As usual ~

I am leaving for a three day rug class tomorrow and I have barely begun to pack, but that's pretty normal for me.  I guess I will never learn, but it will all get done, and if I forget anything will just have to purchase it!

First this morning I needed to mow the lawn.  Thankfully only a 35 minute task (my yard is small!!!).  It really did not need it, but I figured by the time Friday rolled around it would be looking pretty shabby.

Also, it's that time of year.  Lousy timing . . . but I made time for it today.

Believe it or not I have a finish to share.  Of course not fully finished but the hooking is done.  Pattern by Cathy Stephan of Red Barn Rugs.  I added the 1776 and 2026.  I am happy with the finish!!!  (I just can't get a picture that is not washed out.)

And I finally pulled a (very) loops on my June class rug, Indian Peace Flag by the Woolley Fox.  This rug is a biggie and my goal is to finish it in 2026.

That's it.  Really must go work on my packing.

Hopefully will take pictures at class!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Yard Stuff ~

The yard is looking pretty good if I do say so myself, but lots of deadheading to do!  As you know, if you somehow get caught up, it is time to start over 😁

The Stella d'oros are starting to bloom.

Walking down by the lake the other morning, this great blue heron was sitting at the end of this little pier.  As I tried to get closer to get a picture, he took off.

I had my mammogram today.  Gotta take care of those tatas!  I have been going every 6 months to have a mammo plus an ultrasound of the right breast.  There was a cyst they have been watching.  Great news . . . the cyst is gone so I don't have to go back for a year.  Today's mammo though . . . OUCH!!!  Only one other time, decades ago, have I had such a painful one and I believe it was the same tech.  She has been there forever.  I swear she must have popped it!!!  Next week two doctor appointments ~ just annual checks.  I am thankful I have good insurance.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Challenging Challenge!!!

Happy hump day!  It was a gorgeous day here on Ohio's north coast.  Sunny, low wind and in the upper 40's.  I will take that kind of weather any time I can get it in March.  Sadly tomorrow it will be cloudy with a high of 32*.  Welcome to Ohio.

As I've said previously, I found Saundra's challenge very challenging.  I know many enjoyed using alternative fibers to hook.  I was not one of them.  Am I glad I did it?  Mostly yes.  Will I do another?  HELL NO!!!

I was this close to finishing my background using an old t-shirt when I ran out.  

I had another that was somewhat close, so I did what our foremothers would have done and used it.  Not too bad and I am kind of glad I ran out.  The background color is actually the color in the previous photo.  I thought it was black, but sometimes it looks like a very dark navy.

I used cotton, paisley, sari ribbon, two kinds of wool yarn (oh, the olive green was a bear to hook with), one little strip of velvet and a cotton t-shirt.  The finished size is 12 3/4" x 15 1/2".

Thanks to Saundra for putting this on and for all the wonderful updates on her blog.  

Some good great news.  I had my six week post op appointment on Monday.  Things are looking as they should and I can drive and wear a real shoe.  WOO HOO!  The first place I drove?  To the hooking shop Monday eve 😁

My next big driving experience was on Tuesday to get my mammogram.  Gotta take care of those tatas. I haven't yet gotten the results, but am hoping and praying all is well.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Negative is GOOD ~ ~ ~

Welcome friends. Thank you for stopping by.

{{Men, if any of you are reading this, you might want to skip this post...lol!}}

Any guesses what this is? I'm sure some of you ladies out there will recognize it! It is a mammotome table. Let me explain. On Monday I had a breast biopsy. You lay on this table, face down, with your boob hanging in the hole. There is a vise (I don't think that is the technical term!) underneath that they tighten. Sound pleasant? Not really. They tell you once "in position" you are not allowed to move. So what do I do? Get a charlie horse in my foot. I'm flexing my foot trying to get rid of it. Oh, no. That is not allowed! You can only wiggle your finger tips.Okay. I am in this vise, not allowed to move. The doctor tells me I will feel a pinch. Do you have any idea how much it hurts having a needle stuck in your boob? Did I mention you can't even flinch? Now I must tell you that the mammography tech Kathy was wonderful. She had explained everything beforehand (the Thursday before the procedure I had to go for a "test run" and have pictures taken and the exact spots marked with Xes where the tissue samples would be taken) and was there to reassure me every step of the way. The procedure took about 35 minutes ~ oh how wonderful to get out of that vise. The incision was only about 1/4 of an inch and no stitches were needed. A miniscule titanium clip was inserted into the breast so in the future they can pinpoint where they did the biopsy. (I now have two of these in the left breast. I also had this done eight years ago.) After the dressing was applied, I can now get dressed and go home. It's over, right? Not quite. Kathy gets this enormous, fist sized hunk of gauze, puts it in my bra and tells me it must stay there for the next two days. So here I am with one 36D and one almost 36B. I thought I was back in junior high stuffing my bra ;-) Today I am still a bit sore, my boob is the most lovely shades of purple and yellow, but I got a call from the doctor's office letting me know the results were NEGATIVE! I feel truly blessed and know I am one of the lucky ones.

The reason for this post is to remind my dear blog friends that if you are due for a mammogram, do not delay. Please get on the phone and schedule your appointment today.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren