The good thoughts and prayers!
Mom is improving--small baby steps, but still improving. I'm so grateful, and relieved. The doctors are all still being guarded, but *I* am so thrilled with the respirator settings (the ones in the beginning 5 1/2 years ago were frightening). I mean she is maintaining high saturation (97-100) on 40% oxygen! She's apparently aware (and I'm sure wikked pissed about the respirator) and can answer direct questions that she can nod her head to. However as agitated as she is about the vent, they have her quite sedated--which is what she needs is sleep!
I am calming down--I may just sleep tonight and I finally ate more than a mouthful for dinner. We're most likely going to go down next weekend--in a calm, organized manner! Unless of course something precipitates going sooner.
Thank you again for all the good wishes...I'm headed to bed!
Friday, October 05, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Bushels and Pecks....
My mom used to say this little phrase to me when she tucked me into bed at night: "I love you bushels and pecks, and hugs around the necks, and bunches and bunches and bigger bunches!" I can remember giggling madly when she somestimes made 'bigger bunches' really pronounced. I say this to my daughter now, we do it a bit different, but still it is a precious thing.
Mom is in the hospital again. I saw her on when I was in PA for CATS and Tory got to spend a bit more time with her. I haven't blogged about the fact that she had gone into the hospital about a month ago, and had stepped down to a nursing home facility for some intensive rehab to help her get strong enough to walk again. She'd been doing okay..not great but okay. I've been calling everyday, and this last week or so her breathing was really wheezy, and she hadn't been feeling well. Running a low grade temp, but everytime I then spoke to the nursing facility, they said they were on it and taking care of it.
Apparently not so much. She went to the ER Monday night and they discovered she had a mild heart attack either Saturday or Sunday, but that wasn't the major issue. She's had pnuemonia for well over a week now (apparently no one was on the breathing/fever issue after all). She went downhill so fast that they had to put her on a respirator and induce a medical coma to help her heal. It's five years ago all over again, only this time I am 8 hours away. She was so sick then, she was in a coma for 28 days and all I wanted was for her to wake up--my birthday was close then and I said it was the only present I wanted. She woke up 3 days before my birthday. I'm not so sure this time. She's stablized at this point, apparently her kidneys aren't happy and not functioning well--but that happened last time as well. My prayers all consisted of "Your will Lord, not mine. Your will Lord not mine" I just hope and pray if it is her time, she will not suffer more. She's been in pain now for so long, and struggled for so long.
The doctors have said there isn't much I could do right now-so here I am still in NH. It is so much harder now that I work full time-a year ago this time I would have already left. That balance is SO hard to find. So, if you read this blog--please take a moment to say a little prayer for my mom Joan. If it is God's will that this is her time, pray please that she doesn't suffer, and I am praying for guidance in how to tell my 10 year old.
Take care of yourselves....
Mom is in the hospital again. I saw her on when I was in PA for CATS and Tory got to spend a bit more time with her. I haven't blogged about the fact that she had gone into the hospital about a month ago, and had stepped down to a nursing home facility for some intensive rehab to help her get strong enough to walk again. She'd been doing okay..not great but okay. I've been calling everyday, and this last week or so her breathing was really wheezy, and she hadn't been feeling well. Running a low grade temp, but everytime I then spoke to the nursing facility, they said they were on it and taking care of it.
Apparently not so much. She went to the ER Monday night and they discovered she had a mild heart attack either Saturday or Sunday, but that wasn't the major issue. She's had pnuemonia for well over a week now (apparently no one was on the breathing/fever issue after all). She went downhill so fast that they had to put her on a respirator and induce a medical coma to help her heal. It's five years ago all over again, only this time I am 8 hours away. She was so sick then, she was in a coma for 28 days and all I wanted was for her to wake up--my birthday was close then and I said it was the only present I wanted. She woke up 3 days before my birthday. I'm not so sure this time. She's stablized at this point, apparently her kidneys aren't happy and not functioning well--but that happened last time as well. My prayers all consisted of "Your will Lord, not mine. Your will Lord not mine" I just hope and pray if it is her time, she will not suffer more. She's been in pain now for so long, and struggled for so long.
The doctors have said there isn't much I could do right now-so here I am still in NH. It is so much harder now that I work full time-a year ago this time I would have already left. That balance is SO hard to find. So, if you read this blog--please take a moment to say a little prayer for my mom Joan. If it is God's will that this is her time, pray please that she doesn't suffer, and I am praying for guidance in how to tell my 10 year old.
Take care of yourselves....
Monday, October 01, 2007
Whew what a roller coaster!
These last few weeks have been a major whirlwind of activity! We've gone on
adventures, work has been a blast (busy but a blast) and I've been on a road trip with the kiddo!
First things first--
My lil one started fifth grade this year. Wow what a change! They get *serious* this year, and it's an adjustment for her. She is quite smart but she has a couple of areas of struggle-mainly organization and deadline control. She's not doing too badly, but she does have to work at it a little more. She seems to really enjoy the stuff she is learning though!
We've been doing a lot more family oriented stuff, especially now that time is more limited. DH took Tory to the Aquarium in Boston, and then they explored around the downtown of the city for a while.
We also did the Faery Houses tour in Portsmouth this year--We've been trying to get to this for the previous 2 years, and this time we went. How very cool! It was a walking tour around the historical section of the city, with a ton of gorgeous houses nestled in lots of spots!
Dan also took my very favourite picture of me and the kiddo EVER!
We also caught a New England Revolution home game--all four of us as a family! We don't get to do that much anymore with Alex being a senior, but it was a blast!
Wow, lots of pictures, and there's still more to come! I think I'll do the rest tomorrow!
Take care!
adventures, work has been a blast (busy but a blast) and I've been on a road trip with the kiddo!
First things first--
My lil one started fifth grade this year. Wow what a change! They get *serious* this year, and it's an adjustment for her. She is quite smart but she has a couple of areas of struggle-mainly organization and deadline control. She's not doing too badly, but she does have to work at it a little more. She seems to really enjoy the stuff she is learning though!
We've been doing a lot more family oriented stuff, especially now that time is more limited. DH took Tory to the Aquarium in Boston, and then they explored around the downtown of the city for a while.
We also did the Faery Houses tour in Portsmouth this year--We've been trying to get to this for the previous 2 years, and this time we went. How very cool! It was a walking tour around the historical section of the city, with a ton of gorgeous houses nestled in lots of spots!
Dan also took my very favourite picture of me and the kiddo EVER!
We also caught a New England Revolution home game--all four of us as a family! We don't get to do that much anymore with Alex being a senior, but it was a blast!
Wow, lots of pictures, and there's still more to come! I think I'll do the rest tomorrow!
Take care!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
A busy week!
My baby girl --well I can no longer call her a baby! She flew to Ohio last Sunday all by herself, to spend a week with Dan's Mom. We are so blessed as a family! She got to do so many things, but apparently the Toledo Zoo was the biggest draw--that and Nanny's swimming pool! A few days before that she got a brand new haircut. I'm slowly dealing with the fact that she is So grown up, and she wanted a shorter haircut. So, she got a shorter cut--and it makes her look MORE grown up! LOL Here's a few pics of the cut, and the airplane trip!
There isn't much other news, so I'll leave you with this that I found on a few blogs:) feel free to snag it and answer it yourself! You can only use 1 word to answer the questions!
1 Where is your Cellphone? Tote
2 Relationship? Married
3 Your Hair? Red
4 Work? Dream!
5 Your sister? Hearts
6 Your favorite thing? Laughter
7 Your dream last night? Joyous
8 Your favorite drink? Mt. Dew
9 Your dream car? Sportage
10 The room you’re in? Bedroom
11 Your shoes? Slippers
12 Your fears? Easing
13 What do you want to be in 10 years? Owner
14 Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family
15 What are you not good at? Surprises
16 Muffin? Blueberry
17 One of your wish list items? Refrigerator
18 Where you grew up? Pennsylvania
19 Last thing you did? Stitch
20 What are you wearing? Robe
21 What aren’t you wearing? Contacts
22 Your pet? Cats
23 Your computer? Laptops
24 Your life? Amazing
25 Your mood? Contentment
26 Missing? Ray
27 What are you thinking about right now? Marketing
28 Your car? Optima
29 Your kitchen? Small
30 Your summer? Whirlwind
31 Your favorite color? Purple
32 Last time you laughed? Often
33 Last time you cried? July 24
34 School? More! :)
35 Love? Completely
There isn't much other news, so I'll leave you with this that I found on a few blogs:) feel free to snag it and answer it yourself! You can only use 1 word to answer the questions!
1 Where is your Cellphone? Tote
2 Relationship? Married
3 Your Hair? Red
4 Work? Dream!
5 Your sister? Hearts
6 Your favorite thing? Laughter
7 Your dream last night? Joyous
8 Your favorite drink? Mt. Dew
9 Your dream car? Sportage
10 The room you’re in? Bedroom
11 Your shoes? Slippers
12 Your fears? Easing
13 What do you want to be in 10 years? Owner
14 Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family
15 What are you not good at? Surprises
16 Muffin? Blueberry
17 One of your wish list items? Refrigerator
18 Where you grew up? Pennsylvania
19 Last thing you did? Stitch
20 What are you wearing? Robe
21 What aren’t you wearing? Contacts
22 Your pet? Cats
23 Your computer? Laptops
24 Your life? Amazing
25 Your mood? Contentment
26 Missing? Ray
27 What are you thinking about right now? Marketing
28 Your car? Optima
29 Your kitchen? Small
30 Your summer? Whirlwind
31 Your favorite color? Purple
32 Last time you laughed? Often
33 Last time you cried? July 24
34 School? More! :)
35 Love? Completely
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Whirlwind
That's what my days have become! A whirlwind of getting up, getting out the door, breakfasts, lunches, childcare and then a drive through the *snort* joys of New Hampshire summer construction zones. Work is busy (which I love!) but I am never sure when the day is done if I've gotten everything I needed to do done.
Striking the balance between work and family is never something I ever had to do before. It's so hard, and not at all easy to navigate. I love my job, and there's always more to do. More ideas, more improvements--and new products! But the 10 year old also has new ideas, new things, and a whole world of things to share. Stitching time has dwindled to nearly nothing, and as the hobby that feeds my soul-I need to figure out how to fix that. Not to mention ANY sort of quality time with my husband. Note I haven't mentioned housework or laundry--yeah.
My main communication forum has been the telephone lately, and my email responses and things like this blog have suffered. Of course then I feel guilty! LOL It's typical. But things are good-the new car is great, and comfortable and affordable. Tory has made a great friend at camp this summer, and is visiting her summer house in Vermont today. She leaves on Sunday for a week in Ohio by herself :) And then it's just 2 weeks to school-the summer is flying by! I'm looking forward to August 10th however! My husband and I have a date :) The movie "Stardust" is coming out and we have been looking forward to that for longer than most people have known about it even coming. So I'm leaving work early, and we might even get dressed up for a somewhat fancy dinner ;) Or not--but it's date night nonetheless :)
I'm SO glad to see my sweet caffeinated friend is blogging again (and even happier to be talking to her a couple times a week again!)Not sure about that whole sanity thing though *grins*
Take care of yourselves!
Striking the balance between work and family is never something I ever had to do before. It's so hard, and not at all easy to navigate. I love my job, and there's always more to do. More ideas, more improvements--and new products! But the 10 year old also has new ideas, new things, and a whole world of things to share. Stitching time has dwindled to nearly nothing, and as the hobby that feeds my soul-I need to figure out how to fix that. Not to mention ANY sort of quality time with my husband. Note I haven't mentioned housework or laundry--yeah.
My main communication forum has been the telephone lately, and my email responses and things like this blog have suffered. Of course then I feel guilty! LOL It's typical. But things are good-the new car is great, and comfortable and affordable. Tory has made a great friend at camp this summer, and is visiting her summer house in Vermont today. She leaves on Sunday for a week in Ohio by herself :) And then it's just 2 weeks to school-the summer is flying by! I'm looking forward to August 10th however! My husband and I have a date :) The movie "Stardust" is coming out and we have been looking forward to that for longer than most people have known about it even coming. So I'm leaving work early, and we might even get dressed up for a somewhat fancy dinner ;) Or not--but it's date night nonetheless :)
I'm SO glad to see my sweet caffeinated friend is blogging again (and even happier to be talking to her a couple times a week again!)Not sure about that whole sanity thing though *grins*
Take care of yourselves!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Blessed!
That is how I am feeling today!!
My birthday was this past Tuesday--July 3rd, and in recent years hasn't always been the best day. With two children with birthdays in July, typically we're focused on them--as it should be. And face it, once I reached 30, it was really just another day to me. So I should have been unsurprised that Tuesday would be the day I was told by our garage that our reliable Taurus finally had to be let go. There were some major repair issues that would cost well over what the car was worth. So--off to the rental agency we went to get a car, as with two jobs we need two cars. We decided on a Kia Sportage, because I'm really intrigued by the Kia cars at this point, and was seriously considering buying a new Kia. Not the Sportage, unfortunately since it doesn't get good enough gas mileage to justify it! When we replace the van however, in about 2 years, the Sportage is tops on our list! We get the rental, and my sweet husband gives me my gifts. He bought me several DVD's I had had my eye on, and a beautiful princess cut channel set wedding band. When we got married, we didn't have a lot of spare money, so I had a very thin band. I was speechless, and of course in tears not far after that! It is gorgeous! :) However that was not to be my biggest birthday surprise!
My friends, and I am so blessed with my friends--my friends have given me the most AMAZING Surprise!!! Two of my closest friends--Jamie and Dawn--have taken rooms at the Hershey Lodge for HERSHEY CATS!!!!!!!!! They are paying for the room, my registration, and all that. I just have to get there and have stash money!!!!!!! OMG I was so stunned!! I had to figure out the puzzle, which Jamie gave me since Dawn is of course in Arizona :) She first gave me a Hershey chocolate bar--sweet, but confuzzling as she knows I don't often eat Hershey's chocolate (I've been incredibly spoiled by my husband with sweets, when I do eat them these days). The next part of the puzzle was a very cute Beanie cat. I have to say I was doubly confused until my husband picked up one of our furry living cats, and said "it's not a cat, it's CATS" and the light clicked on!!!! I didn't think I would be able to get CATS this year, and since it may be the last, it's fitting that I go! I grew up not far from that area, and in fact my first Hershey CATS show was 4 years ago or so :) I absolutely enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to seeing a few of the people I saw at the Columbus trade show! :) I will also get to see my oldest and most best of friends, Crystal and my godson Christopher!!! Sneaky sneaky sneaky friends! I love you all :)
My baby girl (not so much a baby) will be home from her two weeks of camp this Friday, and I for one am thrilled to have her come home. I've missed her! I have gotten letters from her already, and I think it's so amazing the things she's been doing--she's gone windsurfing, and has hours each day in the barn with the horses!
As far as the car goes, Saturday I went and did some test driving of cars--Kia, Hyundai, Ford and Honda. We ended up picking out a dark gray 2007 Kia Optima, and hopefully will be picking it up on Saturday. Meanwhile, I've got the Sportage to tool around in! :)
My birthday was this past Tuesday--July 3rd, and in recent years hasn't always been the best day. With two children with birthdays in July, typically we're focused on them--as it should be. And face it, once I reached 30, it was really just another day to me. So I should have been unsurprised that Tuesday would be the day I was told by our garage that our reliable Taurus finally had to be let go. There were some major repair issues that would cost well over what the car was worth. So--off to the rental agency we went to get a car, as with two jobs we need two cars. We decided on a Kia Sportage, because I'm really intrigued by the Kia cars at this point, and was seriously considering buying a new Kia. Not the Sportage, unfortunately since it doesn't get good enough gas mileage to justify it! When we replace the van however, in about 2 years, the Sportage is tops on our list! We get the rental, and my sweet husband gives me my gifts. He bought me several DVD's I had had my eye on, and a beautiful princess cut channel set wedding band. When we got married, we didn't have a lot of spare money, so I had a very thin band. I was speechless, and of course in tears not far after that! It is gorgeous! :) However that was not to be my biggest birthday surprise!
My friends, and I am so blessed with my friends--my friends have given me the most AMAZING Surprise!!! Two of my closest friends--Jamie and Dawn--have taken rooms at the Hershey Lodge for HERSHEY CATS!!!!!!!!! They are paying for the room, my registration, and all that. I just have to get there and have stash money!!!!!!! OMG I was so stunned!! I had to figure out the puzzle, which Jamie gave me since Dawn is of course in Arizona :) She first gave me a Hershey chocolate bar--sweet, but confuzzling as she knows I don't often eat Hershey's chocolate (I've been incredibly spoiled by my husband with sweets, when I do eat them these days). The next part of the puzzle was a very cute Beanie cat. I have to say I was doubly confused until my husband picked up one of our furry living cats, and said "it's not a cat, it's CATS" and the light clicked on!!!! I didn't think I would be able to get CATS this year, and since it may be the last, it's fitting that I go! I grew up not far from that area, and in fact my first Hershey CATS show was 4 years ago or so :) I absolutely enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to seeing a few of the people I saw at the Columbus trade show! :) I will also get to see my oldest and most best of friends, Crystal and my godson Christopher!!! Sneaky sneaky sneaky friends! I love you all :)
My baby girl (not so much a baby) will be home from her two weeks of camp this Friday, and I for one am thrilled to have her come home. I've missed her! I have gotten letters from her already, and I think it's so amazing the things she's been doing--she's gone windsurfing, and has hours each day in the barn with the horses!
As far as the car goes, Saturday I went and did some test driving of cars--Kia, Hyundai, Ford and Honda. We ended up picking out a dark gray 2007 Kia Optima, and hopefully will be picking it up on Saturday. Meanwhile, I've got the Sportage to tool around in! :)
Monday, June 11, 2007
Wow, it's been a while!
My time is quite limited these days, with the commute and the family and the job :) So updating doesn't happen as much as I'd like.
It's been a crazy few weeks. It started the Tues after Memorial Day when my boss told me that yes in fact I was going to Columbus to the Trade Show. WOW! I got to meet Nan of Just Nan and lots of other designers. But the highlight of the weekend (besides the amazing hotel room all to myself!!) was meeting Nora Corbett of Mirabilia designs. I was so amazed, and she is so wonderful and fun to talk to! I got a copy of the new Thanksgiving Fairy signed, and some signed copies of her new free cherub!
Other than that we're just maintaining. Tory has another 6 days of school, and her softball team won their playoff game tonight, which means they play again tomorrow. She's hitting well lately, and you can just SEE her confidence soaring!
I hope everyone is doing well! I hope to get some breathing room soon to do some more blog reading, etc. But then again, I love how busy we are!
Peace to you,
It's been a crazy few weeks. It started the Tues after Memorial Day when my boss told me that yes in fact I was going to Columbus to the Trade Show. WOW! I got to meet Nan of Just Nan and lots of other designers. But the highlight of the weekend (besides the amazing hotel room all to myself!!) was meeting Nora Corbett of Mirabilia designs. I was so amazed, and she is so wonderful and fun to talk to! I got a copy of the new Thanksgiving Fairy signed, and some signed copies of her new free cherub!
Other than that we're just maintaining. Tory has another 6 days of school, and her softball team won their playoff game tonight, which means they play again tomorrow. She's hitting well lately, and you can just SEE her confidence soaring!
I hope everyone is doing well! I hope to get some breathing room soon to do some more blog reading, etc. But then again, I love how busy we are!
Peace to you,
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Wow, what a month!
Greetings everyone! It's been a hugely busy month, but I finally have a few days off, and some time to spare from my family!
I mentioned some time ago that I got a job after 9 years of being a stay at home mom. This sorta threw Tory for a loop, since in her entire memory, I've never worked. Luckily, DH is able to work his schedule around that he can pick her up from the after school program, and they are spending a lot of quality time together. My commute to work is an hour and 15 minutes, so I tend to get home about an hour before her bedtime, and I take advantage of that hour to snuggle, talk and spend time with her. She seems to be adjusting now, and this Memorial Day weekend has been pretty important--both in terms of sleep, and time with her. We went to see Shrek 3 yesterday all as a family--what a funny funny movie! We all loved it!
So after a month of teasing references to my job, I figured I should probably reveal where I'm working :) I've been lucky enough to get a job that is perfectly suited to my skillset (I used to be a BellSouth customer service and sales rep--I won awards each quarter I was there) and it is in an industry that is my passion. It does however severely limit my stitch time! :) My job is.... hmm, maybe I shouldn't tell you :) okay okay okay...
I'm the customer service and sales manager for ABC Stitch Therapy! :) Talk about a dream job! I get to see and fondle all the stash before it goes out, I get to help people find things they are searching for, and perhaps some things they didn't know they wanted--happens to me all the time "gee how did that chart just jump into my hands?" But mostly I'm so grateful to have been given the chance to work in a dream come true environment.
The drive however, lol... not so dream come true lately! This past week I've had two things. First, got pulled over for speeding (got off with a warning, thank God) AND... after paying the final payment on the van, of course--I hit a deer Friday night late. It came from the median and my left side, and I'd been working late, so it was dark. Luckily I'm alright, and there was no mechanical damage to the van. We're going to have to replace the entire plastic wrap around bumped though, as that is in pieces. It was so scary, I've never hit so much as a squirrel in my entire driving life. I'm just happy Tory wasn't with me!
So that's about it from here as far as an update--work is pretty fast paced, so I don't have a lot of time to surf, read blogs or update mine as I used to. And when I get home, and weekends are my family time--more of a priority than ever. And my stitch time! Wow do I appreciate that time now more than I ever did!
Speaking of stitching time--gonna run and get some of that before anyone else wakes up!
Peace to you all,
I mentioned some time ago that I got a job after 9 years of being a stay at home mom. This sorta threw Tory for a loop, since in her entire memory, I've never worked. Luckily, DH is able to work his schedule around that he can pick her up from the after school program, and they are spending a lot of quality time together. My commute to work is an hour and 15 minutes, so I tend to get home about an hour before her bedtime, and I take advantage of that hour to snuggle, talk and spend time with her. She seems to be adjusting now, and this Memorial Day weekend has been pretty important--both in terms of sleep, and time with her. We went to see Shrek 3 yesterday all as a family--what a funny funny movie! We all loved it!
So after a month of teasing references to my job, I figured I should probably reveal where I'm working :) I've been lucky enough to get a job that is perfectly suited to my skillset (I used to be a BellSouth customer service and sales rep--I won awards each quarter I was there) and it is in an industry that is my passion. It does however severely limit my stitch time! :) My job is.... hmm, maybe I shouldn't tell you :) okay okay okay...
I'm the customer service and sales manager for ABC Stitch Therapy! :) Talk about a dream job! I get to see and fondle all the stash before it goes out, I get to help people find things they are searching for, and perhaps some things they didn't know they wanted--happens to me all the time "gee how did that chart just jump into my hands?" But mostly I'm so grateful to have been given the chance to work in a dream come true environment.
The drive however, lol... not so dream come true lately! This past week I've had two things. First, got pulled over for speeding (got off with a warning, thank God) AND... after paying the final payment on the van, of course--I hit a deer Friday night late. It came from the median and my left side, and I'd been working late, so it was dark. Luckily I'm alright, and there was no mechanical damage to the van. We're going to have to replace the entire plastic wrap around bumped though, as that is in pieces. It was so scary, I've never hit so much as a squirrel in my entire driving life. I'm just happy Tory wasn't with me!
So that's about it from here as far as an update--work is pretty fast paced, so I don't have a lot of time to surf, read blogs or update mine as I used to. And when I get home, and weekends are my family time--more of a priority than ever. And my stitch time! Wow do I appreciate that time now more than I ever did!
Speaking of stitching time--gonna run and get some of that before anyone else wakes up!
Peace to you all,
Thursday, May 03, 2007
I LOVE my job!!
Well two days into my job and I ADORE it!!! I am having a great time at what I'm doing and my boss seems to be really happy with me. The drive isn't too bad, thank heavens and right now with the lovely weather it's a pleasure! I'm sitting tonight after cleaning up from dinner, and I hope to get a few hours of stitching in tonight!!
Thanks so much for all your comments, well wishes, and thoughts!! They mean the world to me!
Thanks so much for all your comments, well wishes, and thoughts!! They mean the world to me!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Happy May Day!
Happy first of May to you all! Today is my last day before I start working, so I'm in a frenzy of nerves, cleaning, and preperation! Hopefully I can get it all ready and be able to sleep tonight (unlike last night!).
First--Goals!
For April I said:
Goals for April:
1: Stitch & mail JN RR and Spot RR on time! YES!!!
2: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit NO ! :(
3: Stitch design and mail by April 15 for exchange Yes!!!
4: Meet all mailing deadlines on time. Yes!!!
5: Stitch in PR stitchathon!! Yes!!!
For May my stitch time is going to be very limited, so I'm going to have to be more realistic!
1: Finish Mirabilia RR piece and mail on time!
2: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit
3: Meet all mailing deadlines on time!
Now for some pictures! I received my PIF from Jenna this week! What a gorgeous bracelet she made me! Thank you Jenna!!
I also received my Mystery Exchange from SBEBB! Karin was the one sending to me, and I love it!! I've posted a closeup as well so you can see the intricate beading!
Have a great day everyone!!
First--Goals!
For April I said:
Goals for April:
1: Stitch & mail JN RR and Spot RR on time! YES!!!
2: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit NO ! :(
3: Stitch design and mail by April 15 for exchange Yes!!!
4: Meet all mailing deadlines on time. Yes!!!
5: Stitch in PR stitchathon!! Yes!!!
For May my stitch time is going to be very limited, so I'm going to have to be more realistic!
1: Finish Mirabilia RR piece and mail on time!
2: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit
3: Meet all mailing deadlines on time!
Now for some pictures! I received my PIF from Jenna this week! What a gorgeous bracelet she made me! Thank you Jenna!!
I also received my Mystery Exchange from SBEBB! Karin was the one sending to me, and I love it!! I've posted a closeup as well so you can see the intricate beading!
Have a great day everyone!!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Germs, you have worn out your welcome!
We're slowly recovering here from some sort of NASTY virus--like a bad stomach flu on crack or something. I ended up in the ER Thursday night and even after multiple bags of fluids, was still not hydrated enough for them to be happy! Dan and Tory seem to have gotten milder, yet still nasty cases of it. Tory had to miss her first softball game :( But I am posting a picture of her at the last practice!
I also finished this round of the Spot Sampler RR. This one belongs to Melanie. I'm really enjoying these spot samplers!!
Otherwise we are all on the mend, and things are being set in place for my job to start on Wednesday!
Peace to you!
I also finished this round of the Spot Sampler RR. This one belongs to Melanie. I'm really enjoying these spot samplers!!
Otherwise we are all on the mend, and things are being set in place for my job to start on Wednesday!
Peace to you!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Presenting Moonlit Orchid
I finally finished it! Took far too long, but I am thrilled with the result. I converted the DMC to NPI silks, and the mill hill beads to Delicas. It is however late, and I am off to bed! Do make sure to click on the picture, the bigger one is much easier to see :)
Thank you for all the well wishes on my job, and also I am so thankful for everyone who reads and comments. It means the world to me!
Thank you for all the well wishes on my job, and also I am so thankful for everyone who reads and comments. It means the world to me!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!
Wow, it's been a whirlwind few days! No I haven't finished Moonlight Orchid yet, though I plan to do that today!! I did finish a few scrapbook layouts that I was working on, and did some work around my house. My BIG news however is... I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!! I got a GOOD Job!!! Making good money, that I can physically do, and that I have the perfect skill set for!!!! *Dances around like Snoopy!!*
So this will cut my stitching time down drastically, but that's okay! I'll be able to help my family get stable and maybe fix this house to sell it!!
Whoooo hooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
So this will cut my stitching time down drastically, but that's okay! I'll be able to help my family get stable and maybe fix this house to sell it!!
Whoooo hooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Moonlight Orchid WIP
Because Jamie keeps bugging me... *grin* First picture is the last time I worked on it, way back in the fall, the second picture is where I finished up last night.. The second picture is much closer to the real colors..
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
I missed it!
Having been a Just Nan addict for some time, I don't really understand what was going through my mind the day I passed on ordering the Queen of the Needle Needlecase through The Silver Needle some time ago. I am regretting that so much these days now that the new sampler and ornament have come out.
I keep hoping that somewhere, someone will have bought it, stitched it and would now be willing to part with their chart! LOL Not likely I'm sure, but one can dream!
I keep hoping that somewhere, someone will have bought it, stitched it and would now be willing to part with their chart! LOL Not likely I'm sure, but one can dream!
I need a boat!
Wow the floods in New Hampshire! Honestly I'm not sure if I'd rather the moisture had come as snow or rain--at least with snow there would have been a gradual shift! But a Nor'easter decided to slam into the East Coast and stay for a few days. We had over 5 inches of rain in a little over 24 hours--wild! Dan and I ended up in the back yard, in icy water up to mid calf, digging a drainage ditch so that all the run-off and melting of the 5 inches of ice/snow that was already on the ground could possibly stay OUT of our basement! We're just about at the bottom of a hill, and all the melting from the woods behind us was ending up at the back of our foundation. We'll have to figure out a better drainage system sometime this summer! I have to say I'd rather fix my yard then deal with inches of water in the basement again!
Tory is on her second day of no school due to the flooded roads. I think my husband may have made it to work today--he was having to go miles out of his way though! The road damage around here is worse then even the Mother's Day floods last year. I wasn't here for those ( I was in PA loving on my godson for the first time! :) ) Hopefully T and I can survive another day inside! It's not actively raining now, which is great! I've nearly got my laundry caught up, since I had Dan to fetch and carry the heavy stuff yesterday!
I pulled out an older WIP yesterday to work on--I just didn't want to work on *anything* and really was fighting the urge to start something new. With 44 WIPs, I really don't need to start anything!! I pulled out Moonlight Orchid from Patricia Ann Designs. I converted this lovely piece into NPI silks and had forgotten just how beautiful it was. I had had to pull out the flowers once because my conversion just did not work, but I'm quite happy now!! I got several bands finished last night, and did some work on the everlasting border--smyrna stitches covering just 2 threads (TINY), and in between Algerian Eyelets and Rhodes Squares. Not a problem except it is all done in #12 perle cotton. I HATE perle cotton! So I'm working on the border a little at a time ;)
That's all for me today--off to fold clothes!
Tory is on her second day of no school due to the flooded roads. I think my husband may have made it to work today--he was having to go miles out of his way though! The road damage around here is worse then even the Mother's Day floods last year. I wasn't here for those ( I was in PA loving on my godson for the first time! :) ) Hopefully T and I can survive another day inside! It's not actively raining now, which is great! I've nearly got my laundry caught up, since I had Dan to fetch and carry the heavy stuff yesterday!
I pulled out an older WIP yesterday to work on--I just didn't want to work on *anything* and really was fighting the urge to start something new. With 44 WIPs, I really don't need to start anything!! I pulled out Moonlight Orchid from Patricia Ann Designs. I converted this lovely piece into NPI silks and had forgotten just how beautiful it was. I had had to pull out the flowers once because my conversion just did not work, but I'm quite happy now!! I got several bands finished last night, and did some work on the everlasting border--smyrna stitches covering just 2 threads (TINY), and in between Algerian Eyelets and Rhodes Squares. Not a problem except it is all done in #12 perle cotton. I HATE perle cotton! So I'm working on the border a little at a time ;)
That's all for me today--off to fold clothes!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Wonderful Weekend
What an amazing weekend I've had! It's been so wonderful that I am not even going to let the nasty weather in NH get me down. I am more relaxed and all the down-time has really given me new energy!
We dropped Tory off with our friends, along with 2 HUGE tubs of my old Beanie Babies. I was quite obsessive about collecting so I had hundreds. They have a little girl and a year old boy that were able to pick out as many beanies as they wanted! We couldn't check into the hotel until 3pm so we went to the bookstore. We spent about 2 hours wandering around there, picking up a few odd books and a thank you card for our friends. We then went to the hotel and checked in. Dan's brother and sister had given him an Escape Romance Weekend for his birthday. When we got to our room there was champagne and chocoate and a vase of roses. The king size bed was piled with pillows and was quite comfy! The package came with a gift certificate for dinner as well. We settled in and spent our time before dinner just reconnecting and chatting. We then got ready and headed out to the resturant.
We picked Radici in Portsmouth, and our reservation put us with the later crowd. I have to say this was the most amazing dining experience I've had in ages. No kids, no time constraints, no pressure. We had appetizers--a roasted artichoke heart dip, and braised short ribs over baked polenta. The ribs literally melted in your mouth, and the dip wasn't bad. Dan liked that one more! We had an imported Italian water since neither of us really drink at all ( I don't like wine). Then it was time for dinner--for Dan Gorgonzola penne with wild mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes, for me Osso Bucco. There are not words to describe the deliciousness of this. I was blown away by both the amount of food, and the incredible flavor of it. We of course did sharing, nibbling off of each other's forks! Dessert was last--death by brownie for me, and tiramisu for Dan along with a cappucino. All in all it took us over two and a half hours to eat, and I think it was the most romantic part of the weekend.
We went back to the hotel and snuggled in together, watching (and not watching) some television! We slept ourselves out--I woke up around quarter til 9 to my husband getting breakfast for me to have in bed. It was so sweet! Lots of talking, giggling , and snuggling later we realized we had to pack and head to reality.
Wow what a reality!! It's another storm for NH, bringing snow, sleet, freezing rain and the promise of more to come for *days*. Right now I don't mind :) I think it's time to go snuggle with my daughter and husband and watch a movie. Spaghetti sauce in the crockpot and the warm down comforter is calling my name!
We dropped Tory off with our friends, along with 2 HUGE tubs of my old Beanie Babies. I was quite obsessive about collecting so I had hundreds. They have a little girl and a year old boy that were able to pick out as many beanies as they wanted! We couldn't check into the hotel until 3pm so we went to the bookstore. We spent about 2 hours wandering around there, picking up a few odd books and a thank you card for our friends. We then went to the hotel and checked in. Dan's brother and sister had given him an Escape Romance Weekend for his birthday. When we got to our room there was champagne and chocoate and a vase of roses. The king size bed was piled with pillows and was quite comfy! The package came with a gift certificate for dinner as well. We settled in and spent our time before dinner just reconnecting and chatting. We then got ready and headed out to the resturant.
We picked Radici in Portsmouth, and our reservation put us with the later crowd. I have to say this was the most amazing dining experience I've had in ages. No kids, no time constraints, no pressure. We had appetizers--a roasted artichoke heart dip, and braised short ribs over baked polenta. The ribs literally melted in your mouth, and the dip wasn't bad. Dan liked that one more! We had an imported Italian water since neither of us really drink at all ( I don't like wine). Then it was time for dinner--for Dan Gorgonzola penne with wild mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes, for me Osso Bucco. There are not words to describe the deliciousness of this. I was blown away by both the amount of food, and the incredible flavor of it. We of course did sharing, nibbling off of each other's forks! Dessert was last--death by brownie for me, and tiramisu for Dan along with a cappucino. All in all it took us over two and a half hours to eat, and I think it was the most romantic part of the weekend.
We went back to the hotel and snuggled in together, watching (and not watching) some television! We slept ourselves out--I woke up around quarter til 9 to my husband getting breakfast for me to have in bed. It was so sweet! Lots of talking, giggling , and snuggling later we realized we had to pack and head to reality.
Wow what a reality!! It's another storm for NH, bringing snow, sleet, freezing rain and the promise of more to come for *days*. Right now I don't mind :) I think it's time to go snuggle with my daughter and husband and watch a movie. Spaghetti sauce in the crockpot and the warm down comforter is calling my name!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
This-n-That...
