tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32189775018557454842024-02-29T23:39:52.788-06:00Bits of Floss[and other bites of life]LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.comBlogger321125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-83393897395250095852019-10-12T17:47:00.000-05:002019-10-12T17:55:52.713-05:00Still hanging in<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I rehomed Oscar, my be<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">autiful BIG</span> Chartreux cat some weeks ago. I didn't even get to say goodbye. I'd left him at my boarding facility and they knew I was looking to find him a new home. They ha<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">d a vet tech from the vet's office next door who had taken a shine to him. She offered to adopt him. I said yes, but for him to stay another weekend in an airplane crate since they really hadn't had room for him, I couldn't stand it. I wanted him to be free. I miss him so very very VERY much.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The clinical trial at UT SW almost did me in. I dropped out after only 3 weeks. Still transfusion dependent every 7 to 10 days, usually weekly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am getting ready to move to Albuquerque, NM and will go to the UNM Cancer Center with a new doctor who will try another drug that helps some people extend the time between transfusions and hopefully naturally lessen my sky high ferritan levels. My daughter and husband recently bought a really big house in Sandia Park, which is just east of the Sandia Mountains which are on the east edge of Albuquerque. Because my ex-husband (divorced 47 years!) presently lives with them, they have to find a medicaid dementia bed before I can live with them. His is so bad he hallucinates but at some points he seems to almost make sense. Very sad. I've contracted to live in a retirement home just off I-40 closest to them in the meantime. I may or may not later move in with them. Their view of several range of mountains is absolutely beautiful, but unless I can get out and do things, it will be very isolating. I just realized their charge by the service medical assistance will cost more than a dedicated assisted living center, but would likely have to share a room. The one I contracted for will hold all the furniture I want to take AND have a full size kitchen despite providing meals. Sorry, I don't eat dinner at 6pm!!! It's going to be a very upsetting transition even though I chose the facility. Las Colinas Village. I have to move the 21st. I'm no where near ready! Don't know even how that will happen. The idea is to have the movers put stuff on truck then hightail it to DFW and fly out! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because I am deemed a fall risk, I'm now required to use a walker most of the time. I don't around home here. They bought me a wheelchair as well, though I only need it when out and short of breath. The altitude didn't bother me but now I get out of breath a lot quicker. Most people with MDS who do not qualify for a stem cell transplant die from infections or diseases/pneumonia. A certain percentage will convert to Acute Myloid Leukemia. With my certain set of wonky genes it is highly unlikely. I'm hoping to stay alive until next April when they FDA is supposed to approve a new MDS drug which works for about 40% of MDS patients. It is NOT a cure, but can extend life. I'm hoping it does for me. </span></span><br />
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LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-23805381535092515182019-05-07T06:01:00.001-05:002019-05-07T06:20:29.147-05:00Probably a final goodbyeI am 71. I was diagnosed with Myleodysplastic Syndrome in 2016. It is considered a bone marrow cancer and is somewhat related to but not leukemia. Certain MDS patients may convert to acute myloid leukemia AML. I won't. I don't qualify for a bone marrow transplant. Essentially it's a death sentence with no particular end date. 3 to 5 years maybe, but I had this long before it was actually diagnosed. There is no cure. I don't have any of the handful of certain genetic abnormalities they do know certain drugs will extend life. Typical comments are "trust God," "keep the faith," " remain hopeful and live your life to the fullest." First, what hope is there when you already know the end game? Live life to the fullest when one has become barely mobile and is facing this essentially alone. This is taking a toll on my little brother's health. He calls 2 or 3 times a week but lives out of state. My sister's top priority is my 94 year old Dad who has been in hospice since December and will likely outlive me.She made it clear from the outset she is not a caretaker. Her other priorities are her husband who has medical issues and adult sons who are already financially independent and focused on their own families. A really sore point since family members who are doing just fine financially will benefit by $$$$$$ amounts if I don't outlive him by at least 30 days and until assets are distributed, long after my death. When I pointed this out to my sister, who is my only option as executrix, she snarkily replied that I should have gotten a job with a large corporation, remarried, etc. Not like I didn't try and kept getting setbacks because of all sorts of unusual