southern stitcher

Ranting (Sorry)

2009-09-04T05:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a week. Things have been pretty slow around here. I've had a bad migraine the last few days. I don't have them as often as I did when I was teaching, but when I do have one, it lasts for days and is extremely bad! I can't take any of the migraine meds because of my high blood pressure. So I take Excedrin Migraine and darvacette (not sure 0f spelling). And go to bed with a cold washcloth on my head! They "steal" days of your life!! I'm also having trouble with my car. When my son was alive, he and DD totaled 5 cars. The one I have now is 15 years old. It's really a pretty good car. But now it won't always change out of "park". It might when I go out and first start it, but then when I go somewhere and get back in to leave, it just will not move out of park. I'm scared to drive anywhere unless I'm just going to a drive-through for something! My brother was once a mechanic and he usually fixes things up for me, but he's been real sick and busy with my mom so he hasn't had time yet. I love being retired, but I miss having money to get things fixed!

Also because of my car, I have almost finished 2 charity pieces, but I've run out of some of the threads. I'm afraid to drive to the LNS to get the threads. I might end up having to stay at the store and I'd wind up buying everything she has!! lol I also have 10 squares I need to mail, but again I'm afraid I won't be able to get back home. DD works until 6:00 so everything is closed by the time she gets home. And she's very picky with her car (wish she had been that way when she was driving my cars! lol) and won't let me borrow her car. Since tomorrow is Sat., she and I are going shopping and I'll finally be able to get what I need!

Not being able to drive my car also means I can't visit my mom. She is almost settled in her new apartment that she hates! And I can't visit her. She still drives, but for some unknown reason she can't seem to drive to my house! When I call her, she puts me through guilt trips. She has always been able to do this to me. I know I say, "I'm sorry" more that any other person in the world! And now my brother, who has only lived in our town for the last 2 years and lived the previous 30 years in Fla. or Tenn. , has started putting me through guilt trips, too. He has been doing everything for Mom since he moved here and really, as far as I'm concerned - it's about time he helped! I have always been the one to take care of Mom and Dad. They were in and out of the hospital for years - mostly my dad. I was the one who stayed with them constantly and took care of them and visited them every few days!

I have had depression since I was a teenager. My 18-year-old son died in a car accident 4 years ago. My dad died 10 months after my son. To say I'm depressed is putting it mildly. There are days when I have to make myself get out of bed! I'm on 2 antidepressants (high dosages) and have anxiety pills for anxiety attacks. My mother thinks I should be "over" my son's death. She loves to argue with me about which is worse - losing your son or losing your husband. I try not to get into this with her, but she won't stop! I've told her that it's not a competition - one is as bad as the other - they're just different kinds of bad. When I want to talk to her about my son and how much I miss him, she says, "Well, what about me! I lost my husband!" So I don't talk about my son with her. She also starts every conversation with "I don't think I'm going to live much longer." She says this to her child who has severe depression! She is in great health for someone 80 years old who has had open heart surgery! My brother and I say she will probably outlive us! I have told her that I wish she wouldn't say things like that, and then she swears she never says things about her dying!!! I try to be optimist and enjoy each day. I've told her that I have learned the hard way that you don't know how many days you have left on this earth! You should live each day like it might be your last! She keeps telling me I shouldn't cross stitch so much. Don't ask me why! Cross stitch is the only thing that keeps me sane!! So that's my life right now: Staying at home, cross stitching, being depressed, having to be put through guilt trips by my mom and brother (and, oh, by the way, there is my sister in all of this who for some reason doesn't call or visit Mom and it doesn't seem to bother her!) I wish I could be like her! Of course, Mom makes excuses for her "bless her heart - she's sick a lot; she's not as smart as you; etc.!!!!!" Boy! I'm really on a rant today, aren't I! I'm sorry, but sometimes you have to rant to someone and I don't have many people I can rant to. I'm going to go cross stitch and watch TV. Oh, by the way, DD has been too busy to take pics of my cross stitch: hence - no pictures! Maybe she'll find time over the weekend! Have a day full of happy moments; and may God bless you!

Misfortunes and Charity Stitching

2009-08-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

During the last year, my family has really been through a lot with my mom. After she moved from the mobile home to an apartment, she had a very bad car accident - her fault. She was not hurt too bad and my sister had some nerve damage to her face, but luckily, it doesn't show. Then a few months later my mom fell going down the walk at her apartment and broke several bones in her wrist. She had to go to the hospital and have surgery on her hand and wrist. She is still working on getting all the use back in her hand and it's her right hand! Then a few months ago she found a knot in one of her breasts. When she went to the oncologist, he actually found 2 knots. He did a biopsy. I was scared to death! But she was very fortunate, there was no cancer. THEN, on July 5th, her apartment building caught on fire and half of the apartment building burned down. Again, luckily, Mom's apartment wasn't burned, but she did have severe smoke and water damage. Everyone got out of the apartments safely. They determined that a man fell asleep smoking in bed! Twelve apartments were destroyed!! It was terrible!

A cleaning company picked up ALL of Mom's belongings and cleaned it all! They got rid of all of the smoke and water damage! They also stored all her possessions until we could get her into another place and delivered it to her new apartment. They were truly great!

The first night, she stayed with me, but I have 3 inside dogs (she hates dogs!) and am not the clean freak that she is! We almost drove each other crazy! The second day, she went to my sister's and stayed 1 night. My sister also has 3 inside dogs and her father-in-law had died 2 weeks before and she had a lot of his stuff at her house. Therefore, her house was a big mess!
My brother didn't even offer to let her stay with him; he took her to a very nice motel. Luckily, the apartment complex will not rent to anyone that does not get renters' insurance, so Mom had insurance that paid for everything! Then we went through weeks of trying to find a new apartment for Mom. She went back and forth between getting another trailer and going to a new apartment!! We (her kids) almost went crazy!! Finally, another apartment came available in the complex she was in originally, so we moved her in it last week! She was in the suite at the motel for 5 weeks! Of course, she's still not happy with this apartment. She's never been happy any place she and my dad lived! But, being the oldest, I have told her she is there to stay (barring another act of God!), and she needs to learn to be content!! SO - that's a big part of the reason I've had trouble blogging! I have been so stressed out! We all need to HIBERATE for a long time! But I have been able to cross stitch as much as I could! It's the only thing that has kept me sane!!

So, I'm really into charity stitching lately. I had gotten burned out on charity stitching last year and had to stop for a while. I have finished a lot of squares since I started up again and will show a few at a time. The 2 ornaments above (not FINSHED finished yet) are for a lady in one of the stitching groups I am in. She is collecting ornaments and she's going to put up and decorate a Christmas tree for the soldiers at Fort Bragg this Christmas. I was really excited about this. I have also finished a 3rd ornie for this but haven't had DD to take it's picture yet. I enjoyed doing these and plan to do several more
The square above is for Love Quilts. It is a theme quilt for any child. I'm sure you've figured out the theme is teapots, teacups, or tea parties. I really enjoyed stitching this. It came from 1000 Great Cross Stitch Designs. DD's picture makes it look smaller at the top than the bottom, but it's really square!

The square above is for Kole M. at Love Quilts. It also came from the 1000 Designs book. I combined 2 patterns to make a picture of 3 balloons. I am very happy with the results.

The square above is the first I stitched after getting the charity stitching bug again. This is for Emily F.'s quilt at Love Quilts. I'm also stitching a sleeping kitten for this quilt. I ran out of the gold thread I'm using on it and haven't gotten to the LNS to get some more yet! I'll show a pic later. But it's really adorable.

Well, I'd better get to work on the square I'm working on right now. It's another teapot. I'll show a progress photo later. It's hard to pin DD down long enough to get her to take the digital pictures for me. (Of course, she won't trust me with her camera!) I'm so glad some of my dear friends on the NET have not given up on me and read my blog yesterday! Thanks, Felicity, and Chiloe! Got to go! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

I'm Back Again!

2009-08-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

It's really been a long time since I've posted! I couldn't get my scanner to work and DD finally found her digital camera so she could take pictures of my xstitching and download it for me. I don't like to post without pictures! My life isn't that exciting anymore! lol

The picture above is one of my finishes. I started this a couple of years ago and finally finished it about a month ago. It came from an old mag, but I photocopied it (just for my use - did not violate any copyright laws!) and I don't remember which mag it was. I really enjoyed this. It's a tribute to my dad, and I can't wait to get it framed! I meant to edit the picture before I posted but forgot, and then couldn't figure out how to delete it from this post. I'm on DD's laptop and not real good at using it!

I have many more pictures to post, but it's very late around here. Really it's very early in the morning, and I will probably add some more later! Have a day full of happy moments!

Not Forgotten, After All

2009-01-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

I am so glad to know I haven't been forgotten. Thanks, Carol and Chiloe, for your comments! They were so wonderful to receive!

I haven't substituted any this school year. I've been sick a good bit; they have a new calling system, and I haven't gotten many calls to the good schools; and I just decided I don't want to sub! If I'm careful, I can make it on my retirement pay, and I have more time to stitch! lol
The only problems are the furry babies; they are spoiled rotten! Especially Bebe! She sits in my lap constantly, which has really slowed down my stitching! She is curled up in my lap right now; so, I'm typing EXTREMELY slowly!!

I am very close to finishing the piece for my sister. I have run out of one of the colors. I went ahead and finished everything but that color. I just haven't felt like going to the store for it.

One of my resolutions this year is to finish as many UFOs as possible. But I have so many, and I do so enjoy starting new pieces! Have any of you started something, put it aside for a while, and then didn't like it when you went back to it? I have a couple of things that I really don't like anymore, but I've put so much work into them! That's why I'm going to make myself finish them. Until a couple of years ago, I only worked one piece at a time. I enjoy working on several pieces at the same time, but I've gotten carried away and have too many! Anyway, that's why I'm going to finish my UFOs. Maybe the ones I'm not that fond of anymore will make good gifts next Christmas! I'm also not going to let myself get so many UFOs again.

Speaking of Christmas, we had a very quiet but happy Christmas this year. (Well, last year now! lol) I worked so hard on the cross stitching, I didn't even get the house decorated. We didn't even have a tree. It's the first year that has ever happened! But my family still got together; and DD, her dad, and I still had a fun Christmas Day. DD wanted money this year. Her dad and I gave her money, and I picked up a few other gifts for her. But I'm not going to do that again. It wasn't as much fun, and it looked like her dad and I didn't give her very much.

Well, Bebe is driving me crazy! I'd better go and rock her. I just can't understand how she got so spoiled. lol Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

A Long Vacation

2008-12-31T20:01:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in ages!! I've had a rough year - especially the last half! I've been sick a good bit - getting old, I guess. Last month my mom fell and broke a bone right above her right wrist and crushed some bones in her hand. She ended up having to have surgery and spent 2 nights in the hospital. This all happened when I was too sick to go see her or help at all. Also, I was having trouble with my car.

Back during the hottest part of the summer, DD and I were driving over to a friend's house and on the way, the car choked down and would not start back up. We had to sit in a hot car for quite a while. We guessed it had overheated. We finally got it started again and made it to a little store down the street before it conked out again. No one could come and get us right away; so, we ended up spending almost 2 hours in the store. A neighbor finally came and picked us up. DD took me back to the car the next day, and it started. I was able to make it home with DD following me. I really couldn't afford to have it fixed right then, and I got sick - so - I just didn't drive and stayed around the house. Luckily, my brother used to be a car mechanic. So, after Mom got out of the hospital, he came over and worked on it 2 days. It turned out to be the thermastat, a hole in a hose, and some expensive control thingy for the radiator. I had to force him to take some money for his labor. I had to pay a good bit for the parts, but he really saved me a lot of money. At a mechanic shop, the labor would have cost me a small fortune. He ended up having to take almost all the motor apart! Then I was on my way to visit mom and had a flat tire on the interstate. At first, I didn't realize it was a tire; I thought the motor had blown or something. Luckily, I was near an exit and was able to stop at a little market and call my brother. He came right over and put the spare on. The next day he took my car and picked up a new tire for me and put it on. I am so glad my brother moved so close to me! Needless to say, I'm driving my car as little as possible!

This is not all the problems I have had, but I'll save the rest and tell about more in my next post.

Now for some less depressing news. We have a new little grandnephew in the family. My nephew and his wife had Elijah, their second son, in July. He was small - only 6 lbs., which is the smallest baby born in our family in a long time! He is precious.

DD is still in college. She's doing much better on her grades. She is working in a daycare with afterschool kids. She loves it and is now thinking about being a teacher! She's really a natural, and she gets it honestly. Two of my mom's sisters were teachers; my mom substituted some; four cousins are teachers; one cousin is a teacher's aide; and I am a retired teacher! She really didn't have a choice. lol

Now - finally- a cross stitch update! I really wish I could post some pictures, but we still haven't gotten a new monitor. DD got a thingy that wirelessly connects her laptop to the printer, but it's not working right now. I got the pieces for the baskets for my mom and niece finished, but ran out of time and didn't get my sister's finished in time. I put the first 2 on the tops of the baskets, and just taped the unfinished piece to my sister's so she could at least open it at the family Christmas party. Hers is an angel. It is really gorgeous. I brought it back home and have almost finished it. I ran out of a color and haven't gotten to the store to get another skein. She had a fit over it and really didn't want to give it back to me! lol I'll get DD to fix the wireless thingy so I can scan it and post a pic later.