Not much of a post title, but it was all I could come up with this morning! :) My back has been giving me problems again, but I didn't let it stop me yesterday! I went to the free "Mom's Crop" at the Local Scrapbook Store. They let you use all their tools for free, and of course that just is an easy way for me to decide--oh I need THAT! I can't justify buying a cutting system yet, but I have asked for one for my birthday! I'm enjoying scrapbooking, it's giving me a creative design outlet that is 'quick'. I can get a finished result in as little as an hour, plus I get to go through and relive some of my most favorite moments in our lives!
Leave it up to my daughter to remind me at the oddest moments why I love being a stay at home mom. She came up to me this morning, so I could wrap her scarf around her neck for her. When she does it, and puts her coat on, it gets all bunched up, so it's easier if I help her. After I did it she said " Momma, I couldn't do that without you." My reply "of course you could honey, it's just easier if I help you." She thought about it a moment and said " Momma, you make almost everything easier! I love you so much." Until she has children of her own, she will never know why my eyes misted up and why I'll never forget it. Being a mom is so challenging, but it's moments like that--they make it all worth it.
I'm also thrilled to report that when she plays the clarinet at home for practice it actually SOUNDS like music now!!! Lemme tell you that's a relief! We're both itchy for softball season to start--although there's STILL SNOW on the ground!!
In stitchy news, I finished the JN RR and packed it off. I got most of what I wanted to do on the Spot RR done--checked in with the owner, and I'm going to be able to put on the peacock I wanted! It involved beads so I wanted to check :) I don't have to mail til the end of the month so I have lots of time! She sent LOTS of fabric! :)
DH and I are going on a romantic getaway this weekend!!! It was a gift from his brother & sister for his birthday and I can't wait! Friends of ours from the Church are going to watch DD--they have a little girl who is 3 who just adores her! So from Saturday at 10am until Sunday at 6pm we are just two people without computers or maybe even cell phones!!! :) We need this so much. I don't even think I will take any stitching!!
Wow, longer post that I thought it'd be! Have a beautiful day!
Peace
Leave it up to my daughter to remind me at the oddest moments why I love being a stay at home mom. She came up to me this morning, so I could wrap her scarf around her neck for her. When she does it, and puts her coat on, it gets all bunched up, so it's easier if I help her. After I did it she said " Momma, I couldn't do that without you." My reply "of course you could honey, it's just easier if I help you." She thought about it a moment and said " Momma, you make almost everything easier! I love you so much." Until she has children of her own, she will never know why my eyes misted up and why I'll never forget it. Being a mom is so challenging, but it's moments like that--they make it all worth it.
I'm also thrilled to report that when she plays the clarinet at home for practice it actually SOUNDS like music now!!! Lemme tell you that's a relief! We're both itchy for softball season to start--although there's STILL SNOW on the ground!!
In stitchy news, I finished the JN RR and packed it off. I got most of what I wanted to do on the Spot RR done--checked in with the owner, and I'm going to be able to put on the peacock I wanted! It involved beads so I wanted to check :) I don't have to mail til the end of the month so I have lots of time! She sent LOTS of fabric! :)
DH and I are going on a romantic getaway this weekend!!! It was a gift from his brother & sister for his birthday and I can't wait! Friends of ours from the Church are going to watch DD--they have a little girl who is 3 who just adores her! So from Saturday at 10am until Sunday at 6pm we are just two people without computers or maybe even cell phones!!! :) We need this so much. I don't even think I will take any stitching!!
Wow, longer post that I thought it'd be! Have a beautiful day!
Peace
Monday, April 09, 2007
Happy Monday!
Great weekend around here--nice and relaxing. We kept Easter low key this year, focusing more on quiet reflection. It was nice! We did Sunday brunch at a great place in Concord after church, so no cooking for me! That was even nicer! Tory was invited to color eggs at a family friend's home Saturday night which was nice and fun!
Stitching wise, I finished the Just Nan RR I had and will be mailing it out. It's hard to believe this RR is nearly over!! I can't wait to get my Christmas RR back though. From the pictures I've seen it's GORGEOUS!!
Busy day today with chores and laundry, so I will leave you with pictures of the kid for Easter!
Stitching wise, I finished the Just Nan RR I had and will be mailing it out. It's hard to believe this RR is nearly over!! I can't wait to get my Christmas RR back though. From the pictures I've seen it's GORGEOUS!!
Busy day today with chores and laundry, so I will leave you with pictures of the kid for Easter!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Stitchy update :)
Well I finished and assembled another of my own designs last night--unfortunately I can't show it to you. I'm also not all that sure I'm thrilled with it :(
But I can show you WIP pics of two of my current WIPs!
Autumn Faery Spirit by Passione Ricamo. Stitching on Snickerdoodles Belfast from Sugar Maple Fabrics:
Cirque de Circles by Ink Circles. I love this piece! I'm using Russian Sage premium floss from Vikki Clayton, 1 strand over 2 threads. The fabric is Meadow Mist Reflections from Silkweaver.
Have a peaceful and blessed week!
But I can show you WIP pics of two of my current WIPs!
Autumn Faery Spirit by Passione Ricamo. Stitching on Snickerdoodles Belfast from Sugar Maple Fabrics:
Cirque de Circles by Ink Circles. I love this piece! I'm using Russian Sage premium floss from Vikki Clayton, 1 strand over 2 threads. The fabric is Meadow Mist Reflections from Silkweaver.
Have a peaceful and blessed week!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Goals...
Welllll, March wasn't as productive as I would have liked it to be..
1: Finish last shop model--deliver them by March 15! Delivered 1, second one clarified and no deadline--picked up last JN Square model--no deadline!
2: Start Ink Circles Cirque de Circles SAL March 4th Yes! Not much progress though!
3: Get Mira RR ready to go! Yeap!!
4: Stitch 5 hours on PR Autumn Faery Spirit Yeap!!
5: Stitch JN RR/Spot RR and mail on time! Yeap!!
6: Meet all exchange/mailing obligations! So far so good!
Goals for April:
1: Stitch & mail JN RR and Spot RR on time!
2: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit
3: Stitch design and mail by April 15 for exchange
4: Meet all mailing deadlines on time.
5: Stitch in PR stitchathon!!
That's it for this month!!
1: Finish last shop model--deliver them by March 15! Delivered 1, second one clarified and no deadline--picked up last JN Square model--no deadline!
2: Start Ink Circles Cirque de Circles SAL March 4th Yes! Not much progress though!
3: Get Mira RR ready to go! Yeap!!
4: Stitch 5 hours on PR Autumn Faery Spirit Yeap!!
5: Stitch JN RR/Spot RR and mail on time! Yeap!!
6: Meet all exchange/mailing obligations! So far so good!
Goals for April:
1: Stitch & mail JN RR and Spot RR on time!
2: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit
3: Stitch design and mail by April 15 for exchange
4: Meet all mailing deadlines on time.
5: Stitch in PR stitchathon!!
That's it for this month!!
Monday, April 02, 2007
Happy April!
Well March went out with some wind and chill and April is here and cold and wet! And with April comes something from my husband--I'm sneezy, coughy, grumpy, chilly, achy and a few other dwarves! I'm so tired and blah--but it's a virus and it'll go away soon! We also had a great weekend. It was Palm Sunday at church, and once again it was a great service. Our friend Jamie was up from NYC and on Saturday we went on an adventure of batting cages, mini golf and a driving range! Pictures to follow!
I also got a stash order in the mail from ABC Stitch. I am so excited that I got the Just Nan Lady Scarlett's pincushion! I also got some limited edition Dinky Dyes and The Cat's Whiskers designs. I'm so excited!
Here's some pictures from our weekend! Enjoy!
I also got a stash order in the mail from ABC Stitch. I am so excited that I got the Just Nan Lady Scarlett's pincushion! I also got some limited edition Dinky Dyes and The Cat's Whiskers designs. I'm so excited!
Here's some pictures from our weekend! Enjoy!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wow, what a morning!
It's a chilly March morning here in NH, and so the hunt for a hat and gloves right as the kid was walking out the door was frantic, but productive. Tory went out the door with a kiss, a hug and no fuss this morning. I treasure mornings like this--she is ever her mother's daughter and doesn't do mornings well at ALL. Our mornings (and evenings for that matter) are starting to get less chaotic, less frantic--more organized with much more time for snuggles, tickles, laughs and family time. It has amazed me what one Lenten commitment can bring me.
This year for Lent I wrestled with what to 'give up' and what to 'take up'. There are the tried and true "chocolate, mt. dew, snack foods" but honestly if you know me those make you laugh because talk about setting myself up to fail! As I was driving home from PA in late February, a thought that had been rattling around in my head took hold, hard. When I can't let something go, and it pops into my head at the *oddest* times, I usually realize that's God telling me I'm either right, or wrong! LOL This time, the thought that wouldn't go away was "Give up clutter". I mulled that thought over the entire 8 hour drive home, and realized it was not just clutter of my house I (and God) was referring to, although that was (and is still) where I started.
It was also clutter of my heart, my mind, and my soul. I've used this Lenten season to let go of old stuff--emotions-like anger, hurt, pain, envy--and packed away old memories that did me no good. I am uncluttering my heart from the past struggles with organized religion as I rejoice in the Church and the activities and community we've found there. I am uncluttering my soul of old resentment towards God from ages past. And how freeing and joyful it is let me tell you. But also hard.
Easier is the uncluttering of my house. If it hasn't been used in a year, it probably has been or will be either donated or thrown away. If it hasn't been needed in the entire 4 1/2 years I've lived here, chances are I don't need it! Uncluttering our routines and schedules has helped immensely--all of us. It leaves much more time for the things we *want* to do and not a rush to do what we have to.
Now, if I could just find the strength to unclutter my stitching ;)
Peace to you
This year for Lent I wrestled with what to 'give up' and what to 'take up'. There are the tried and true "chocolate, mt. dew, snack foods" but honestly if you know me those make you laugh because talk about setting myself up to fail! As I was driving home from PA in late February, a thought that had been rattling around in my head took hold, hard. When I can't let something go, and it pops into my head at the *oddest* times, I usually realize that's God telling me I'm either right, or wrong! LOL This time, the thought that wouldn't go away was "Give up clutter". I mulled that thought over the entire 8 hour drive home, and realized it was not just clutter of my house I (and God) was referring to, although that was (and is still) where I started.
It was also clutter of my heart, my mind, and my soul. I've used this Lenten season to let go of old stuff--emotions-like anger, hurt, pain, envy--and packed away old memories that did me no good. I am uncluttering my heart from the past struggles with organized religion as I rejoice in the Church and the activities and community we've found there. I am uncluttering my soul of old resentment towards God from ages past. And how freeing and joyful it is let me tell you. But also hard.
Easier is the uncluttering of my house. If it hasn't been used in a year, it probably has been or will be either donated or thrown away. If it hasn't been needed in the entire 4 1/2 years I've lived here, chances are I don't need it! Uncluttering our routines and schedules has helped immensely--all of us. It leaves much more time for the things we *want* to do and not a rush to do what we have to.
Now, if I could just find the strength to unclutter my stitching ;)
Peace to you
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Ick, yuck and done!
The last few days have been blah-ish days for me. Not even sure why, but there were a few moments of 'why did I even get out of bed?' for me lately. I think I'm done with it, which is good because there's no earthly reason for me to feel that way!! It irritates me when things are going well--and have been--and then WHAM! I feel like the weight of the world hit me. So, having spent a lot of time in prayer these last few days, I feel a bunch better! Woke up this morning feeling more positive, and more energetic. I even got breakfast together for the hubby and kid before they flitted out the door. As little of a morning person as I am, Tory usually eats breakfast at school (75 cents for a hot, well balanced meal can't be beat!) and Dan scrounges for a bagel and yogurt usually with his morning coffee. It was nice to sit together and eat!
I sketched out a new design by me yesterday. It's for a secret exchange, so I can't give you any details yet! :) I hope to get it started next Monday after I have my RR out.