medical issues that ate up savings as I managed to accumulate some. No amount of $$ will help me at this point, but still it should be mine to decide what to do with. Sound tacky? My Dad doesn't even ask about me and I've been told not to tell I'm apparently. I don't qualify for Hospice because they don't administer transfusions, which has been the only thing keeping me alive for 2.5 years. I just need them more and more often. I was in a 16 month clinical trial at MD Anderson in Houston with one of the top MDS doctors in the country. Other than getting some darker streaks of hair, it apparently had no effect one way or the other. Trips to Houston every 4 weeks were frustrating and exhausting. I got to where if the appts allowed, I'd fly down first flight out in the morning and fly back at 5 or 6 or 7. It's a 1 and a smidge hour flight. SW is the greatest and most helpful airline ever!! I've just started at new clinical trial at UT Southwestern in Dallas (5 minutes past the exit to Love Field). On a good day it's a 25 and 35 minutes. It's taken as long as 1.5 hours.<br />
<br />
As for transfusions, I've had 43 so far, maybe more. I lost track of the count at some point and had to reconstruct the list I keep. Something like 73 units. I always say a prayer of thanks for each person and wonder who he or she is. Whether I've received blood from the same person before. It's always extremely humbling. If you have given blood, or white blood cells or platelet know with absolute certainty that almost all recipients thank you for the bottom of our hearts.<br />
<br />
Actually, there very little left to do for me and essentially I am dying. I had hoped this new trial would have SOME, ANY positive results that would add months to my life. Instead I've had a rare and bad reaction to the Entinostat chemo and my blood counts have tanked. Turns out Yale, running the study knew it was an uncommon (rare) side effect and didn't even list it as a possible reaction. I'm pissed! The several page consent which lists the other potential side effects, also includes the "and death." I've only had 3 doses and some of my counts have already dropped by half. No one can tell me if they will come back up. I feel like I'm just pushed much closer much much faster to the end date. I'm supposed to start an immunotherapy drug this week. I don't know what I'm going to do. Its commercial name is Keytruda (same one they adertise). It has its own set of side effects, most of which issues I already have. No one can tell me whether they will be exascerbated. I just react weird to meds. They call is by a diminutive name of it official drug name, Pembro. It was developed at MD Anderson by the doctor which won the Nobel Prize for it this year, with input from my doc in Houston. In fact, if I had had any positive reaction to 3 days of azacitidine (Vidaza) in the previous trial I'd be in Houston getting 7 days of Vidaza along with Pembro there. Only I'd have to move to Houston, where I know no one and family would likely never visit, because of the scheduling. Vidaza makes me sick. Zofran to reduce the nausea causes me horrible constipation. If I drop out of this trial, I MAY go back to Dr. Garcia-Manero any way,<br />
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I have been transfusion dependent since diagnosed. The purpose of both trials is to reduce the frequentsy. I now require red blood cells weekly and might require white blood cells and platelets due to this damn chemo. It's up to me when to call it quits. <br />
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Oh, and I can't actually afford to die. Funerals cost just too damn much and the directors claim about a 3rd of the expense. Scam!<br />
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<br />LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-35304982473476946822017-06-27T14:18:00.000-05:002017-06-27T14:20:29.194-05:00Some of my Patriotic Freebies<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bitsoffloss.blogspot.com/search/label/Patriotic">http://bitsoffloss.blogspot.com/search/label/Patriotic</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And take a moment to watch Endeavour land at LAX in 2012 and listen to the Fanfare. It's very moving. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I get choked up watching this again after all these years. My</span> brother slightly tweaked it and played trumpet in the small musical ensemble. I love him so much! His musical endeavors (pun not necessarily intended) have entertained me, but more importantly have had great meaning in and have enriched my life. I need to tell him that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also remember my dear Mother who passed on this day in 2011. I wish I had taken the opportunity to have told her over and over just how very much she meant to me. </span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-63838506114135903132017-06-26T00:06:00.001-05:002017-06-26T00:06:45.398-05:00New CEC Freebie<i><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.cecricket.com/gift_design.