Guess I'd better go. Neighbors are shooting fireworks, and the furry babies are going crazy! They want to sit in my lap! HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Too Hot and Dry!

2008-06-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

It's another HOT, humid, dry day here in the south! We desperately need some rain! But it does give me an excuse to stay inside and stitch! But, seriously, pray that we get some rain soon!! We had a very dry summer last year, also, and we are losing trees and other plants! I've been staying at home and "hibernating."

I finally had to tell my mom that I needed to stay at home and try to heal emotionally. I really feel better! However, we had another stressful event. Right after my son passed away, my mom was in the hospital with a ruptured artery near her stomach. Luckily, she had gone to the hospital for a stress test and while there realized she was bleeding. They were able to quickly do surgery and repair the artery. But while she was in the hospital, she also had pneumonia. She was so sick! Well, her doctor keeps a close watch on her lungs because she already has ashma. A couple of weeks ago she had a CAT scan of her lungs. Her doctor told her they had found some nodules and that she needed to go to her lung dr. for further tests. It scared us to death; of course, cancer was what we thought. I thought I was taking it real well and wasn't too worried. My sister went with her to the dr. I called her at noon and she had just gotten home, It was not cancer. They told her the nodules were very tiny and at her age it wasn't really reason to worry. When she told me, I went to pieces!! I am so thankful!! But it set me back some.

However, I have been stitching a good bit, when I haven't been asleep. I have never slept so much! But I think it's what my body needs to recover from all the stress I have endured! I have done several small pieces. I did a patriotic piece - a freebie -with Uncle
Sam on it. He is so cute! I also finished the charity piece - the little boy angel sitting on the moon. It was a quick stitch and I enjoyed doing it. I got it in the mail yesterday. I started the ornies for my teacher-friends, but I won't describe them because some of those friends read my blog! I'm working on another patriotic mini - it's by Lizzie Kate. It says, "Liberty" and has some stripes and stars on it. It's very small. I saw a button at the LNS that I want to put on it. It's a heart with the flag on it. I'm going to get it tonight. It's Stitching Club night. I haven't been to it since Mar., but I'm planning to make it tonight!

I did make it to the LNS earlier this week! It was the first time I left the house in 3 weeks and, of course, my first trip out of the house would be to the LNS! lol I had ordered some material and thread and it had finally come in. Of course, I bought other stuff, too. DD went with me. She stitches every once in a while. My fabby is 28 count Summer Sky Jobelin. It's for a piece I want to do. It's in the April 2008 issue of Stoney Creek Cross Stitch Collection. It says, "Prayer changes things." I also got the GlissenGloss thread it calls for. It's Twilight and it's really beautiful. I've never stitched with a silk thread before. I'm really looking forward to starting it, but I have many things to finish first. I did get it kitted, though.

Back to my new stash! We got the pattern "Footprints in the Sand." I've wanted to do this pattern for a long time. But it will be a long time before I get to that! We lucked up and found several patterns we liked that were on sale! Katie picked out one by Forever In My Heart. It's "Here's to Women." It says "Here's to good women. May we know them; may we be them; may we raise them." I really like this, too. I got 2 patterns from Heart in Hand and they both included the buttons to go with them. One is "Winter Medley" and the other is "Spring Medley." I wish she had also had autumn and summer, but she didn't. Maybe I can find them later. All 3 of these patterns and the buttons were 75% off. I got them all for less that $7! I so love to find things on sale!

But I'm very proud of myself! Yesterday I went to Michael's to get a picture stand for the picture I did for Katie to give her dad. And I DIDN'T BUY ANY STASH!! I looked, but resisted buying anything! Amazing for me! lol

Well, that's about it for today! I hope everyone is doing good. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Feeling Better

2008-06-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

I've been very busy stitching. I'm working on the piece for my mom's basket. I'm about half finished with it. I've also done several little pieces. I love to do small, quick pieces! A little bird house to make into a scissor fob, a piece that has little houses on it and says "Love begins at home." I've also started a charity square for Love Quilts. I had taken a break from my charity squares, but I'm motivated again! Oh! I almost forgot the piece I did for DD to give her dad for Father's Day! It says, "Dad - some day my prince may come, but you will always be the king of my heart." It has hearts and vines around the words. I didn't stitch one of the little hearts and sewed a little heart charm on it. Now I just have to frame it today. She's going to see her dad tomorrow because she has to work today. I also want to do a piece in memory of my dad. I have it kitted but haven't started it yet. It's from a very old mag and says "Thank God for fathers who not only gave us life but also taught us how to live." It has a couple of deer and trees on it - silhouettes. I wish I could show some pics!