Today is going to be a quiet day--I'll probably catch up on some laundry and maybe dust my living room. After that it's going to be stitch stitch stitch until it's time to make the homemade mac-n-cheese to take to the church potluck tonight!
Peace to you,
I sketched out a new design by me yesterday. It's for a secret exchange, so I can't give you any details yet! :) I hope to get it started next Monday after I have my RR out.
Today is going to be a quiet day--I'll probably catch up on some laundry and maybe dust my living room. After that it's going to be stitch stitch stitch until it's time to make the homemade mac-n-cheese to take to the church potluck tonight!
Peace to you,
Monday, March 26, 2007
Holding Hands, touching hearts..
My closest friends are family of the heart--the family you choose, not the one you're born into. Many of them do not read my blog--some of them I've not yet met face to face. They are no less dear to me and I know I could call them any time, day or night.
I found this on Jamie's blog, and it's so appropriate. Make sure you tell the ones you love that you love them. You never know when it'll be for the last time. Please copy the verse and photo for your blog and carry on the chain of friendship! Leave a comment so we can all follow the chain!
Holding Hands
This picture shows a line of little girls holding hands facing the immensity of ocean waves.
Alone they might be washed away, but together they stand strong.
Thank you for holding my hand somewhere along the way when I was facing a wave of my own.
I hope you will reach for my hand when your own wave threatens.
All of us girls...
Old and young...
Near and far...
Hold special memories of good times we've shared.
We've had our share of hard times when our friends were there to make us feel better.
We've shared...
our hearts
our times
our secrets
our fears
our hopes
and
our dreams.
Let us never break the chain of friends!
I found this on Jamie's blog, and it's so appropriate. Make sure you tell the ones you love that you love them. You never know when it'll be for the last time. Please copy the verse and photo for your blog and carry on the chain of friendship! Leave a comment so we can all follow the chain!
Holding Hands
This picture shows a line of little girls holding hands facing the immensity of ocean waves.
Alone they might be washed away, but together they stand strong.
Thank you for holding my hand somewhere along the way when I was facing a wave of my own.
I hope you will reach for my hand when your own wave threatens.
All of us girls...
Old and young...
Near and far...
Hold special memories of good times we've shared.
We've had our share of hard times when our friends were there to make us feel better.
We've shared...
our hearts
our times
our secrets
our fears
our hopes
and
our dreams.
Let us never break the chain of friends!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Okay it's been a while!
Wow I didn't think it had been that long since I blogged. I've been busy lately with cookies, DI competition, a seriously strained back, and life in general!
As far as cookies go, Tory's final personal total was 408 boxes sold, with 150 of those going to US troops!!!!! I am so proud of her, and so thankful to each and every person who bought from us!! Thank you all! She's been confirmed for camp, in early July and both mom and daughter are excited ;)
Destination Imagination competition was Sunday ( after being snowed out Saturday by a freak March blizzard!). DI is *always* a long long long day--we got there at 8 am and left at 6 pm. We were in Tilton, NH which is just over an hour away! It ended up being a 14 hour day, but it's always fun! I got some stitching done, but not much because of my back.
I strained the lower part of my back on a slip on some ice. This was compounding a strain a few weeks ago, so I'm pretty much in tons of pain! LOL The doctor called in some muscle relaxers and that seems to be helping-it's better today. I've also developed some sort of head cold (thank you March snow grrrr) that has my left ear clogged and echoing. Lemme tell ya that is NOT FUN!
The other thing keeping me from stitching lately is I've taken up scrapbooking. Yes yes, I know--ANOTHER HOBBY????????? Yeah okay--but I don't see me being obsessed about this one! No seriously, I enjoyed what I've done so far, and the only reason I've done so much is that there was an online crop for the BB I've joined. Oh yes, and it's all my best friend Crystal's fault. Completely! If you'd like to see some of my layouts, you can go here: Angi's Scrapbook Album
I'm back to stitching now, and am working on some of my March goals :) So far so good!
Peace,
As far as cookies go, Tory's final personal total was 408 boxes sold, with 150 of those going to US troops!!!!! I am so proud of her, and so thankful to each and every person who bought from us!! Thank you all! She's been confirmed for camp, in early July and both mom and daughter are excited ;)
Destination Imagination competition was Sunday ( after being snowed out Saturday by a freak March blizzard!). DI is *always* a long long long day--we got there at 8 am and left at 6 pm. We were in Tilton, NH which is just over an hour away! It ended up being a 14 hour day, but it's always fun! I got some stitching done, but not much because of my back.
I strained the lower part of my back on a slip on some ice. This was compounding a strain a few weeks ago, so I'm pretty much in tons of pain! LOL The doctor called in some muscle relaxers and that seems to be helping-it's better today. I've also developed some sort of head cold (thank you March snow grrrr) that has my left ear clogged and echoing. Lemme tell ya that is NOT FUN!
The other thing keeping me from stitching lately is I've taken up scrapbooking. Yes yes, I know--ANOTHER HOBBY????????? Yeah okay--but I don't see me being obsessed about this one! No seriously, I enjoyed what I've done so far, and the only reason I've done so much is that there was an online crop for the BB I've joined. Oh yes, and it's all my best friend Crystal's fault. Completely! If you'd like to see some of my layouts, you can go here: Angi's Scrapbook Album
I'm back to stitching now, and am working on some of my March goals :) So far so good!
Peace,
Friday, March 09, 2007
Beautiful Singing and COLD!!
Last night was the Celtic Woman concert in Manchester NH :) We had floor seats we were all very excited about! The concert was not a disappointment at all--lovely singing, some old favorites from their first tour, all of my newest favorites and some new things I've never heard them do. It was amazing! They are apparently alternating the new girl Hayley Westenra with one of the original members, Maev. Maev has a baby and as another example of how wonderful this organization is, they are switching them so she can spend time with her family and Hayley can meet her own commitments.
Tory had an awesome time, and I think had just as much fun pointing out all the different costumes from the DVD, and figuring out where all the lights were coming from as she had listening to the concert! Because she is 9 and thus short, she got to spend the concert on my and her daddy's knee so she could see! She was thrilled! She was also thrilled to get a t-shirt and I got a tote bag with the floral logo. Yes I know, I need another tote bag like I need a hole in my head!
The weather, however, could have been nicer to me!! It felt like -5 with the windchill or colder when we got to the Arena about quarter til 7. MINUS FIVE!!!!!!!! And our seats, were on the floor. In an ice hockey arena. I don't think I thought this one out that well LOL. I shouldn't have worn the skirt set I did--I should have worn sweats! My feet are frozen still I think! When we got out of the concert around quarter til 10, it was even colder!! It's MARCH for pity's sake!!! We are *supposed* to get up into the 30's today and I swear to God it'll be like a tropical heat wave!! I need to live in a warmer climate--seriously.
No stitching since Monday--I'm really starting to get jumpy and twitchy! Today there will be stitching!! After, of course--cookie delivery!
Tory had an awesome time, and I think had just as much fun pointing out all the different costumes from the DVD, and figuring out where all the lights were coming from as she had listening to the concert! Because she is 9 and thus short, she got to spend the concert on my and her daddy's knee so she could see! She was thrilled! She was also thrilled to get a t-shirt and I got a tote bag with the floral logo. Yes I know, I need another tote bag like I need a hole in my head!
The weather, however, could have been nicer to me!! It felt like -5 with the windchill or colder when we got to the Arena about quarter til 7. MINUS FIVE!!!!!!!! And our seats, were on the floor. In an ice hockey arena. I don't think I thought this one out that well LOL. I shouldn't have worn the skirt set I did--I should have worn sweats! My feet are frozen still I think! When we got out of the concert around quarter til 10, it was even colder!! It's MARCH for pity's sake!!! We are *supposed* to get up into the 30's today and I swear to God it'll be like a tropical heat wave!! I need to live in a warmer climate--seriously.
No stitching since Monday--I'm really starting to get jumpy and twitchy! Today there will be stitching!! After, of course--cookie delivery!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Drowning in cookies!
We picked up Tory's Girl Scout cookie sale order last night, and wow is there a lot here! And we don't even have them all!! So far she's sold 377 boxes of cookies, and of those sold 125 are being donated to Operation Soldier for the US Troops in Iraq!! I'm so proud of her, and of me too! LOL I don't think we're going to reach her goal of 500 boxes sold (she'd be recognized as a Cookie Diva by the Council then) but I hope to get over 400 boxes with 'extra' sales. Her troop is doing a few cookie booth sales, and she'll get a percentage of the sale, and we can still take orders for a few more days. Hopefully we'll catch the neighbors we missed :) She had wanted to send at least half her sales to the Troops, but we aren't going to do that. I'd love to send more. We got her camp confirmation as well! She's going to 2 weeks of Girl Scout horseback riding camp! Not cheap, but oh so worth it for her--which is why we PUSHED cookies LOL.
So that'll be my day today-- sorting cookies and starting to deliver. Let's hope we can get them out of the house fast--DH is too tempted LOL!
Have a great day!
So that'll be my day today-- sorting cookies and starting to deliver. Let's hope we can get them out of the house fast--DH is too tempted LOL!
Have a great day!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Not a lot goin on!
Not too much happening today... so I'm going to make this a picture blog! :)
Aren't you glad you chose to read today ? :)
Here's some fav pics of my family!
This is our close friend Jamie who visits us quite a lot! She's become an honorary sister to my kids and I got to teach her stitching, and she's taken to it like a duck to water!
Tory on her way to a soccer game! It's so funny because behind that mouthguard, she still had NO front teeth!!
Her first concert with the clarinet! She looks so grown up.
Dan and Tory snuggling with our Ginger Love Puddle, aka Simba!
My two goofball furbabies--they sleep like this all the time!
Finally my newest start--Ink Circles Cirque de Circles. It's stitched with Vikki Clayton Russian Sage Premium silk on Silkweaver's Meadow Mist Reflections. The floss is a bit more bright/pastel than I thought, and I'm debating ripping it out and changing colors to... something! Not sure what though. It's hard to tell right now, but I don't know how these colors will look in this big design.
Aren't you glad you chose to read today ? :)
Here's some fav pics of my family!
This is our close friend Jamie who visits us quite a lot! She's become an honorary sister to my kids and I got to teach her stitching, and she's taken to it like a duck to water!
Tory on her way to a soccer game! It's so funny because behind that mouthguard, she still had NO front teeth!!
Her first concert with the clarinet! She looks so grown up.
Dan and Tory snuggling with our Ginger Love Puddle, aka Simba!
My two goofball furbabies--they sleep like this all the time!
Finally my newest start--Ink Circles Cirque de Circles. It's stitched with Vikki Clayton Russian Sage Premium silk on Silkweaver's Meadow Mist Reflections. The floss is a bit more bright/pastel than I thought, and I'm debating ripping it out and changing colors to... something! Not sure what though. It's hard to tell right now, but I don't know how these colors will look in this big design.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Good Monday to you!
I'm resolving to make this a positive day--even if it's only because I'm going to be able to post a lovely picture of my baby girl and myself!
Not much going on right now, I had a new start on Sunday. Didn't have too much time to work on it, but I started Ink Circles Cirque de Circles as part of the Monochrome SAL on the Passione Ricamo board. Really, the SAL was an excuse for Dawn and I to stitch this chart! LOL I'll post a picture of that maybe later, maybe tomorrow.
Here's a few more questions from my comments section:
Again from Outi:
4. Your favourite author?
Boy that's a difficult one. When I was growing up it was Anne McCaffrey with the Pern Series. These days my most read books cover a huge genre gap from fantasy to romance to thrillers! Most often read are Anne Bishop, Nora Roberts and Laurell K Hamilton. I will buy just about anything by Phillipa Gregory too, and I think I have nearly everything Marion Zimmer Bradely wrote! Told ya it was hard!
5. And, of course, you favourite cross stitch designers? :P
My favorite designers are definately Mirabilia, Just Nan, Indigo Rose, and Passione Ricamo. I seem to have tons of WIPS from just these four designers. I also have bunches of Chatelaine as well.
