this long.  I have finally hauled all the boxes to the attic and just need to get the trees up there.  Then it's time to put everything out that I put away to decorate.  This would be the perfect time to simplify, but I don't think that word is in my vocabulary . . . sigh.  TMS ~ Too Much Stuff :)

I've made progress on my "Pup" rug.  

Here's the wool used for the pup.  Of course, it is much darker in person.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Male Logic ~

Wife asks her husband, "Could you please go shopping for me and buy one carton of milk and if they have avocados, get 6."

A short time later the husband comes back with 6 cartons of milk.

The wife asks him, "Why did you buy 6 cartons of milk?"

He replied, "They had avocados."

* * *

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Another Weekend Bites the Dust ~

Ack!  Another weekend is over!  How do they pass so quickly?

Sometimes I think I have ADD.  I am knee deep in Christmas boxes.  I wish I could say that today I would spend the day putting things away until I am done.  Nope.  Not me.  I tell myself I will pack 2 or 3 boxes, then check my email, maybe hook a little, read a few blogs, and then go pack a few more boxes.  I guess that's why the Christmas decorations are still not all put away . . . sigh.

Here's a recent picture of Annie and that face only a mother could love.

A picture of Ellie taken just minutes ago.  Look at the size of those ears.

Here's the progress I've made on my belated Christmas gift.  It is an adaptation of "Pup" found on page 44 of the Magdalena Briner Eby book by Evelyn Lawrence and Kathy Wright.  The book states, "Helen Kellogg thought the pup rug was charming.  Even though the colors are brighter in this rug, Helen believed it to be an early 1900's Magdalena rug with the trademark striped semicircles and a favorite dog theme." .  The original rug is 19" x 26".  My rug is 12" x 20.5".

  

The original rug taken from the book.

Since I'm a "ten minute hooker" I've also decided if I want to get any cross stitch done, I need to become a "ten minute stitcher".  Here is the progress made on my Pineberry Lane pattern.  I'm sure some of you will recognize the pattern.  I know I've seen this on completed on several blogs.

That's about it.  Back to work tomorrow.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

What Goes Up ~ Must Come Down

Thankfully the Christmas stuff goes down much more quickly than it goes up, but I've barely begun to un-decorate (de-decorate?).  I would love to grasp the concept of simplify, but somehow it is out of my reach.

Isn't this just the greatest needle-felted Santa?  A gift from Andi at That'll Do Farm.  I smile every time I see him.

I got a surprise box in the mail from Acorn Hollow Cathy.  It was NOT a Christmas present (says Cathy), but look at this little cinnamon-crusted Santa she made me.  He smells heavenly.  She also sent me a felted bar of soap.  (That just doesn't sound right.)

I have finally started a couple projects.  I've got a Pineberry Lane cross stitch pattern started ~ just barely.  On my frame is the beginning of my belated Christmas gift to my brother's SO.  I'm just a little behind.

Ellie and Annie are getting along much better (as long as there is no food involved) and are actually starting to play.  Earlier they were tearing around the dining room table like two wild hooligans. They should sleep good tonight.  It's hard to get a picture they move so quickly.

Thank you so much for stopping by and a big THANK YOU to all my new followers.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren