Stitching Again

2011-08-08T15:16:00.000-04:00

What a summer it has been! An early vacation was a perfect plan because I doubt we would have been able to take it later. On a lovely day like today in Ohio (only 80 today!) I am reminded of the lovely weather we had at the beach and that pleasant sleepy feeling one gets after lying in the sun for hours. I have to resist the urge to lay down on the sun porch and just listen to the summer sounds and doze off, maybe with a kitty on my tummy.

I haven't been blogging because my thoughts have been consumed by family matters. Nearly lost my mother, got her back and I got my sister back in the process.

Just about 4 weeks ago I had to rush out to New Jersey because my 86 year old mother nearly died after surgery. The day before she had a carcinoma removed from her chin which required plastic surgery to repair the damage. It was after the plastic surgery that she crashed and her oxygen level plummeted. It was a little touch and go for a few days. Such a relief when they were finally able to remove the breathing tube and hear her speak! She asked me if Congress had settled the debt limit situation!!! So like my mom and I just had to laugh out loud.

She stayed in the hospital for a week and then we had to go through the very scary process of selecting a rehab facility, sometimes known as a skilled nursing facility or a sub acute care facility. We ended up choosing one that my sister had worked at previously. She is a physical therapy assistant and has worked in many nursing homes.

Man, what an eye opener that was. To think of placing my mother in some of these places had me breaking down in tears many times. Is this what life comes to? Why does it have to be this way?

Thankfully Mom has rallied and most likely will be released from rehab this week. We don't think she should stay at home any longer though and we (my sister and my brothers and I) are trying to find an assisted living facility for her. Even though my sister lives with my mom, she is not able to give her the amount of care that my mom now needs. It's something that has been coming and we are glad we are going to be able to make this change.

I think we have found the right place and it's only a 5 minute drive from her home! It's a good feeling to know that she liked it and she is going to visit again to make sure it is the right place for her. There is so much work left to be done...a house to clean and prep for sale, figuring our her finances so she will be able to pay for the assisted living and all the other complicated issues that come with growing old.

And what did I mean by getting my sister back? For years we have been estranged for many reasons. It's complicated when an adult sibling lives with a parent...there are many confusing issues. The relief of mom pulling through and hearing her talk was what caused my sister to say she didn't want to fight anymore and tears and hugs followed. We spent many hours together while I was in NJ. I don't know how we possibly could have done it otherwise. She will be bearing the brunt of the changes that will take place and I feel badly that I am not around to share in the burden. I will return when I can to help out.

So guys, I am back home and working and wanting to pick up my stitching again. I think today will be a perfect day to begin!

Vacation!

2011-06-15T11:32:00.001-04:00


A view from the top deck overlooking the marsh and Pamlico Sound...so peaceful

Yes, I have been on a vacation. A real one to Ocracoke Island as well as a vacation from stitching. Though the stitching is always close by, sadly to say I just haven't felt the urge to stitch. I started to get the itch to knit but I suppressed it since I didn't feel like spending money on yarn. Here is a pic of my current WIP which by all rights should have been finished by now!


Simply Live in memory of Lisa Roswell

Our vacation on Ocracoke was wonderful! It's an island just south of Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks. Beautiful unspoiled beaches, a lovely old town without all the hoopla you find at some other vacation spots (no mini-golf or amusement parks). We loved the house we stayed in. It was very close to the beach (no homes are built on the beaches there) and just a bike ride or walk to town. The mosquitoes were a little pesky though and my daughter attracts them like ants are attracted to sugar. Poor girl. I'd have one bite and she would have 10. We went to the beach every day and managed not to get sunburned, not even tan for that matter!


The blooming Oleander in front of our house

One reason I chose this house...the wonderful artwork!

I love the pelicans perched on these pilings

Ocracoke Lighthouse...so charming

Unspoiled beaches

Crossing paths with a ferry, the only way to get to Ocracoke


Cape Hatteras Lighhuse

Claire atop the Hatteras Lighthouse being joyful!


Mark and I a little windblown

The Decorah eagles and a salute to mother eagle

2011-05-08T16:05:00.000-04:00

I've gotten hooked on watching the eagle nest in Decorah, Iowa. I check on the family in the morning if I have time and throughout the day if I'm home. It's been so much fun being a part of the community watching the hatching and growth of the 3 babies. Now they are gangly adolescents and I kind of miss the little fuzzballs that they once were. The Facebook following is huge and it's a lot of fun to chat with fellow eagle watchers.

Here's a YouTube tribute to mama eagle. It's very sweet.

And even more exciting for us stitchers is a chart designed by Brenda Gervais called the Soar Sampler. A portion of the proceeds go to support the Raptor Resource Project, the organization that has been monitoring the eagle family. You can find it on Brenda's blog. I ordered it this week but don't know when I will get around to stitching it since I get little stitching done these days! The Soar SAL has been going on for a few weeks now but I'm not participating in it given my stitching slow down.

We are going on a beach vacation soon to Ocracoke, NC. If anyone has ever visited there please let me know! We have never even been to the Outer Banks and not quite sure what we are getting into. Ocracoke is only accessible by ferry and the village is quite small. I am looking forward to it so much!

Just some stuff...

2011-04-15T20:41:00.000-04:00

I just learned about ellipses...those little dots I always use after my post titles, in text messages and Facebook posts. I just can't help myself. I like them. My learning about them was the result of this post and a subsequent post by the Queen Bee. In my quest to know more about ellipses I found a site called Grammar Girl. I'm going to "like it" on Facebook so I can get useful tips on grammar.

I was kind of intrigued by Anna's recent post on her blog. I wish I was brave enough to let it all hang out. If I ever do offend someone or am bitchy to someone I tend to dwell on it for days. That doesn't include DH of course, he bears the brunt of most bitchiness but I'm trying harder to be nicer now that it's just the two of us at home.

I am a cynical person. I am not one to always look on the bright side or to be optimistic about stuff. Does this make me a bad person? I certainly hope not. I am a realist and a pragmatist. Do I always have to answer that I am "great" or even "fine" when someone asks me how I am? It really depends on who is doing the asking.

My stitching progress has been pathetically slow lately and I have no photos to share. I'm not one to show progress pics unless there is great progress. I did start Simply Live by The Primitive Needle in memory of Lisa Roswell. I was moved by her loss.

Some of you may have noticed that I share the name of my blog with another stitching blogger. When I realized that I was using the same name I emailed March and apologized. She was so kind and said she didn't mind but it still bugs me. I think I need to come up with another name. There are so many stitching blogs out there now that it's amazing we don't replicate names more often!

Shopping at Jungle Jim's

2011-03-24T10:46:00.000-04:00

When we took our daughter back to school last week, we made a pit stop at this amazing place...Jungle Jim's International Market. It's not far from Dayton and only about 1/2 hour from the school so I hope we will be stopping there again.

Here is what I bought:

big jar of tahini (good for hummus)
Middle Eastern couscous (the big pearl kind, I love this stuff)
quinoa (haven't tried it yet)
steel cut oats (so different from rolled oats)
red lentils

As well as good ol' American type foods, they have a huge array of international foods and products.

World of Rice, with more than 40 varieties
Mercado Gigante - 400 feet of authentic Hispanic groceries
78 olive oils from Italy, Greece, Spain and France
Teas from 15 different countries
Chutneys, dals and spices by the real auto-richshaw from India
Fine chocolates from Switzerland, Belgium, France and Germany, as well as the USA
Biscuits, jams and curds from England
Meet Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest and find more British Favorites

We saw icky pieces of meat such as chicken and duck feet, pig snouts and feet, tripe and tongue. Enough to make me never want to eat an animal again but of course I have, at least twice since.

I even saw DRIED BUGS. Yum.

In our not so cosmopolitan town, it's possible to get some of the things I bought but at about twice the price. The oats are the only item that is reasonably priced here.

If you are ever in the neighborhood stop on by at Jungle Jim's! You might get lost in there, like I did. I was going around in circles trying to meet up with my daughter. Thank goodness for the cell phone!

An unintended absence...

2011-03-17T20:05:00.000-04:00

I didn't mean to be gone for so long. Really I didn't. I am a born procrastinator and I simply went from day to day without blogging. I have even taken a break from most of my blog reading. I miss it! I miss all the beautiful stitching and inspiration and my blogging friends!

I saw these spring flowers outside my front door when I headed out for a walk today. It is so wonderful to see something so lovely in this world that is in so much pain. Why do things seem worse now than they did when I was young? Is it because we are so overwhelmed by information and we are aware of what is going on or is it really worse than it was? Is it because my children are on the verge of being on their own and I won't be able to protect them any longer? I don't expect answers of course, but is in my nature to ask.

Here is something else that gives me a bit of joy. This little kitty is from Leaping Cat by La D Da. I have been plodding along with stitching him (or her) and I'm just about done. Just some leaves and flowers and border.

Since the colors on this piece are so muted I am looking forward to something very springy and bright and I have it all picked out.

But first I want to stitch Simply Live in memory of Lisa Roswell. I was very upset by her untimely passing. When we had so much flooding here in Ohio I kept hearing about a woman who had been swept away in the flood, not immediately realizing her connection to the stitching world. She lived only about 50 miles from my home so it just felt so real. There was quite a bit of damage in our area due to the flooding and many roads were closed. I so wish her road had been closed but it was early in the morning and dark and it all happened so fast. It was hard to get around that day, so many roads were closed.

It was just a short while ago that these nightly visitors came to our yard to search out bits of corn. They were so skittish! The cats sure got a kick out of them but one little movement had them taking off in a hurry.

And these guys are regular visitors no matter what the weather! Our neighbors don't like it that we feed them so much. They will just have to get over it.

Dateless on a Friday night and it's OK!

2011-01-21T20:09:00.000-05:00

I am alone on a Friday night and am I lonely? No way! My husband took off for New England yesterday to ski his heart out and I am left to stitch to my heart's content. I have also pulled out all my "unfinished finished" projects and trying to decide what to do with them all. I have a few frames, (praying for patience) and fabric and pillow forms to use. I figure I can make a mess and not worry about cleaning it up since there is no one around! Just the kitties and me and the snow and cold.

I mounted this tiny piece that I stitched up in April of 2009 on a little box that I picked up at the craft store. I was trying to find a way to mount it on a larger fabric covered box but in the end just took the easy way out. I painted the box with cranberry colored paint. I am going to start experimenting with covering boxes with fabric as well as paper.

Blackbird Designs

Platinum Belfast

over 1 with Thread Gatherer Silk

This piece was a freebie offered by Blackbird Designs. I'm sure many of you remember it since you also stitched it! The stitched area is only 2 x 3 1/2 inches. This is a little gift for my daughter Claire, whose birth year is stitched next to her name.

I also made friends with my sewing machine again and stitched up this cover for my ereader since I couldn't find a pre-made cover that would fit. I always want to have a "do over" when I finish something! I had a little trouble interpreting the pattern I purchased off of Etsy. If I make another one I probably would leave off the smaller pocket on the inside but for the most part I am happy with it.

No other stitching photos to share at the moment. I'm working on a little La D Da piece called Leaping Cat. Shouldn't take long to finish this one. I pretty much abandoned the Christmas ornaments I started as well as another little piece I want to give to my daughter.

Cheddar kitty

One of my kitties loves the ironing board (which I hardly ever put away) since I think she feels safe up there. I have a lint roller nearby to remove her hair when I need to iron! Excuse the messy corner. See the exercise ball in the laundry basket? Not that I'm using it mind you, it just looks good.

Now, if I wasn't so warm and cozy as well as lazy I'd get myself to the nearest Redbox and rent a $1 movie. Maybe tomorrow...

Is it really 2011 already???

2011-01-01T11:12:00.000-05:00

A Happy New Year to all my stitching friends!

I am now able to take some time to catch up on blog reading and commenting. The past few weeks have been pretty insane since I work retail. The day after Christmas I was at work at 5am preparing for the hoards of returns. It is overwhelming at times and very tiring and the merchandise continues to pile up. The associates in the stockroom have plenty to do sorting, reticketing and rehanging. I would say that the majority of people are pleasant and understanding but it only takes one bad apple to make you feel threatened, which is how we feel in customer service sometimes. I actually get scared on occasion!

Since I've been so busy, I haven't done much stitching but I did manage to finish up an ornament for a dear friend. I'm still learning how to finish the "smalls" and I feel like I am all thumbs sometimes. Part of it is just the fear of destroying the stitching. Seeing this photo reminds me of what a terrible job I did cutting the foam board that I mounted this piece on! I admit that I was in a hurry but still no excuse. I'm so sorry Lee!

Noel

freebie from Log Cabin Needlework's

stitched on 32 ct. linen with GA Sampler threads

Thinking I would never win, I entered the December give-away at The Stitcher's Village. I won this huge prize from the Stitcher's Village sponsors!

I received a large tote bag, an insulated mug, a Kreinik needlepoint ornament, a calendar, a mouse pad, 2 large pieces of Picture This Plus fabric (the colors are gorgeous and I'm sure I will use them), and a slew of charts! Many of the charts are from Moonflower Designs, by Patty Hurwitz. Thank you Patty! And there is a Homespun Elegance chart, 2 penny rug patterns which I love, a chart by Angel Stitchin and a needlepoint design by Needle Delights Originals. I didn't want to leave anyone out!

What with recent purchases I have made, this prize and 2 gift certificates I got for Christmas, my supplies are well in hand for a busy, busy year of stitching.

The other day I had some elective surgery to remove some bothersome veins on my right leg, so I have been enjoying some peaceful time in bed with my leg propped up. I am deep into a mystery novel by Elizabeth George which I downloaded to my eReader and I hope to spend some of my free time stitching. Since I lightened my work schedule for next week to recuperate, I am also hoping to make this pretty eReader cover since I haven't been able to find one to fit mine.

All for now but I sure hope I am back sooner than later.

A finish and a new toy

2010-12-07T10:32:00.001-05:00

I finished up Mary Garry's Peace sampler last week though I still need to put initials in the lower right hand corner. I think I will stitch the initials over one and include mine, the husband's and the 2 kids.

Mary Garry Peace Sampler

Weeks 30 count Cappuccino linen

GA Weathered Barn

design size 6 1/2 by 7 1/2

The past few days I have been pretty tired from working odd hours and busy with the miscellaneous tasks of living but I do have some ornaments started. Just need some wide awake time to stitch!

I also have been distracted by my new toy! I have been wanting an e-reader and when I was able to get a great deal on this Pandigital reader from Kohl's, I decided to try it. My employee discount allows me to stack my discounts and with a rebate I just couldn't pass on it. And no hassle returns folks! If I decide I don't like it, back it goes!

I do like it though, but I haven't tried any other e-readers. The screen is a bit too gray in dim light but works great with bright light. It has wireless but I would never use it for the internet unless absolutely necessary. I have downloaded 3 library books so far and it's a piece of cake. I haven't purchased any books yet and that wasn't my goal anyway. I love that I can "go to the library" and get them for free! You do have to put books on a waiting list most times but that's OK. Just download the books to Adobe Digital Editions, plug in the reader and transfer the book!

