The housework bug has bitten!!

I've been quite busy today! :) I don't always sit here in front of my computer, but lately my time on my butt has increased exponentially. I think in direct opposition of how far my depression was going. However, I seem to be snapping out of it (which is very important to a bi-polar!)

So today I've stripped both beds and washed sheets, put DD's bed back up on the frame (we put it on the floor for summer since she overheats so easily), done 2 more loads of laundry, did the drain treatment for our yucky drain in the shower, done dishes, and worked on the kitchen rearrangement. Rearrangement, you say? Yeap! we're finally getting the baker's rack in place. We bought it off a friend of ours in SEPTEMBER!! I'm reclaiming the little bit of counter space we have! Our pantry shelves are moving in the basement, we've put the microwave back ON the cart (that was holding phones, and JUNK), moved my collection of pasta jars and pretty canisters to the rack, and I've decided which of my kitchen gadgets I can live with having downstairs. I'm almost as bad about kitchen stuff as I am about stash.

It's true! I have a rotisserie, the huge george forman grill, 2 crockpots, an electric skillet, a quesadilla maker, a blender, a covered deep fryer, and of course the toaster and coffeemaker. the only things staying upstairs are the electric skillet and crock pot, the toaster and deep fryer. DH has a french press now for his coffee, and the rest of my gadgets are specific enough use items that if and when I need them I'll get them. I'd be lost without my electric skillet and my crock pot. I love them, esp in winter for those cold-weather stews.

Speaking of weather, it's freakin cold!!!! Yes yes, where I live it gets cold. But it's like...6 degrees above zero outside, with a windchill of -20!!!! Kill me now. I was so worried about DD not having a scarf, and constantly losing her gloves that I called to inquire about outside recess. Luckily the school is smart and doesn't take them outside when it's this cold. That was a relief. And since I take her TO the bus and pick her up from the bus she won't be walking up our lane either. MINUS 20!!!! I told DH it was time to look for a job in a warmer climate.

I think that's just about it for now folks, it's time to switch some more laundry and work on the kitchen some more. I hope I haven't bored ya to tears! Be good to each other!

Hauling myself into the land of Abstinence...

This is going to be the hardest 6-9 months of my life. Pregnancy, a piece of cake compared to what I'm about to endure!! I'm on the stash wagon....yes, me one of the hugest stashinites ever. Sadly, our budget just doesn't have room for it. I'm not sure how well this is going to go over with my heart!! I've never been 'cut off' so to speak. However, with all the bills, and all the Chatelaines... something had to give. I'll have to sign up late for Taj Mahal :(

Seriously, it's hard to be an adult! Responsibilities and duties, children and mortgages. All these must come before me, and my stash addiction. Sometimes I want to be irresponsible. But if I am, the bills won't be paid, we won't eat and we'll be cold. Not acceptable for my family. So...it is with resolve and determination I put myself on the wagon. Let's hope I can handle it

Things that make you go...

What in the heck is the portugese doing in my comments box ? LOL I don't know anyone who speaks portugese. Ahhhh well.

Well the alien is at school today *happy dancing happy dancing*. I got my peace and quiet back!! Nearly 3 weeks without these 6 hours to myself is TOO DANG long!! I've puttered here and there, and have some more housework to do, but by and large, I'm free!! I also have to call the insurance company, yuck!!

Then dishes, dishes, and more dishes!! HOW do we get SO many dishes dirty ? I swear some nights I can't find the counters!!

And don't get me started on laundry. I swear it breeds. The towels mate and the socks run off with the washclothes!

Ever have one of those days???

Well today should have been DD's first day back at school, AND it was Brownie meeting day. Unfortunately, she was sick. *sighs* So instead of my first day free in over 2 weeks.... she's here. Watch mom descend into tears and gibbering! Not really, but dangit I was looking forward to 8 hours alone. She's feeling better, so she'll be at school tomarrow!!

Post-Christmas bills.... I hate them. Had a lovely holiday, and now it's crap! lol. Not really, but Jan/Feb are so stressful financially. I'm officially on the Wagon for stash, however. No new buys, and no more kitting (unless I get really lucky) for now.

