Has anyone heard from Texas Stitcher??
I have been looking at a review of the weather in Texas. What they have gone through is just horrific. I haven't seen a post by our friend in a few days. I heard that 24 counties have been declared disaster areas. I am sending up prayers........
Posted by: jerseycrafter on 05/26/15
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I agree. She has been on my mind. Have looked to see if I had missed a post- nothing.
by: xstitcher522 on 05/27/15
I agree it is horrible in Texas. I was watching the pictures of Houston at my son's and he was so shocked. He lived there for 5 years so all the places they showed were familiar to him. That whole area of Texas, Oklahoma and the Midwest has sure taken a beating lately. Prayers going out for them.

Hope Texas Stitcher is all right.
by: syagel on 05/27/15
Yes, I'm worried about Texas Stitcher. I was behind reading the news but read a little last night and see Texas is having its problems as well as neighboring areas. I do hope she and her family are safe.
by: lbcatlovr001 on 05/27/15
syagel, It must have been pretty "spooky" for your son to see this area of Texas where he had actually lived. I know after hurricane Sandy passed through New Jersey, we drove down to the shore once we were allowed to get back into the towns. We were dumbfounded at the total loss of businesses, homes, boardwalks and everything else. That was the first time in my life that I actually saw houses that were just a big pile of splinters. I do understand that this kind of devastation is different here. People live "way" too close to the shoreline here and have for decades. So it is a chance that everyone takes. I see the problem in Texas and the surrounding states differently because these are just innocent families going about their business and living their lives when all of a sudden this devastation besets them. None of it is fair, I just think folks out in those areas of the country seem to get hit harder and so much more often.
by: jerseycrafter on 05/27/15
Ladies, how thoughtful and kind of you to think about us and me specifically. Yes, we are okay but many did not fare so well. We had the most severe thunderstorms that I have ever experienced last night. It tossed my patio chairs and heavy planters around like toys. A neighbor's tree was uprooted and various other small incidents that I am aware of. Had AC issues and had to wait around for the technician today. We had Olivia for the past two weeks because her other grandmother had foot surgery along with our usual activities. She is graduating from Pre-K on 2 June and tomorrow morning is rehearsal, at a local high school no less! :) I've been catching up on laundry and cleaning and have been stitching. As many of you know, I've had chair problems and am way behind on my project. About three hours into it my wrist began hurting really badly but I continued on. I told DH that it feels like I need a lube job. Several birthdays in the extended family required that I shop for cards and small gifts. DH needed jeans and sandals. He does not job for himself. He moved up to the next size unbeknownst to him, so I thought it best to conceal that ugly truth from him. Despite his age, he is still somewhat vain and would immediately try to diet. His weight hasn't changed, it simply redistributed itself. His idea of dieting is to stop eating altogether which is not ideal because many of his meds need to be taken with food. We've had electrical storms almost every night and I am somewhat reluctant to use the computer. I turn it off but should probably unplug it. I have very little stored on it but would be lost without it. Olivia only goes to Pre-K three mornings per week. They still nap and she hasn't in about three years. This morning she wanted to stay here and her mother let her. My office is a mess. I had to make several calls and she got busy drawing cats and cutting them out. The girls LOVES cats. The she tapes them to my pristine walls with packaging tape. Oh well. So, you see, I cannot get caught up. I owe several friends replies......... I am really grateful that we've been spared from tornadoes, etc. My heart goes out to the people who have lost loved ones, beloved pets and their belongings. There is very little one can do except pray. Thank goodness we have many support systems in place in this country. I know it's little compared to the losses but there is a huge outpouring of support especially in the smaller communities. I heard on the news that people find huge water moccasins on their porches, that puts a whole new spin on the desirability of water front property. The boat slips at our lake are loosening from their moorings and boats are being damaged. They had to put in a floating walkway. Everything is flooded. I won't eat at that particular restaurant for a good while. The view was great but the cleanliness wasn't all that to begin with. Thank you, again, for caring. I'll be working my way through several hundred emails this weekend. More storms and rain in the forecast for tonight. Brenda told me that she saw a sign in front of a church that read something like "Those that have been praying for rain - please stop", pretty funny. I plan on catching up on the chat this weekend as well. Have any of you tried the Bohin needles? I have and find no difference. I forgot to put 5 boxes of floss away as well as my bead container box before Olivia came over. I was so surprised and relieved that she showed no interest. She looked at the beads for awhile and told me that a blue one was mixed in with the white ones. Go figure. I had envisioned a major disaster. Have a wonderful weekend.
syagel, we have friends in Houston, I haven't been able to reach them and hope that they are okay. I am not too concerned because they like to travel. I'll find out in a couple of days when their daughter returns from a military assignment in Turkey.
I saw footage of Nepal on one of the news channels = heartbreaking. I'd try to adopt a kid if I weren't so old. Oops this got a little long!
by: Texas Stitcher on 05/27/15
jersey, I agree with you. The same was true for the outer banks in NC. People would rebuild over and over. I saw a report by Stossel once, is it 60 Minutes? and understood that the government actually pays to rebuild> He seemed quite scandalized by that fact. I was too. While living in VA, I could not understand why someone would go through this almost every year but if the tax payers are footing the bill, they probably say "what the heck". You are correct the Mid and Southwest do get their fair share of destructive weather. CA is consulting with Australia on how to cope with drought. Some areas just weren't meant to be populated. Many of the Native Americans had the right idea - they moved on. I realized that one can do without a lot whenever we were being reassigned. I would unpack our household goods and ask myself why I even owned half the stuff. Mostly kitchen stuff and don't use half of it. I have to get our clothes together for tomorrow. We have to have Olivia at school by ten. I am fast but DH and Oli are like turtles. I can be ready in the time it takes DH to gather his wallet, glasses, etc and put on his shoes. He sits there and at the last minute he realizes that he should probably use the bathroom before we head out. Oli does the same thing.
by: Texas Stitcher on 05/27/15
Texas Stitcher, I always say it is good to hear from you, but I REALLY mean it this time! I am so relieved as I am sure other stitchers in this chat room are as well. Being across the country, we watch these "recounts" of what is happening weather wise and it is just gruesome. I am from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, so, I can tell you, I am NOT a fan of Water Moccasins. Saw many of them in rivers when I was a small girl!! Also, I haven't tried the Bohin needles yet. I don't know...I am OK with the ones I am using! I am taking a break from Celtic Spring. I started Nantucket Rose and boy is she a beauty!! Also, One more thing. I don't think your remark about being "old" is exactly fitting. Sounds to me like Olivia is going to keep you young for a long time. I thank God that you and yours are safe this night.
by: jerseycrafter on 05/27/15
I'm really glad to see your post Texas Stitcher and hear that you and your family are safe. Those electrical storms can definitely get mean and scary with the low lightning if you have large trees towering nearby to your home or have porch items out with the high winds that usually accompany them. We had a tornado touch down here briefly following a heavy storm a few years ago just 1/2 mile in a straight line from where I live and it did damage pretty quickly but luckily it also lifted rapidly, so we were very lucky. I really hope your weather starts to calm down so you have some peace of mind. Your area has been hit very hard with storms and flooding lately.