These are from Karen! :)
1. What's the longest you've ever taken to complete a cross stitch project?
Hmm, can I let you know when I complete it? LOL No seriously, not counting an utter UFO that has been hanging around (if I even still have it, I may have pitched it, it was on Aida) for about 20 years--My longest completion would have to be my Midsummer Night's Fairy from Mirabilia. I bought her as a kit from The Stichery, and HATED the Stony Point Linen. DESPISED it. Barely got any progress done on it, and then I discovered hand-dyed fabrics. Restarted it and was zipping along until I sliced the fabric BOTH ways when trying to frog her wing. I was heartbroken, but with the help of some friends was able to reweave, and finish her! She took Best In Show at the Deerfield Fair that year, so it was worth it!!
2. What's your favorite meal?
Anything I don't cook??? Ummm... Probably would have to be Veal Marsala when I can afford it and for a home cooked meal--probably my mom's roast beef, mashed potatos, homemade gravy and corn. I just can't manage to brown the beef like she does!
3. What's your biggest fear?
Being alone
Well that's it for me! Anyone else want to ask questions ? :) :)
Here's the picture of my baby girl and I as I promised!
Take care of yourselves!
Not much going on right now, I had a new start on Sunday. Didn't have too much time to work on it, but I started Ink Circles Cirque de Circles as part of the Monochrome SAL on the Passione Ricamo board. Really, the SAL was an excuse for Dawn and I to stitch this chart! LOL I'll post a picture of that maybe later, maybe tomorrow.
Here's a few more questions from my comments section:
Again from Outi:
4. Your favourite author?
Boy that's a difficult one. When I was growing up it was Anne McCaffrey with the Pern Series. These days my most read books cover a huge genre gap from fantasy to romance to thrillers! Most often read are Anne Bishop, Nora Roberts and Laurell K Hamilton. I will buy just about anything by Phillipa Gregory too, and I think I have nearly everything Marion Zimmer Bradely wrote! Told ya it was hard!
5. And, of course, you favourite cross stitch designers? :P
My favorite designers are definately Mirabilia, Just Nan, Indigo Rose, and Passione Ricamo. I seem to have tons of WIPS from just these four designers. I also have bunches of Chatelaine as well.
These are from Karen! :)
1. What's the longest you've ever taken to complete a cross stitch project?
Hmm, can I let you know when I complete it? LOL No seriously, not counting an utter UFO that has been hanging around (if I even still have it, I may have pitched it, it was on Aida) for about 20 years--My longest completion would have to be my Midsummer Night's Fairy from Mirabilia. I bought her as a kit from The Stichery, and HATED the Stony Point Linen. DESPISED it. Barely got any progress done on it, and then I discovered hand-dyed fabrics. Restarted it and was zipping along until I sliced the fabric BOTH ways when trying to frog her wing. I was heartbroken, but with the help of some friends was able to reweave, and finish her! She took Best In Show at the Deerfield Fair that year, so it was worth it!!
2. What's your favorite meal?
Anything I don't cook??? Ummm... Probably would have to be Veal Marsala when I can afford it and for a home cooked meal--probably my mom's roast beef, mashed potatos, homemade gravy and corn. I just can't manage to brown the beef like she does!
3. What's your biggest fear?
Being alone
Well that's it for me! Anyone else want to ask questions ? :) :)
Here's the picture of my baby girl and I as I promised!
Take care of yourselves!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Goals for Feb-New goals for March
Well let's see how I did!
For February I said I would:
1: Finish Shop Models!!!! Both of them.--Okay I've finished 1!!
2: Ship out Spot RR on time-- YES!!
3: Stitch JN RR--YES!!
4: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit.--YES!!
5: Stitch 2 ornaments-- No :(
6: Start laying out Mira RR--No :(
So I was a little more than 50% on the goals!
So for March I would like to:
1: Finish last shop model--deliver them by March 15!
2: Start Ink Circles Cirque de Circles SAL March 4th
3: Get Mira RR ready to go!
4: Stitch 5 hours on PR Autumn Faery Spirit
5: Stitch JN RR/Spot RR and mail on time!
6: Meet all exchange/mailing obligations!
That seems like enough! Trying to stay realistic!
So I'll answer a few of the questions that were posted in my comments! More will come tomorrow with my trip report!
Outi asked:
1. Where you met your husband?
Well I met him online actually! We were both in a chat room and had known each other through a mutual friend. We got to be good friends for almost a year before we both started admitting how we felt about each other! We started a long distance relationship for 9 months before I moved from PA to NH! :) We got married about a year after that, and this November will be 4 years married!
2. Your favourite colour(s)? (I could make a guess about purple... this is just a hunch. )
You would be right, purple is my very favourite colour!! I have had to promise Dan I won't make the entire house purple. Luckily enough, his favourite is green and it works perfectly with purples and is my second favourite! So we have various shades of purples/greens/blues throughout our house. I think it works!
3. As a kid... what you wanted to be when you grow up?
Well that changed often! What I settled on however, was thinking I wanted to be a teacher. My parents convinced me that history teachers were a dime a dozen and that I should focus on elementary school. I hated it, and have SUCH respect for those that do teach elementary school! I would love to have actually gotten a history degree and taught history in higher grades, but I never finished. Now I'm a stay at home mom, and love it. Although I am thinking about going back to school soon!
More tomorrow!! Peace :)
For February I said I would:
1: Finish Shop Models!!!! Both of them.--Okay I've finished 1!!
2: Ship out Spot RR on time-- YES!!
3: Stitch JN RR--YES!!
4: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit.--YES!!
5: Stitch 2 ornaments-- No :(
6: Start laying out Mira RR--No :(
So I was a little more than 50% on the goals!
So for March I would like to:
1: Finish last shop model--deliver them by March 15!
2: Start Ink Circles Cirque de Circles SAL March 4th
3: Get Mira RR ready to go!
4: Stitch 5 hours on PR Autumn Faery Spirit
5: Stitch JN RR/Spot RR and mail on time!
6: Meet all exchange/mailing obligations!
That seems like enough! Trying to stay realistic!
So I'll answer a few of the questions that were posted in my comments! More will come tomorrow with my trip report!
Outi asked:
1. Where you met your husband?
Well I met him online actually! We were both in a chat room and had known each other through a mutual friend. We got to be good friends for almost a year before we both started admitting how we felt about each other! We started a long distance relationship for 9 months before I moved from PA to NH! :) We got married about a year after that, and this November will be 4 years married!
2. Your favourite colour(s)? (I could make a guess about purple... this is just a hunch. )
You would be right, purple is my very favourite colour!! I have had to promise Dan I won't make the entire house purple. Luckily enough, his favourite is green and it works perfectly with purples and is my second favourite! So we have various shades of purples/greens/blues throughout our house. I think it works!
3. As a kid... what you wanted to be when you grow up?
Well that changed often! What I settled on however, was thinking I wanted to be a teacher. My parents convinced me that history teachers were a dime a dozen and that I should focus on elementary school. I hated it, and have SUCH respect for those that do teach elementary school! I would love to have actually gotten a history degree and taught history in higher grades, but I never finished. Now I'm a stay at home mom, and love it. Although I am thinking about going back to school soon!
More tomorrow!! Peace :)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Home again, Home again
I'm finally home! We got stuck in PA for 2 days, after not being able to leave NH for 2 days later than planned--so it all washed out. Both times were due to snow, etc!
I'm pretty exhausted, so for now here's some pictures!
I'm pretty exhausted, so for now here's some pictures!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Five Questions.. and Five Things...or...
Angi is crazy, one of the these!!
here's how this works. For the first part, 5 Questions--my dear readers can ask me five questions--either in comments or feel free to email them if you'd prefer. I'll answer them in the blog as soon as time allows.
For the second, Five Things About Me:
Here are the rules:
1. Get tagged
2. List five things that have not been revealed on your blog
3. Tag five other people
Wow, I am not sure what all to list. I found this on Jenna's blog, and since I still owe her not one, but TWO PIF's, I figured it'd be nice if I took a tag! :)
1: I used to desperately want to learn to dance. Real dancing, not just the stuff I'd make up in my bedroom or the attic and pretend with. We're talking around age 8 here, and no I never had lessons.
2: I've been engaged twice before finding and marrying my husband!
3: My maiden name is actually my adopted name. My mother's husband at the time adopted me, and no I have no idea who or where my birth father is.
4: I had mononucleuosis in my senior year of high school and missed 4 months of school and had to be hospitalized for it. Lemme assure you--NOT Fun! LOL And I didn't even KISS anyone !
5: I grew up in a teeny town, and graduated high school in 1989. There were 89 students in my class. We were the biggest graduating class in 5 years.
Okay that's my five! I tag Jamie, Cathy, Belinda, Sue, and anyone else who wasn't tagged!
here's how this works. For the first part, 5 Questions--my dear readers can ask me five questions--either in comments or feel free to email them if you'd prefer. I'll answer them in the blog as soon as time allows.
For the second, Five Things About Me:
Here are the rules:
1. Get tagged
2. List five things that have not been revealed on your blog
3. Tag five other people
Wow, I am not sure what all to list. I found this on Jenna's blog, and since I still owe her not one, but TWO PIF's, I figured it'd be nice if I took a tag! :)
1: I used to desperately want to learn to dance. Real dancing, not just the stuff I'd make up in my bedroom or the attic and pretend with. We're talking around age 8 here, and no I never had lessons.
2: I've been engaged twice before finding and marrying my husband!
3: My maiden name is actually my adopted name. My mother's husband at the time adopted me, and no I have no idea who or where my birth father is.
4: I had mononucleuosis in my senior year of high school and missed 4 months of school and had to be hospitalized for it. Lemme assure you--NOT Fun! LOL And I didn't even KISS anyone !
5: I grew up in a teeny town, and graduated high school in 1989. There were 89 students in my class. We were the biggest graduating class in 5 years.
Okay that's my five! I tag Jamie, Cathy, Belinda, Sue, and anyone else who wasn't tagged!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Best Valentine's ever, sorta :)
What a lovely day--for the most part! Mostly because it happened the day before! We got hammered with a snowstorm on Valentine's Day, and so DH was stressed and tired. We didn't really spend any time together. However, the night before was lovely! I got my hair done, and I LOVE it! Then I got home to my Valentine's gifts from my hubby and daughter.
Tory got me a faery statuette. The most touching thing about it is that it looks like her in such an uncanny way that I burst into tears. It will be my most treasured rose forever:
My husband-who has a huge jewelry backlog after 5 years together and no real ability to buy anything other than our wedding rings, bought me earrings. They are small, but lovely and I again was in tears from the cards and the gift. I am so blessed!
been stitching away on the models, although I'm missing 2 colors of Anchor (not sure how that happened!) Hopefully with packing et al today I can move further ahead on the other model! Otherwise I'm just getting ready for the trip!
Peace..
Tory got me a faery statuette. The most touching thing about it is that it looks like her in such an uncanny way that I burst into tears. It will be my most treasured rose forever:
My husband-who has a huge jewelry backlog after 5 years together and no real ability to buy anything other than our wedding rings, bought me earrings. They are small, but lovely and I again was in tears from the cards and the gift. I am so blessed!
been stitching away on the models, although I'm missing 2 colors of Anchor (not sure how that happened!) Hopefully with packing et al today I can move further ahead on the other model! Otherwise I'm just getting ready for the trip!
Peace..
Monday, February 12, 2007
I remember sleep...
vaguely...
When the kiddo doesn't sleep, neither does the mom!! She did sleep better last night, so I got more sleep than I have lately.
I finished up Zoe's Spot RR last night-- I did most of this at the hospital! Zoe stitched the top row and the deer, I did the four spots!
When the kiddo doesn't sleep, neither does the mom!! She did sleep better last night, so I got more sleep than I have lately.
I finished up Zoe's Spot RR last night-- I did most of this at the hospital! Zoe stitched the top row and the deer, I did the four spots!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Nebs and inhalers, oh my!
