The Latest on the George Front

You've all been so kind expressing your concern about George.  Here's what I know about him as of this morning:

While he's improving, he still has a head tilt and some nystagmus, which indicates that the dizziness has not resolved.  He is not eating, but he is drinking some, and he also produced a #2 this morning.  That is a good sign, apparently.  The dizziness makes it difficult for him to walk however, and so he doesn't get into the litter box provided.  Can you say, "Clean-up on Aisle 2"?  Poor guy.  I hate thinking of him having so much difficulty.

No one is talking about him coming home yet.  I was hopeful that I'd be able to bring him home today, but it doesn't sound like a good idea until he's able to get around better.  The vet was still making her rounds this morning, and the information I have is from her assistant.  I'll let you know when I have more information.  I really, really, really want to bring him home.  We're missing our morning and evening snuggles.  It's sad too because the weather has been nice, and I know he would want to be outside.

Today I'm starting preparations for the family dinner to celebrate Mike's 60th birthday on Saturday.  His birthday was Monday, but it made sense to put off our family celebration until this Saturday.  (Mike doesn't know it yet, but Matthew is coming home from Klamath Falls for the weekend as a surprise.  Shhhhhhhh.)

Today, I'm making a Luscious Lemon Cheesecake that can be made two days ahead.  Also on the menu is prime rib, which is Mike's favorite dinner.  I'll be serving up garlic mashed potatoes, Ina Garten's recipe for beets with orange vinaigrette, and a spinach salad with port-cooked pears and blue cheese.  Sounds yummy, huh?  I'll make the cheesecake today, and then roast the beets and pears tomorrow.  That will cut down on the work on Saturday.  I enjoy making dinners that take days to prepare as long as I only have to do it a few times a year.

Also, I have the next block ready to embroider for the Vintage Miniature Sewing Machine BOM.

This is "The Magician".  It was manufactured in London, and marketed from the 1880's until the early 1900's when it was replaced by the "Improved Magician".  Each machine came complete with a mahogany-stained traveling case that contained a hemmer guide, a screwdriver, an oil can, and various feet.  It also came with a five-year warranty.  The body was a heavy cast iron with a paw foot base, and the shape of the pillar was known as the "fire hydrant model".  It was decorated with elegant floral and gilding detail.

The same machine was marketed in France as "La Petite Lingere" which translated literally as "The Little Sewing Maid."    Here is a photograph of "The Magician".

Also, I'm doing the last bit of sewing to finish the Oregon State Stadium quilt I've been making for Erik and Mae.  

I'm in the process of writing up a tutorial, and I'll show you how I turned this quilt into an easy-carry package.  Watch for it some time in the next few days.