What’s On Your Workdesk this Wednesday?
Don’t worry, the week hasn’t been as bad or exciting as this blog post’s title might suggest. Actually it’s been quite dull and I haven’t got as much to report as usual, as it’s been quite a quiet week apart from usual busy-ness in the kitchen, and doing boring stuff like the monthly accounts.
Facing up – adding faces to the kitty embellishments
I have been steaming ahead with embroidering simple kitty faces on the various embellishments.
It’s funny, but I didn’t find crocheting the faces or squares repetitive, but I did find embroidering all the features rather dull after a while, especially those on the round cat head-shaped ones. Doing the smaller ones (the large and small “many cats” kitties and the “peeking cats” didn’t seem to be so arduous. Anyway, now I’ve completed all the features, I can begin to sew them onto the squares. I shall then be able to add the whiskers, and decide whether to add any further details such as stripes, according to how they look on the individual squares.
Here are all the paw prints. No embroidery required.
Now the really fun part begins – assembling the blanket!
Shark Attack!
This week in my grocery delivery, I found a rather interesting carrot.
A nifty bit of photo editing, and………
Da-dum. Da-dum. Da-dum da-dum da-dum da-dum daaaaaaaa.
Bet you never thought you’d find a shark in your soup.
Don’t you just love wonky veg? They always spark my imagination and make me smile. Perfect is so boring. Remember this?
Health update – Pants!
It’s Pants time again. You may remember a while back I had terrible problems with the company which supplies my hernia support pants, constantly making them the wrong size, and them having to go back. Recently I was wondering whether it was time to approach them again; on the last occasion the lady didn’t write the date on the leaflet and I couldn’t remember when it was. Two or three weeks ago I got a phone call from her, arranging an appointment for her to call again, and she said it was 18 months since the last prescription. I am supposed to have new ones every year as they tend to lose their stretch and support after a while. Of course, Covid intervened and everything came to a halt last year.
Anyway, she came last Wednesday afternoon. She is absolutely lovely and we always have a good chat. She said that she didn’t really need to alter anything as the size was still about right. I have lost some weight since she was last here, and interestingly, despite this, the measurement around my abdomen was larger than last time by 2 cm, because the hernia is bigger than it was.
I told her I was awaiting further surgery to repair the hernia, and we agreed it was unlikely to happen within the next six months. She was considering that any pants she prescribed now would probably not be suitable after the operation, and if I had used up the maximum of 3 pairs allowed on prescription for this year, I wouldn’t be able to order any more till next year. However, after discussing it, we agreed that they would probably make an exception for me and allow a second prescription for three more pairs if my shape had radically altered as a result of surgery. She said that between herself, the GP and the stoma nurse, they’d probably be able to swing it. We could therefore assume it would be safe to go ahead on the basis that things aren’t likely to change for the foreseeable future.
She agreed that there was a considerable amount of excess skin on my abdomen as a result of the weight loss, and that the tummy tuck would definitely give the parastomal area a great deal more support than at present – things are very loose and unstable, causing quite considerable variation in the size of the stoma and causing more frequent problems with seepage under the bag. I am definitely having to change the bag more frequently than before, which is what happened before the last time the hernia was repaired. She said that after surgery, she would fit me for a less supportive type of pants which would suit me better at that stage.
She is really friendly and helpful, and also very professional, and it was lovely to see her again. I am hoping that the people at the workshop will be more professional this time, and we won’t have to go through the shenanigans we’ve been through on several occasions before, with them not following her instructions properly and sending me pants that really did not fit. This is a bespoke service and they should be capable of getting it right!
Easter Egg
My very clever hubby found a fabulous Easter egg for me this year, from Lidl. It’s dark chocolate (70% cocoa) which I love, Fair-trade, and what’s more, vegan! Also, I’ve never seen one quite like it, with the Amazon rain forest theme and a beautiful puma! Note also that it seems to have been airbrushed with a slightly metallic finish.
If you look carefully on the far right-hand-side of the egg, you can see a little monkey climbing up, and there’s a butterfly just to the left of the puma’s nose.
