The tale of the cramped fingers...

or, if you prefer--Beading and crocheting within hours of each other do not usually make for pain-free fingers!

Of course some of this is compounded by the fact that I did something to my lower back. It's excruciatingly painful to actually stand, sit or lay down. Once I get *into* most positions I'm alright, except for a dull constant ache. The act of moving however has me nearly in tears--if it doesn't ease up with the things I'm doing to try and help it soon, I will call a dr.

So I got the beads for Mirabilia's Stargazer this week--am converting them to Delicas because I can't stand to work with Mill Hills anymore, really. After I ordered them however, I realized the one bead was more of a tonal color to work with the original fabric (at least in my opinion) so I had to change my thinking on that. I go for more muted and not so stark contrasts so my conversion isn't all that 'true' to the mill hill colors called for. It also made me realize that y'all haven't seen the finished "stitching" picture! So here we go!

Finished Stitching!

Two days of beading!


of course it is nearly *impossible* to get a true picture of this gorgeous fabric or the true shimmer of the beads! The fabric is Sugar Maple Fabric's Summer Twilight on Belfast! The fabric type does make a difference.

I'm torn on what to be working on as I have SO MANY obligation finishes to get done. *sigh* I just want to bead! LOL

Y'all take care!

Wow--this month is going fast!

December is my favorite time of year! But I have some November catching up to do! I've had a few requests to see some of the stuff I did for our Thanksgiving--the placemats and napkins are being washed, so I don't have those right now. But-- here's the napkin rings:
I used glass and swarovski crystal beads along with some silver beads. The base was memory wire *grrrrrr* I was pleased with how they came out!
Here is the candlescape I made--I painted the pots with a stone finish, and assembled the dish with rocks. Wasn't much to it, but DH loves it!

I also have had a Christmas gift HD! The person this is for doesn't read here, so I can show off my "bobble" stitch scarf! It's done with Lion Brand Homespun yarn and is so warm and cozy!

Finally, a few pictures of my furbabies--well just two of them. Simba is the orange kitty, and there's a reason we call him a "big puddle o'kitty love". Smudgers is the black&white trouble cat!


Y'all take care!

Well we made it!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I've got so much to be thankful for! Besides my husband, children, cats and home... all of our apparent decent health these days--I'm also grateful that the holiday is *over*! :) I've been working most of November to get ready to host my in-laws for the first time ever for a holiday meal. I was thrilled (and filled with trepidation!).

I actually finished the 8 napkin rings I designed and beaded! I truly learned how to use my sewing machine, and gained a LOT of confidence while sewing 8 napkins, 9 placemats, one center mat, and a tablecloth to fit an 8 foot long table. And I got them all complete *before* my MIL and SIL arrived on Tuesday! I did well with the cooking--making the best turkey I think I've ever done! And it was pretty! :) The house was clean, the kids behaved and my family was all together in our house for three glorious days!

Back to normal now :) DD is back in school, and today some developements in areas of life that will affect things such as her last name happened. Things that I worry about their effect on her, but in the long run are the absolute best things that can happen for all of us. Her biological father is going to sign off on DH adopting her. He's had zero contact with her for more than 6 months, He hasn't paid support, nor has he attempted to see her in the 7 years since we left. My DH on the other hand couldn't love her more or be more her father if he *were* genetically responsible. It will take some time to get all the paperwork filed, and we have to decided whether or not we're using an attorney but, by spring... it should be done.

Stitching wise, there should soon be a picture of Stargazer, and well that's about it since I spent a ton of time measuring, cutting and sewing on my machine. I've also started Christmas scarves with my crocheting!

Take care of yourselves!

What a November!

Well, after 10 days of Zithromax, breathing treatments 4 times a day, lots of sleep, lots more coughing, 4 doctor's visits and 7 official missed days of school--the alien girl child is finally well enough to go back to school. While she's eager to do so, she's not so eager to do the work that she's missed. We've been doing that the last couple days because she's well enough to do so. Yeah--it's been fun.

I am exhausted on a general level, and grateful that it wasn't and hasn't been worse. We'll go back to the doctor on Friday, and he'll do another chest x-ray to make sure the nasty areas are disappearing. It is with a heartfelt thank you to God that this is all drawing closed, since as a lifelong asthmatic, she could have been SO much worse.