As for the Bohin needles, I like the size 24s to work my 14 count aida and how smooth they feel as they glide through the fabric. But of course I'm comparing them to old kit needles that I had been using over many year's time and the gold plated DMC needles which are just okay in my opinion. I think I was allergic to the "mystery" metal (as Vcess put it) under the gold plating of the DMC needles which made my finger tips peel and get stuck to my stitching thread and fabric, what a nuisance that was I'm sure glad someone knew what was causing that problem!

Jersey Crafter Nantucket Rose is a very pretty piece. I have this chart in my stash and will probably consider starting it once I complete Winter Rose which I am working on now also by Lavender and Lace.
by: lbcatlovr001 on 05/28/15
Thank God Tex is okay! We flooded a lot in the past. When we had a great deal of water damage, we had flood insurance (can't afford it now). But...the contractor, whom we knew for over ten years (he did a perfect big remodel on our Victorian home) ripped us off for thousands of dollars. We were able to get a little bit back by threatening him with the licensing board.

I can't imagine what our Tex is going through...but pray every day that things improve. Nepal got to me too. We support a little girl in Africa through Child Fund. We have always had one of their kids in our family...one girl in the Phillipines got through college and is now a successful adult, as we were able to stay in touch after she was 18. They named her little brother after DH. Amazingly good feelings from these "extra" kids!

Just hope everyone is doing okay. I am snug as a bug, but my stitchy buddy is in terrible shape. Spike is at the vet having a SECOND eye surgery to try to save his left eye. DH won't let me take Spike's sister, Cookie in for yet another eye problem. It is just our budget that bugs him. Boston Terriers and Pugs go everywhere eyes first, no noses to speak of.
by: Su Pitt on 05/28/15
Tex... glad to hear you're OK. My daughter lives in Austin. She's safe, but fears the tornadoes as she lives on the 4th floor, but the flooding hasn't hurt her except for blocking her routes home from work and cancelling activities.

She knows how flooding affects people... we had a 4-foot wall of water through our farm in 2013. The house is still being demolished (hubby is trying to salvage boards for future use), and plans are in progress to rebuild. I sit here and watch the news and remember too painfully the heartache. And then I look out at my own.

p.s. I loved the story of your granddaughter. Too cute!
by: momcat25 on 05/28/15