Today’s title is my way of wishing that I was doing more quilting. I’m not. Haven’t been in my sewing room in way too long. But I figure if I toss some fabric-ish phrases around it will make me feel better. See? There. Helped already!
Last night I almost finished Em’s second subversive cross stitch sampler. Ran out of DMC number 553. It’s purple. I searched every damn box in the Burrow. Not so much as a single thread left. Tomorrow I will gather a handful of pesos and go pick up another skein. Timing-wise it would have been perfect, if I could have been done with this one. Ah Mercury, you sneaky bastard.
The other day I got a call from the shop I do commission work and display pieces for. Instead of completing something fun with bad words, I had to set it aside and start on one that will make me a few bucks (and seriously, only a few, but I was thankful for the call, not complaining, merely stating the facts). The designer of this particular chart has some fairly cool graphs, I don’t mind working on them. Even though I’ve already stitched this pattern before. I’ll share a picture of it before I take it in.
In small news, there is a promising update. Although, as I remarked to Delia in the comments tonight, I lied. Right after I put up last night’s post and sat down for crafting time, I washed my hands, which meant I needed a new band-aid. Oops, it was bleeding again. What a ridiculous injury this is! Better today though, really it is much better. I am ever hopeful.
And speaking of positivity (because we always are) I received this great phone pic earlier from my Hurricane (who I am missing, on a frighteningly large scale lately). 
Indiana Sunshine! My grand-dogs bring such joy to so many.
As I was going to the pool this evening my Wee Walnut and I made a little boy smile. I love when this happens. He was walking (sort of, more like gazing about) with his mom and older sister. Just as I got to the four way stop sign he looked up and pointed at my silly car. Then he jumped up and down and waved. Obviously I had to wave back. This made him even happier. He was maybe two years old. And that made me think of how, when the witchlings were that age, we always called them Terrific Twos. It confused other parents that Daniel and I thought this was such an entertaining age, and that we never refered to ours as Terrible Twos. (We’ve always been rebels, never sheep.)
During our swimmy/exercisey class Patty and I were talking, of course we were talking. I’ve been kind of struggling with a decision. (Although “struggling” is too strong a word, more like lobbing around, or musing over.) She said, jokingly, “get your cards out and ask the Universe.” Duh Jule! Why do I never think of these things that way? I constantly recommend crap like this to everyone else, but when it’s me, I forget. Thanks Patty, I will do that.
Before we get to our message card of the day, here is the oddity J.D. and I witnessed in the driveway. He was leaving and spotted this next to his car. 
With this one just past our curb. 
I placed them together like this so we could share. 
In the Tarot hearts are emotion, the suit of Cups. After he left I got my deck out and matched them up. Because obviously we were meant to know about this. 
The nine is about full support in all matters of the heart, plenty of love and plenty of joy. Very much about abundance. Like the seven, one of my favorites – Dream It, Feel It, Have It. These numbers are significant too, powerful and mystical. What a cool treat The Son and I got, practically delivered right to our door step!
We have no idea where these playing cards came from, but it was garbage day for the neighbors, maybe they fell off of a truck or something. Don’t care, they showed up and were fabulous.
Here’s where we are on the card altar.
“Dog ~ Loyalty.
All of the Southwest and Plains Indian tribes had Dogs. These noble animals would often give warning signals of approaching danger. They helped in the hunt and were a great source of warmth on long winter nights. Since the canine tribe has many breeds, early Indian dogs were usually half-wild. This wildness, however, never divested the owners of their Dogs’ innate loyalty.
Dog has been considered the servant of humanity throughout history. If a person carries Dog medicine, he or she is usually serving others or humanity in some way. Here you will find the charity worker, the philanthropist, the nurse, the counselor, or the soldier.
Dog was the servant-soldier that guarded the tribe’s lodge from surprise attack. Dog is a medicine that embodies the loving gentleness of best friend and the half-wild protector energy of territorial imperative. Like Anubis, the jackal dog protector of Egypt, Dog is a guardian. Throughout history, Dog has been the guardian of hell, as well as of ancient secrets, hidden treasures, and babies – while mothers were cooking or in the fields. Dog honors its gifts and is loyal to the trust placed in its care.
In examining Dog medicine, you might find that you have fond personal memories of owning and loving Dog as a pet. The message that Dogs are trying to give you is that you must delve deeply into your sense of service to others. Canines are genuinely service-oriented animals, and are devoted to their owners with a sense of loyalty that supersedes how they are treated
If Dog has been yelled at or paddled, it still returns love to the person who was the source of its bad treatment. This does not come from stupidity, but rather from a deep and compassionate understanding of human shortcomings. It is as if a tolerant spirit dwells in the heart of every canine that asks only to be of service.
Dog medicine asks you to look at how readily your sense of loyalty is countermanded by your need for approval. When dealing with Dog medicine there are several questions you need to consider.
Have I recently forgotten that I owe my allegiance to my personal truth in life?
Is is possible that opinions of others have jaded my loyalty to a certain friend, group, or situation?
Have I denied or ignored someone who is trying to be my loyal friend?
And lastly, have I been loyal and true to my goals and self?”
Welcome to JulieLand 