Stitching has fallen by the wayside these last two weeks in favor of crocheting a blanket for my Gramma for Christmas. I'm really enjoying this pattern, and am using Home Spun by Lion Brand in the Regency color. It's thick and warm and soft. I really think Gramma will love it.

I have a million things to do to get ready for DH's family coming next Tues. I've painted pots for a candlescape for the table, hung pictures, decluttered some small areas, but there is SO MUCH to go--including all the sewing. I'm making the tablecloth, the napkins, the placemats, and curtains for my kitchen. *snorts* Also on tap is beaded napkin rings (those are semi-plotted, just need to start assembling), shopping for the food and a deep-level, like wall scrubbing.. cleaning of the entire house. Having DD sick these last two weeks has skewed my schedule, but what gets done, gets done. The rest will have to be okay!!

I did manage to stitch Stargazer's face on this weekend, but I dont' want to post an update picture until I have the ribbons done. I spent about 35 mins finding a different backstitch color as the color she called for was WAY too dark on my fabric, at least.

Coming soon--my 'letter' from Annette's Blog!

Pay It Forward :)

In my blog travels recently--mainly late at night due to Tory being so incredibly sick lately--I've seen this posted on a bunch of blogs. I've also seen lots of people amend it with a deadline of 365 days. I figured I could handle that, and so I've jumped in! I'll do my best to get things out faster ;) I jumped into the fray on Mel's Blog...

So:

The first five people to respond to this post (via the comments section) will get some form of "art" made by me. An original hand crafted items, made with one of the many mediums I use - stitching, crochet, beading, etc. I will work to fit this to you and your likes. After you comment, please email me your snail mail address (to angi dot esch at gmail dot com). Think of it as something to look forward to getting in the mail.

There is a catch, of course, the way this works is that if you sign up, you have to blog this as well and continue sharing.

Sound like fun? Comment away! And if no one comments here--which is quite possible, as this blog doesn't get much comments or readership--I'll pick five people randomly to send something to :)

Weekend update

It was a pretty mild weekend, except for the weather! We had threats of massive storms, widespread power outages, etc. So of course we hunkered down, and it wasn't as bad as they said. We did get huge amounts of rain, which cancelled the kid's soccer games. It gave me time to catch up on my laundry, and housework, and plenty of time to sitch!

I managed to finish up the stitching on two ornies this weekend, and make progress on both of my shop models. Here's the ornies!
This first one is from The Cat's Whiskers. It's a freebie I found on their website.

This second free design I did in red, for Christmas obviously. I really liked how fast it stitched up! It's a free design from The Monkey Works

I'm really pleased with how they both came out. I have the perfect fabric to finish the redwork one, but I'll need to find something for the other!

in other stitching news, I almost completed ALL my goals for October! I was pretty pumped!
Stitch JN RR as soon as it arrives--YES!
Finish 1 model for shop, start on second--both started
Stitch 10 hours on Stargazer --YES!
Restart MIL's gift--Stitch at least 5 hours on it--YES!
Stitch 2 Christmas Ornaments--YES!
Stitch 5 hours each on 2 other WIPS--Indigo Rose Bead Blanket & The Birth Band--YES!
Finish Crys' RR--Mail HOME--YES!!

Here's November's Goals:
Finish both LNS models!
Finish MIL's gift!
Stitch JN RR as soon as it arrives
Stitch 5 hours on 2 WIPS
Stitch 10 hours on Stargazer
Stitch 2 ornaments

SBQ, a finish, and relief!

Okay so it's been a stress filled few days... but first! The Stitching Blogger's Question (times two!):

Today's SBQ was suggested by Carol and is:

If you were to come across a sampler chart that caught your eye and
appealed to you, would you or would you not stitch it if it had a
morbid or "creepy" saying on it? If not, why?

I think I would definately still stitch it and if I were creeped out significantly I would either change it, or leave it out. Creativity!

And Last week's question! I missed it!
Last Week's SBQ was suggested by Vash and is:

Which way do you stitch, i.e. do you stitch /// followed by \\\ on
top, or the other way around \\\ followed by ///? Are you left- or
right-handed and do you think that this affects the way that you stitch?