I tried to make a rubbing of the design, but it didn’t work unfortunately. I did cut a couple of the panels off the box because they were so beautiful with their jungle theme – I am sure I will be able to use them for something. You can see the monkey more clearly on the picture, and there’s also a snake on the smaller panel.
My hubby is very good at finding things he knows I will like! I’ve never had an egg like this before.
Kitties
Not a lot of kitty activity this week, but I did manage to catch Ruby in the act of creeping into my bag. I use this bag to carry my stuff up and down the stairs, and I was about to finish packing it up to go to bed last night.
Safely tucked inside.
I hooked the bag over the arm of the stairlift and we rode up together. At the top, I had to lift her out (and gave her a cuddle) and then off she trotted downstairs.
So that all you fans of the girlie-whirlies don’t feel too deprived, here’s another photo of them, taken when they were seven months old.
A topical “And Finally…”
Have a great week, everybody.
What is it with cats and bags? My cat Tabitha used to find bags the most interesting places to sit. I once had a photo of her sat in a plastic carrier bag which was on top of a cupboard. I remember her giving me a fright when I saw her up there. Another thing was a suitcase. If we were getting ready to go on holiday she would sit in the suitcase, whether it was to say “don’t you dare go without me” or what I have no idea. Ruby looks oh so cute sat in that bag and to think she travelled upstairs in it too! I do miss Tabitha.
Loving the progress you are making on the cats, even if it did get boring it has provided much pleasure for the viewer and imagine the recipient when he get his gift!
So glad you had a good experience with your visiting lady, it makes all the difference if you have someone (medical) you can actually talk to.
Your egg is stunning! There is no other word for it, what a beautiful choice your husband made and what a fabulous set of pictures you have now from the box it came in. Good luck with making the into something.
Hugs, Neet 4 xx
Still entranced by the kitty blanket. I’m sure much of WOYWW is breathless with antici……pation waiting to see it. The shark did make me laugh! I think your egg is beautiful, clever hubby, and the packaging well worth saving. They company probably paid a ton for it to be designed and printed, why shouldn’t you take advantage of that? Lovely! Glad to her you appointment went OK – I can’t wait to go to both the dentist and the eye dr!If appointments were hard to come by before I can’t imagine what they might be like when all of England is trying to schedule the same. Eeek!
Happy WOYWW day!
Mary Anne (2)
Brilliant little cats, they have a lot of personality! The blanket is going to be amazing. Isn’t it odd that certain things drive you potty? It was Zentangle for me, on the face it of it, it had everything that I like, pattern, monochrome etc but I got so bored doing it!! Which isn’t what it should all be about but it was, so I admire other people’s (yours included) but have no desire to do it again!
Hugs LLJ 15 xxx
Love the smiley cat faces and the carrot shark – how clever and funny! Hope you get the right size pants – I got myself some control underwear as I realised over 50 I can’t get away with the kind of skimpy knickers I used to wear – they’re so comfortable! They do feel like you’re being supported around your midriff, but you’re right these things seem to lose their stretch after a while. Ruby looks funny in the bag – I like to bundle Oreo in a blanket and carry him around like a baby – he tolerates it for a while and then starts complaining. The Easter egg looks exquisite – sometimes you can get good stuff in cheapo shops – I love Home Bargains! I must say though I don’t like dark chocolate, in fact I don’t even like milk chocolate that much but I can’t resist white chocolate. I know, that’s not even chocolate just sugar and a definite no-no if you want to eat healthy – I don’t know why I like it so much – perhaps because growing up we didn’t have any so it was kind of a curiosity to discover them in my adults years. I got a small Milkybar one for Easter but I still haven’t touched it! Keeping it for a special occasion! I have a hiding place where I collect some treats for later (otherwise they would just disappear from the kitchen cupboards) – sometimes I find them months later and I have to throw them out LOL – a bit like when a dog buries a bone and then forgets about it! Laughed at the Easter funny – that’s why I don’t like buying animal shaped chocolates – they look a bit cruel – and the Santa-shaped ones are downright cannibalism! Have a lovely week, Shoshi! xx
Happy Easter Shoshi – what a great egg. Glad to see you are on the final straight with the kitty throw! Hope the pants saga is a lot less epic this year for you. Meow to the mogs. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #7
Hi Shoshi. Glad you were able to get an appointment with the nurse. Hope all goes well. Cat bits are looking good – now for the sewing together!!