I am presently reading Cakewalk: A Memoir by Kate Moses and I finished The Kids Are All Right by Diana Welch (no, not the movie but same title). These are both autobiographical. I seem to be attracted to books about dysfunctional families (are all families a little bit nuts?). It must be because of my quest to figure out my own family and trying to reconcile some of the crazy stuff that happened growing up. It makes me feel better to know that I was not alone in my suffering, that there were other angry fathers out there and baffled overworked mothers. By the time I was 12 years old I had lived in 5 different states and at least 6 different houses. Moving around was not a good thing for a shy little girl like me and I don't think it was good for any of the 6 children!

Off to the bank...I think DD overdrafted her debit account. As all moms of teenagers know, making the mistake is the best way to learn. Sometimes we think they know how to manage things and then we find out somehow it went right over their heads when we told them how to do it.

I love fall when it's not raining

2010-11-16T15:52:00.001-05:00

It's a dreary rainy day here in Ohio and I'm feeling a little blue. Made a mistake that may affect some customers and I always take those mistakes so seriously. It's just that the mistakes were so stupid and unnecessary! It isn't brain surgery, but still...

I haven't even felt like stitching for the past couple of days and I was on such a roll and excited about doing some quick Christmas gifts. Hopefully by tomorrow I will come around and be the happy self I was a few days ago.

Thanks to everyone who offered me bits of the burnt orange thread I was looking for. I appreciate it so much! Lee, who was in town for a day, brought what she had and it was just right. Thanks again Lee!

This is a little Mary Garry sampler I started this past summer. The fabric is Weeks Cappuccino, thread is GA weathered barn.

I love the color of this fabric, but not so crazy about the feel of it. It is very soft and my stitches don't look nice and neat. I had forgotten to start at a vertical thread and it was kind of bugging me, but I stitched up a bit to the side starting on the vertical and it didn't seem to make any difference.

There are some other Mary Garry charts I'd like to get my hands on but man, the prices on EBAY are ridiculous. I did pick up a couple at very reasonable price, but they are not my favorites.

As some of you know, I work retail. No, it wasn't my chosen career or a calling, it just happened. At this time of year, it is retail hell. I am constantly amazed by to what lengths people will go to save a buck and how little control some people have over their finances. And in this sour economy, businesses have decided that they can make do with fewer employees, especially full time employees. That means everyone gets very overworked and stressed, and when you think you can't do one more thing, they add on even more responsibilities. I'm not talking about my own responsibilities necessarily, but when higher ups are stressed, it all trickles down to the rest of us.

So much for economic recovery and hiring more employees. Big business has found they can just "make do."

I love the fall

2010-11-14T21:04:00.000-05:00

I didn't realize it has been almost an entire month since my last post until now! How sad.

And I can hardly believe that one week ago today I was readjusting to being back home after a lovely 3 day get away with 5 stitching friends. We stayed at the Grape Arbor Inn in North East, PA. We weren't sure how it was going to work out and to our delight it was just about perfect! So perfect in fact, that we have already made plans to do it again next year. We were treated to scrumptious tummy filling breakfasts (no need for lunch after that!), an endless supply of coffee, tea and other beverages and the company of the Inn kitties. The Inn decor was lovely...so many antiques and comfy chairs and beds and decorated so nicely for fall. I would love to see it when adorned with Christmas decorations.

I was the recipient of an exchange piece perfectly made by Carol. When I say perfect, I really do mean perfect. That girl puts my finishing to shame! Just look at the back of this piece! Her little extra touches just make it so special. Thank you ever so much Carol for this wonderful gift.

I have more to post but I will end for the evening and post tomorrow.
Have a good night everyone.

Unsuccessful quest

2010-10-18T16:54:00.001-04:00

I was unable to find a match for the Gentle Arts burnt orange thread at Just Stitching in Strongsville but I did find some other goodies. I'm not going to tell about those for now as I plan to use what I bought for gifts. Needless to say, I spent way more than what a skein of thread costs!

It's frustrating that dye lots are so different! The dye lot I used is so bright and cheerful and the new one is so muted and much more brown than orange. I don't understand why there isn't more consistency in the dye lots. I don't mind subtle changes but I think this is kind of ridiculous.

new dye lot on left

color as depicted on Gentle Arts website

Enough complaining! I forgot to mention in my last post that I was a winner of a subscription to the Gift of Stitching E-zine that Barbara offered as a give-away. I have my eye on some of the projects in my first issue. Thank you ever so much Barbara! I am thrilled to pieces.

A fond farewell and the friendship tour continues

2010-10-15T11:35:00.001-04:00

It's finally time to say good-bye to these lovely women. I have lived with them way too long and it's time for them to be traveling.

Hilda

Gertie

They put up with me even when I got distracted and didn't tend to them for a bit and then put up with me as I ran out of thread again and again. Not having a shop nearby, they had to wait until I ordered new threads. And they put up with my impatience with their many color changes. But patience prevailed and I am finally finished with this charmer.

Birds of a Feather Friendship Sampler

GA, WDW and DMC on 28 count unknown linen

Melissa of Words and Blooms started this Friendship Tour and now I am going to send this chart on its way. Hopefully no one else will take as long as I did to finish this piece! My apologies to Melissa and everyone else on the list.

You may notice that I have still have a little stitching to do on a few of the flowers. I simply missed a few spots and will go back to stitch but I need to buy another skein of GA burnt orange. This is why:

The original skein is on the right, the new one I ordered is on the left. I'm a little annoyed that there is such an extreme color difference. I ordered it online, so had no way of comparing. Today I am going out of town to shop so hopefully I will be able to pick up a match.

I have more stitching to share but will save that for another day. Thanks for stopping by!

2010-09-22T21:09:00.000-04:00

Here are some more snaps taken by DH a few days ago. He was allowed to work today and will work tomorrow, but the campus will be closed all weekend and nobody except essential personnel will be allowed to be on campus. I guess I will have to wait to see for myself what has happened. The destroyed building below is (was) right next door to where I used to work and next door to where DH works. Tornados work in mysterious ways for sure. One of my coworkers lost her barns but no one was hurt except for one poor chicken that died. Her mom and sister were in the barn when it occurred. Amazing. All their milking goats survived. Many homes in the area were damaged as well as vehicles, but again, no injuries.

Tornado!

2010-09-17T20:08:00.001-04:00

We had a little tornado touch down in our town late Thursday afternoon! Most of the damage was done at the Ohio State University branch research station (Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center). This is where my husband works and where I did my graduate work and held several jobs. This was nothing like the tornado that ripped through Wooster in 2003 which damaged so many homes and business. Thankfully no one was hurt. Here are some photos (not taken by me...borrowed from Facebook).

There were probably research projects lost and there will be much rebuilding soon to come. There was damage also to some area farms and many people were without power but I don't think a single animal was hurt in this storm.

A little excitement on an otherwise humdrum day.

I felt inspired to blog this morning...

2010-09-04T10:49:00.000-04:00

Wow, what a change in the weather! It was in the mid-fifties upon waking up this morning and it's still very cool and breezy. Fall is on its way! We really do need rain though and the smattering that we got yesterday just wasn't enough.

I just wanted to show you all the work of a fantastic quilt artist who lives and works in our town. Her work may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's certainly not traditional or conservative quilting, but I find it gorgeous and inspiring. See the work of Susan Shie here: http://susanshie.blogspot.com/.

I am missing my daughter very much, but we text each other on a regular basis. I love texting! She and her roommate were able to rearrange their room so that it is much more livable. They did have to sacrifice their desk shelves, which still kind of irks me. Dear long lost son has started his senior year of college as an art major and will be knee deep in graphic design, intermediate ceramics and art history. When it rains it pours. He finally landed a bicycle mechanic job in a local shop and was also offered a work study position in the art department. Poor kid...looks like he won't be sleeping much this year!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

July...and August...oh me oh my, where does the time go?

2010-08-27T21:05:00.000-04:00

The longer I neglect this blog, the harder it is to get back into it! This sentiment was just echoed by Lee but she has only been away for 10 days and I've been away for what, almost 2 months? Mostly it's been my lack of stitching which has kept me away since I have so little to show and I've been so preoccupied with family life that I've had trouble "letting go."

I'm playing around with Picnik, hoping that it will solve my photo editing woes. Photoshop Elements just bogs down my computer and drives me crazy! Blogging ain't fun when you've got to sit there and wait and wait for a photo to be saved.

Here's a taste of what we've been up to this summer.

My cozy stitching spot at camp (yes, I did take my Ott light with me)

A little light retro reading at camp

Claire learning how to water ski

Red Hill Firetower, Center Harbor, NH

Keepsake Quilting, Center Harbor, NH


View from the tower, overlooking Lakes Region of New Hampshire


Revolutionary War Cemetary in NJ - my father is buried in the cremation garden

Isn't this a beautiful headstone?

We made a family oriented visit to New Hampshire and New Jersey. Lots of changes in both places, some very stress inducing. I wouldn't really call these visits vacation, but we did enjoy seeing everyone and relaxing at the lake place, which we call camp, for a few days.

And last, but certainly not least, we are officially empty nesters, at least for awhile! We dropped Claire off at Miami U a week ago. We were all disappointed by her room and my response from residence life was a suggestion to remove the shelving from the desks so that the desks could be backed up to the wall. They do not fit under the slanted ceiling! They are going to bunk their beds so that they gain a little more space but the desks will have to remain where they are. Crazy. But Claire seems to be enjoying herself and I know she is keeping very busy with her studies. She lives right across from the fabulous rec center and the ice arena. The location is perfect for her.

The cramped and dark dorm room. Boo.

I promise, really I do, that stitching pics will soon follow. I've been on this blasted computer way too long!

June...over much too soon

2010-07-02T18:13:00.000-04:00

The lovely grad

A party for the girls

Yum...mini-cupcakes in school colors

My new hoodie! Yea Miami University (Ohio...not Florida!)

DH on his grueling 8 1/2 hour 100km mountain bike race...he finished!

Some garden renovation...replacing old lavenders with new and planting bare root roses

My helpers in the garden (wish I could teach them to weed)

I am plugging away on my BOAF Friendship Sampler and am aiming to finish this weekend (I hope, I hope). I will be sure to post as soon as I finish! Eager for a new start but I won't let myself 'til this one is done.

My dear mother, who is dealing with severe osteoporosis, was just diagnosed with AMD, age related macular degeneration. For a avid reader, this is not good news. It makes me so sad. I canceled her subscription to the New York Times, which occupied a nice part of her day since there is so much to read. No doubt about it, getting old sucks!

SBQ for June

2010-06-09T18:45:00.000-04:00

I haven't answered an SBQ yet because I was too preoccupied with the goings on around here but I have pondered June's question.

Tell us about something that you have stitched or plan to stitch for any father in your life. Maybe it’s for your father, your father-in-law, your children’s father, your grandfather, your godfather, or someone who was or still is an important father-figure in your life. Why did you choose this particular piece of stitching? Tell us the story behind it.
And because a simple one part question is never adequate, let’s go some more:
Often times we identify our love of needlework and our skills with our mothers or grandmothers or other women. It’s understandable because often they were are first teachers or role models. Now let’s think about our stitching life as it relates to our dads. Is there anything about our approach to stitching that we can recognize as traits of our fathers? For instance, does your dad (or any other important man in your life) have an approach to one of his interests that you can observe and think, “Hey….if I substitute the word “needlework” for “fly fishing”, we’d be pretty darn similar!” So tell us about it.

I have never stitched anything for my dad (who has been deceased for about 20 years now) but I did knit him a sweater. Long sleeves, blue sport weight yarn, with cables. I wonder where that sweater is now? I'll have to ask my mom. He probably never wore the thing which is the way of so many garments that I knitted.

When I first started cross stitching he did see some of my charts and was quite interested in it. He thought it was pretty cool that someone could make a business out of designing and printing the charts.

What I find really exciting is that his father did needlework and in my mom's living room hangs a self designed and somewhat stylized needlework picture of a house and trees. I really need to get a picture of it the next time I am there. I am hoping that someday it will be hanging in my house.

I've never made anything for my husband. I kind of think he wouldn't appreciate it. I don't say that in a mean or angry way, that's just the way he is. If it's not a bike or skis it's not going to wow him. I don't know if substituting the word needlework for mountain biking works. We both have a passion for our hobbies but one is so sedentary and one is so active!

Hello world!

2010-05-27T11:04:00.001-04:00

What has this absent blogger been doing these days? Focusing on DD Claire and her end of the year graduating senior activities, gardening and painting, with a little stitching in between.

It doesn't take too long to post so why the delay? Because I am a born procrastinator!!! Try as I may, I never quite seem to get beyond that. At least the most important things get done but procrastinating can be a real brain drain. If you are like me, you'll know exactly what I mean.

Melissa, I was hoping the friendship sampler would be done by the end of April, but I didn't make it, and when May came upon us, there were fewer nights that I took up the needle. It may be years before you get this traveling chart back!

Lovely daughter Claire and her date David ready for prom

Newly painted green walls in the sun room

The walls change color constantly in this room depending on the time of day and the angle you view the wall. Maybe not quite how I imagined it, but I still like it. I've always wanted sage green walls somewhere in the house.

Lastly, the collection of party supplies for Sunday's grad party for Claire and her friend Shannon. It's forecast to be a warm day, no rain thankfully. I love a good party but hate to give them, so this is nerve wracking for me. It's an open house for 100-200 kids (it's all those Facebook invites, so you never really know how many will show up). Here's hoping that we will have enough food!!!

You know something? Blogging actually does take a lot of time! By the time I uploaded and edited photos, restarted my computer because Photoshop crashed, uploaded the photos to Blogger and added text, I think 90 minutes have passed. Yikes!!! Gotta go!

Framing finishes and a little griping

2010-04-21T11:59:00.001-04:00

Ok, just need to get something off my chest first. Bear with me. A friend of mine had been trying to reach me for a couple of days but didn't leave a message on my phone. When I did get back to her, she only had a question about a restaurant here in town. "Do you know if they are open and what their hours are?" I had no idea since we haven't been there for ages so I suggested she call them or look on the web. So logically I asked her why she needed to know and she said that she and her "girlfriends" go out to lunch once in awhile and were thinking of trying that place. ????? What's that all about? Plan a lunch with your friends and then ask your other "friend" about the restaurant they want to go to??? Nothing like feeling like THE HELP. You know, I almost called her back (I was so mad) to express my feelings but I just don't feel like it's worth it. This is not the first time this has happened and it probably won't be the last. I don't think she'll get it anyway. Enough said. Not that it makes me feel any better...

Here's what is making me feel better these days.

Bitter Flower, Birds of a Feather

Look at this! Finally had some framing done! This was the big test, to try out Michael's. Overall I am happy. I like the frame and the work seems to be good. With 60% off, the price on this came to about $72.00. When I picked up my pieces, I realized they had left out the spacers (due to a miscommunication when I placed the order) but the clerk took them apart and put them in while I did my other errands.

Frame detail

I am not quite as happy with my other piece but I take most of the blame for this. I really didn't know what kind of frame I wanted and ended up with this. I don't think it was the best choice. Maybe someday I will reframe it and use this frame for something else. I think there needs to be more linen showing around the edges and it's also a little crooked. This one cost about $67.

Spring Has Come, Prairie Schooler

Michael's doesn't have a huge selection of frames but I will probably use them again. I will just take more care next time to choose the right frame and be sure of the size. I still plan on doing some of my own framing soon and I really should check out some of the small framing shops in our town.

I've been stitching away but no photos today. Got a list a mile long and blogging was not on the list!

Another accomplishment!

2010-04-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

Dear daughter made her final decision on her choice of college the other day! I think it was actually a no brainer. When we revisited last week, we were able to have a very helpful meeting with a faculty member, had lunch in a cafeteria and learned more about the students and the vision of the university.

Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

picture perfect campus

home of the Miami RedHawks and the No. 1 overall seed and top-ranked ice hockey team (but they lost to Boston College in the Frozen Four playoffs...boo)

I'm relieved that this is done. Even though we started late with the college search, it still seemed like it took forever to find the "right" school. Hopefully this school will be a good fit!

I think I am more excited than she is...

My newest favorite tv show

2010-04-10T20:21:00.003-04:00

I love this show!

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Stitching and framing pics coming soon!

A little friendship progress

2010-03-24T10:31:00.002-04:00

Thank you all for your kind comments on my embarrassing and a little humiliating experience with the pear. In hindsight I wish I had been more patient and not so hasty in going to the ER. I know I will have to pay for some of it out of pocket and I will not like doing that. If that ever happens again, I will do a headstand or something before I run off to the hospital!

I finally got going on the BOAF friendship sampler after having doubts about my fabric and threads. I had started it with DMC and broke down and decided to order the rest of the overdyes that I needed. There are a lot of color changes in this one so it will take a little longer. I wish I was a faster stitcher...

The next couple of months will be busy with graduation preparations, gardening and stitching. DD will be making her college choice shortly. At present, it is down to the University of Dayton and Miami University, both in southwest Ohio (anyone out there have experience with these schools?) This is an exciting but nerve wracking time for her. Lots of school work and many hours working at the ice rink because of all the hockey tournaments going on now. She is the type of person who thinks she is never doing enough and feels guilty about it. I need some of her energy!

The sun is shining and I feel good today! Thanks for stopping by.

Just a little bit of pear

2010-03-09T09:15:00.000-05:00

The weirdest thing happened yesterday while I was at work. Overall it had not been a great day. DD left her car lights on and needed a jump and she had a not so great experience with our new optician...how can use possibly pick out new frames when your eyes are dilated and somewhat crossed???

I was taking my 15 minute break at work and settled down with my nice big red D'Anjou pear. I cut off a piece and took a bite and before I knew it, it slid right down my throat! I knew right away, crap, that damn thing is stuck in my throat! At first I thought I could just swallow and get it down and tried to drink some water. The water just flowed back out!

Well, I admit I started to panic. Though I could breath OK and could talk, I didn't know quite what was happening and asked for help. My coworker wanted to slap me on my back but I told her to do the Heimlich. I guess the Heimlich doesn't help when something is stuck in your throat and not your airway but I wasn't sure where the pear was stuck. Then the store manager tried it to no avail. After trying to cough it up and trying to make myself throw up (ick, I know, it's disgusting) it still wouldn't come out.

I told him to go ahead and call the EMT's because I didn't think I could handle going home myself and there was no way I was going to be able to work. I couldn't even swallow saliva! 3 nice guys showed up and encouraged me to go with them to the ER just in case. So we all walk out of the store (I'm sure it's the talk of the day today) and off we go to the hospital.

I got settled in at the ER and after taking my vitals, I reclined on the bed and felt that darn piece of pear gently make it's way down my esophagus! I was relieved, but I couldn't help but feel embarrassed because of all the hoopla. I did have to wait for the registration lady and then the doc so I could be discharged and they let me go.

Had to walk home because my car was at work. We only live maybe 5 blocks away so it was a pleasant walk home in this nice spring like weather but I did find out how little the sidewalks were cleared of snow.

Today my throat is a little tender and it still feels like something is there, most likely because there may be a little swelling. One thing I can tell you is that if you are choking, make sure that the people you are with are aware of what is going on and not making fun or joking about it. It can happen so fast, and if something really cuts off the airway, you need to take immediate action.

DD tells me that one of her eyes is still dilated today. She has lazy eye and after the dilation drops, her eyes went a little nutty. She was seeing double for quite awhile. She has used contacts since she was 12 (she's 18 now) and hasn't had a pair of glasses for years but she really should have a pair. The optician assistant told us she can get lenses that aren't coke bottle thick if she chooses the right frame. I'm not so sure I like the new optician but our previous doctor doesn't accept the vision insurance that we added on this year. I can't figure that out, because he accepts the state insurance plan (same insurance company) but not the federal plan. All this insurance stuff is so baffling.

Hope to get some stitching in today and no pears for me thank you!

A knitting finish, a new sampler and my mom

2010-03-05T12:35:00.000-05:00

Let me see, let me see... How could I possibly choose which show to watch? For those of you that love trash TV for the absolute mindless stupid but very entertaining drivel, the choices on Thursday evening were...

American Idol
Real Housewives of Orange County
Real Housewives of New York City
Project Runway
The Marriage Ref

After talking with my complicated 21 year old DS on the phone last night, I needed as much mindless drivel as I could get.

I missed Idol but watched Marriage Ref and it was fun. The other shows can wait because they are rerun many times during the week. Marriage Ref was cute. Little slices of married life. Can't understand the woman who thought it was OK to floss her teeth while in bed with her hubby. Gross!

I finished this and gifted it to a co-worker. I told her to please not examine it too closely. Stitching the pieces together can make or break a knitted garment. I don't think it was too bad, but I wouldn't win any prizes for it at the county fair.

I don't need to spend any time deciding what to work on next because I am going to start stitching this cute sampler.

The chart came by way of Teresa and organized by Melissa. There are 22 stitchers scheduled to stitch this one. I really like these traveling charts. Hope that border doesn't make me crazy!

I have just one more thing to blog about. My mom, who is 86 years old and has osteoporosis, broke 2 ribs last week and doesn't know how she did it. This is how brittle her bones are now. Scary. Her own mother was crippled by it and spent her later years in a wheelchair or in bed. I know this prospect frightens my mother. I myself am very aware of the disease and have been having bone scans on a regular basis. Right now I am just taking lots of vitamins and calcium and trying to exercise regularly (I am bad about this). I was on Fosamax for a while but quit taking it because I am concerned about the side effects. I need to be vigilant about my health when it comes to this and am going to be looking for a good doc to help me with this.

Mom continues to live at home with my sister, but I don't know how much longer this will work since my sister works many hours. I fear more broken bones. It will be a difficult future, I am sure.

Thanks for stopping by! If you have any osteoporosis stories, I sure would love to hear them.

2010-02-20T19:53:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for your very kind and sympathetic comments. I really really appreciated each and every one!

My flight out to NH went very smoothly. No delays whatsoever. Some of the people on my flight had been stranded overnight, so I felt lucky not to be one of them. Flying is great when all goes well, otherwise...

Many old friends came to pay their respects on Saturday. Her old house was many times a gathering place for my husband, his brothers and their many childhood friends. Till the end of Glennis's life some of those childhood friends were still stopping by to spend time with her. Amazing.

Their were stories about her picking up kids hitchhiking around town, her infamous Whoopie Pies, the decorated birthday cakes for the boys, and her kind and easy going spirit. Glennis was not a complex person and lived a simple but rich life. She and her husband were able to travel to many far away places. She loved to swim in the lake where they owned a summer place. I bet it was hard for her being the only girl amongst 4 men, but she held her own. One of my favorite memories of her was when she was lost in a fit of giggles once when we playing Trivial Pursuit. She wasn't playing, but she couldn't resist yelling out the answers! We had a blast that night.

I'll leave you with a photo of the back of our house taken after we returned. We didn't just have icicles, we had this crazy mass of ice that formed on the brick from water dripping behind the gutter. It was huge! It fell down in one big whoosh, scaring the daylights out of me! I am sure we need to do something to prevent this from happening again. And I hear snow and rain are in our forecast once again!

Glennis

2010-02-11T18:08:00.000-05:00

I feel like I'm stuck in a revolving door.

My mother in law died in her sleep on Feb. 9th. There isn't going to be a funeral or any other kind of service right now, just having friends and family over to her house on Saturday. She spent her last few days in a beautiful hospice facility. I'm so glad they were able to move her from the nursing home.

I am trying to get out there to be with my husband and thus the revolving door!

I am really having trouble getting a flight out of town. I've changed flights 2 times already and now am going to try to catch a flight early tomorrow morning. It would have been best if I had camped out at the airport today and waited for an available seat. The airport in Philadelphia, where I need to change planes, is finally up and running again, but flights are delayed and probably over booked. This storm had really messed things up.

My knitting needles and yarn are packed, the cross stitch is staying home this time. It's much easier to knit than to stitch in poor light and poor conditions.

Wish me luck!

a little knitting, a little stitching

2010-02-08T13:43:00.002-05:00

I am one sorry excuse for a blogger! That's why I have the "blogging without obligation" gadget LOL.

I've been knitting! I'm making an baby sweater for one of my managers at work who is due very soon. I'm pretty sure she will appreciate something handmade since she majored in fashion design in college. Everytime I knit a sweater I swear I'll never do it again and then proceed to try just one more time. At least with a baby sweater fit is not so important. There will be a lot of sewing to do though, something I am not crazy about. I still need to finish the left front, the sleeves and the neckband.

I also stitched up this Prairie Schooler santa and I'm not sure how I want to finish it yet. It's stitched on 18 count Floba, a fabric I really like to use for Prairie Schooler designs. It's got a simple homespun quality about it.

We've had our fair share of small triumphs and setbacks here in our little household lately. DS seems to be buckling down (fingers crossed) and working hard at school. I'm finding that an art major can spend quite a bit on supplies! DD was accepted at the 5 colleges she applied too but hasn't figured out which one she wants to attend. 4 of the schools are in Ohio and 1 in Indiana. We'll wait to see what the numbers add up to and make a few visits before she commits. I am so excited for her...it's almost as if I'm going off to school, not her! A severe case of senior-itis has set in though and this last semester will be rough for her.

My MIL is now in hospice care and Mark has been with her in New Hampshire for the past 5 days. We don't expect her to live through the week...it's just a waiting game now. I may have to hop on a plane and head out there later this week. Her birthday is in 12 days, her 91st. Mark and his brother have been by her side for many many hours lately and did the right thing by moving her from a nursing home to the hospice facility.

Hoping we don't get a lot more snow in the next couple of days! I have been spoiled by a man who loves snow and always does all the shoveling. I sure do appreciate it.

Haiti

2010-01-14T10:11:00.000-05:00

The disaster in Haiti has been much on my mind since it occurred. A sister of a friend of mine is in Haiti. I don't know why she is there and my friend has no news of her as yet and I know it is causing her much worry.

I have been reading and trying to find a good place to donate a little (I emphasize little at this point) and I keep coming back to the organization Partners in Health. Those of you who may have read Mountains Beyond Mountains are already familiar with the work of Dr. Paul Farmer. Here is a link to a short op-ed piece for the NY Times by the author, Tracy Kidder: Country Without a Net.

There is just too much sadness in the world. I hope we can all find just a little bit of joy today.

Cat in the frying pan

2010-01-08T10:37:00.000-05:00

Now that I've captured your attention, let me explain lest you think we are having cat for dinner. Let me introduce Noodles. She was Hawaii born and bred and had a need for warmth so she would camp out in this old cast iron pan over the pilot light. This photo was taken about 25 years ago in the duplex DH and I shared not long after we started dating. Noodles lived a long life of 20 years. She was deaf and we actually had to have her ears trimmed away because of ulcers. Her skin was very sensitive and she loved the sun!

I bought a scanner for the family for Christmas so that we can convert pages and pages of slides that we have and came upon this pic. We plan to scan lots of old slides from Mark's parents and put them on cd's for everyone. It make take awhile, but if we scan a little everyday it should be doable.

I sat down to post last night and ended up spending way too much time fiddling around with the blog. Tried a 3 column template but some of my gadgets didn't work right so went back to minima. All that wasted time! I like my new background though.

Life in retail is slowing a bit but people are still returning massive amounts of merchandise. People overbuy, then pick and choose what they want to give as gifts and then return the rest later. It's always kind of a letdown in a way when we go from crazy busy to the slow times of January and February. We are all scrambling for hours so that the paychecks aren't too pathetic, though they are even when we have lots of hours LOL. I finally have weeks with 2 days off in a row and one week with 3 days off! I have ambitious plans to paint a room and do some other household type stuff.

I was so tired during the holiday madness that I didn't stitch much. I'm working on Prairie Schooler's 2009 santa now (the one with the skates!). I'll post pics when it actually looks like something recognizable. But I did manage to finish up an ornie for my wonderful friend Lee. Here is the pic that I stole from her website since I completely forgot to photograph it before mailing it. I had a lot of fun stitching this, especially since it was going to Lee.

DH is a nut. We scrambled to replace our daughter's totaled car so that we wouldn't have car sharing issues and then he decides he will walk the almost 4 miles to work. Yesterday, in the snow, he rode his bike. Go figure. We did find a good little car (a Honda CR-V) for Claire but now she is really timid about driving in all this snow. There is always a bit of anxiety when choosing a used car. We came upon this nicely priced CR-V at the Honda place just up the road. It has many miles on it but they had put lots of money into it to bring it up to snuff and and it is bright and shiny. Hope that Honda's reputation for long lasting cars proves to be true.

Thank you for visiting! It really means a lot to me.

The knitted garden

2009-12-18T00:41:00.003-05:00

While I was browsing around Joann Fabrics the other day, I came upon this book called Jan Messent's Knitted Gardens. I was charmed and even went as far as suggesting it to my family as a possible Christmas gift for moi.

This is the kind of thing that totally captures my attention but unfortunately I doubt I have the attention span or patience to actually do any of this, but a girl can daydream, can't she?

Just look at those monks tending their cabbages! Aren't they adorable?

You can find more pictures from the book here. Ms. Messent also has books on a knitted farmyard and enchanted castle. So sweet.

Black ice, books and a good afternoon

2009-12-15T12:29:00.003-05:00

Had a fine afternoon last week when Lee dropped by before picking up her daughter at college. We went for lunch at a local downtown restaurant and then poked around the Gallery in the Vault next door. Neither of us bought anything but I was a tiny bit tempted. There are shops like this in our downtown but I rarely go in them just because I know I will never buy anything. I don't yearn much for stuff anymore. I suppose if I had the money I would buy a different house and decorate it to my heart's content, but the focus now is on college funding (new parents out there...think wisely and save) and retirement. These kinds of places are great for buying gifts though.

Lee brought us some yummy yummy buckeyes, knowing that my husband is a peanut butter freak. We have all indulged. We keep slicing off little bits so that it doesn't feel like we are pigs. Lee...there are still 2 left! Thank you for the treat!

My poor daughter had a car accident on Sunday. She has only had her car (her first car, paid for by herself) for 1 1/2 months. She was driving home from spending the night at her friend's house and hit a patch of black ice and lost control and slid into a pole. The airbag went off so I guess the impact was pretty hard. She's OK but the car is totaled and she is very sad. It was hard for her to stop crying that day and every time she thinks about it she gets upset. I am thankful that she wasn't hurt and that she thinks she was only going maybe 25 miles an hour.

We have already heard from our insurance company and thank goodness I had gotten the collision insurance and it turns she is getting back more money than she paid for the car. Now we just have to decide if another car will be a possibility. Just a few more gray hairs for dear old mom and dad.