I stitch / followed by \ and I stitch from top to bottom, not bottom to top like the books tell me to! I'm right handed, but I stitch two-handed most of the time, so I don't think it affects how I stitch. I'm self taught, so I have no idea what influenced it!

I had a small finish last night stitching... one of two planned Christmas Ornaments this month. I'll post a picture later today!

All of my worry for the last few days is over, apparently. I still have to wait for official test results, but after having a mammogram and ultrasound yesterday, it seems there's nothing to 'worry' about at the time. Changes can still occur rapidly, so I have to be careful for a bit!

Happy Stitching!

Well apparently it worked!

I got a call this morning that the imaging center has an 8:20 cancellation tomorrow, so I got rescheduled! On one hand I'm happy to be getting these over with, on the other, I'm extraordinarily nervous. No *idea* how long these results will take either! But, at least I don't have to wait 2 weeks.

I hate waiting..

I'm not a patient person as a general thing. I tend to want things to be instant gratification, which isn't typically possible. When it comes to medical stuff, I'm even less patient. I have tests scheduled for Nov 7, and I'm not at all doing well with that wait! LOL I feel a bit better after a doctor's appointment today, but I'm still worried. There's still reason to be somewhat worried. I did however get good news today! I've lost 11.5 pounds since the second week of September. I'm pretty pumped about that... means my walking is doing *something* I haven't done it regularly lately--too much on my mind. But I'm definately getting back to it!!

In stitching news, I did a stitchathon this weekend and put a LOT of time into Mirabilia's Stargazer. I love this piece so much. I definately believe I can finish her this year now! Here's an updated picture... as you can see, I had help with taking the picture! That's Smudgers, my problem child, but my cute baby!

Stitching Update..

Well I've been fighting a serious case of start-itis these days.. so I figured I'd do some updates of some WIPs, and maybe that would help. There is *one* new start here, it's a gift for a friend.

This is my part of Kari's Just Nan RR. I really love JN band samplers!

Indigo Rose's Bead Blanket Sampler. Surprisingly I'm getting addicted to these small toys/tools--and most especially to Indigo Rose!

My meager progress of Patricia Ann Designs Moonlight Orchid. I subbed all the floss for NPI silks, keeping the Iced Lavendar Waterlilies. I didn't like the purples I chose so I started again!

The restart of my MIL's gift.. 4MyBoys Fear Not Tomorrow. I'm actually restructuring this to be more square instead of really long and thin. I think it'll be great!

Drawn Thread's Birth Band. I've done this one before, for my godson. I love this birth sampler, and this is my new start as of last night. It is for a friend's new baby:)
This weekend is the Passione Ricamo stitchathon--I'm going to make as much progress on these and Mirabilia's Stargazer as I possibly can!

So.. laundry..

Yes, that odd thing that happens when you aren't looking. No seriously, I swear the laundry breeds. All by itself. It is NOT possible I have this much laundry after being caught UP on Sunday. SUNDAY. Totally caught up. I mean I do have a 9 year old who changes clothes with the wind, and a husband who has home clothes and work clothes. But SERIOUSLY. How can every towel we own be dirty????? We all do shower daily at least, but.. there's just the *three* of us. I think the towels and sheets have some questions to answer.

No stitching barely yesterday--just half a band on the new Just Nan RR I received. Hopefully I'll settle down here in a bit and stitch!

Peace to you..

Stitching Tricky!

Back in June I posted my WIPs, kits and my list of goals on the Rotation BB's StRIP forum. Now mind you, because I've started setting goals and tracking things, I've had more finishes this year than I have in the last *two* years! However, I can't seem to keep reducing WIPs. I even made a deal with myself *and DH* that I wouldn't start something new unless I'd finished 2 things. Now I didn't count exchange pieces ( I did 3 this year, I'm so tickled!)or RR's or shop models in my new start restriction. So while I've had 16 finishes this year, I've only reduced my WIPs by a net 7!! Huh.. I'd have figured it was so many more! Ahhh well, with two and a half months left in this stitching calendar year, I'm hoping for the first time ever to finish 20 or more projects--perhaps even a big one. We'll see how I do!