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Tea and Fireflies</span></a></u></span></i>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-28013452584903345862017-06-18T17:10:00.000-05:002017-06-18T17:10:18.071-05:00MD Anderson & Clinical Trial; Meet Up with 123er<span style="font-size: large;">Just returned from an appt at <span style="color: #c27ba0;"><a href="http://mdanderson.org/" target="_blank"><i>MD Anderson</i></a></span> (top-rated cancer hospital) with one of the top 2 MDS doctors and researchers in the US. My sister was available at the last minute and drove her new car, for which I am very appreciative and very grateful. I went for a first visit to meet Dr. Garcia-Manero, get a 3rd perspective and discuss possible clinical trials. Absent a Stem Cell Transplant, <i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.aamds.org/diseases/mds" target="_blank">Myleodysplastic Syndrome</a></span></i> is not curable and a certain percentage of patients sooner or later develop Acute Myloid Leukemia. None-the-less I was disappointed. The trial he wants me to participate in is actually one of his, a Quality of Life issue to determine if a smaller dosage of the only 3 standard drugs (for the past 15 years there's not been a new one!) is just as effective as the more toxic higher dosages. The purpose being to help a patient become transfusion free. It's a randomized study, they put your name into a computer and the computer assigns you which 1 of 3 options. One of the drugs, Decitibine, has more negative side effects (I'd already discussed these with my local doc and he's against it entirely) but both it and Vidaza lower your current counts for several months before you even see any difference. That scares me since at present it's only my red cells that are affected by the bone marrow cancer. My immunity would be compromised to a greater or lesser extent, for example, ALONG WITH my red blood cell counts which are low to start with. I would need to travel to Houston (this time it took us between 5-1/2 and 6 horus to drive) every 3 months for at least a year and incur the costs of lodging and perhaps car rental (my car is 17 years old) to get there on my own dime. I need more information, discussion, ask a LOT more questions, etc. I need to discuss this with both my local hematologist/oncologist and my Hem./Onc MDS specialist in Dallas before I decide anything. The truth is that I'm going to end up on one of them (at a higher dosage and therefore more toxic) in probably short order already, but my doc wanted to wait until something in my current counts changed significantly. Apparently the clinical trial would start as soon as I'm ready for it to. I DO NOT WANT TO GO ON CHEMO! I was already debating whether I would do it despite the ramifications of not doing so.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This trip I the had company of my sister. I expect anything in the future will be me, myself and I for as long as I can or by public transportation, which has it's own drawbacks and $$$. Oh, and I'd need to get yet another somewhat but thankfully short-lived painful Bone Marrow Biopsy every time I'm there. NOT PLEASANT!!! I had one Friday. I can't even take a bath until tomorrow, so church was a no go this morning. It'll be sore for a while. Not painful unless I push up against or bump that hip. At present I've got a big pressure bandage over the site on top of an illiac crest. At least this one wasn't as painful as the first 2. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And because my immunity will be compromised by the chemo, I'll need to move and sell my house.. I've known that since September. I don't want to move, but I REALLY REALLY need to. It's just so hard to contemplate because I've lived here for almost 33 years. I won't have any help doing so. Can't afford the considerable necessary repairs and I'll need the $$ to live on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: magenta;"><i>But the BEST part of my trip</i></span></b> is that I got to meet up with Simcha, a cross-stitcher who also posts on the 123 Message Board!! She's an intelligent, fascinating woman and it was an absolute delight to meet her. If I go back to Houston, I hope to meet up again! Would you believe that we talked non-stop for 1-1/2 hours and only a couple of those were about cross-stitch and that was telling each other which fellow 123ers we'd been able to meet in the past. Best possible way to finish out an otherwise very rushed, very overwhelming day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After I confirmed it was a one-day only appt (usually they are 3 to 5 days!) I reluctantly left Oscar home alone. I'd intended to take him to the vet because he's not been acting Oscar-like lately. He ate and drank very little and has been very very clingy since I returned. I'd have boarded him but his shots weren't up to date. I'd had to leave the cats home alone when I was in the hospital for 8 days last fall and with Henna having crossed the bridge recently, I'm sure he felt abandoned. Poor "little" guy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know that anyone is interested in this stuff. Definitely venting to some extent. I'll probably delete this post in a few days. </span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-23066709262956143812017-05-28T20:22:00.000-05:002017-05-29T03:54:32.135-05:00RIP MY DEAR SWEET HENNA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">HENNA </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">July 6, 1996 - May 27, 2017</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">July 6, 2015 - Age 19</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I feel so guilty, like I betrayed her trust.