I love the work of the writer Abigail Thomas. I found this cute story by her at the Oprah website. I picked up her book A Three Dog Life last summer on the discount table at Borders and was so glad I did. Sometimes you just find someone that puts your own thoughts into words and it feels so good to know there is someone else out there that thinks and feels like you do. Here is her website.

Taking a breath

2009-12-04T08:51:00.012-05:00

Thanksgiving has come and gone and that means that Black Friday has come and gone. The phrase Black Friday sounds so ominous to me, like it should be a day of mourning or something. I did mourn when I had to get out of bed at 12:45am in order to be at work by 2am. That means I got maybe 1 1/2 hours of sleep, shorter than a good nap. I was home by 11am and justifiably wiped out so I slept a good part of the day. I worked 8 days in a row and have a brief respite today with way too many things to do! I don't want to complain about having the hours, but man, I feel burned out.

I am trying hard to at least be helpful and pleasant dealing with customers, but suddenly there are many many needy shoppers out there, asking us to do what seems impossible at times. And the phone calls, OMG. I have to answer the phone while waiting on customers, but first I have to find the phone beneath the piles of returned merchandise. I am sure I sound impatient and rude when I ask to put someone on hold while they are in the middle of a long winded explanation about how they bought something but forgot to get the gift receipts and could they now get the gift receipts? Yikes!

I am stitching a little and still so excited and inspired about it. This is my recent finish which I was furiously working on at Camp Gottastitch. Ran out of 3 colors of thread and had to wait for 1 color that I had forgotten to buy in Berlin at the little cross stitch shop there. Hoping I can get this "finished finished" and sent to my mother for Christmas.

Birds of a Feather Bitter Flower
32 count BOAF barn owl linen
WDW and DMC

Speaking of my mother, she sent me a touching birthday gift last month. This is a letter sent to her by her mother after I was born. I was so touched by receiving this letter. I had no idea mom had saved all of her letters. My father dragged my mom around from state to state when I was young. I was born in Texas and my grandparents lived in Minnesota where my parents were born and raised. I wish we had stayed in Minnesota or in Iowa, which I really liked. There really is something to be said for having roots and family nearby.

Last but not least by any means, here is a snap of this cute Prairie Schooler ornie that was given to me by Lake Stitcher Lee. Thank you ever so much Lee! You are the best!!!

2009-11-10T23:37:00.005-05:00

Lee summed up camp pretty well, but I have a few things to add.

1. Do not forget camera.
2. Do not pack every single blessed piece of stitching, fabric and floss.
3. Do not eat for a week before going.
4. Do not worry about what you will stitch when there because they will give you plenty of kits to stitch.
5. Do not worry about not fitting in, because it is so easy to fit in.
6. Do not get all squinty eyed when being photographed because it looks silly.
7. Do not worry about passing Amish buggies on the road. Just take your time and pass with care.
8. DO NOT FORGET CAMERA (did I say that already?)
9. Do not worry about where you will sleep because you will have your own double bed and it is better than a hotel.
10. Let me see, can I think of anything else to not worry about or to not forget? Don't think so!

It's time to stitch!

2009-11-05T18:28:00.002-05:00

Camp Gottastitch tomorrow! Yippee! I so need this after a busy week at work and a long day at the election polls. No time for chatting! Gotta pack for 3 days of blissful stitching. Sigh...

Trees trees and more trees

2009-10-22T21:06:00.003-04:00

I promise I won't gripe and complain this time! I actually have begun to like yoga a little. I just need to get more bendy. I was thinking Pilates would take care of the jiggly belly but it's going to take a heck of a lot of Pilates to do that! I was just kind of annoyed that they changed the class format without telling us.

We had some of our trees trimmed this week to hopefully fend off any major disasters this winter. We have had our fair share of close calls this year. For a few hours of work it cost $1075! And that was a low estimate! Here's the truck with the cherry picker right outside our sunroom.

This is one of the most beautiful trees on our property soon to be in its full fall glory. It's a ginkgo and beautiful as it is, it does shed some pretty stinky fruit now and again.

Stitching progress has been slow. I do wish I could stitch in the car because we have spent many hours on the road checking out colleges for DD. It was worth it though because it has opened her eyes to the endless possibilities and at the same time has helped her narrow down her choices.

Ouch!

2009-10-09T11:07:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I signed up for a Pilates class at the place where I exercise. Somewhere along the way it got changed to something called Pilates "Fusion". Pilates on Tuesdays, yoga on Thursdays. I did not want yoga...I signed up for Pilates. Now there is a very tender spot in my back from all the weird twists and turns from the yoga class. You want me to do what???

The instructor was telling us what to do as we did it, without the benefit of watching her first. Do you know how hard it is to watch someone while trying to maintain the downward facing dog pose? When it came to the yoga style push up I pretty much said no, I can't do it. I eventually tried and did manage to get a little way down. I don't know if I'm going back because I can't afford to hurt my back right now. I think I will take a Pilates class somewhere else.

I've been trying to keep consistent with my stitching, but there were a few days this week that I didn't pick up a needle. That's OK, I'm making progress on Bitter Flower and looking forward to the next project and maybe an ornie or two.

I gave up one of my responsibilities at work this week. I made a mistake (not a big one in my eyes but it made a few people unhappy) and the criticism that followed put me in a funk. I don't like to be a quitter, but my goal right now in life is to focus on family and home and finding peace in life...I don't need the stress. Retail is very stressful right now. They have us doing multiple tasks at one time and at the same time maintaining that ever cheerful and helpful demeanor. I can do that most of the time but when I have to work 6-7 hours without getting a break, that kind of puts me over the edge.

I have always felt very insecure in my working life. Even being well educated doesn't always prepare one for the real world environment. I never have felt worthy enough to go back to a job in science and therefore have taken the jobs that are the easiest to come by. Low pay and not much satisfaction.

Thank God for my dear husband, who has stood by me through all my ups and downs and has been in the same job for 30 years. I know he itches to retire but is sticking with it until our kids are out of college (unless we win the lottery!). He never complains, even when it's 90 degrees outside and he is working 7 days a week. A good man.

Thanks for stopping by!

Will we ever see the sun again???

2009-09-30T12:11:00.004-04:00

It's been nothing but rainy and or cloudy for days here. I love fall but please, this is a bit too much. Tomorrow there may be sunshine, but then the forecast is rain or cloudy. We need to get the outside painting done!

Painting aside, the weather is great for getting cozy with the cats and stitching, but not for picture taking. I've been working on BOAF Bitter Flower. The WDW overdyed flosses have been a pain this go round, especially the brown and green. They don't even have any variation in the color. I could have used DMC. Now I see that I'm running out of floss and need to find somewhere to pick it up. There is a sale at a store in Canton but I don't see how I'll have the time to get over there.

Speaking of sales, and as you know, I love a good sale, but when I began to price things at Traditional Stitches, I found that I wouldn't really be saving much, if any. I really had the itch to buy stuff! Since I work in retail, one thing I know for sure is that the lowest prices of the season are not necessarily the lowest prices of the season (LPS) and that there is always another sale right around the corner. I have plenty of stash to choose from anyway. There are a few things from market that have caught my eye, but there are tons of older charts that I want to stitch also.

I realized this morning that there is a needlework showcase in Akron this weekend, combined with a craft show. I was quite impressed by the needlework the last time I attended this show. It's held at Stan Hywet Hall, a lovely house on beautiful grounds. We are supposed to go on a college visit this weekend, but we have been considering not going, so I may have a free day.

Are there any stitchers in the Akron area going to this show on Saturday? Drop me a line!

College visits: DD is a senior and we put off the college visits until this fall. Now we are tightly scheduled with visits. It's fun, but stressful planning it all. DD is interested in nutrition, food science and dietetics. If there are any readers out there involved in these fields, any feedback on careers, education, etc. would be helpful.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stash enhancement possibilities, pumpkins and bridges

2009-09-18T20:22:00.005-04:00

I just love a good sale. See what's happening at Traditional Stitches. Can I resist? I have through Thursday to find out!

Fair week is over. DH and I only went for a couple of hours one lovely evening. Just enough time to check out the needlework, vegies and artwork. Dinner was french fries with lots of vinegar and salt. I resisted everything else, but I really really wanted some cotton candy!

DD had some of her drawings from last year exhibited. Her Brooklyn Bridge drawing is right under the word Wooster. Her art teacher selected it for a year long exhibition at the Board of Education building which was so very nice of her.

That's a big pumpkin Charlie Brown!

The family that grew this pumpkin is well known in this area for their prize winning pumpkins. This is small in comparison to others they have grown.

Nobody loves me...

2009-09-11T17:27:00.005-04:00

Finished this cute stitch the other day. You know how when you are nearing the end of a project and you suddenly find a stitch that you missed here...or there...or you find some other kind of mistake? I know that there are a few little boo-boos but I'm not going back to change them. I am just fine with them.

This was part of Annemarie's "Lovelorn Sisterhood" and I have sent the chart on to Jan in Maryland. Have fun Jan! I'm not crazy about exchanges or round robins, but I think I could get hooked on these traveling charts.

A week and half ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Lakestitcher Lee. She and her DH were in town to see their daughter who is attending college in our town. Hi Lee! Hope we get to meet up again soon, maybe before we go to Camp Gottastitch in Charm Ohio. I won't mind if the weather is bad, but it will only be early November, so maybe we'll have a nice fall weekend. I was thinking that a beachy stitch weekend (or more) would be nice someday.

Someday I want to fulfill my dream of a real beach vacation, warm and sandy and relaxing with lots of good restaurants and coffee shops nearby. This has never come to pass in our family. We have always ended up in Maine at my husband Mark's family place on a lake. Not that I don't like it or appreciate it, I'm just needing something else. Like sun. I wish I had a digital photo to share. The camp is totally surrounded by trees and it would be sacrilege to cut some down. We get a few hours of good sun in the morning and by 1 or 2:00 we are pretty much without direct sun. Brrr...

Thanks for stopping by!

Too much milk

2009-08-23T20:21:00.003-04:00

This is so sad. A large dairy farm in our county is shutting down production by killing their cows. Our country is over importing milk apparently. What a rough business to be in.

http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4652849

Framing frustrations

2009-08-23T17:35:00.003-04:00

Do you know that when you hit enter in blogger, let's say after entering the post title, your post is published? I think I just did that.

I made it a goal of mine last year when I began to stitch again after a long hiatus, that I would actually "finish finish" my stitching. I think that was one reason I quit stitching. Because nothing ever made it to walls or the tree or where ever. I have been successful in getting a few ornaments sewn up and stuffed and I am quite happy with those, even though my progress has been limited and very slow. I finally decided that I would try to frame a few pieces and scrounged around for some pre-made frames. A few of those might work. I ordered 2 frames from pictureframes.com, refreshed my memory on framing needlework and set out to buy acid free foam core board. Can I find a single sheet of it in our town? Of course not. I think I will have to call a local framer and beg for one.

I had gone to Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago planning to order frames. The guy gave me a song and dance about how you couldn't order just the frame, they want to do the entire thing and said something about adhesive and other scary things. I walked away. I think I will try Michael's at some later point if I can find the time to drive out of town. I may have to go there anyway to get the foam board.

Anyone have any thoughts on the use of regular old foam board? Am I committing a sin if I use it?

Family and more family

2009-08-14T08:51:00.004-04:00

We've just heard recently that my mother in law is in the beginning stages of renal failure. She apparently is dehydrated but has little interest in drinking more water. MIL is 90 years old. My poor husband has been working 7 days a week for the past few weeks and won't catch a break for another 2 weeks or so, but he is hoping to get back home (it's 750 miles away) asap. He is so lucky that his brother is nearby to keep the ball rolling on doctor appointments and everything else. MIL still has her house but has lived in a senior residential home for years.

It could prove to be a rough fall. Our calendar is packed with college visits for DD and crazy work and school schedules. DD is planning to work every day after school at the after school program at our ice arena. This will be her 3rd year doing this. I just hope she doesn't get burned out with her studies and pressure to get into college. I will be watching her back every second. Our son will be entering his 3rd year of college and will be concentrating on art. I desperately hope (does that make sense?) that he has a good year.

I was quite concerned about my own mom after seeing her last month. I don't get out to NJ very often anymore for various reasons, so when I do see her, I always see a big change. She is tiny and frail and barely eats. It's almost as if she is not eating on purpose. Someone talked her into getting very expensive dental implants and it just hasn't worked out for her. Therefore, no teeth. She barely goes out anymore but reads, reads and reads some more! No one seems to go to the library for her...I just can't figure that out. My sister is not a reader and I don't think she has a clue as to what to choose. I am hoping that mom will use the book delivery service the library has. She just needs to follow up on it and not just talk about it.

Thanks for listening everyone. I just felt like writing a bit today about what is going on in our family.

Why no websites?

2009-08-12T19:08:00.003-04:00

Ever since the start of internet bulletin boards and newsgroups, I've thought that the internet and needlework were a perfect combination. What frustrates the heck out of me is the lack of internet presence by some needlework shops. There are 4 shops within a 45 minute radius from my house, and 2 of them have no website or blog and 1 of them has some decent information (but no email newsletter) and has a "blog" that has no feed so you can't subscribe. The other one doesn't even list the hours. It's like they started to design a website and then gave up.

5 years ago I was seriously thinking of opening a LNS in our town. 2 yarn shops, lots of quilting fabric places, but no needlework. When I found out how much it was going to cost me to open and maintain, I was scared away. The internet was going to be an important tool in this business, with access to Hoffman Distributing and other distributors readily available to customers. My idea was that even if I wouldn't be able to carry each and every fiber, fabric and chart, it would be easy to locate and order, at least the majority of merchandise.

If there are any shop owners out there that might happen upon this post, could you clue me in as to why you wouldn't want to have a website and newsletter? I just can't figure it out...

Just a test

2009-08-11T17:01:00.003-04:00

I noticed that the fonts were all different sizes on my blog after my last post. I have deleted my old template for the time being. Just wanted to see how this font shows up. Don't know what I did! I know most people read blogs in their reader, but it is still fun to see how creative people can be with their blog layouts. Also, a link doesn't work though I'm sure I did it right! Frustration.

2009-08-11T15:06:00.017-04:00

Man, my life is just one thrilling moment after another. I decide, if Lee can post to her blog today with her busy week, I should be able to also.

So...I take some photos of my latest stitching. They all upload to Photoshop yellow as the dickens. Reinstall camera software, look for drivers, still yellow. Somehow the yellow goes away but something is still wrong with the uploading from the camera or card. Then I go outside to take some garden photos, get a little depressed and anxious. Should be weeding and moving plants around but it really is too hot and muggy.

Look at paint color again on the trim we are painting. Yesterday I had decided color was OK, now having doubts again. Too gray maybe (supposed to be taupe). We already bought 3 gallons at $35/gallon so need to be sure. DH doesn't like it, he says it is gray but it matches the newer screen door and the new Anderson windows in the bathrooms.

Then try to upload to Blogger and it takes a frickin' 10 minutes to upload so I put a load of towels in to wash after shaking out a few poor spiders that decided to take up residence there. I don't like to kill spiders. I rescue spiders and bugs and release them to the outside. All those years of working with bugs has made me unafraid of them for the most part.

So, now that you know my life truly is boring, let me show you what I've been working on these days.

The colors are kind of wonky but charming and I wonder why it says "I'm going down the garden" instead of "going down to the garden." I would like to finish this up this week so I can mail the chart off to the next stitcher in the Lovelorn Sisterhood.