I put in a bunch of work on Enchanted Dreamer, and then had to rip it all out. And now I've redone it and it looks really good. Heavens if I could just stick to a rotation!!

Ya'll have a great day and be good!

And we're off, with a bang!

Well 2004 has started... other than snow and housework, it hasn't yet been eventful for me :)

I've started my one and only guilt-free January project... Enchanted Dreamer by Mirabilia. This makes four
Mirabilia patterns as WIPs for me... I think that's good :) I'd like to finish at least *one* this year!!

This year has been full of ups and downs, joy and sadness, new friends, new state-of-minds...
Here's a few I'm particularly grateful for:

My husband... I've waited 32 years for the right man in my life...and I'm proud to stand beside this husband of mine. He makes me laugh, takes excellent care of me, and loves my daughter as if she were his own. *smiles softly* I couldn't ask for more.

Speaking of my daughter, my alien girl child is growing up. She is reading, writing letters, and coming into her own little person. It's hard, because I miss that baby that used to snuggle up to me. Then again, she still snuggles. She's just a LOT bigger. She's a gorgeous little girl, and I hope her personality and soul match her face for always, just like they do now. We seem to have gotten her medications smoothed out as well, which means a calmer kid, calmer school environment, and a calmer home life.

Being able to walk... we all take it for granted I think. But twice now I've spent 4 months in a wheelchair unable to walk thanks to ankle fusion surgery (the first didn't take). I will never again take for granted the simple task of showering, or cooking a meal for my family.

All of my friends... Misty for being me all over again.. my daily life without you is too quiet! :) And you, My twin (you know who you are!)...I am glad we share so much in common. Many other friends I've started growing close to.. learning more about and being amazed how alike many of us are. Even the sad moments, learning of losses, and discovering deceptions.. they too help me grow in my friendships.

There's so many more things, this year I think was such a journey for me. I only hope that the journey gets better from here. Despite little roadblocks and bumps...what a wonderful trip it has, and will be :)

Y'all be good to each other :)

OMG where did the last 20 days go ?????

Honestly I didn't think it had been that long since I posted. I was really really sick for at least 2 weeks tho, and I'm still feeling the residual effects of that. Then there was Christmas, which this year included us driving over 2000 miles between NH, Ohio and PA. Thank goddess we're only doing that every 2 years. Then there was my mother falling and snapping her ankle in 4 spots, requiring surgery just before Christmas. It never ends.

Let's try and do catch up (at least as much as my poor little brain can remember):

I ended up being diagnosed with a sinus infection and bronchitis. He suspected flu-like symptoms as well, but I refused that diagnosis. Hey I figure if I don't believe it... well it's worth a shot. I am better though!

The holidays at my in-laws were interesting. Lots of new traditions, some a little bit hard to get used to, but nonetheless wonderful. I am very lucky that I love my in-laws and I'm pretty sure they like me. DD got every thing for Barbie Swan Lake, I swear. Of course since I got most of it *grins* Please, barbie with a unicorn ?? A PURPLE Unicorn ??? I was all over that one!

We boarded 2 of the furbabies in a kitty inn. Lovely lovely place. Expensive, but worth it. I just picked them up a bit ago and they were tentative of course, but happy to see us. My Star I left here at the house, since she'd been a rescue kitty, I didn't think she'd get over being boarded. I was worried she'd think I abandoned here. She was VERY happy to see us! And it was lovely to sleep in my own bed with my fur hat :) A hat that purrs ;)

I vow to write in here daily again. I have missed it. I hope everyone had a warm and lovely holiday, that meant everything to them that each wished it to. Be good to each other. *mwah*

we now interrupt mom's voice...

..replacing it with something wierder and deeper than Darth Vader's!! C'mon now!! Although I hate this being sick stuff, at least I haven't had to cook or clean for 2 days. I think I'll keep my husband.