A Book Meme

I've never been much into the 'memes', but this one that I spied on Another WIP. I think it's pretty interesting.
1: One book that changed your life
I haven't as yet read much in non-fiction, and that's been that way most of my life. I began reading at a very young age, and around age 11 or 12 I read The Mists of Avalon. It solidified my love for all things Arthurian, and being told from a female point of view helped me reinforce my belief in female strength, and power. My family was also going through a crisis of faith, and this book opened a new spiritual path for me, one I traveled for over 15 years. I don't regret that time, because I believe strongly in the ideal that God is both feminine and masculine. Without traveling the spiritual path I did, I would not have felt so strongly about the role of women in Christianity, and would not have been drawn to the Episcopal Church we now attend.
2: One book you've read more than once
Wow, that's just about every book I own, I think. I don't like going to a library because then I can't read and reread the book over and over again. Some recent books I've reread was The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop and the Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts.
3: One book you'd want on a desert island
Wow, is this one hard. Half of me immediately says The Bible, the other half says The DragonRiders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey. Tomorrow that answer would change!
4: One book that made you laugh
Most books I read have some element of humor in them--I've laughed out loud to some of the Johanna Lindsey books I have, or the aforemention authors. But what sprang to mind was the Anita Blake:Vampire Hunter books by Laurell K Hamilton. Not sure if humor is her first thrust, but parts of these stories stick with you!
5: One book that made you cry
It did the first time I read it, and it never fails to do so each time I read it even though I know what's coming. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
6: One book you wish had been written
Honestly I am sure whatever topic I wish had been covered has been, I just haven't found the book yet.
7: One book you wish had never been written.
I believe all books have value, and should be respected. There are many books out there I do not agree with, and would choose to *never* read or touch. However, I believe in the right for them to be written.
8: One book you're currently reading
I just started a reread of Anne Bishop's Sebastian. I also will probably start Queen Isabella soon, and I'm itching for a reread of The Other Boleyn Girl. There are huge numbers of books I desire, but don't have yet.
9: One book you've been meaning to read
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
10: Some Favorite books not already on this list
The Firebrand--Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Ruins of Ambrai-Melanie Rawn
Arrows of the Queen-Mercedes Lackey (ALL of the Valdemar books!!)
Sweet Liar-Jude Deveraux
Gone with the Wind-Margaret Mitchel

Stitching Blogger's Question

I've seen this around, so I thought I'd start answering it!

This week's SBQ was suggested by Lee and is:

As we all know, stitching in the winter can really be rough on the
hands. What do you do to treat your hands well in the cold winter
months? Do you have any suggestions for creams or soaps? Or perhaps a
special regimen that you would like to share?
I have always suffered from dry skin, especially in the winter. In New Hampshire it gets cold early, so this is affecting me right now. I actually use a tiny bit of olive oil when I cook with it, rub it all over my hands and then wash it off. Other than that, Curel lotion works and when my fingers crack-I use chapstick. None of this helps when I'm stitching though! I may have to try the Dove hand cream the Blonde Librarian recommends!

Happy October! :)

Yes, there's a trend in my update post titles. I like it!
We've been staying pretty busy here, with soccer, chorus, girl scouts and now clarinet lessons and practice. Between all the church activities and the school activities, I'm not quite sure how I get anything else done! We're also moving in my Dh's really busy time, so for about the next 4 to 5 weeks we won't see much of him either. Which means, I can make chicken corn soup! (He despises it lol).

Other non-stitchy news quick.. We're doing Thanksgiving at my house this year. My MIL from Ohio, SIL and BIL are all coming *here* (squeak). I'm actually very excited and I've started planning my menus already. Hmm...what else.. oh yes--DD's top tooth FINALLY broke through! She only lost this thing before Halloween of LAST YEAR. She's been toothless for so long! But they are finally coming in-thank God.

Stitching news/Goals updates!
Considering I haven't posted goals here before, I'll just post my October goals:)
For October:
Stitch JN RR as soon as it arrives
Finish 1 model for shop, start on second
Stitch 10 hours on Stargazer
Restart MIL's gift
Stitch 2 Christmas Ornaments
Stitch 5 hours each on 2 other WIPS
Finish Crys' RR--Mail HOME
In recent finishes I have had several!