A few garden pics:

This is a 60' long perennial bed that I am going to reduce in size so we can expand the vegetable garden. I have really neglected it in the past few years and it is sorely in need of some TLC. Not much is blooming as you can see. We're going to put out what we want to save and start fresh. It's too hot to transplant now, so this will have to wait until early fall. The bed only looks curved because of the photo, it is about 8 feet wide and straight.

This is what asparagus looks like long after harvest. We have several rows which gives us plenty of good eating in the spring. The stuff in front is lettuce that has bolted.

Messy messy garden. Lots of tomatoes, zucchini and green beans (and weeds). The decrepit looking fence at the back really belongs to our neighbor though DH has replaced most of it once already.

Some "old" needlework and "baby" corn

2009-08-02T15:42:00.002-04:00

I rescued these pillows from my mother's attic while we were there on a visit last week. I must have done these in the early 70's, when I worked at the LNS. Crewel embroidery and needlepoint were the hot items then. I didn't do too much of either and I don't remember that we sold any cross stitch at all! We may have had some stamped linens. I knitted a lot in the old days as well as crocheted a little.

I've been meaning to post some pictures of our garden (really DH's garden) but I haven't snapped any yet but I did want to show some of the summer delights that we are treated to every year. DH is a corn breeder and they always plant some plots of sweet corn for everyone to share. We had this cute baby corn the other night in some stir fry.

I am so spoiled! I love my corn very young and tender, no starchy big kernels for me! We'll start having corn almost every night very soon!

Whew...July is almost over!

2009-07-27T21:52:00.005-04:00

My stitching time has suffered terribly lately! Stitching on our trip out East was too difficult...poor lighting, no magnifier, too many relatives. What I had intended to work on was this:

I'm third in line for this humorous piece for a sisterhood that Annemarie organized. It feels so right. I'm working it on Belfast clay linen, a very appropriately named linen for this I thought. Once I get a few more stitches in it I'll post a photo. It was passed on to me by Kathy, who included a lovely piece of pale pink Silkweaver fabric and a skein of WDW Bubble Gum.

What did we do and see out East? Here are a few photos to share with you!

The MET...Metropolitan Museum of Art. I love that the hot dog stand got captured in the corner. With a sandwich going for $11.50 at the cafeteria, those hot dogs were pretty appealing. I did fork over $3.50 for the tiniest espresso I have ever seen. I really needed the boost.

This was a sculpture on the rooftop of the museum. Pretty neat. Note the cloudy skies.

As forecast in the previous photo, it did begin to rain. We should have done the MET last and wandered first! My poor planning. DD took shelter under her umbrella in Bryant Park, behind the NY public library. We were hoping to go inside, but it had already closed. We didn't want to see the books, we just wanted to see where Carrie Bradshaw was supposed to get married.

Bright lights, big city. Time Square in all it's neon glory, though it's not neon anymore but huge electronic billboards. Charlie Gibson is broadcasting the news in the middle. There are 2 blocks closed off where one can stroll or sit in lawn chairs (yes, lawn chairs).

This picture has nothing to do with us, but I was intrigued. This couple was getting photographed by 2 photographers at Grand Central Station. We were pretty sure it just a regular couple, not models. The wedding party was also there. I love the old train station.

Finally, a snap of DH getting his feet wet at Island Beach State Park in New Jersey. The lifeguards had a fit when he went out too far.

The rest of our time was spent with 4 of my sibs and my mother. Our trips out there are pretty short. It's just hard on me to be in NJ for very long. Not what I call vacation really and I'm always glad to get back home. I am always amazed by the cost of living out there and grateful for how easy it is in our little town in Ohio.

Thanks for stopping by and if you read all of this you are a very patient person.

A tribute

2009-07-07T23:32:00.004-04:00

Towards the end of the memorial service for Michael Jackson today, my husband and I left for a much smaller but just as meaningful memorial service for an acquaintance of ours who recently passed away from a sudden heart attack. It was held at the local YMCA where he had worked for 35 years. Jim was only 59. He died waiting in line for a Judy Collins concert which was a surprise gift to him from friends. The parking lot was full, cars were lining the curbs on bordering streets and we could tell that there was a large crowd. The Y had even closed early for this service. I'm not sure how many people were there, but there had to be at least 200 and there weren't enough chairs to seat everybody.

Jim was a very unique person and well known by many in our small town. The microphone was passed around to those who wanted to say something about Jim and we heard stories that had us laughing, crying, reflecting and for myself, wishing that I had seen Jim more. My husband and I hadn't seen Jim for awhile, in part because he wasn't walking around town as much and we didn't work out at the Y where most people saw him on a day to day basis. I know my husband had wanted to share hip replacement stories, since Jim had had both hips replaced which made him give up running, something he loved.

I barely knew Jim really, but one didn't have to know him for a long time to sense what a special person he was. He had no money, but there was an article about him in the newspaper. He didn't hold public office or own a large business, but there were people from many walks of life at his service today. He was kind of homely and very tall, a gentle giant many said today. Jim always had a wide smile, a caring word, but not the fake kind of caring...you knew that he genuinely wanted to talk to you and to get to know you. He had a fabulous sense of humor. He loved loved loved baseball and was a huge Indians fan and even had a room devoted to all things baseball.

Jim lived a simple life. I learned today that at one time he had given away most of his possessions. He gave often and readily, never expecting anything in return. He was the most popular house and pet sitter in town, which I'm sure he did for extra income but also because he loved animals. I had to laugh at a comment made by his roommate...Jim was a vegetarian who didn't eat vegetables unless they were cut up into tiny pieces on his favorite pizza!

Funerals and memorial services are always a time for reflection. I leave with a feeling that I will change my life, be a better person, figure out what is really important. Today I left with the feeling that it won't be hard to be a better person. What maybe doesn't come all to naturally to me could really be so easy. Reach out to someone every day, speak a kind word, be sincere, give just a little of one's self in some little way. I know for myself that sometimes this is harder with those closest to me and with my family. I just need to remember Jim Boyd, picture his funny smile, hear his voice, and maybe I can remember how to be a better person.

She's a goner

2009-07-02T17:12:00.004-04:00

The sweet gum tree was taken down this morning and now the logs are waiting to be hauled off by a friend of ours. We'll have the stump ground out soon. It's amazing how much light there is in that area now. The tree man said that now our neighbor's trees will take the brunt of the wind so I'm hoping they don't have problems.

The area under the other tree in the photo has always been heavily shaded and it gets very weedy. I have tried to establish shade loving plants there. You can't see in this photo that there are ferns, Solomon's Seal, Lily of the Valley, Epimedium, bleeding heart and some other plantings. I'll continue to plant shade lovers there.

In front of where the tree was is a patch of grass that was supposed to be another part of the herb garden. I'll post pics as we progress with this. Right now everything looks to shabby to show!

I cleaned out the hard drive on our computer yesterday! I've been putting it off for ages! It took a long time to back up files and reinstall Windows, but it was very easy and went off without a hitch. Gone are all the kids games, ancient files, garbage from the internet, etc. I could barely use Photoshop without it crashing since the drive was so clogged up with debris.

A clean drive is a happy drive...

Karma or just good luck?

2009-06-29T20:10:00.001-04:00

This is so weird. I mentioned our sweet gum tree in my last post. Last fall it lost a good chunk during a very bad windstorm we had here in Ohio. DH wasn't sure he wanted to take it down. I've wanted to take it down ever since we've lived here. It's just in a bad spot and those little prickly balls are all over the place!

I was at work last Thursday night and someone mentioned that it looked like a hurricane out there. Thanks Amy for saying that, because it prompted me to call DH and ask him to please park the new used Subaru in the garage. Naw, the wind isn't blowing hard DH said. He's always in denial about storms...grew up in New Hampshire and thinks everyone is just a baby about the weather.

A short time later I get a phone call at work. You won't believe this! The tree fell! OMG, where was the car I ask? I put it in the garage. Who was smiling down on us that day?

We had just had an estimate to take the tree down and were in the process of getting more when this happened. Needless to say, this will happen very soon! There is one large branch hanging over a very beautiful purple beech tree and I don't want any harm to come to that tree.

It was quite a week for emptying our wallets. Our 4 year old Fisher Paykel washing machine went a little nuts and started to behave $240 later. We bought another car (son's money, but insurance to be paid by us). Then the tree. Keeping the fingers crossed for more good karma!

An ending and a beginning

2009-06-25T13:09:00.004-04:00

Prairie Schooler "Spring Has Come"
32 count Wichelt lambswool
DMC threads

I finally sat down to put the last "few" stitches in Spring Has Come. It seemed everytime I thought I had stitched the last stitch I noticed another one that I had missed. It's those dreaded single stitches that get to me so it takes a little discipline to get them in.

But it's done and now I have to figure out how I want to display it. I have the rest of the season charts, but don't think I'll get to another one anytime soon.

I started BOAF Bitter Flower which I want to give to my mother. I haven't given her any needlework since I did a bargello pillow in the 70's. I hope she still has that pillow up in the attic somewhere. Think I will rescue it on my next visit.

Birds of a Feather "Bitter Flower"
32 count BOAF Barn Owl
WDW threads

Sorry about the yellow cast to my photos. It is bright and sunny outside, but I took these inside on our sun porch, which is not really a sun porch because of all of the trees surrounding our house. DH wants to remove a few trees ($$$) but the tree guy that came over the other day said that would be a mistake. There is one broken sweet gum that really needs to go and a lot of deadwood to be taken out of the elms and maples.

I have gotten back into gardening after neglecting our yard for the past couple of years. I just feel so totally overwhelmed by our yard sometimes and there are so many projects to be done that are costly. I realized yesterday as I pulled weeds that I have probably lost a fair number of perennials because they were crowded out by the asters and black eyed Susan's. I am trying to revive the herb garden as well and when the sweet gum goes, I'll be able to expand it.

We also need to paint and repair trim on this old house, so we are never lacking for things to do! I know I am lucky to live where I live, on such a nice large lot with a lovely brick home, but it really gets to me sometimes that we are always so behind. At least that's how it feels to me. I need a million bucks so someone else can do the work! We tried renovating our kitchen and ran into a number of problems, now it is half finished and I'm ready to call in the troops. Yikes! If it's not one thing, it's another...

How are you?

2009-06-15T10:36:00.003-04:00

Tense me

Not much stitching going on these days but I sure do think about it a lot! My to do list(s) just keep getting longer and I'm just not crossing stuff off fast enough. The stitching is always on the list, but it just ain't happening!

I just have to talk about something that we got into at work today. When someone asks you how you are, is it OK to just say "fine" or "good" or must we always answer with "GREAT!" or "TERRIFIC!" even though we really feel just OK? If something is bothering us, and it is because a parent is sick or has passed away, or another loved one is having problems, or we are sick ourselves or having money problems, should we always put on the game face and say that we are terrific?

One of my co-workers, who I really like, is on a mission to change me and my attitude, and I think my attitude is really just fine, thank-you. I know he was just kidding about this (I think) but it kind of got to me. I don't go around saying how depressed I am or how sick or tired I feel so I'm not sure where this is coming from. Maybe it's just my crabby looking face! I'll go on the defensive if he keeps bugging me about this. Or maybe I'll just tell him what he wants to hear...

Loving, sweet me

Though I haven't been stitching myself, I have enjoyed seeing everyone's beautiful works. I will get back into it shortly. I've been shopping for a car for DS, college shopping for DD, gardening, had a yard sale, and now we need to start painting the trim on our house as well as find someone to take down some trees and maybe put in a patio (I hope, I hope!).

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think about the "how are you" thing.

A donation and some mojo

2009-06-03T16:58:00.003-04:00

I sold one of these bobble heads at our yard sale the other day for $2 and I found a guy selling them on his website for $64.95! Wish I had kept that little guy.

I did something today I have always been nervous about doing and it was a piece of cake. I gave blood! DD wanted to donate so I tagged along. If she can do it so can I! Her donation didn't go so well though. Her blood must have clotted and little and it stopped flowing, causing some discomfort. Her lips turned a lovely shade of white. Poor baby. They removed the needle, gave her some juice and all was well. I hope this doesn't stop her from donating. I was so proud of her for giving. Her first donation went well, so hopefully this was just a bad stick.

I'll keep giving now as long as they keep accepting my blood. DH started to do apheresis donations (platelets) when his brother had leukemia and was faithful about making donations long after his brother passed away. Unfortunately his blood tested positive for some factor and they wouldn't take his blood any longer. The tests may have been giving false positives, but they take no chances.

I'm getting my stitching mojo back and should have a finish tonight or tomorrow. I have been feeling so dispirited about life in general, but I'm coming out of it. Bad news had been bringing me down. It is always one thing after another as you all know! Where's the bus stop on the road of life where you can just get off and rest for awhile???

Prom and life's ups and downs

2009-05-18T10:54:00.002-04:00

A proud mom always has to show off pictures of her children and this weekend I was very proud of Claire, my 17 year old daughter. She went to her first prom with boyfriend (of 1 year!) on Saturday. They went out of town with 3 other couples for dinner, back to town for the "grand march", the prom and then the after prom party. They arrived home around 3 am. I was only worried about the drive out of town, but all went well. It was a little windy out and DD's hair became a little wind blown, but she was lovely none the less. Most of the girls had their hair up, but she decided to keep it down and lightly curled. Her dress was actually purple but showed up blue in all of our photos!

This picture is "so Wayne County". Various vehicles dropped the kids off in front of the auditorium where the prom was held. There was even valet parking for them. Some kids came by fire truck, some by convertible, but I didn't see any limos this year (and no Amish buggies!).

Aside from this fine weekend, I have been distracted and disturbed by some family issues. It has me reevaluating my life and my choices, the good and the bad. It is so hard being a parent and I wonder if I ever should have taken this on. I find myself wondering what the heck life is about and how to make it meaningful. Anyone out there have the answer? Please pass it on...

Hopefully stitchy pics will follow soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Learning about cystic fibrosis

2009-05-01T22:01:00.003-04:00

Nothing stitching related tonight. After finishing the little Blackbird Designs sampler, I needed to take a little break from stitching and get some stuff done around the house.

I just wanted to post a link here to a website about the disease cystic fibrosis and the son of one of my co-workers. I have been trying to help out when I can with a little fund raising through our company.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

A Cure 4 Lil' Chris

Lil' Chris was diagnosed very early, making it possible for his mom and dad to do as much as possible to keep him healthy. In Ohio, genetic testing for this disease is offered to the parents and Michele and Chris (the dad) knew they were carriers, so they were able to determine that their son had CF very soon after his birth. Their 3 month old daughter does not have CF.

Michele's blog is a wealth of information about the day to day stuff that goes on in family that has a CF child. I can only imagine what it is like to have a child that has any congenital disease or developmental problems.

My Blackbird sampler

2009-04-28T18:07:00.004-04:00

stitched 1 over 1 on Belfast platinum linen
Thread Gatherer silk, color In the Burgundy

Last Friday, I got the urge to stitch up the little Blackbird Designs sampler. Instead of working in the yard like I was supposed to this past weekend, I used most of my free time bent over my stitching.

And I was also in the mood for a little 1 over 1. I made a few mistakes along the way, but left them. I think that was the original character of this pattern anyway. Claire is my soon to be 18 year old daughter. The bird is kind of wonky, but I didn't plan this chart very well and was left with little room to work with.

