Reduced To A Snail's Pace

This is slow going because of the many color changes in the subtle shading of walls, roof and windows.  There are at least 6 different whites in the columns supporting the porch roof/awning and fifteen shades of grey and cream and blue and brown in the windows and walls.  I had been taking approximately 20-25 stitches in one color and then it was on to another color.  But I have now reached the point where it is only 2 or 3 stitches in a color before changing.  And the careful counting involved to make sure each dot of color is placed in the right place slows things down as well.  It is now confetti stitching and that's way too much work for an ornament!  But I am committed, at this point, and must finish it.

I finally did myself a favor and used the photocopier in my office to increase the chart to 125%.  I could barely read the symbols on the original.  I did the same thing for the symbols grid.  It is speeding things along somewhat, now that I no longer have to put down my stitching and bring the chart under the magnifier light to see what I should be stitching.  I am missing one shade of DMC for the roof, 3023, which my husband will be picking up today after working at the Historical Society.  I have always prided myself on having a complete set of DMC since it is such a staple for the serious stitcher.  It's not like I have an empty bobbin for that number; I have NO bobbin with that number.  How could I have missed it when setting up my DMC boxes?  Imagine me kicking myself around the block!