Well, if I liked doctors, I wouldn't by now. We just got back from another wonderful afternoon spent in the Emergency Department due to Tory's asthma. She has been coughing horrifically for over a week, and this morning she started coughing up blood-laced mucus. So off to the ER we trekked, and got there around noon. At 4:30 pm we were finally finished, after x-rays and many tests--her asthma has kicked into high gear, but no pneumonia or any infection. I'd have been surprised if there were since last Monday her Dr put her on zithromax and prednisone. We have a script for some heavy duty cough syrup and a direction to find a pediatric pulmonary specialist.
So the only stitching I did this weekend was in the ER LOL. I crocheted 2 rows on my gramma's blanket, plus did 2 full spots on the Spot Sampler RR I got in the mail yesterday. That's about it *blah*! LOL
Peace
So the only stitching I did this weekend was in the ER LOL. I crocheted 2 rows on my gramma's blanket, plus did 2 full spots on the Spot Sampler RR I got in the mail yesterday. That's about it *blah*! LOL
Peace
Thursday, February 08, 2007
This'n That
Not much new today--I shipped out my Spot RR, finished an ornie for Cathy's JN RR, and I've nearly got the green wrap done on Autumn Faery Spirit. I'll finish that up tonight and rotate away from it :( It's such a gorgeous piece!
Tory is back in school, and catching up again. I dropped all sorts of stuff at the nurses office--inhaler, nebulizer stuff, aerochamber, instructions etc. We have a great nurse!!
Well here's my Spot RR. I didn't do much but the border, which is from Indigo Rose's Catherine Agnes. I'll fill the specialty stuff in when I get it back! The purple varigated is SNC Wild Violets,the green overdye is Dinky Dyes silk Rainforest. It's 4-sided, but I couldn't get a great picture of the whole thing, at least not that you could *see* it. I greatly enlarged the border as charted, since it was just 100x100.
Tory is back in school, and catching up again. I dropped all sorts of stuff at the nurses office--inhaler, nebulizer stuff, aerochamber, instructions etc. We have a great nurse!!
Well here's my Spot RR. I didn't do much but the border, which is from Indigo Rose's Catherine Agnes. I'll fill the specialty stuff in when I get it back! The purple varigated is SNC Wild Violets,the green overdye is Dinky Dyes silk Rainforest. It's 4-sided, but I couldn't get a great picture of the whole thing, at least not that you could *see* it. I greatly enlarged the border as charted, since it was just 100x100.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Baby, it's cold outside!
Well we're in the middle of this deep chill, with more to come apparently! Not a good time for Tory to be struggling with her asthma again. She's home from school again--yesterday and today. Dr. put her back on prednisone and zithromax, and did a strep swab--the rapid test was negative. We're stepping up nebulizer treatments again, and I've got to take some stuff to the school in case she has problems there. Though nighttime seems to be her worst time!
I've been stitching, and I've got my Spot RR ready to go out, and I've finally figured out a layout for my Mirabilia RR. I need to get a HUGE piece of fabric for it though, 28x35 at the least. That's one massive piece of fabric!! I have planned to do the top part of Mirabilia's Rose Celebration, and then there are 8 sections around her for the other RR members. Hopefully I can get the fabric soon, so I can have it ready for the April 2nd maildate.
My other love right now in stitching is Passione Ricamo's Autumn Faery Spirit. The colors are absolutely stunning! I'm stitching her on SMF's Snickerdoodles, which is perfect. I've found it VERY hard to put her down, but I forced myself! I may up my goal time on her to 10 hours though, she's so pretty!
Hopefully everyone is warm!
adding some pictures for update on the Autumn Faery Spirit WIP and my kitty!
I've been stitching, and I've got my Spot RR ready to go out, and I've finally figured out a layout for my Mirabilia RR. I need to get a HUGE piece of fabric for it though, 28x35 at the least. That's one massive piece of fabric!! I have planned to do the top part of Mirabilia's Rose Celebration, and then there are 8 sections around her for the other RR members. Hopefully I can get the fabric soon, so I can have it ready for the April 2nd maildate.
My other love right now in stitching is Passione Ricamo's Autumn Faery Spirit. The colors are absolutely stunning! I'm stitching her on SMF's Snickerdoodles, which is perfect. I've found it VERY hard to put her down, but I forced myself! I may up my goal time on her to 10 hours though, she's so pretty!
Hopefully everyone is warm!
adding some pictures for update on the Autumn Faery Spirit WIP and my kitty!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
February Stitching Goals
I got out of the habit of setting goals lately, and I can tell! So here's the ones for February:
1: Finish Shop Models!!!! Both of them.
2: Ship out Spot RR on time
3: Stitch JN RR
4: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit.
5: Stitch 2 ornaments
6: Start laying out Mira RR
1: Finish Shop Models!!!! Both of them.
2: Ship out Spot RR on time
3: Stitch JN RR
4: Stitch 5 hours on Autumn Faery Spirit.
5: Stitch 2 ornaments
6: Start laying out Mira RR
Tagged!!
Well I said I wasn't going to do this, but I've got some time on my hands so what the heck. I was tagged by Jamie to list 6 weird things about myself. Huh.. I have to narrow it down to six--this should be interesting!
1: I am totally territorial about my kitchen--to the point that I have to leave the house sometimes if someone else is cooking.
2: If a food doesn't appeal to (or smells icky) my sense of smell, there's no way I can swallow it. Period.
3: I have zero interest in watching black & white movies, or most old movies.
4: I won't burn candles if my house is messy
5: I eat mayo on almost everything, including hot dogs.
6: I am obsessive about the order of my bookshelves. I group by author, genre and perhaps size. But I NEVER mix genres on the same shelf. This is a source of slight stress in my life at the moment, as DH just adores a hodge podge. No sorting, period *shudders*
Okay I'm sure there are TONS more, but that's all I'm admitting to!! Consider yourself tagged if you want to do this!
1: I am totally territorial about my kitchen--to the point that I have to leave the house sometimes if someone else is cooking.
2: If a food doesn't appeal to (or smells icky) my sense of smell, there's no way I can swallow it. Period.
3: I have zero interest in watching black & white movies, or most old movies.
4: I won't burn candles if my house is messy
5: I eat mayo on almost everything, including hot dogs.
6: I am obsessive about the order of my bookshelves. I group by author, genre and perhaps size. But I NEVER mix genres on the same shelf. This is a source of slight stress in my life at the moment, as DH just adores a hodge podge. No sorting, period *shudders*
Okay I'm sure there are TONS more, but that's all I'm admitting to!! Consider yourself tagged if you want to do this!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Brrrrrr
First of all, I want to thank everyone for their supportive comments! It really helped a lot :) We have met with the principal/teacher/counselor multiple times each year. They are all pretty clear on the understanding of what we will and won't tolerate, to the point we've even brought up the bully law in NH. We could file charges, if this gets out of hand again. We've also had DD in therapy for a while--she's 6-9 months younger than her entire 4th grade class, but she's also far advanced academically. She just has issues with the social aspects, thus the therapy.
In other news, I do believe winter has finally arrived with a vengence. I hate cold. I hate ice, snow, icy wind and the grayishness of the sky. Yeah I know, I moved here because I fell in love with a man, not the weather that's for sure. I could happily hibernate, every year. Unfortunately lol I can't do that if my family is to eat!
I got some more done on the border of my Spot RR sampler that is due to go out Monday. I may not have the spots I wanted to throw in there done, but I'm confidant the border will be done! Now I have to start planning my Mirabilia RR--what type of look do I want... it's something I need to ponder :) I missed the first Ornament SAL this month of Jan due to being busy. I'll try to do two in Feb!
On the Girl Scout cookie front, DD sold 355 boxes! She's 145 boxes shy of her goal of 500, but she'll get a few more credits with the booth sales. Of those 355, she alone sold 101 boxes to send to the US Troops!! I'm so proud of her!! Also, it's not too late--if you want to order cookies or donate to the troops, we can still take 'catch up' orders, with money due in early March :)
Peace...
In other news, I do believe winter has finally arrived with a vengence. I hate cold. I hate ice, snow, icy wind and the grayishness of the sky. Yeah I know, I moved here because I fell in love with a man, not the weather that's for sure. I could happily hibernate, every year. Unfortunately lol I can't do that if my family is to eat!
I got some more done on the border of my Spot RR sampler that is due to go out Monday. I may not have the spots I wanted to throw in there done, but I'm confidant the border will be done! Now I have to start planning my Mirabilia RR--what type of look do I want... it's something I need to ponder :) I missed the first Ornament SAL this month of Jan due to being busy. I'll try to do two in Feb!
On the Girl Scout cookie front, DD sold 355 boxes! She's 145 boxes shy of her goal of 500, but she'll get a few more credits with the booth sales. Of those 355, she alone sold 101 boxes to send to the US Troops!! I'm so proud of her!! Also, it's not too late--if you want to order cookies or donate to the troops, we can still take 'catch up' orders, with money due in early March :)
Peace...
Friday, January 26, 2007
Oddity...
As some of you know who I talk to in real time, my daughter has been having an issue with a little girl at school. They've been at loggerheads since 2nd grade. They just cannot get along, as much as they both desperately seem to want to. A couple of months ago, we went to the school and basically demanded they do something about the issue, as the other little girl had gotten quite nasty, following DD around wherever she went. She would say things about DD to others, and be really snarky to her face. But to everyone else this little girl is sweet as pie. I met with DD's teacher last night inbetween DI and chorus, and she let me know that this other little girl has been coming into their room again, just 'wanting to know how ___ is doing". *sighs* Call me cynical but I have zero faith this child has good intentions.
I do not understand, if you dislike someone so intensely to have said the things this little girl said to mine, WHY would you follow her around everywhere?? WHY would you insist on making sure she knows that you're there? I mean, if my child has been as mean as this little girl says she's been (which it has been proven she *hasn't* by the principal and teachers alike) why would this little girl want to constantly 'be' there? My husband says it's about control and power. I'm not sure I agree, but he has a point. This other little girl has the control, because my daughter doesn't go near her, doesn't play in the same area at recess, and won't sit near her at lunch. It's taken a lot of abuse and nastiness for DD to finally let go, but she did. Now that this bully (and that's what she is!) isn't getting a direct response, she seems to have resorted to *presence*. This logically makes my DD nervous about doing something to get into trouble, and the bully wins, she has the power and the control. It makes me wonder about what kind of person this little girl might grow up to be. I know she's got homelife issues, and I could be sympathetic if it wasn't my kid she picked out. Seems the recent events ramped up after DD announced she was being adopted and getting a new Daddy. Maybe, maybe that's part of it.
All I know is I feel helpless, I'm angry and I'm aching for my child who just wants to be left alone by this little girl. And who wants to be able to make other friends without being scared this little bully is going to show up and say mean things, or just stand there to intimidate her. It's not fair, but there's not much I can do. Except pray for this little girl, her family and her future. I know God watches over my DD, I just wish I could protect her from all these little hurts. I can't and that's what irritates me :(
Hug the kids in your life--they never get enough hugs!
I do not understand, if you dislike someone so intensely to have said the things this little girl said to mine, WHY would you follow her around everywhere?? WHY would you insist on making sure she knows that you're there? I mean, if my child has been as mean as this little girl says she's been (which it has been proven she *hasn't* by the principal and teachers alike) why would this little girl want to constantly 'be' there? My husband says it's about control and power. I'm not sure I agree, but he has a point. This other little girl has the control, because my daughter doesn't go near her, doesn't play in the same area at recess, and won't sit near her at lunch. It's taken a lot of abuse and nastiness for DD to finally let go, but she did. Now that this bully (and that's what she is!) isn't getting a direct response, she seems to have resorted to *presence*. This logically makes my DD nervous about doing something to get into trouble, and the bully wins, she has the power and the control. It makes me wonder about what kind of person this little girl might grow up to be. I know she's got homelife issues, and I could be sympathetic if it wasn't my kid she picked out. Seems the recent events ramped up after DD announced she was being adopted and getting a new Daddy. Maybe, maybe that's part of it.