This tiny piece is only 2 x 3 1/2" and I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet. I was determined to get this stitched by the April 27th deadline, so at 11:30pm I had put the last stitch in and emailed my photo off to Blackbird shortly before midnight. That meant only getting about 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night, so I know for sure that I am certifiable.

Having a deadline for stitching is exactly why I don't do exchanges. I know myself well enough that it would only cause stress and I would be burning the midnight oil to get things ready to send. I also haven't done well getting gifts stitched on time. Shoot, my SIL was divorced by the time I finished her wedding gift!

The attic beckoned

2009-04-23T16:54:00.004-04:00

A lovely 60 degrees here today and where was I? In the attic! My friend and I are having a garage sale in a month and I wanted to work up there before it starts to get too hot to be up there. Bit by bit I am able to weed out stuff. Sometimes it takes years to decide to get rid of something.

I wish it was totally clean up there but I just can't bear to get rid of the Legos, K'nex, American Girl and Barbie dolls (and all the associated paraphernalia). If I have any advice for new parents, it is to not buy so much stuff!

We also have a lot of old stuff from my husband's parent's home. Lots of old Tonka trucks that are too precious to even think about selling. Every time DH comes back from out east, he has old army stuff, snowshoes and backpacks. I can only imagine how hard it is for his aunt who is trying to move and for his brother, who had to clear out the attic and basement of his mother's home. They never threw away anything!

DH doesn't like to throw stuff out either...I don't like clutter and I certainly don't want anyone else to have to deal with my detritus after I am gone.

No stitchy pictures today, but I am making good progress on Spring Has Come and will spend a couple of hours tonight working on it. I've been thinking about the BBD contest and may stitch that up next if I think I can get it done in time.

I'm off to another great place to be on a perfect day. The gym (yuck).

Spring is here

2009-04-16T21:52:00.003-04:00

I had the day off today and started the day my favorite way. Lots of coffee and some free stitching time! The problem is tearing myself away to get some chores done.

I was a good girl and did make some phone calls I had been putting off...calling the gas company, playing with numbers to see if we should refinance our home, calling a landscape company about some much needed work, financial aid stuff for college. I made no progress on any of this, but at least I got some information.

Prairie Schooler "Spring Has Come"

As you can see, I hop around a lot when I'm stitching. I hope I can get this done within a week because I need to make my April ornie and I want to get started on a gift for my mom. I've had a few problems with the frogs and I just noticed that the larger bird is off by one stitch and that his beak will hit the border if I don't redo him. Drat and double drat! I always tell myself that I will count twice and stitch once, but it never fails that I will add or miss a stitch and set the whole thing off.

I know you all can relate to this!

a LNS visit

2009-04-10T13:00:00.003-04:00

It's a very gray and rainy day here in OH. I don't feel inspired to do much of anything except to stitch but I will get going on some housework and other need to be done things.

I was very happy to visit a needlework shop yesterday. It's been years since I actually set foot in a bricks and mortar store and as soon as I stepped inside, it felt like home. The shop is Blueberry Hill Stitchery in Akron, OH. DD and I had gone out of town to drop off her prom dress to be altered at the place of purchase and this shop was nearby. She was pretty patient with me while I went through all the charts and admired the needlework. They had a lovely exhibit of Primitive Traditions needlework including these items. I was in awe.

Fortunately I didn't have time to buy much (thank you DD!) but I have plenty of stash to suit me right now. I did pick up some nice remnants of linen and 1 little BBD chart and a Quaker Medallion chart by Carriage House Samplings.

I hope I'll be able to visit this nice shop on a regular basis. It was a real treat.

another ornament finish

2009-04-08T12:15:00.004-04:00

I've been MIA from this blog lately, but I've been blogging in my mind. I was trying to get some stitching done so I would have something to show, and I finally have something!

Thanks so much for putting up with my rant in my last post. I really really appreciate all of your kind comments. I was wishing I had stuck with my old career job mainly because of money, but in truth, that job was often not satisfying and there was a lot of pressure. When I wanted to go part time, my boss still wanted me to do all the work I had been doing full time! I have never had a lot of confidence when it comes to working and often settle for the easy way out. At the tender age of 56, I don't see that changing :)

Here's my new ornament finish! I tell ya, this thing gave me fits! It called for using Wisper for the white cuff on the hat, but I could not and would not use this stuff. The thread kept breaking or knotting and I couldn't see where I was stitching. Then I decided to make a pillow ornament out of it, but mind me, working with the the lugana was a pain. By the time I was done sewing it up, the fabric was so unraveled that it unraveled me! So I sewed the little bands of the backing fabric around the edges. I really like the metallic lugana for ornaments, but I'll have to think of a better way to finish it next time.

A Merry Kitty Klaus by Val's Stuff
2007 JCS ornament issue
20 ct. metallic lugana
Crescent Colors floss

I used the Crescent Colors because I had never used it before and wanted to try it. The colors are nice and vibrant, but really not necessary for this little piece. DMC would have been just as good.

Congratulations to Lee's daughter who just decided to attend the College of Wooster, here in the town where I live. It is so exciting (and a tad bit scary) to see one's child get ready to go off to college. There's just a feeling of promise in the air and a hope for a good future for them. I was reading Lee's blog and saw that COW was one of the schools they were looking at and we chatted about the town and the school. Now we have a chance to meet IRL!

Pity party for one

2009-03-27T15:08:00.002-04:00

Wish I could quite working! As you may have surmised, I work customer service at a large retail chain. It was all kind of by accident, I needed a job, they were hiring, I applied, and about 3 1/2 years later, I'm still at it.

Today I had a run in with a credit services manager over the phone and he called our store manager about it. The credit guy was rude and wouldn't talk to the customer I was trying to assist. I was stunned. So I was rude right back. Therefore the call to my manager. Then my manager called me into his office so I could explain myself. Fortunately he believed me my explanation. I know I should have handled it differently, but many times we do things without thinking them through, and I was just trying to make the customer happy.

I don't think I will call credit services again unless absolutely forced to. I will make the customer call so he/she can wait forever to speak to a real person.

So it's not rocket science or brain surgery and who really cares? No one really, I just hate feeling like I made a mistake and hate feeling like crap for the rest of the day and for however long it takes for me to forget about it.

Sometimes I so regret leaving my career job. Why the heck did I bother to get that MS degree anyway? By now I could be almost ready to retire with a good pension and solid pay, but instead, working 6-7 days in a row for measly pay and tedious, unrewarding work.

It was becoming a mom that changed things for me, so I always need to remember that is why I made the choices I did.

And...I give great customer service!

DH has a birthday and I make a mistake

2009-03-25T12:39:00.006-04:00

Here's my progress on PS Spring Has Come. I had wanted to get this finished by the end of March, but I don't think that is going to happen! Not with my slow stitching it won't!

Don't know if I'll get back to it today. DH IS 57 YEARS OLD TODAY!!! Of course he is in complete denial about his age and and will be skiing and biking until the bitter end, that is, if the new hip holds up! I can hardly believe that we're both so old!

Somedays I don't get to spend too much time stitching. If I set aside time in the evening, I can be just too darned tired to get going. Mornings are my best stitching time for sure and I usually work mornings.

I started a little simple stitch ornament (Bluebird of Christmas Happiness) for my March ornie, but I have had to set it aside before I decide to throw it in the trash. I am using a piece of Silkweaver linen and blue DMC that I chose. I had a bunch of blue flosses in a pile and somehow got mixed up with which one I had started to use. So I picked the likeliest suspect and continued stitching. See how I stitched 1/2 of the bird on the right and then began working the other side? I didn't notice right away that there was a difference in the color. It may not be very noticeable but IRL it is quite easily noticed. I think I started the other side with the wrong color (grrr...).

My stitches seem to be coming out really dense on this fabric. I've never used this before...is there a slight difference in the thread count after dyeing?

Thanks for stopping by!

Volunteering

2009-03-23T16:35:00.003-04:00

No new pictures of stitching, though I am working on Spring Has Come and my next ornament. There's no doubt about it...I AM A SLOW STITCHER!

I just was thinking about what a good week we are having at work (major retailer where you can expect great things). We have volunteer opportunities throughout the year, but for some reason have several in the space of 1 week and some larger events happening soon. If we have 5 volunteers work for 3 hours each, the retailer will donate $500 to the cause, provided they are approved by the corporate office.

Our events this week and in the near future:

MDA lockup
local elementary school after school nutrition program
Helping our local parks department with their Easter egg hunt (we painted an outdoor kiddie city for them last year
Relay for Life team
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk
Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides walk

We are able to wear jeans to work by donating $3 each time and our money goes towards the cancer events. Everyone wants to wear jeans and it is such an easy way to donate money. It kind of unites us as a team to know we are helping others.

Thanks for visiting and have a fine day!

2 posts in 1 night!

2009-03-19T20:30:00.005-04:00

Since I am in a posting mood, I decided to upload pics of 2 ornaments that I actually sewed up into something that I can display. I never have been good about the finishing part, so I must say that I am proud!

Yule Rejoice by Primrose Needleworks

2008 JCS ornament issue
32 ct. platinum Belfast linen
Gentle Arts and DMC
background fabric used for reverse side of ornament

Woodland Snowfall, Little House Needleworks

2004 JCS ornament issue
30 count unknown linen and DMC
background fabric used for reverse side of ornament

I'm making slow progress on PS Spring Has Come. Won't bore you with details on that but I will say that I'm enjoying it very much.

Good night all!

Pride goeth before a fall...

2009-03-19T19:17:00.001-04:00

I've been alternately boasting about not getting sick this year but also wondering what is wrong with me that I haven't gotten sick or wondering when it will hit me. Well, it hit me today, but I am not really that sick. Just a scratchy throat and feeling a little stiff and fatigued. Of course, the feeling fatigued part could be because I have had to take on all of my husband's chores since he is still on crutches and will be for the next few weeks.

He's doing great though. I can give info to anyone that is interested in this type of hip replacement surgery if you are curious. It's relatively new in the US and is a good option for "younger" people (under the age of 60) who are active.

I was so happy to receive the special friends award from Lee at Lake Stitcher. We have found that we sometimes seem to be doing the same things at the same time. Our kids are about the same age so I think we may be having some similar challenges. Lee, thanks so much! You crack me up and I love your stitching!

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines."

Here are a few blogs that are new and not so new. I have so much fun sitting with a good cup of joe and reading through everyone's blogs, sometimes commenting and sometimes not, though I may be thinking wonderful things. I think I am going to make it a habit to comment more often, even if it is just to say hi.

Merry Stitching - Merry just started her blog and has 3 beautiful children

Stitch 'N Time - I think Teri has been blogging for awhile but has been through some rough times lately

Joanie's World - Joanie just started the Blackbird Designs exchange that I so tempted to join.

Spinster Stitcher - Coni alternately has me laughing out loud or has me teary eyed. Always a joy to read and she really should write a book or a column.

Oh my, there are so many people that I have met vicariously through blogging. Impossible to name everyone that has had an influence on me over the past 9 months since I discovered the blogs! Love you all!

I'm pretty shy in real life and not very gregarious, though I do love a good party once in awhile. I find that I am shy in the blogging world also, sometimes feeling that I'm not worthy enough. Isn't that ridiculous???

Thanks for stopping by!

A little of this and that

2009-03-09T11:20:00.005-04:00

Wow...haven't gotten much stitching done this week.

I have to give my husband lots of credit. He really does a lot of stuff around the house and now I am doing most of it! Not that's it so much work, but just a pain in the you know what. Hope he can be doing yard work in a month or so. We still have leaves on the lawn that didn't get raked up last fall! I'll have to describe his yard work methodology later. It's quite different from the norm.

DH is doing great. Off the pain killers except at night and against my wishes, went to work today. He works in a corn genetics lab but I think he'll be in his office and not at the bench today.

Today I am going to sew up this ornament, but first I need to find some twine for the hanger. I think this one calls for a rustic finish.

And last night I decided to start this so I pulled the floss and I'm trying to decide which linen to use.

I have all 4 charts now for this series. Hope I can get them all done this year! I really do love Prairie Schooler.

The stitches are on the hip and not on my linen!

2009-03-03T16:50:00.007-05:00

I managed to get only a little stitching done while my husband was in surgery last Friday. I am really way behind! Didn't get my February ornament done for the 2009 Christmas Challenge, but I'm just a few stitches shy of finishing and then I'll do a simple finish.

Speaking of surgery, DH did just great! After only being in the hospital for a total of 3 days, he is now back home, on crutches (and lots of pain meds) and getting around pretty well. It will really be different having him home all the time...I'm sure you all can relate! He had a nice room with a view of Lake Erie, which was still full of ice, especially after this last cold snap.

I've been a little tired because of the stress, not only because of the surgery, but because my son in college far away from us, has been dealing with a lot of problems. I worry about him so much. I can see now that being a parent will never get easier! It isn't easy being 20 and trying to decide what you want out of life. I still haven't figured it out yet myself...

but I know that I want to start and complete all my new projects! Got my order in from Wasatch Needle Craft the other day. A good bargain on charts at 25% off! No more charts for me for awhile. I don't like having too many things lined up to do. It will make me feel overwhelmed. One thing at a time is my motto.

New stash:

Prairie Schooler - Spring Has Come
Prairie Schooler - Winter Wind
Birds of a Feather - Bitter Flower Sampler
La-D-Da - Leaping Cat
Birds of a Feather - No Bees No Honey
Carriage House Samplings - Flirt of a Feather

A happy stitchy day to all you wonderful stitching blogging companions!

Here we go!

2009-02-26T15:35:00.004-05:00

I just got a call from the hospital that we need to be there at 8:30am, which means leaving the house no later that 6:45, which means getting up at 5:30 or so. Yuck! No matter that I was up at 4:45am today to go to work, getting up early never gets easier! You'd think it was me having the surgery. At least it means I might be able to get home before dark because they are calling for a big drop in temps and a little snow.

Odds and Ends, literally

2009-02-26T14:49:00.006-05:00

I think it's getting to be time to change out my blog...there is no snow left to be seen in our burg! Not that I think spring is here yet - there is bound to be more snow and cold - but the body and mind start to long for something different and fresh.

I'm feeling anxious about DH's surgery tomorrow. Can't imagine how he's feeling. I start thinking about living wills and malpractice and all kinds of unreasonable but not really unreasonable things. Neither of us have living wills or funeral plans...after all, we are only in our mid-50's. But it is never too early to think about these things. I'm sure they will ask about a living will tomorrow, so I think we will have a conversation tonight and maybe fill out some forms.

DH was lucky enough to get away for a few days to be at his mom's 90th birthday. It was a last minute thing, so DD and I couldn't go with him. I'm so glad he was able to be there at the old homestead in NH. He also got to ski for 3 days which made him extremely happy. I told him he could take a whole week next year and ski his heart out. The new hip should make it so much better for him to enjoy the sports that he loves.

Happy 90th Glennis Jones!

OK, enough family talk!

What I've been working on this week

LHN '04 JCS ornament

And what I purchased this week

My very 1st ever Silkweaver fabrics!

I need to finish up this ornament within the next couple of days for the 2009 Christmas Challenge and the fabrics were an impulse buy from their Odds & Ends page. I just received word from Wasatch Needlecraft that my Hoffman order is on its way. It was too hard to resist 25% off on the charts! It sure wasn't too hard to ditch my plan of buying for 1 project at a time!