I'm on my way to the doctor's today ( I canNOT argue with both my husband and my mother). I'm frightened to think what would happen to me if they actually put their heads together about something!

I'm almost done Tinsel Tapestry number 2 for my mom. It went much faster this time! I'm going to take both of them to Marie at ABC Stitch to frame on Mon or Tues I think.

Y'all be good!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

So where's my delightful fire???? Or even really warm blankies?? I'm cold.. I'm sick... and I'm tired. Then add I'm tired of being all three!!

The holiday season is full upon us. I've got all my boards cards mailed, now i need to move onto the family ones. For those I have to cut pictures of the alien girl child. Sometimes I do too much for little things. I even get pens that match my cards. I use stickers to seal the envelopes usually, but I don't have those yet.

However, my push to do these things is dimmed quite a bit by the fact that I'm sick. Fever, chills, headache, can't breathe (play the nyquil commercial in your head).. the whole 9 yards. I just want to go bury my head in a pillow untill it stops hurting. Days from now.

It snowed this morning. Double yuck. But I did get a giggle out of my eskimo child. She looks so cute all bundled up, and sometimes I wonder if she can even move. Thank the heavens for my lil girl. Without her, I'd be so miserable and lost sometimes. A smile is all it takes to make me smile, and her hugs and kisses are pure joy. *insert break for hugs and kisses* Man, how did she know I needed those so badly ?

I think I'll go tackle her and get some more!

Amid all the clutter...

I am not sure if I've found myself, but I've found a ton of stuff I don't want in my house anymore!!

It's been forever and a day it seems that I had time to jot down my thoughts here. That doesn't mean I wasn't thinking of sitting here and writing. The hustle and bustle of normal life swept me away, amid a tidal wave of junk I decided to throw out. I mean really.. if I haven't used it for an entire year, and I didn't miss it--I surely don't need it!

I also was preparing for my first Thanksgiving cooked, not only for us as a family, but me as a wife. We spent last year's holiday in Boston with DH's family. So I fretted, and I worried. And the boxed pumpkin pie was awful according to DH. I will have to learn how to bake one betwixt now and next Thanksgiving, even if I don't like pumpkin at all.

We watched a bunch of football, and I did some stitching. It was nice to just be... no rushing off to someone else's house for dinner. No getting dressed up (or even really dressed!!) and certainly no pressures. We ate when the stuff was done. I worried and fretted myself needlessly. Except for the pie, everything I made (including homemade gravy) came out lovely. Thank you daddy for teaching me how to cook.

With the nuttiest time of my life approaching, I am trying to be quietly reflective today. Over the next few weeks I will have to bake, and pack. I need to wrap gifts, and ship them. I have to get myself and DD geared up for the one 16 hour drive... then one eight hour drive to my parents, and then the final 8 hour drive home. All in about 10 days. Someone bring back the days of all of us living a stone's throw from each other!!!

Back to Normal I guess...

The house needs cleaning, laundry needs done, pets demand to be fed, kids.. etc ;) But it's nice somewhat to be back to normal. Except for the bills rolling in. I hate overdrawing the account. But you only get married once right?

I'm cleaning around my desk right now. Got it almost done. But here's tip. If you have so much stuff under your desk it can toggle the off switch on your surge protector, there's probably too much under there! That's fixed now! :)

Groceries have to be put off now :( Dh gets paid next week. We were doing so well too! :( Ahhhh well.

Finally an honest woman!

We did it, finally! :) Got married, tied the knot, etc etc etc. After a week of insanity, I actually dared to believe my wedding day, such that it was, was going to go off without a hitch. Man was I deluded.

First we woke up to no power. The intense wind of 3 days before, and that night decided to take out a couple of power lines. With no power we had no heat, no phones, and worst of all, no hot water. And no alarm clock. Thank heavens DH is an early riser. We got everything packed into my car, and off I sped to get my intricate hairstyle I was sure I would lose within five minutes of being outside. Luckily I didn't, thanks to some wonderous hair spray. So on to pick up the rings (more wind) and the cakes (more wind), I get to the hotel room that they graciously let us get into early.