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My heart is broken.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In looking up yesterday's date, I discovered that Picot,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">my very sweet little white Bichon, crossed over on the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> same day in 1996. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My heart is broken twice over. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Nay, many times over remembering all my many</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> furbabies over the past 60 years. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Memory of Copper (who was taken back to the pound by my parents without even telling me when I was 10 - I wasn't allowed to mention or even cry for him - a child suffer PTSD since even thinking about him almost 60 years later reduces me to sobs and anxiety, and yes, anger). After I left home at 19: Guinevere (the rabbit), Alexander (guinea pig), 2 more dear female guinea pigs whose names escape me at this moment, Gus (a wonderful widely roaming Aussie) of cancer; Truffles I and II, Vesuvius (Vee), Brother John, Sally, and ALL the hamsters (everyone of them with a name!), Paddy Cat in 1979 and all 15 of her kittens over the years; Charlotte (a Cocker) in 1993; Picot in 1996 (Bichon) of a highly aggressive mammary cancer, Sweet Charity (a tortie) in 1998? who grieved for Picot and spang off the bed in absolute delight when I came home with Andy, thinking it was Picot finally come home; Andy in 2008 from Lymphoma (a Bichon/Lhasa), I miss my little white dogs!; Brulet (flame point Siamese) age 18 who simply didn't come home one night in 2012 - I searched for months; and now Henna. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I miss and mourn them all! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And now I face having to rehome my really big boy, Oscar (Chartreux) sooner rather than later, which I am already dreading.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is already too quiet and too still around here. Even Oscar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> is unnaturally silent though I'm not sure he even realizes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Henna isn't here. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't realize how much I was always listening for her and them all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We get so attached and mourn so deeply when they</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">are no longer with us. Sometimes I wonder whether</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the pain of loss is worth the incredible bonding. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, even with all those procreating, escape artist hamsters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hear Oscar now. He'll want me to turn on the faucet in the tub so he can drink from it, then lots of cat treats. He's doesn't know it yet, but he's going to be put on a diet. As I need to be as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Life always moves on.</span></td></tr>
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<br />LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-30160362158104581112017-05-11T21:02:00.001-05:002017-05-11T21:03:43.639-05:00Robot Monster the Musical - FB link<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/robotmonstermusical/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf" target="_blank">Robot Monster the Musical </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check it out. </span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-68252008507385801472017-05-08T06:34:00.001-05:002017-05-08T07:54:08.423-05:00Robot Monster the MusicalIf you live in the LA area and enjoy completely off-beat independent productions, I suggest you check out Robot Monster the Musical, <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robotmonster/robot-monster-the-musical">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robotmonster/robot-monster-the-musical </a>(not soliciting $$ just the only thing I could find via Google, however if you feel compelled .. neat perks. And there's a FB Page for Robot Monster). It's based on the 1953 "worst of the worst" cult sci fi films, thus making it ripe, of course, for parody and a musical version. In case you're wondering, the Robot Monster costume is a primarily an actor (in this case a singer) in what looks like a diving helmet and a gorilla suit. That alone should start you chuckling. Funny story behind that! My brother was hired to play lead trombone on a sound track (really low budget so the producers likely couldn't pay for live musicians for each of 5 performances - which will be held during the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June). My brother's description had me laughing out loud. Whether serious or seriously silly I haven't a clue, but if I lived 1400 miles closer to Hollywood, I'd definitely go see it. <span style="font-size: x-large;">😊 </span><br />
<br />
So after all the recording was over, my brother stepped into the sound booth and was asked what he thought. Jim enthusiastically replied, "Greatest Musical Ever!" (he can be prone to hyperbole) and was asked if he could be quoted on that. Resulting in:<br />