Have a happy stitchy day!

A little happy dance for me!

2009-02-19T12:50:00.004-05:00

I thought this would be such a quick stitch for me, but I generally way underestimate how quickly this slow stitcher stitches. And there were those days that I was just too tired (or depressed) to sit down with needle in hand.

Cat's Meow - The Drawn Thread
Cream Belfast linen
DMC + pearl cotton for mouse tails & beads for their noses

Hopefully I won't get the blues in the next few weeks because they will be challenging weeks. DH has his hip resurfacing surgery a week from today and it will mean a long drive back and forth to the Cleveland Clinic and of course dealing with so many unknowns. He won't be able to drive for 6 weeks or take a shower or bath for 2. Yuck.... We're just going to deal with it as it comes I guess. I hope he won't be in too much pain or discomfort. I don't think I would make a good nurse but maybe I'll surprise myself. I have only had to deal with the regular childhood illnesses, colds and flu and such.

This is what his new hip will look like

I'm going to be a bad, bad girl and start a new stitch today and neglect the housework. It's just one of those days, besides, it's snowing again and what better excuse do I need? :)

I almost forgot!

2009-02-13T11:37:00.003-05:00

Oh yes...I did finish our 2008 taxes and my son's FAFSA. I just need to hit click and send them on! Yea!!! It was a monkey on my back and doing taxes always makes me feel really poor, so I am not always in a good mood doing them. I'm sure you can all relate!

Car wrecks, kitty cats and a cat's meow

2009-02-13T11:13:00.003-05:00

Not a heck of a lot of stitching goin' on here! I thought I would be done with Cat's Meow by now, but there were days that I didn't pick up the needle.

Been a bit preoccupied with household "stuff" this past week, one of them being the big wreck below. It's fixed now, but we still don't have the insurance check. DH had a lapse of concentration leaving work and had a little "fender bender" (his exact words to me). It's only a car, I told myself, but I was a little upset.

poor sad car...

I want to finish up Cat's Meow this weekend. This was a chart that I bought on impulse some years ago. It's something I probably wouldn't choose now, but it is cute and of course has cats, which is always good!

Speaking of cats, if you saw the photo of my cat Cheddar watching TV and you want to know what had caught her attention, it's this video.

If you're also wondering why my Maine Coon type cat has the name of Cheddar, it's because I let my son (he was about 14 at the time) choose the name. There is no rhyme or reason for it and the name stuck. We ADORE this kitty!

I'll be playing nursemaid in a couple of weeks since DH decided to go ahead with hip surgery. He originally thought he could put it off until next fall, but his hip has gotten so bad that he took the first surgery date they had. He is having a hip "resurfacing" instead of a hip replacement. This will enable him to hopefully be as active as he has always been. He's too young to give up the cycling, skiing, hockey and hiking. He needs to take up a nice sedentary hobby like needlework so he doesn't wear down those old bones!

I could be working on this...

2009-02-03T16:30:00.004-05:00

But I'm working on this.

Why does TaxCut feel it necessary to send out 3 copies of this program to us? What a waste. I decided to try their cheapie program online before I shell out $35 for this. We have never had our taxes done by someone else and at some point, I took over this job from my husband.

Have got to get this done so I can file the financial aid forms (FAFSA) for my son and so we can get our tax refund ASAP to help pay for his tuition.

So...less stitching will be done until I get this filed :(

While I'm working at the computer, Cheddar kitty is watching TV.

My first 2009 finishes

2009-01-27T13:11:00.003-05:00

I am always forgetting to update my blog with my stitching photos! I have been posting some on the Let's Stitch blog and then neglecting to add them to mine. Gotta get more organized!

I stitched up this little Shepherd's Bush sheep kit a couple of weeks ago. Not sure how I'll finish it. If anyone knows anything about me, you'll know I tend to "not finish" which is one of the main things I want to overcome this year. I like SB kits, but this one had me disappointed. Not enough of the brown thread (the swirls, the hive door, the bees) and it wasn't very dark anyway. I had to substitute a little. SB sheep have such character...

And, I finished my first ornament of the year for the 2009 Christmas Challenge. I have a couple of days to finish it up into something (help help). I know I don't want to make a pillow ornament, so I think I'll try a pin keep type thing. Wish me luck!

For some reason, I just adore this whimsical skater.

Yule Rejoice, Primrose Needleworks
2008 JCS ornament issue
32 ct. Belfast platinum linen
used GA lancaster red instead of the suggested mulberry and
white DMC for cream

Speaking of skaters, an Ohio skater won the US title the other day in Cleveland. Way to go Alissa Czisny!

I've been tagged!

2009-01-27T11:44:00.004-05:00

I was tagged by Golden Angel. I have never been tagged before! I have only been blogging (and reading blogs) since the summer, so this is kind of new to me. All of you stitchers are fabulous and I love your work! I am so inspired and motivated by your blogs.

I am to list 5 of my addictions and then pass this award on to 5 other bloggers.

My addictions, in no particular order:

strong coffee!
cross stitching
a good dark beer (in moderation, of course)
the internet (can't live without it!)
last, but not least, my son, daughter and husband and our 2 kitties

I am passing this award this on to these lovely women.

Me and Barack, a stupid mistake and a stitching update

2009-01-21T16:06:00.004-05:00

I was fortunate enough to have my photo taken with Barack Obama on Tuesday. Friends of ours hosted an inauguration party on Tuesday morning, complete with champagne toasts and lots of red, white and blue party stuff. It was a lot of fun sharing this occasion with like minded friends. It was painful listening to the swearing in though. Ouch! How could that happen?

Now...for my stupid mistake. Look what I did to my new R&R overdyed linen. See the nice white splotch? How did I do that? Don't ask, it's too embarrassing. Depending on the light, I sometimes can see the splotch from the other side. Don't know if I want to use this fabric for its intended purpose now. I have to give it some time so I don't feel so bad about what happened.

Because of this, I didn't start my new piece and decided to stitch another ornament. I did several ornaments in December and they aren't "finished" yet, so I decided to stitch my January ornie for the 2009 Christmas Challenge. Maybe I can finish stitching it today.

Chose this one in honor of U. S. Figure Skating Championships, being held this week in Cleveland.
Wish I could make it up there to see some fantastic skating! Watch for TV coverage this weekend on NBC.

The interview game

2009-01-19T16:18:00.002-05:00

This game may be harder than I first anticipated. It's not so hard answering questions, it's hard coming up with questions because it's easy to get all heavy and meaningful even if what you want to be is funny.

If you want to be interviewed, comment on this post and I'll get your questions off to you. Rules are below.

I asked Lee of Lake Stitcher to interview me so here are her questions and my answers:

1. When you were growing up, what one meal do you remember as being your favorite?

I remember Sunday dinner as the best meal. These were meals we had early in my childhood, before things got really nuts for my parents. They had 6 kids and I think in time, the Sunday dinner after church just disappeared.

Roast beef, green beans, potatoes and rolls and milk. I don't even remember a dessert! To this day, pot roast remains one of my favorites.

2. Today, what is your IDEAL meal?

Well, the ideal meal is one that I have not prepared of course! I love to go out to eat at a good restaurant, but that doesn't happen too often here in this little town. The meal has to include a good draft beer, maybe pasta or good Mexican food. Once in awhile a steak is great. No dessert please, even though I am sometimes tempted. An ideal meal can also be something simple like a breakfast souffle and coffee from Panera Bread.

3. When you were growing up, what ONE thing did your parents always remind you of, when it came to meal time?

"Think of all the starving children and finish your dinner!"

4. Is there anything you "specialize" in cooking, that people actually ask for?

Hard question...It seems like the few things that I specialize in cooking are not things that people ask for but are things that I want to eat. Vegetarian chili and ratatouille come to mind. I tell you, I am not an enthusiastic cook!

5. Are there any weird "food rules" you have? Feel free to list as many as you like.

Umm...let me see. I don't think these are particularly wierd, but this is what comes to mind.

Lunch meat has to be fresh. I only buy what we can eat in 5 days.

Meat cannot even be a little pink on the inside. I'm the one asking for well done steak at a restaurant.

No raw food for me please, unless it is veggies. And no mollusks!

The Rules:
1. If you want to participate, leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” (And your e-mail address if I don't already have it, please.)
2. I will respond by e-mailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Thoughts on reading...

2009-01-17T00:38:00.003-05:00

I have never been good at keeping lists of books that I have read. I mean to do this every year and it never works out for me. Reading has always been a very important part of my life, but for some reason, not so much in the past few years. Maybe I have gotten lazy, or maybe the computer or tv has taken its place, or maybe the library never has the new stuff...whatever it is, is. So many of the books I have read I have forgotten, remembering bits here and there about a novel maybe, but not remembering the plot, the author, the feeling of the book. This upsets me because books used to be my refuge and escape and I prided myself on reading so much. When I was little, my mother had to make me turn off the light at night to get me to stop reading and even then, I stayed up way too late and was always late in getting up in the morning.

I have become an impatient reader. If something doesn't tug me in and keep me there, I will give up on the book. And if it seems too pop or has too much gratuitous sex or violence or whatever is the popular theme for the day, I will skim through to the end and call it a day. I wonder what is wrong with me if I don't like the current best seller or if the current popular book club selection turns out to be something that doesn't thrill me. It doesn't really matter, it's just that once in awhile, a friend will say how much she liked a book and I will find it hard to respond, because that was a book that I put down.

Well, enough with the pondering. I just thought that I would create a book list in my sidebar that lists all the books that I remember well and that had some kind of effect on me. I'll keep adding to this list as I recall books or as I read new ones that I like. I don't think I'll include books that I don't like.

Happy reading everyone!

Yippee! Stash enhancement updates!

2009-01-14T17:22:00.006-05:00

I received my order from Needle In A Haystack today. I was so looking forward to this! It doesn't look like much for all I spent. It adds up very quickly doesn't it? Good thing I pay the bills in this household.

I got 2 pieces of Belfast, Laguna with gold and white metallic threads for ornaments, and a piece of lambswool. Stitching with this Wichelt will be the test as to whether I can stand it or not. So stiff! I do like my fabrics to have a little more body.

Also got a variety of Crescent Colors (which I have never used), WDW and GAST, a couple of Kreinik threads, some beads and Wisper.

I didn't work today, so I holed up at home, enjoying the snowy weather from inside. I managed to get some post Christmas cleaning done, but I am so ADD when it comes to cleaning! I can find a million reasons to take a break. That is why the vacuum cleaner is still sitting in the middle of the room and one bathroom is half cleaned.

When I clean, I tend to get distracted, and start to organize instead of just straightening. I also get bummed out because I know that a room really doesn't just need a cleaning...it needs to be painted and generally "fixed up." I'll leave now with a photo I just took from an upstairs window, looking out over our back yard and into the neighborhood.

Some thoughts on stitching and blogging...

2009-01-09T14:37:00.003-05:00

Vonna brought up a lot of questions on her blog today that I want to comment on here. I don't mind if people count their finishes or what they count as finishes if that is what works for them. I'll probably end of counting my finishes at the end of 2009 as well! I haven't stitched for years and I really regret not keeping better track of my projects, since a lot of them aren't in my possession anymore. I want to keep a stitching journal with photographs, mainly so my kids (daughter probably) can have it when I'm gone.

I am in awe of some of the stitching blogs and amazed at the amount of stitching some people do. Ornaments and other smalls may not take long to stitch, but there is also the time involved in finishing them. It takes me forever to do this and that is why I have so many little projects stuck away in a drawer.

I just want to be proud of what I stitch and happy that I finish something. Prolific stitchers are inspiring to me and I don't think there should be any negativity towards people that are able to do so much. It's not a race...there is no finish line. That funny little feeling we stitchers get when we see a chart we want to stitch is something we all share and and we all know that is why we all collect so much stash!

Happy stitching,

Barb

Goals?

2009-01-08T10:43:00.002-05:00

I really didn't want to set stitching goals for myself but I have had to make some kind of plan since I needed to order supplies. I started a list of Christmas ornaments to stitch and have ordered some of the threads I need for those. Most of them will be with DMC, which is no problem since I already have almost every color they make! I'll be using bits and pieces of fabrics that I have for most of them.

Other than ornaments, I'll be working on charts that I have had for quite some time as well as The Prairie Schooler charts I just bought. And, I must not forget the Me, Myself and I RR that I joined. I am going to be so far behind if I don't get my butt in gear and figure out what I want to do! I had been thinking that I would design my own (of my town), but the more I think about it, the more I think I'll never get that done.

As much as I love smalls, I know that I fear the finishing. One of my goals with doing the ornaments is to learn how to finish well, and hopefully I'll be trying out different ways of finishing. I am a sewer from way back, so I don't know what the problem is, maybe it's just a fear of failure (???). I guess I could always send them off for finishing if all else fails.

Does anyone have experience ordering from Wyndham Needleworks?

Happy stitching,

Barb

Some new stash from DSL

2009-01-02T16:12:00.004-05:00

It's been a long time since I bought cross stitch supplies, so it was both thrilling and scary at the same time. I know that sounds silly, but too much stash to me means too many unstarted and unfinished projects, which can feel overwhelming to me. I am going to moderate my purchases and just keep working away and trying to keep it all enjoyable and relaxing.

Here's what I got from Down Sunshine Lane. My package came so quickly I couldn't believe it. And it was all on sale!

2 Prairie Schooler charts and 1 by Cricket Collection

My first Blackbird Designs piece, to be stitched on RR Reproductions linen (sheep's straw)

Little SB kit, Busy Sheep

Not sure what I'll do with the CC piece, but I really do like the acorn motifs.

I have another order to place, probably from Needle In a Haystack, since they are having a good sale. And I have a gift certificate for Christmas from 1-2-.3 Stitch that I'll be sure to use up quickly.

Things are getting back to normal at work and slowing down, so I'll have more time (and energy!) to stitch. Looking forward to Friday night SAT tonight.

The start of the new year...

2008-12-31T21:58:00.004-05:00

I updated my blog tonight with a wintry theme using photos from our digital photo albums. DD is in the middle, snow people that she and her friends built last winter on the left, and on the right is a scene out one of our windows looking over the frozen herb garden. The little picture in the sidebar was taken by my husband last year while skiing in New Hampshire, where he was born and raised.

Stitching update to follow tomorrow. I have been blessed with new stash and I am so excited! The New Year for me starts out at 5am tomorrow morning. Must work an 8 hour day! Wish I could stay home and stitch, but that will have to wait until Friday :(

Happy New Year everyone!

My finishing problems...

2008-12-28T16:44:00.003-05:00

It never fails. I am all enthusiastic about making Christmas gifts and I never give myself enough time. On top of that, my finishing abilities stink! My stitching is fine, it's the final presentation that stumps me. That is why I have so many projects just sitting in a drawer, offering no proof whatsoever that I actually do stitch.

I finished this little ornament for a friend at work the night before I needed to give it to her. Notice the lumpy filling, the crooked side seams and the bumpy bottom where I sewed the opening? I sure do! Never the less, she loved it and said it was the perfect gift. Maybe I can make her another cancer piece for her that looks a little more presentable.