Then I had to shower without getting my hair wet. Which meant DH had to help. That was a bright spot :)
We all got dressed without too much mishap, piled into the car, and off the courthouse we went (more wind!!). However my hair survived, and so did I. We signed all the papers, got everything legal, and had our little ceremony that I bawled the entire way thru! *shakes her head*

We had a lovely dinner thanks to my BIL and his girlfriend, and they gave us our first (and only at this point lol ) wedding gift of a Target GC :)

I have to be without my rings all week tho, because they talked me into sizing them too small...I'm not happy about it but I ripped my finger open getting them off, so it's necessary.

Here's the link to the pictures :)

So the Insanity truly begins...

Okay, my child is home from school today. The day before I get married. The day I really needed to myself to get all the stuff done that I need to do. Whyfor is the alien home ? She has impetago on her finger. She's had it before, I'm not freaked. But in 3 days she'd have insurance. However, since it's highly contagious, off we schlep last night to a walk-in express care (heaven only KNOWS the bill for that one) to get two antibiotics ($85 later), and the doctor to tell me she can't go to school. Gee, I must have been stupid to not know that. Just because I don't have insurance doesn't mean I'm an idiot. It really annoys me when they treat me like a lower-intelligence creature because of a lack of medical insurance. *seethes* But I won't get started on my insurance rant.

So I have to drag her with me for my nail appointment. She never sits still to begin with, this could be an adventure. AND, the soon to be DH finally got why I said he had to leave work early today. We've only been discussing the schedule for about 3 days now. Guess what? I bet cash money he can't leave early either.

No stitching the last few days, I've been too busy getting ready. A dear friend sent me a "borrowed" garter, quite special to her. You know who you are, thank you so much.

Well it's time to get showered. See ya soon!

A day for tears...

Have I mentioned I'm the luckiest woman in the entire world ? Not only do I get to marry my best friend, a man who makes me laugh, and makes my heart sing,, but I also get his family. I have heard many people who don't get along with their in-laws. Heaven knows this is the first time my 'in-laws' have actually liked me. And I adore them. Truly, deeply and with so much affection.

They seem bent on making me cry many times before Friday, however *smiles* My FIL spoke to me of his happiness for his son, and his joy in our happiness. My MIL, a wonderful gracious woman, sent me sapphires for my "something blue", accompanied by a lovely 'welcome to the family' note, and a handkerchief that belonged to a special aunt in her life. I thought it was a 'borrow', but she tells me I'm to keep it. Wow. They make me feel so welcomed to this family I love.

I'm indeed the luckiest woman in the world.

Well it's just about time...

Getting ready to head out to go to the alien girl child's parent/teacher conference, and then we're going to shop for wedding bands. I know, I know a little bit late, but you have to do what you do when the money will be in the account, ya know?

I've managed to survive the day with the kids ( i know it's amazing). Tomarrow the boy's mom is going to watch DD as well so I get some down time to do things that have to be done. Somewhere in all of this preparation stuff I have to do grocery shopping!!

I did make significant progress today on the Tinsel Tapestry. I stitched instead of cleaning, oh well. I got a major section done and another one started, I hope to finish this before too long :)

Y'all be good!

As if I didn't have enough to do...

School is out today, AND tomarrow. And today I have both children home.. the 14 yo angst ridden boy, and the 6 yo alien girl child. Someone shoot me?

We got so much crap and clutter out of this house this weekend. We worked all day Saturday--which is a first for us two procrastinators. I am so happy.. I have TWO functioning bathrooms now. No more kiddos traipsing thru my bedroom for the bathroom. I still have to buy them a new showerhead, and then they will have NO reason to be in my room *dances*.

I got a bit of work done on Tinsel Tapestry. I've made a few changes here and there with the pattern, aesthetic stuff really. I'm liking how it's stitching up :)

I'll probably write more later when the kids frustrate me!

Where is that evil-twin of mine ?