Enjoy.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #3
Oh Shoshi I love the carrot. I tried to think what you might make it in to before looking but certainly didn’t imagine that. Loving all you kitty faces. Hope the egg tasted as good as it looks. The kitties are having a good time as usual they certainly make me smile. Poor bunny though loosing his ears, I wonder what he lost next! Have a lovely creative woyww, Angela x17x
Loving the kitty in the bag! The shark made me laugh and your cats are coming along nicely. That egg is amazing! So stunning. Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. With love & God Bless, Caro xxx (#14)
I love the kitty faces and the paws – can see though that they would feel repetitive! Sounds somewhat more positive about the pants this year…. hopefully!!! Have a good week. helen #1
I love the embroidered faces! I can’t wait to see this masterpiece completed! I’m glad you are getting somewhere with your pants saga. What a marvelous egg! I’ve never seen anything like it either! The panels you saved will surely come in handy – they are beautiful! I loved the shark carrot, and the carrot foot! Ruby must climb into your bag just for the ride up the stairs! Nice little memory of them at 7 months, so adorable! Have a great week and stay safe! Lindart #28
haha…sorry still laughing at the bunny…(I’m always having trouble with bunny ears!) Love the embrodered pussy cats faces and the pant story, what a damed nuisance! Hope they get it right this time! your pussy cats are having fun. The carrot shark was fin-tastic! and that Easter Egg! BrillianT -wish I’d seen it for my daughter, who’s also vegan, it looked too nice to eat! Well done that hubby! Stay safe! keep crafting, Happy WOYWW ((Lyn)) #13
Ha, shark infested carrot soup! better than coriander for me! You’ve done a steeling job with the embroidering, maybe it’s the start stop, change colour thing that gets a bit tedious, who knows. Worth it though, it’s coming together really well now, your DH is going to love it. I hope he treated himself to an eastr egg too!
The carrot and the bunny made me giggle.
What an interesting egg! I don’t like dark chocolate though lol
Love kitty in the bag. Our neighbour has a cat. When they go away we look after her. She stays at home but we are in and out of her house. 🙂 She rules the roost. She comes and sits in various places around our property, very entertaining.
Hope all goes well with the pants! 🙂
Anne x 29
I love funny vegetables, great shark! Your egg was beautiful- I say “was beautiful” because I expect you have eaten it by now :). Your embroidered cats are looking good and I am sure your husband won’t be the only one pleased with his present as your kitties will get to use it too. Take care Angela #6
Hi Shoshi, what a lovely egg your hubby bought you. I’d absolutely use the packaging. Your cat blanket is going to be a great present. I still think you can leave some of the cats unembroidered. The contrast between almost abstract cat shapes and the decorated ones would bring out the embroidery you have done. Just my opinion, but if you are not enjoying that part….
I love the photo of Ruby climbing into your bag, and then staying there to go upstairs with you. Maybe she hoped you would come back down so she could have another ride!
Im glad you had a sympathetic medical visit and hope that works out for you.
Great carrot shark btw
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 10
What a stunning Easter egg! I bet you put the packaging to good use in time. I did laugh at the shark too. A bit late but still, stay safe and keep smiling, Lisa-Jane #9
Oh so taken by the egg, lucky you what a great find by your hubby. Mine didn’t get me one at all, but I did get the pond liner – LOL. Love the carrot shark, so funny and your blanket will be superb. Thanks for the visit BJ#5
So much work in the kitty blanket!!
That looks like a wonderful egg!
Happy WOYWW!
Susan #19
Good morning, Soshi. Yep, I’m late again. I seemed to have lost a day last week along with the keys! Such a journey with your stoma. Nice to have someone who actually wants to do their job and is pleasant. I hope they can repair the hernia in a decent time frame. The cats/ paws are adorable! That subject would fit me perfectly. Bob has dubbed me the crazy cat lady. just this week we had a new one visit. I’ll post a pic of him tomorrow. Hugs & Creative Blessings! Kel