Kylie's Heart (freebie found here)
DMC on 22 ct Congress cloth

So...I think I will get out some old linen pieces and practice a few techniques before I have to use them on stitched pieces. I have been harvesting finishing ideas from all of your blogs but I am missing a lot of the details. Practice makes perfect, right? Wish me luck!

I have signed up for the 2009 Christmas Challenge, so I will be motivated to stitch, finish and perfect. Watch for my progress details.

I leave you with a picture of our cat Cheddar under the tree.

More favorite ornaments...

2008-12-22T09:53:00.008-05:00

It is a truly wintry day here in Ohio. Cold, blustery, gray...

My husband just emailed me that he is ringing bells for the Salvation Army today at Big Lots and again on Wednesday at Walmart. I told him I would probably selfishly not stay with him but I'll try to bring him some hot drinks. He tries to do this every year and I have done it quite a few times also. Just not my year to do this but I'll put a small bundle of bills in the bucket.

This is my one day off before Christmas and then I need to be there at 6am the day after. We had pot luck on Saturday and I was amazed at the quantity of food. I decided against bringing my vegetarian chili and brought a pecan pie instead which was hardly touched. There were so many sweets!

Wishing for gift certificates for cross stitch stash...

Peace and Joy,

Barb

Some favorite ornaments...

2008-12-20T18:59:00.007-05:00

In the last frantic few days before Christmas I start to lose perspective and all reason goes out the window. I have spent too much (there may be returns to make!) and I get that nervous feeling that I have forgotten something. I didn't get my mom's gift sent out to her and I feel badly about it. I decided to give her a digital photo frame, but began to have second thoughts about it while choosing the photos to upload to it. Is this something she would appreciate or would it be much better to make albums, something I think I will never get around to. I am hoping my siblings will add to the photo frame, but don't know if they will do it.

So I am holding off for a few days, and she'll have a nice late present if I do decide to give it to her. Money seems so impersonal, but I know she really can use it. I am 450 miles away, so there is little that I can do on a day to day basis except to talk on the phone at length, about current events, books that we have read and about life in general. It was difficult growing up our home. Lots of negative stuff with my father mostly. Things are better now, but I pretty much keep my distance from everyone. I don't have strong family connections like so many others do. No big family dinners or parties or reunions. It's just the 4 of us, and now our oldest is away at college and he has decided not to come home over break. That's OK...he is becoming more independent and has found a niche for himself that revolves around school, his friends and mountain biking.

My goal for the next week is to be a better person. No nagging or nit picking allowed!!! Sometimes I don't know how my family stands me :).

Peace and joy to everyone,

Barb.

Some stitching updates and other ramblings

2008-12-16T09:25:00.004-05:00

I really haven't gotten the hang of blogging yet. It always takes me so long to post my photos! I have been using Adobe Photoshop Elements and it drains my computer of memory. I haven't learned the ins and outs of this program yet, so it is hard to play around with it when the program keeps freezing up on me. Time to install more memory? I think so...

Anybody out there use Photoshop Elements? Any suggestions?

I managed to stitch a few ornaments, all of which I showed off on Let's Stitch. May not seem like much, but it is a big deal for me to get these little projects done (well, almost done...need to sew them up). Since I haven't cross stitched for quite a few years, it feels great to have done this! Looking forward to larger projects after the holidays, including Me, Myself and I RR.

I started a new ornament this morning that I hope to finish up today, in between some more online shopping and household chores. I am so far behind this year!

My retail job has been draining this year. Many hours, mostly starting at 6 or 7am, dealing with customers or dealing with errors made by cashiers or managers. One of my managers, who I am quite fond of, broke down and cried yesterday. I think it was a good release for her ( I was the only one who was with her). We are short handed because they didn't hire as much seasonal help this year, so everyone is really pushed to the max. The day after Christmas I have to be there at 6am to start taking back the masses of merchandise that customers return. It is quite wild...we have piles of clothing to process and put back on the floor. Crazy!

Happy Holidays fellow stitchers!

Retail madness and another birthday

2008-12-04T21:10:00.002-05:00

I updated my blog today to give it more of a Christmas feel. I had planned on stitching some tonight but I'm dragging right now, having had a late dinner and needing to get to bed at a reasonable hour. I could have been stitching instead of playing with the blog layout (!). I kind of forgot how to change things around on the blog and wasted time relearning. I will try to put in a few stitches on a Christmas ornament freebie I just started before nodding off.

I have been living retail "you know what" this past week. We opened at 4 am on Black Friday and the next day I had to be there at 5 am to balance the books from that very busy day. Then it's been early days for me since then with only 1 day off. I was going to go to an out of town LNS on my day off, but DH and DD had the cars, so I spent the day puttering around the house, which included some reorganization of my small stash.

I really need some stash therapy! I feel I deserve some now that I am actually finishing the stitching. Since I have been out of touch with the stitching world for some years now, I need to be able to see and touch the linens and fibers.

My husband and I are now the same age...for a few months anyway. I turned 56 (yikes!) last week! I don't feel old at all (except when I look in the mirror or do some deep knee bends). I use to torture myself when my birthday would come around because I would see that another year had gone by and I was still the same old person. I would look at all I had not accomplished instead of what I had accomplished and how blessed my life was. I am much more comfortable with myself now and at peace with doing the things I want to do or not do.

Six random things

2008-11-21T09:29:00.002-05:00

I have noticed that people are getting tagged in the six random things about me tag game so I decided to play it by myself. I'm not quite a part of the stitcher's blogging community yet because I don't post often and I don't participate in exchanges (as of yet anyway). Basically I am afraid to try the exchanges because I think I will fail. I also need to learn how to finish small projects before I try my hand at exchanges.

So...here are 6 random things about me.

1. I once jumped into a hole in the ice (with just my panties on) in March in Maine and I have the pictures to prove it.

2. I have lived in 8 different states as well as numerous different cities. The longest I have ever lived anywhere is where I am now (since 1982).

3. I try to live a simple life and I don't buy much stuff. It has never made me happy to acquire a lot of things, so I just don't do it.

4. I love to read the New York Times and my mother and I often discuss what we read.

5. I worked at a sod farm for 2 years, mowing 100 acre fields of grass.

6. I went to school for "like forever" and due to my inability to never know exactly what it is I really want to do, I ended up, in my 50's, working for a major retailer that expects great things.

Ok, I am off to take some photos for the Let's Stitch blog to prove that I really do like cross stitch!

I'm still here!

2008-11-12T13:53:00.006-05:00

I have been stitching away but don't have any good photos yet. I should be done with 2 or 3 small pieces this week which I will post on later. I need to increase my stitching speed. I never have used my stitching frame for small projects, but it might be a good time to do so. And I want to get some Q-Snaps. I also need to set aside some time to finish and frame. I think once I get into the habit of actually sewing up ornaments and other small things, it won't be so hard for me to get going. Just need practice.

I can't believe the election was just a week ago. Seems like forever. I don't want to turn people off because of my political views, but I am absolutely thrilled with the results of the election. McCain is a good man, but I am a life long Democrat and I was totally taken with Obama (after my initial letdown that Hillary wouldn't be running).

I worked at my precinct polling place on Nov. 4. It was only busy very early in the morning when we had a line waiting at the door at 6:30 a.m. Many people voted early and it probably wasn't even necessary to do that. Wouldn't you know that the very first person in line was not on our poll list, even though she should have been! She was able to vote provisional though, only 1 of 4 people that had to do so in our precinct.

We had an observer there all day long. I felt sorry for her because she didn't get paid like poll workers do and she hadn't brought much food with her. We were not to accommodate observers, except to give them a chair and answer questions as needed. At times I felt like she was stepping out of bounds and it was awkward because I have known this person for many years.

Over the weekend I went out of town with my husband to a mountain bike race called the "Iceman Cometh." There were 3000 bikers, including my DH, who did very well. He was disappointed he didn't make the podium, but he didn't need to be. He is in great shape for a 56 year old. We were in the Traverse City area of Michigan and it was lovely.

Overlooking Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes

DH in spandex (and ancient eyeglasses) and me at the Iceman

Some finishes!!!

2008-10-24T09:53:00.005-04:00

Yea! A day off from work (I hardly ever get 2 days off in a row...that's retail for you). There's a lot of pressure in the retail world these days to out do the other guy. I don't mind the work and I love assisting customers, but I have an issue with a manager who can't keep his mouth shut and insults me whenever he gets a chance. Another employee said he knows just where to stick the knife in to make it really hurt. So true. If this continues, I will go to personnel to file a complaint because his insults are undeserving and unacceptable.

Enough of my venting. Stitching again has brought much joy back into my life. The sense of accomplishment with a finished project, the beauty of the fabric and thread and the companionship of all the online stitchers has really been helpful in these down times.

I finished up 2 little projects this week. My intention with this sampler was to give it to someone as a wedding gift. Unfortunately they are now divorced, but I still feel guilty that I didn't get it done and gifted.

Simplicity Goodness Truth - Heart's Content

over one with GAST

I started this sampler by Shepherd's Bush when my daughter was taking skating lessons and competing. She doesn't do this anymore (private lessons were costing me about $60-$90 a week!) but works at an after school program that is held at our local rink. She teaches basic skating skills so there's not much spinning or jumping involved. I'm not sure how I'll finish this but I'll be sure to post a pic once I do.

Skating Sampler - Shepherd's Bush

WDW overdyes and GAST

I have so much to learn about finishing techniques. I just have to jump right in and try some things. I do have a few Christmas ornaments that need finishing, so I will practice with them. Love the flat folds and pinkeeps I keep seeing. I think I am just a little scared, even though I can sew. Just not a crafter at heart.

Must get on with the day. Have to go to the Board of Elections to practice my poll worker skills, go to the library and framer, go to the gym and get ready for the stitch-a-thon tonight, the best part of the day.

Finally, a new post

2008-10-12T19:39:00.004-04:00

It was kind of a stressful week for me, at least mentally. I really am taking this turn in our country hard, especially since our 401K's and our kid's college funds really took a hit. My husband says no matter what decision you make, it could be the wrong one. I'll be glad when the election is over. Tired of the TV ads and all the negativity. I also am physically tired when I have to be at work at 6 am and never feel right for the rest of the day. Thank goodness I don't work early again until next Saturday. Retail stinks.

But...I have been continuing to stitch, albeit at a slow pace, but motivated at least. I LOVE the Let's Stitch blog. It's been a big help to me. Thank you Becky!

I finished Shepherd's Bush "Bees Buzz Hive" but am waiting for the buttons to arrive. I am attracted to anything related to bees. Have some bee skeps in the garden and a little collection of decorative hives in the house.

I actually think I can get 3 other projects done this week. That is my goal. DH will be out of town visiting his mom in NH, so maybe I won't cook very much (not that I do anyway!).

Here's a photo of DD and her boyfriend before going to his homecoming dance. He attends a different high school so this was her 2nd dance.

Excuse my mess...

2008-10-02T17:38:00.000-04:00

I am trying to learn how to change the template on my blog and stumbling along. I waste too much time since I do everything by trial and error. Hope to have a new look soon.

Progress

2008-09-30T10:04:00.000-04:00

I haven't made any progress posting to my blog, but I have been making progress with stitching. I've been working more hours and feeling the pain as far as being tired, so I haven't been able to stitch every day. Also, a little preoccupied with financial concerns, given the state of our economy right now. Saps my mental energy.

Just a little to go on Heart's Content "Simplicity, Goodness & Truth." I am embarrassed to say that this was started as a wedding gift for someone some time ago. Since they are now divorced, I guess I am glad it never went to them since I will love to have this sitting on my mantle.

I joined Becky's Let's Stitch blog and it is perfect for me! Many thanks to Becky for coming up with this brilliant idea. I have always felt a little ashamed that I have trouble finishing projects and now I know that I am not the only one out there. It will feel so great to finally show some proof of my work.

I also joined the Me, Myself and I round robin. I had planned on doing our town, but now I am thinking this may be a little too ambitious, since I will have to come up with many of the designs on my own. Once I get a few projects done, I will put more energy into this.

I wish we had a local LNS! There is nothing like lingering in a good needlework shop. Of course, the downside is the urge to buy, buy, buy!

Some comments on blogging and stitching...or stitching and blogging

2008-09-11T09:04:00.000-04:00

My, I didn't realize what a world it was out there! Where have I been all these years? I have always been a computer geek, but somehow missed out on the blogging craze. This has opened up a new world for me, since I only know one person in my town that stitches.

So, my question is, how does everyone find a balance between all the blogging and all the stitching? I could be getting much more stitching done if I wasn't perusing all these wonderful blogs. I am so eager to be able to post some pics of my finished projects.

My distractions over the past years have been typical. Very involved in daughter's ice skating, getting my son ready for college, repairing this old house we live in, supporting my husband in his work and hobbies, and working. I did do some knitting along the way. Also tried rug hooking.

Thanks to all of you for providing me with great inspiration and companionship.

Back to the routine

2008-09-05T12:11:00.000-04:00

We're back to Ohio from our quick trip out to Colorado to take our son to school. 4 days of driving is just too much for me!!! Of course, DH did most of the driving. He's way better than I could ever be going over all those darned mountains.

I tried stitching in the car. It's just not for me. And there wasn't any time in between sight seeing and eating out to do any. Saw some awesome stuff out there. Completely awe inspiring. I'll be posting some pics on my personal blog as soon as I get it together.

I wish there was a needlework shop in Durango. There is a yarn shop, but didn't go in for fear of making a purchase. I need to go shopping for new stash!

A short history

2008-08-17T16:37:00.000-04:00

What got me into this blogging thing was first of all because of my son's blogging, and 2nd, because of all of the awesome blogs out there on stitching, whether it be cross stitch, knitting, rug hooking or any other kind of hand stitching. I was amazed by what's out there on the internet. Always been an internet junkie, but never really searched out the blogs.

It looks like everyone absolutely stitches up a storm while I plod along. I did start a new little project which is almost done. I think I am a slow stitcher, but I don't really know. I got all my tools of the trade organized once again, took inventory of the charts I want to work on, as well as my stash of fabrics and threads. I have tons of DMC floss but not a lot of overdyed fibers. We don't have a LNS in our town and the nearest ones are about 40-45 minutes away, so there isn't much temptation to buy a lot of stuff I don't need.

Shepherd's Bush, a Monthly Musing

Where I did get a lot of my stash was at a Spirit of Cross Stitch Festival that I attended in 1998 in Hershey, PA. I drove out there alone from Ohio in our un-airconditioned 1970 VW Golf. Some of the things I purchased have been stitched. Others, I wonder, what I was thinking?

I also bought many charts at the Charlotte Needlework Market about 5 years ago. At that point, I wasn't working a career job (left that to stay at home with kids) and was feeling unsatisfied with my job. I was looking into opening a shop in our town, and the owners of Needlework Markets were kind enough to let me attend the trade show. Ultimately I decided that the venture was just too risky. Rents are very high and the market probably just not big enough. I had fun checking it out though, and learned a lot about retail and how to start a business.

So, now I feel that it's time to get back to my roots. As a teenager I sewed constantly and then got into knitting sweaters. Cables, fair isle, pullovers, cardigans, vests, etc. I worked at a needlework shop in my home town in my early 20's, worked at 2 fabric stores later. I am drawn mainly to counted thread work. I like the concentration it takes and the process of putting something on fabric where nothing existed before. And it is all so beautiful....

Some more UFO's

2008-08-02T12:19:00.000-04:00

Ran out of thread
So close!