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Serious musician. Sometimes really silly brother. He says he's going to see it - TWICE.<br />
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<br />LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-4830642142095990692017-04-19T00:43:00.000-05:002017-04-19T00:46:11.834-05:00Blackbird Designs Freebie<span style="font-size: large;">"<b><a href="http://www.blackbird-designs.com/2010/02/free-chart.html" target="_blank">Now I Know My A B C's</a></b>" 69w x 53h A simple, 7-stitch high, primitive styled alphabet with Caps, Lower Case and Numbers. Several designers use same or similar. Many ways to finish or use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I may have posted this previously, but once again just in case not. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">! </span> <span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY SPRING, EVERYONE !</span></span></b></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></span></span></i> </span></div>
LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-23919447611854899762017-03-24T22:23:00.000-05:002017-03-24T22:23:00.951-05:00Amazing. Over 300,000 site visits!<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: large;">I started this blog in 2009. Sometime during the past week I passed the 300,000 site visit mark. Wow!</span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank yous to all who have stopped by. I hope you've found some interest in maybe one of my charts or followed a link to find a new designer or that perfect chart you were looking for.</span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: large;">THANK YOU and HAPPY STITCHING!</span></span></span></i></div>
LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-78783717970626794462017-03-20T15:19:00.001-05:002017-03-20T15:22:59.888-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy!</span></span></span></h2>
LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-55332888585276572842017-03-09T21:35:00.001-06:002017-03-09T22:19:34.255-06:00Remember WebRing?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can't believe that my old LMcDesigns WebRing site, created in December 2003, hasn't disappeared. Doubt all the links still work, but the fact that it's still accessible 13 years later is surprising. I probably moved most of the designs over here, but if you're interested in exploring something created more than a decade ago </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://webspace.webring.com/people/fl/llmcm/index.html">http://webspace.webring.com/people/fl/llmcm/index.html </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even created my own buttons. :D It was a labor of love. I also created and ran three sites on Yahoo's old - sorry can't even remember the name but despite being a PITA, I had a family site, a business site, and a cross stitch site. Loved playing around within the limits of the design features and tweaking them into something really nice. As for my Attorney site, it predated most of the attorney websites by a few years. Ah, once upon a time I was still creative and had fun setting these up. Now I can't even remember the names of the online programs. :-{</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> x x x x x</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seems my presence in cyber space is going to survive long past me. My MDS has been upgraded or staged one step higher at MLD, meaning that not only are my red blood cells affected, so are my platelets. There are only 3 standard drugs or combination of them which might slow down the progression but won't stop it. Only a successful bone marrow transplant will, and I am not eligible.. But I would ask that if you are so inclined, PLEASE sign up to donate bone marrow or stem cells for those with MDS or other blood diseases who are eligible. Matches are hard to find and the more people willing to donate increase the chances for others with MDS to find someone who will. You can read about stem cell and bone marrow donations at <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><a href="https://bethematch.org/" target="_blank">BE THE MATCH. </a></b><span style="color: black;">Thank you on behalf of the hundreds or thousands of MDS patients who have no other potential cure.</span></span></span> </span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-67313126115146208352017-03-04T02:29:00.001-06:002017-03-04T02:35:05.494-06:00The Snowflower Diaries<a href="http://thesnowflowerdiaries.blogspot.hu/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Snowflower Diaries</span></span></a><br />
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Going back through some old posts I ran across this site and took another look. All sorts of freebies including her 2016 Joyful World series of monthly charts featuring various animals large and small and birds such as flamingos and ducks with floral sides. Each design is 99w x 73h and can be assembled into one large work. Dimensions given after the January chart. Each month has been translated into 7 or more different languages, many I can't even guess at. :D Various other freebies also featured in the left column. Nice site. She also has an Esty shop with other designs.<br />