This was the ornament I stitched and finished for my first ever exchange on the Rotation BB. I'm wikked proud of it!

This is the biscornu I finished to send to nebbus! This was my first one, but I know it won't be my last! I was tickled to find a swarovski button to use too!!

The first part of my Christmas themed Just Nan RR! I'm really pleased with how it turned out, even if I had to rip out the satin stitches twice!

My part (and the final part) on my best friend Crystal's RR from a previous round. I love the spiderweb roses!

Two quick stitches! These are from Britty Kitties 3--gifts for my Gramma and my SIL.

last but not least by any means--this is the house I stitched on Autumn's Stitcher's Lane RR...it made it home quite a while ago!

I think that might be all for today! Y'all take care!

I've been tagged!

I was tagged by a silken thinker!
List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

1: Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake
2: SOS by Rhianna
3: How to Save a Life by the Fray
4: Sunday night football theme
5: U of Michigan fight song
6: To God be the Glory, Malcom Archer
7: Holy, Holy, Holy, Malcom Archer

I don't think enough people read this for me to tag! :)

Hugs and happy stitching!

Happy September!

I've really been lax about updating here... there's just so many other things I get drawn into doing!

The kid started school again and she's into 4th grade! It's amazing, and it was wonderful to watch her 'grow up' over the summer. There were some real strides into her becoming more mature, and more independant. She's *starting* to help more around the house, and starting to be a little less self-centered. I'm so so proud of her.

We started a walking program here. We're using Leslie Sansone's Walk Away The Pounds program. I have to say I *love* it. I haven't done any sort of fitness routine for well over a decade! It was a slow rough start as my muscles screamed bloody murder. However I'm up to doing the two mile workout almost every day now and I'm seriously proud of myself. Dan has been doing it with me and we're both amazed at how good (and sometimes sore) we feel!

I've only lost 3 pounds total--but that has more to do with being diagnosed as a severe asthmatic. Right now I'm on 2 different medications, by nebulizer, a total of 4 times a day. Blah! In July I was very sick.. and ended up going on prednisone for about 10 days--hence no major weight loss even though we've cut fat and carbs down majorly and I started excersizing. I'm really proud of the whole family to be honest. We are really working at the change!

I learned to thread and use my sewing machine over Labor Day Weekend!! I finished off two ornies by myself, so I was seriously thrilled! I'm not ready to make clothes yet, but I'm further than I have ever been!!

There's not much else going on here.. not much stitching, but I'm almost done Autumn's House RR... and then it's on to prep my JN RR. It's football season in full swing once again, so I'm starting to settle into my sunday stitching!

That's all for now! Take care everyone!

101 Things in 1001 Days.

This seems like a wonderful way to keep track of improvements, so here's mine!


The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start date August 21, 2006
End date: May 20, 2009

Health:
1. Start walking at least 2x per week for 3 months
2. Increase walking to 3x per week for 3 months.
3. Increase walking to 4x per week for 3 months.
4. Increase walking to 5x per week for duration.
5. Lose 25 pounds.
6. Lose 50 pounds (total)
7. Lose 100 pounds (total)
8. Lose 150 pounds (total)
9. Maintain treatment for bi-polar including medication therapy.
10. Find and try 1 new healthy recipe every 2 weeks.
11. Try 1 new food each month (vegetable, meat, etc)
12. Buy an Herb/Spice book and learn more about how to use them.
13. Go for 2 weeks with no soda 4 times.
14. Go for 1 week with no chocolate 6 times.
15. No eating out for 1 month.
16. Limit dining out to special occasions (anniversary, birthdays, good report cards)
17. Make monthly menu plans and use them to make grocery lists.
18. STICK to the monthly menu plans
19. Transfer all of my spread out recipes to cards in my recipe box.

Financial:
20. No Bounced checks
21. Pay off Van loan
22. Pay off 2 credit cards and freeze cards.
23. Pay off 2 more credit cards and freeze cards.
24. Pay off 2 more cards and freeze cards.
25. Stay on budget each month.
26. Save $3000
27. Refinance House
28. Increase contributions to 401K
29. Start investing some of our money.
30. Contribute to Tory's college fund no less than bimonthly.