If I could find her she could go apply for this license for me. I have always found it irritating that you have to have a license to get married, but not one to have children. Especially on a day like today, when I don't WANT to get all dressed, hair done, makeup, etc and go out of the house. Honestly I"m not sure I'm going to survive the week.

I did however get a decent amount done of Tinsel Tapestry last night. Isn't it amazing when doing a band sampler how much time simple cross stitch takes ??

Later y'all ... I'll post again when I get home :)

So I'm feeling better... I've puttered around most of the day (Read:wasted). I put together a scissor fob for my friend Misty, and a new one for me. I also, from inspiration from a dear friend, made a fob/keeper for my Star DeTailor. I can *never* find that cotton-picken thing. I can now :) I haven't stitched yet, but I'll most likely do that later tonight. I *have* done some dishes tho :)

I'm getting ready to haul the huge-o amount of laundry that needs done to the downstairs. With the events of the 14th rolling right along, I'm gonna need to have all this done, like.. now.

I'm taking the day off. I think I deserve it. And I'm not really going to do nothing, I'm just going to do it all in my house. I even let DH take the "good" car :) So since I won't drive his car unless I *have* too, I'm staying home. There are tons of things I should be doing. There's a license to apply for, details to be taken care of. But my mind, and body said "NO!" this morning.

So today I hope to~do some reading, a bit of stitching, play with all the new beads I got yesterday, and a lot of laundry. I'm not sure how much of any one thing will get done, but I do know I'm going to be a more relaxed person. Things are crazy right now and I'm pretty sure everything will get taken care of, despite my going AWOL for the day.

The voice from my past and I had a talk last night. It was a wonderful thing. Too often, when something is over, you never get the chance to say, or hear " I"m sorry". I got to do both last night, and then catch up with an old and dear friend. Who still is a friend. Which is just lovely!

I think this is where I am going to stop for now. I am quite sure I'll have tons more later :) Stay Tuned :)

I did it I did it!!! I got a comments box added!! :) :) :) And I think I've worked out all the color changes and stuffies! So please let me know what you think about my blog, my meanderings, and all that jazz! :)

This has been a crazy couple of days. And it's getting more crazy as the 14th approaches. Most of you who read this (if anyone!) already know what is happening then. I ordered my flowers yesterday, and will pick them up on the 13th. To say I haven't had stitching time would be an understatement.

Brings me to the point of my musings this morning. I was going to try and keep this for strictly stitching, but I think I'd like to branch out, and talk about what's on my mind. At the very least it will give me a place to work out things in my head.

Why is it sometimes we, when we are about to get or do something fervently desired for a long time, can be scared to death ? Really, it doesn't make a lot of sense does it? I've been searching for stability and security for years, and now that they are here, I seem to be trying every method to stop it from happening. Picking fights over non-existent issues, getting sad and weepy when a voice from my past shows up, etc. I really don't think any of these are important enough to derail what's happening in my life, yet I am scared enough by what's happening to give them strength. My mother says that I"m acting normal, jitters she says. Friends are telling me the same. I sincerely hope they are right. Being bi-polar, and managing this disease makes me hyper-vigilant about emotional issues like this I guess.

On to some stitching notes! :) I am really starting to enjoy Tinsel Tapestry, and I like the look I'm getting so far. I didn't have the recommended fabric, so I'm using a small solo, and will also be using a piece of Discord from Picture This Plus. Yeap I'm stitching it twice. Once for my MIL, once for my mom. I've become seriously addicted to Just Nan. I started a wish list at Nordic Needle for the holidays, because there are tons of older designs I'd give my left foot to have!

The alien girl child woke up giggling this morning. Makes life ever so much easier when it's not a fight with her. I think perhaps we've hit the right medication, at least for now.

Oh, and did anyone else watch the episode of "8 Simple Rules" last night? I have never watched this show before, but I did last night, as it's the episode they have the father (who was John Ritter) pass away. They handled it with class and dignity, and I think he would have been touched. It was so sad, I let myself cry thruout it and then wanted to call my father just to tell him, even though he's a putz, that I love him. We lose the good ones too soon. It was a fitting tribute to John Ritter.