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<br />LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-45176589076223923022017-02-28T22:55:00.002-06:002017-02-28T22:55:58.528-06:00New Freebie from the Cricket Collection<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Pussy Willow Egg</b></span> - <a href="http://www.cecricket.com/gift_design.html"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.cecricket.com/gift_design.html</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-54286732495333900772017-01-25T12:45:00.002-06:002017-01-25T12:46:32.267-06:00Rare Disease Day 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lQ2MlLSKayJEfZ3qFicgKJgiAr8tLbT-2X_ONL_RktLz4rnda4ieODSo4wuW4o7kt1Fx5Ik6127wwcv3HL-cgE9SLd4k4GO0Hgj_IzshDyMVMGMIXME8AdnJLAsHo8IrxMGllGg7fPjN/s1600/Rare+Disease+Day+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lQ2MlLSKayJEfZ3qFicgKJgiAr8tLbT-2X_ONL_RktLz4rnda4ieODSo4wuW4o7kt1Fx5Ik6127wwcv3HL-cgE9SLd4k4GO0Hgj_IzshDyMVMGMIXME8AdnJLAsHo8IrxMGllGg7fPjN/s640/Rare+Disease+Day+2017.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-41608223039282713362016-12-12T01:28:00.002-06:002016-12-12T01:28:25.355-06:00New from CEC<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kitty Mitten: <a href="http://www.cecricket.com/gift_design.html" target="_blank"> http://www.cecricket.com/gift_design.html</a></span></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-23712325076109885822016-08-13T14:02:00.003-05:002016-08-13T14:02:50.319-05:00Pam Kellog Small Freebies<span style="font-size: large;">Bird On Apple and others on her blog at </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/">http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/ </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also beautiful patriotic eagle and Autumn Cat blackwork. </span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-55195273437002026282016-08-10T11:08:00.003-05:002016-08-10T11:09:32.057-05:00Chart of different numbers.Via the Cross Stitching Guild on FB - for personal and non-profit use only with permission of the copyright holder - feel free to share. Not for sale. Copy image and paste or save.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6pZnudv3ybslrdjzVUUm4l6y2MZFas16MWBARusxp9rhbXqOiuF3xakAAbXvdWNKcCBe44pGATliCTZxdFOkXLqYw2_o6KMnyJzhTx50hqNt6WHcfhV9oYVl3Lx96dSfs_orWiG22exK/s1600/Numbers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6pZnudv3ybslrdjzVUUm4l6y2MZFas16MWBARusxp9rhbXqOiuF3xakAAbXvdWNKcCBe44pGATliCTZxdFOkXLqYw2_o6KMnyJzhTx50hqNt6WHcfhV9oYVl3Lx96dSfs_orWiG22exK/s1600/Numbers.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-31300697849648521012016-04-11T04:31:00.000-05:002016-04-11T04:31:29.854-05:00Stitching Again at LastIt has been more than a year since I was able to see well enough to actually stitch, so these are my first two projects. These designs are Freebies from Cross Stitch & Needlework Magazine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfa7vt2EP3f9z0ThuPWMEDRQwfX5c83SLiLDq74h7y1p0kxCeKw2x6Cl1klt5cG2PBVjvGDutXvOTkCy0UqiZM4K6DBw8s2jgEULFZpJh1PdXUoWFmulQzoFdJQJt8rOj_RAkUwcnOxiz/s1600/Windflowers+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfa7vt2EP3f9z0ThuPWMEDRQwfX5c83SLiLDq74h7y1p0kxCeKw2x6Cl1klt5cG2PBVjvGDutXvOTkCy0UqiZM4K6DBw8s2jgEULFZpJh1PdXUoWFmulQzoFdJQJt8rOj_RAkUwcnOxiz/s320/Windflowers+1.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Stitched on 14-ct Charles Craft Light Blue; finished stitched size 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches</div>
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I substituted the lightest red and the light green.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhGDPloKa6R0Y7mHCFLAiGC1_uBn7hfEqVRrqNE1kLjzLDckrH3Er7Xfwvf2ULdx0exxMsiwutAcVY4sNHmCcu6MRNduE2T7XS58jR5okcz6zR_V53eo3Cq4bwEb14oAQ9vzg6cMSlsV6/s1600/Windflowers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhGDPloKa6R0Y7mHCFLAiGC1_uBn7hfEqVRrqNE1kLjzLDckrH3Er7Xfwvf2ULdx0exxMsiwutAcVY4sNHmCcu6MRNduE2T7XS58jR5okcz6zR_V53eo3Cq4bwEb14oAQ9vzg6cMSlsV6/s320/Windflowers+2.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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Stitched on 14-ct Charles Craft Oatmeal Fiddlers Cloth; finished size 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches</div>
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Ditto re the lightest red..</div>
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I plan to make these into Thank You cards. I bought some heavy weight light yellow scrapbooking stock for that purpose. Now just to glue or use double-sided sticky tap to hold everything together. </div>
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For my next project I've gone back to a kit I bought and barely started stitching 20 years ago: Jannlynn's Woodland Creatures Christmas Ornaments, no longer available. The thread has long since disappeared but the DMC colors are listed - which I have ooodles of. However, I find I just can't stitch on the included 18-ct navy Aida. I used to have a very strong glasses prescription which causes considerable magnification, but no longer. Suddenly everything is so much smaller and so far I haven't been able to adjust when it comes to fabric court. Turned out I had a (probably equally old) packet of 14-Count Charles Craft navy. It'd look great, but I can't even see the 310, 433, 898, 3371 etc. on the fabric, making trying to stitch those colors basically impossible. Though my eyes are working much better now than in the past 2 years, they still aren't healed completely. I'm still dealing with severe dry eye caused by some of the eye drops, and resultant cornea issues that often cause everything to look blurry and/or haze, even IF I can get them in focus. I've got some of the lighter areas of the raccoon's belly stitched, but I'll either have to scrap it entirely or start over on a lighter color fabric. The light blue is too light (actually much lighter than it appears above) so I'll have to experiment. Actually, I don't know why I'm even stitching these as ornaments since I haven't decorated for Christmas in say the past 20 years either. But I do like cute creatures. I still have some Linda Powell creatures I stitched 25 or 30 years ago. :D</div>