Personal:
31. Tell everyone in my life I love them regularly.
32. Get back to regular church attendance (every Sunday)
33. Set aside 30 mins per day for devotions and quiet time
34. Send a letter to my grandmother 1x per week.
35. Call my gramma 1x per week.
36. Travel to England
37. Travel to Greece
38. Stop biting fingernails
39. Volunteer somewhere.
40. Visit 2 major art museums
41. Watch 5 black and white movies with my husband.
42. Have at least 1 'date night' a month with my husband.
43. Have a Mommy/daughter day once a month.
44. Read Pride & Prejudice
45. Read Gone with the Wind again.
46. Read 5 other "classic novels"
47. Attend a Patriots Home game.
48. Take my daughter to a NE Revolutions game.
49. See Bon Jovi in concert again.
50. Attend a Ballet Performance
51. Attend an Opera
52. Have a LOTR Extended Edition marathon (we've only been saying we should for over a year).
53. Make out my will.
54. Do a new family portrait at a GOOD photographer. (Not walmart/target)
55. Add two new faery statues to my collection
56. Attend the PA Faery weekend at least once

Household:
57. Put all silver change in a bucket and DO NOT USE IT (use for something nice for the family at the end of each calendar year)
58. Learn how and sew curtains for bedroom.
59. Sew curtains for kitchen.
60. Make a housecleaning schedule and stick to it for 30 days.
61. Declutter main bedroom.
62. Declutter Alex's bedroom
63. Declutter kitchen.
64. Donate all clothes that do not fit.
65. Clean out and haul trash from small room in basement
66. Clean out and haul trash from large room in basement.
67. Haul trash from furnace room in basement.
68. Paint Alex's room.
69. Paint Tory's room.
70. Replace front steps/porch
71. Replace bulkhead doors
72. Hang trim in living room.
73. Buy a new refrigerator.
74. Buy a new dishwasher.
75. Learn how to fix pipes under sink.
76. Buy a new bed for our bedroom.
77. Replace all of Tory's bedroom furniture.
78. Replace Alex's bed
79. Build a frame for Alex's bed.
80. Acquire a KitchenAid Mixer

Family:
81. Establish a family night each week even if it's a Saturday.
82. Watch at least 2 new movies per month.
83. Establish a chore list for each family member.
84. Attend all school events for both children.

Stitching:
85. Complete Taj Mahal Wip.
86. Complete Fairy Moon Wip.
87. Complete Stargazer Wip.
88. Complete Mystery 8 Wip.
89. Complete Faery Welcome.
90. Complete Medieval Times Wip
91. Frame 3 large finishes.
92. Stitch 6 ornaments per year (total would be 16 for this list).
93. Learn how to use my sewing machine.
94. Sew myself a skirt.
95. Learn how to finish my own ornaments.
96. Learn Hardanger Embroidery
97. Learn how to lace & frame.
98. Attend CATS once again.
99. Set stitching goals each month and track them.
100. Update this list at least once per month.
101. When 1001 days are over, make a new list, including carryover from this one that aren't completed.

No, I wasn't born here--pardon me.

I love lots of things about New England. The gorgeous autumn colors, the mild summers. I love the culture and history. However, I totally hate the insular nature of the small towns. I live in such a small town. THere's a saying in New England that if you weren't born here, and your momma wasn't born here, and her momma and so on and so on.. well if you weren't and they weren't then you just don't belong. They aren't kidding.

I live in a tiny sleepy lake town. Most of the mothers don't work, and those who do tend to own their own businesses. They have 2.5 children, big homes with landscape they did themselves thankyouverymuch, and their children started activities as soonas they could walk. They all know each other from countless hours at swimming, karate, gymnastics, dance and music lessons. Their children who are of similiar age bonded early, and tightly. A great foundation, and a good life for the kids. So what's wrong with that you ask?