All I know is I feel helpless, I'm angry and I'm aching for my child who just wants to be left alone by this little girl. And who wants to be able to make other friends without being scared this little bully is going to show up and say mean things, or just stand there to intimidate her. It's not fair, but there's not much I can do. Except pray for this little girl, her family and her future. I know God watches over my DD, I just wish I could protect her from all these little hurts. I can't and that's what irritates me :(
Hug the kids in your life--they never get enough hugs!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Slump!
I have hit a stitching slump. I hate these. It could be due to several factors. I have strep apparently (just got the call from the dr's office). It could be because I'm typically cold since we're fighting with our thermostat and furnace. The thermostat is winning and won't kick on the furnace until some odd hour like 4am. Repair call for that is in the works lol. It could be because I'm dealing with an ongoing discipline regime for my daughter who made some really bad choices last week--choices that had the unthinkable happened, I wouldn't have known she was missing since she wasn't where she was supposed to be. Thank God for His protection. But this is all just... life. I don't think this is what is causing it. Blah. lol.
I stare at my stitching. Longingly. But the motivation to move the frame in front of me is just not there.
So if you find my stitching desire, out there wandering lost and alone, could you send it home? I'd appreciate it!
Peace!
I stare at my stitching. Longingly. But the motivation to move the frame in front of me is just not there.
So if you find my stitching desire, out there wandering lost and alone, could you send it home? I'd appreciate it!
Peace!
Monday, January 22, 2007
A-MAZING game..
Okay fair readers, this is my last football post. Well there'll be more than football at the end, so have patience ;) The first thing I want to say is Congrats to the Indianapolis Colts and their patient fans. What an incredible game! I am sad that my team lost, of course--but I think that was one of the most amazing games I've seen all year. It literally came down to the last few seconds, and that is what good sports and great football is all about. Those teams left it all out there on the field and Peyton Manning finally rose up and said "enough! this is MY time" and it is. Honestly if they had been playing anyone *but* the Patriots I would have been cheering my heart out for Tony Dungy and the Colts. I'd rather lose to a great team who, while they made mistakes too, dug in and perservered. I was also so very happy to see the dignity with which the Patriots lost, and how genuinely they congratulated the Colts. It was almost as if everyone decided, after the final whistle, to acknowledge the great rivalry and history these two teams have. Patriots can't always be the winners, and they conducted themselves with dignity and decorum. I've read a lot of things lately that talk about how most of the nation hates the Patriots, and how we've become the Yankees of the NFL. I have to say I'm not sure I agree, and I am not sure how I feel about that. I do think that after a while, people just *expect* great teams to do more and get more irritated when they fail. This season was up and down for us, with lots of mistakes and controversy to start it. The Patriots stand poised to have several key players retire, and are in negotiations with others who deserve market salaries (not that anyone "earns" being paid millions, but I digress). I'm not sure what next season holds, but for now I am looking forward to the SuperBowl and Draft Day. Because after that is the interminable wait that only includes basketball, hockey and baseball. *blech*
I did not pick up a needle all week--It's been just... blah. I did head up to ABC Stitch with my good friend Jamie on Thursday. I taught her to stitch a few months ago and she has been finally totally assimilated! She's even joined some SAL's and I just sit back and giggle. We did a late Christmas exchange with her since we hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving--she gave me a Bruschi T-shirt!! I was all decked out last night for the game in pink Patriots socks, the Bruschi shirt and my Patriots Santa hat! LOL Nooo, no pictures! She also gave me Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren, which I adore and watch over and over since I DVR'd it. Now I have it on DVD and couldn't be more pleased!
More happening today, but I can't post about it yet.. don't want to jinx it! :)
Peace
I did not pick up a needle all week--It's been just... blah. I did head up to ABC Stitch with my good friend Jamie on Thursday. I taught her to stitch a few months ago and she has been finally totally assimilated! She's even joined some SAL's and I just sit back and giggle. We did a late Christmas exchange with her since we hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving--she gave me a Bruschi T-shirt!! I was all decked out last night for the game in pink Patriots socks, the Bruschi shirt and my Patriots Santa hat! LOL Nooo, no pictures! She also gave me Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren, which I adore and watch over and over since I DVR'd it. Now I have it on DVD and couldn't be more pleased!
More happening today, but I can't post about it yet.. don't want to jinx it! :)
Peace
Monday, January 15, 2007
What a heart-stopping game!
(Warning: Football post!)
Not for me (heavens no!) but the hearts of the San Diego Chargers and their fans. As a die-hard NE Patriots fan, let me start by saying--Holy Crap!! I was resigned to watching my Pats put up a decent fight but ultimately end up losing the game. San Diego has dominated all year, they had the best record in the league, led in offensive points scored and also in least amount of points allowed. So to my Pats family here, there would have been little shame in fighting the good fight, but losing to the Chargers. We had a depleted (again) secondary, Junior Seau hurt, my man Tedy Bruschi is aging and just a hair less sharp than he used to be, and a big playmaker Rodney Harrison taken out in the last game (sure it was a legal hit, but it was definately dirty and it certainly torqued off the Pats). We have a struggling (yet nerveless apparently) Tom Brady, who most expect to announce he's had shoulder surgery the day after the Pats season ends and a receiving corps that well, isn't all that gelled yet. All of this facing the Chargers who had the NFL MVP--quite deservedly--and the "best" defensive player in Merriman. My opinions of Merriman I'll keep to myself, however I think he got shut down *quite* effectively. Overwhelming odds, you say? Absolutely. However--everyone (myself included) underestimated the danger in the Brady/Bellichek playoffs. I certainly didn't expect a win. I was ready to let it all go, and cheer for whoever played the Colts to win and win big.
They did it again! The formidable and dangerous combination of talent and apparently raw determination succeeded where it should have failed! In retrospect, I imagine the Chargers wish they hadn't been so confidant they were already talking smack about their SuperBowl parades, scouting the OTHER teams that they could be facing. They had already won, in their eyes. Even before a single ball was snapped, ex-Chargers Reche Caldwell was being 'consoled' by his old teammates. And then, it was gametime.
It was a nailbiter for Patriots fans, to be sure. Brady threw for 3 interceptions, and the defense bailed him out again. He also ended up throwing for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns. But that's what a "team" is for, right? Jabar Gaffney (in October we all went WHO?) had 10 catches for more than 100 yards. Reche Caldwell (Chargers basically told him to 'move on' at the end of last season) had an incredible game and a touchdown versus his old team. Our rookie kicker might have finally put the ghost of Adam Vinateri to rest--at least until next week when the quite familiar match-up of Colts-Patriots takes place.
The Chargers are apparently upset by how the Patriots celebrated. That paragon of NFL-rule obeying, clean playing, utterly always respectful Shawne Merriman claimed it was upsetting because the NE Patriots have already won 3 Superbowls. Huh? Well clearly that disallows all big-game celebrations. While I disagree with LaDanian Tomlinson, at least I respect LT and think he is a gentleman--and give far more weight to his comments than I do to a drug... well let's just say I don't think Shawne Merriman deserves much in the way of respect.
So, next week it's the Colts-and the Brady vs Manning thread has already started on Football Outsiders. Those people are crazy lol! I'm looking forward to next week's game, and no I won't make any predictions. Can we win? Sure--will we? I have NO idea! LOL
Not for me (heavens no!) but the hearts of the San Diego Chargers and their fans. As a die-hard NE Patriots fan, let me start by saying--Holy Crap!! I was resigned to watching my Pats put up a decent fight but ultimately end up losing the game. San Diego has dominated all year, they had the best record in the league, led in offensive points scored and also in least amount of points allowed. So to my Pats family here, there would have been little shame in fighting the good fight, but losing to the Chargers. We had a depleted (again) secondary, Junior Seau hurt, my man Tedy Bruschi is aging and just a hair less sharp than he used to be, and a big playmaker Rodney Harrison taken out in the last game (sure it was a legal hit, but it was definately dirty and it certainly torqued off the Pats). We have a struggling (yet nerveless apparently) Tom Brady, who most expect to announce he's had shoulder surgery the day after the Pats season ends and a receiving corps that well, isn't all that gelled yet. All of this facing the Chargers who had the NFL MVP--quite deservedly--and the "best" defensive player in Merriman. My opinions of Merriman I'll keep to myself, however I think he got shut down *quite* effectively. Overwhelming odds, you say? Absolutely. However--everyone (myself included) underestimated the danger in the Brady/Bellichek playoffs. I certainly didn't expect a win. I was ready to let it all go, and cheer for whoever played the Colts to win and win big.
They did it again! The formidable and dangerous combination of talent and apparently raw determination succeeded where it should have failed! In retrospect, I imagine the Chargers wish they hadn't been so confidant they were already talking smack about their SuperBowl parades, scouting the OTHER teams that they could be facing. They had already won, in their eyes. Even before a single ball was snapped, ex-Chargers Reche Caldwell was being 'consoled' by his old teammates. And then, it was gametime.
It was a nailbiter for Patriots fans, to be sure. Brady threw for 3 interceptions, and the defense bailed him out again. He also ended up throwing for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns. But that's what a "team" is for, right? Jabar Gaffney (in October we all went WHO?) had 10 catches for more than 100 yards. Reche Caldwell (Chargers basically told him to 'move on' at the end of last season) had an incredible game and a touchdown versus his old team. Our rookie kicker might have finally put the ghost of Adam Vinateri to rest--at least until next week when the quite familiar match-up of Colts-Patriots takes place.
The Chargers are apparently upset by how the Patriots celebrated. That paragon of NFL-rule obeying, clean playing, utterly always respectful Shawne Merriman claimed it was upsetting because the NE Patriots have already won 3 Superbowls. Huh? Well clearly that disallows all big-game celebrations. While I disagree with LaDanian Tomlinson, at least I respect LT and think he is a gentleman--and give far more weight to his comments than I do to a drug... well let's just say I don't think Shawne Merriman deserves much in the way of respect.
So, next week it's the Colts-and the Brady vs Manning thread has already started on Football Outsiders. Those people are crazy lol! I'm looking forward to next week's game, and no I won't make any predictions. Can we win? Sure--will we? I have NO idea! LOL
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Blah days...
January is always a 'blah' month for me--not ever sure exactly why. This Jan seems to be no exception, and with the weather not having a clue what it is doing or how it's behaving--sheesh! I mean I love 70 degree weather, but not in January!! Seems that today and yesterday the weather remembered this is New England, and our wind chill temp right now is 8 degrees. While I don't like it--brrrrr-it is *normal* LOL!
I tend to combat my blahs with new starts, etc. So last night I picked up our mail and in it was the Dragon Blood floss from Vikki Clayton for Mary Queen of Scots by Papillion Creations. I was stunned that I could find no one has this as a WIP? No pictures, etc. Sooo I've decided I'll have to post lots of pictures! It's quite the large piece-16.5"x25" on Belfast-so it'll take me for*ever* lol! I also plan to do her complimentary chart The Three Emblems, which is the companion piece, as a biscornu in the same floss.
Passione Ricamo did it again! There's new designs I LOVE Love LOVE! My Lady of the Snow and Make a Wish (Little Wishes Line). I already have a few of this designer, but I can see these being added to my wishlist! I've started Enchanted Faery and Autumn Faery Spirit as part of my January starts... her faeries are getting more and more stunning!
Well I think that's about it for today--hope you and yours are well!!
Peace
I tend to combat my blahs with new starts, etc. So last night I picked up our mail and in it was the Dragon Blood floss from Vikki Clayton for Mary Queen of Scots by Papillion Creations. I was stunned that I could find no one has this as a WIP? No pictures, etc. Sooo I've decided I'll have to post lots of pictures! It's quite the large piece-16.5"x25" on Belfast-so it'll take me for*ever* lol! I also plan to do her complimentary chart The Three Emblems, which is the companion piece, as a biscornu in the same floss.
Passione Ricamo did it again! There's new designs I LOVE Love LOVE! My Lady of the Snow and Make a Wish (Little Wishes Line). I already have a few of this designer, but I can see these being added to my wishlist! I've started Enchanted Faery and Autumn Faery Spirit as part of my January starts... her faeries are getting more and more stunning!
Well I think that's about it for today--hope you and yours are well!!
Peace
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