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<span id="goog_172272338"></span><span id="goog_172272339"></span><br />LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-85337688746260551272015-12-16T09:20:00.000-06:002015-12-16T11:17:42.595-06:00Jim McMillen's Big Band/Jazz arrangement for Let It Snowa new single, recorded by Laura Dickenson this past week at Capital Records. Outstanding and fun. Some of the top studio and other musicians in LA,.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbKrXtb28uE&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Let It Snow</a></span></b> (LA version)<br />
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Let Laura know how much you like it on FB and/orYou Tube and share the link Freely!!<br />
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Question? I've recently been unable to get south on You Tuve and some, but not other videos. When this first post to Laura's page on FB I had terrific audio. Now silence even on FB. Any one have any clue? <br />
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LindaMcLindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-76176649398788334042015-12-12T20:13:00.004-06:002015-12-12T22:26:31.173-06:00Newest (and past) Permin Freebies<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.permin.dk/files/documents/free_graph_2015_12.pdf" target="_blank">December 2015</a> - Santa with Goose (cute)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.permin.dk/files/documents/free_graph_2011_11.pdf" target="_blank">November 2015 </a>- Candles with Poinsettia (nice)</span><br />
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Most are small, simple and quick-stitch designs that will fit a 2" or 3" frame (depends
on your fabric count and shape of the design). Perfect for
a greeting card insert or glue-on and quick Christmas ornies, etc. Also some button covers and at least one placemat or corner design for something. Nice mostly quick stitch designs when you want to set aside that BAP or do a quick project. The chart sheet includes any special stitching or instructions along with the shape of the appropriate small frame. <br />
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Best yet: Explore freebies back to May 2011 by changing the year and month at the end of the url. July 2012 would be 2012_07 for example. HOWEVER, not all months are still available (I only spot checked primarily for December).. While May 2011 was still there, the next one was November. I found at lesast one duplicate. But if this sort of design/stitching interests you, it might be worth a bit of exploration. Without a photo on the chart sheet, sometimes it's a little hard to tell what the design is. My favorite has been the 2015_01 Deer in Forest scene. Wished I had used evenweave.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy8sNnTTS-EWb6layGLhcAJndMLqQ0GIMNmRISJEeY4lK-qJ7UIXG_1xjIZaPNL_RW56GiERhNOVtcBdHtp1YUesKfSWAlUsZxQe9tE98xDWBKriyfTeBOBVS1g8YHZP23hU27k0KExA1/s1600/Deer+In+Forest+-+Permin+-+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy8sNnTTS-EWb6layGLhcAJndMLqQ0GIMNmRISJEeY4lK-qJ7UIXG_1xjIZaPNL_RW56GiERhNOVtcBdHtp1YUesKfSWAlUsZxQe9tE98xDWBKriyfTeBOBVS1g8YHZP23hU27k0KExA1/s1600/Deer+In+Forest+-+Permin+-+2014.jpg" /></a></div>
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Note I'm thinking and talking about cross-stitching again! I'm waiting on my new glasses to come in but I'm so used to reading blur that while these Walmart readers are definitely not perfect, they are better than nothing,- even if I sometimes have to wear a second pair on top of the first to read - and stitch?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Update: </span> I've gone through and d/l all the freebies I back to the partial 2011. IF I still have the motivation, I MAY lst them by month, but only IF THERE IS SIGNIFICANT INTEREST.. A LOT of flowers, only a few of which I've indicate the colors when I saved.LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-76713534979007051502015-12-05T22:27:00.000-06:002015-12-06T18:39:34.010-06:00My Brother's New Christmas Album!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.cdbaby.name/j/a/jamesmcmillen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.cdbaby.name/j/a/jamesmcmillen.