Well it makes it really difficult for someone who wasn't born here, didn't start kindergarten here, and is just a little bit different from the New England mentality to "belong". And it makes me just a little angry. Because the attitudes don't orginate with the children. They had to learn the 'outsiders are bad' somewhere... and the finger points straight to the parents. In Bold Neon Colors. It's just heartbreaking to watch your daughter be on the outside of every group because a: she wasn't born here, and b: she's just slightly different. She talks differently, and she doesn't live the life of privilege like they do.

Same things occur to DH and I, but I truely don't care. There was a time in which I cared deeply who liked me, hell I wanted everyone to like me. Now, I don't care. Take me as I am, flawed and mistake ridden, or don't take me at all. Thank heavens that GOD doesn't care that I'm flawed. Thank God for loving us all no matter what defects we have--seen or unseen.

So for now I'll teach my daughter that acceptance at every level for others is what we strive for, and hope and pray for the day we can move to a city. Where she can start fresh, without the history of this small, snotty town.

Playing Catch up

Greetings everyone!
Somedays I think I need to get to this blog and update it and then I always seem to run out of time! Although I'm not sure it's time I run out of, or I just have figured out more ways to use it, and less of those ways center around the computer.

We got back last night from driving to Ohio to visit my mother in law. It was nice to go out there for a week for 'no reason'. Nothing was wrong, just a vacation with her... I had missed her so much and DH had been back several times, and of course we saw her in March. But this was wonderful! She has an inground pool in her backyard, and I'm pretty sure Tory spent at least 6 hours a day in it. We timed our visit to coincide with Tor's 9th birthday (WHEN did that happen??) since my MIL typically hasn't been around for the kids' birthdays. Our son turned 17 on July 19th, so we celebrated together. She is so amazing to us... she took Tory to COSI, the Lucas County Fair, the Toledo Zoo, and gave her tickets to a Mud Hens day game. The really really cool part about that game (which her father took her to) was that they were playing the Pawtucket Red Sox!! How cool was that?? She built a faery house at the corner of her Grammy's garden with her dad too.. but I didn't get a picture :( Bad Mom!! LOL

I also had a neat experience while we were there (besides LOTS of relaxation). My husband and son took me to the Toledo Museum of Art. That might not sound like much to some of you, but I have never in my life been to an art museum. We spent HOURS there, I was so fascinated with seeing the works of artists I've only read about, and getting up close and personal with tapestries and old needlepoint hangings. I loved seeing my first Van Gogh, Cezanne, Dega, Holbein, Rosetti and Gainsborough. Countless other things fascinated and kept me there, and I reveled in the walk through the ancient art section... where for the first time I actually saw Egyptian artifacts, Etruscan vessels, ancient Roman cups and more. I could have spent many many more hours there gazing at the Cloister walls and art, and the entire room they have there from the Chateau de Chenailles, France from about 1650. My favourite painting (today--tomorrow could change!) was most definately Ophelia by Arthur Hughes. I could go on and on about it, it was that profound an experience for me. Another time I will probably devote an entire post to the art I got to see. DH and I had a lot of quality down time together while my MIL was frolicing with her grandkids, and it was lovely. We got to sleep in, had midnight swims together in the pool, snuggled watching movies and just generally destressed. It was nearly as important as anything else this last week.

Tory spent the week away at sleep-away camp and LOVED it. She was ready to come home though as much as I was ready to have her here. It was wierdly quiet without her here in the house, but I got a LOT accomplished, including cleaning out her room completely. I dumped all the old crap out of it, moved it around and now it is a MUCH nicer room. We're going to redecorate it over the coming year as we can afford to get the new furniture we've picked out! It's time for her to have a more grown up room. I'm contemplating getting her a TV for it for christmas this year, but I'm not sure.

Stitching news ? Well, I have had 3 finishes this month, but I can show you none of them yet! As soon as they arrive at their final destinations, I'll put up the pics! :)

August is going to be just as busy as July and June have been! We have a few days off, and then Tory starts GS Day Camp next Monday, then Bible school the third week of August. She starts school again on the 28th, so we'll start getting ready with clothes, supplies, etc that week too. I have to fit in haircuts for us all, and shoe shopping too. I have a bunch of stitching goals, AND housecleanin goals! We'll see!

Until I have time again to write a long catch up post ( I'm sure!) God Bless, take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and Smile!!