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jamesmcmillen" target="_blank">Skin & Bones Christmas</a></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For anyone interested in a new take on Christmas classics, my professional musician/arranger brother, Jim, and professional percussionist friend, Johnny Sandoval, have put out a new Christmas Album called <b> <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jamesmcmillen" target="_blank">Skin & Bones Christmas</a></b>. Skin = the conga drums and apx. 50 other percussion instruments played by Johnny with a couple of others on a couple of tracks. Bones = the 6 trombone a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nd 2 bass trombone </span>parts my brother Jim plays. You can hear <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">clips</span> of the individual tracks at the cdbaby links. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Different but definitely <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ENJOYABLE</span> Christmas music. It's also available through <a href="http://www.hornguys.com/products/skin-bones-christmas-james-mcmillen-johnny-sandoval" target="_blank">The Horn Guys</a>, which has a better cover<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> photo and a short video of Jim demonstrating trombone techniques<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for a locally produced internet program, </span>but no clips. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The album is </span>also supposed to be on Amazon, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but I haven't seen it there yet. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know. With celebrating trombone and drum playing skeletons on the cover, it definitely strikes me as more Halloween than Christmas, but really it is jazzy and mellow brass traditional Christmas music with a Latin and other percussion beats behind it. The graphic on the cover is based on similar medieval artwork and with added elements by their art director. Ok, it's really strange, but it sure gets one's attention! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The album features Jim playing 6 trombone and 2 bass trombone parts, and Johnny on around 50 percussion instruments all layered and synced together into the Master and individual tracks. The styles range from R&B, Samba, Latin Jazz, and several others. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not trying to sell albums for him (well maybe a couple) but just like to share my brother's talent and sense of humor. Jim sent me the album last week, which is when I discovered the DVD player on my computer isn't working. So far all I can hear is the clips online. :O The album is supposed to be on Amazon shortly. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BTW, the album would make a <u>great</u> Christmas exchange gift with a surprisingly nice surprise for the lucky recipient. Just sayin' ..<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Wonder if *I* ordered one <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for that purpose it'd get here by Thursday?</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas Everyone</span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LindaMc - happy that after almost a full year that I've FINALLY been given a prescription for a new pair of glasses - just hoping they will actually work!</span></span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-32161794344517153882015-11-11T10:37:00.002-06:002015-11-11T11:13:42.395-06:00Freebies<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.herrschners.com/product/tea+cozy+ornament+free+download.do?sortby=newArrivalsDescend&from=fn" target="_blank">Hershner's: Tea Cozy Ornament</a> <a href="https://www.herrschners.com/product/gingerbread+joy+free+download.do?sortby=newArrivalsDescend&from=fn" target="_blank">Gingerbread JOY Banner</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"> - <span style="color: black;">many others, look under needlework</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lesleyteare.com/story/woodland-animal-owl" target="_blank">Leslie Teare Christmas Owl</a> - <span style="color: black;">and <u><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.lesleyteare.com/story/christmas-baby-deer" target="_blank">Christmas Baby Deer</a> </span></u>- be sure to click on her blog which has many other recent freebies including including Woodland creatures and Birthday Fairies.</span></span></span> <br />
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<br />LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-67798572032838851122015-10-26T11:18:00.000-05:002015-10-26T11:18:29.575-05:00Very Sad NewsKathy Morrisey of Stitch Niche in Arlington, TX passed away Saturday evening. I've not heard anything about the future of the shop. So very sad and such a loss for the North Texas stitching community.. LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218977501855745484.post-31679000101350889942015-10-25T06:56:00.001-05:002015-10-25T06:56:50.994-05:00FreebiesNow that I can almost see well enough to get back on the computer: here are a couple of Freebie opportunities: <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://plumstreetsamplers.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Twelve Days of Christmas - a Mystery Sampler from Plum Street Samplers</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://gazette94.blogspot.fr/2008/09/grilles-gratuites-58-et-59.html" target="_blank">Halloween Witch & Pumpkin from Gazette 94</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>LindaMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14335984207891426752noreply@blogger.com0