Life has been pretty quiet around here. I finally told my mom that I was going to "hibernate" for a week or so! I have been through so much the last 3 or 4 years! I'm just staying at home and resting! I told her I need to heal emotionally! I do feel better. I have not let myself feel guilty that I wasn't going to see her every day! I have come to realize that I can't help anyone else until I take care of myself!

Things have been better with DD. I watched a Super Nanny show last week and she was making a little boy go to time-out. I had a brain storm and decided to try humor on DD. She had brought in a couple of gift bags from the garage and, of course, left them sitting on the table. I told her to put them back in the garage. She said, "I will - later" - her favorite thing to say and then she never does!! She went to her room. I marched in her room and told her to look me right in the eyes. (I even made the motions with my hands!) Now - remember - she is 19-years-old! I said, "I want you to go put up those bags. If you don't, you will have to sit in the "naughty chair" one minute for each year of your age - 19 minutes." She was about to leave with her best friend, who used to work at a day care. BF says, "That's what we used to say to the kids at the nursery!" Well, DD got mad, but she stomped off and put the bags where they belonged. I told her, "Thank you, Sweetie. Now tell Mommy you are sorry and give me a hug." She did but she was MAD! She then stomped off. But a minute later she came back to where I was sitting and hugged me and said, "I'm sorry, Mom. I love you." I couldn't believe it actually worked! She has been much better since then. You just have to try to use your sense of humor when raising kids, especially teenagers!!

Well, that's about it for me today. I've been trying to catch up on reading blogs. Most of us seem to be slack about posting lately. I guess life gets awfully busy sometimes! Take care! Have a day full of happy moments; and may God bless you!

A Gift Becomes a Present to Me!

2008-06-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Still without a computer of my own! I really miss posting! Things have been pretty quiet around here. My family got together again last week at a seafood place to celebrate my daughter's, my sister's, and my great-niece's birthdays! We had so much fun! I made a little hanging pillow for my sis. She turned 50. It had a very curvy lady in a gold evening dress holding a champagne glass. It said, "Golden oldie? Not me!" It also had the number 50 done in gold braid. I wish I could post a pic of it! I really can't figure out my mom. We all had such a great time, and then the next day, she said it made her too tired and she didn't think we should do it again! I'm wondering if it bothers her because my dad's not there and she misses him so much. I've also wondered if she feels guilty having a good time without him! I told her we were going to do it if it's only the 3 siblings and our kids. I really hate it that the only memories DD has of my family are trips to the hospital! I told my sis that I get the feeling that Mom doesn't want us to get together, and she said she got that same feeling! Mom's very bad to talk about other family members negatively, and we think she's afraid we'll tell each other what she says. You can't stop her. She is a wonderful person, but the last few years she has gotten very negative about everything! But we're going to get together, even if we have to do it without telling her!

I've been pretty busy stitching! I did a neat window scene looking out over a beach with a boat in the distance and a pitcher and glass of orange juice on a table. It was supposed to go on a retirement card for a former colleague, but I got sick and didn't make it to her party and decided I would keep it myself. I'm going to make it into a flatfold. It reminds me of beach trips my family took when I was little! I also did a quick little bird house that I'm going to make into a scissor fob. So after my little foray into quick stitches, I am now working on the big piece for my mom for Christmas. It is a very country piece. I really like stitching with the deep, rich colors! The only problem is I made a working copy of the chart and put the mag away in my HUMONGOUS pile of mags. The pattern has leaves and the chart says to stitch the outline of the leaves in green and the center of the leaves in blue! I can't decide if it's a mistake. I guess I'm going to have to go through those mags and find the original with the picture and see what they did on it. I've got to get my mags better organized.

I'm also going to start a new piece (that will make a hundred and one things I have started and not finished yet! lol). It's a fairly simple piece in memory of my dad. It says, "Thank God for fathers who not only gave us life, but also taught us how to live!

I'm in pretty bad shape today. The last few months have been pretty bad. As most of you know, my 18-year-old son was killed in 2005 in a car accident. Some people might think that it gets easier with time, but it doesn't. It gets worse!! My son's death was so sudden! I think my brain instantly went numb as a way of keeping me from going insane! For a long time I went around feeling like I was in a dream and wasn't part of this world anymore. Nothing seemed real. Now it's like it's becoming too horribly real to me and it's so hard to keep on going. I have flashbacks to the day they came and told me. I can't help it - I start screaming and my throat closes up. I have to take anxiety pills and I'm on a lot of depression meds. Right after he died, we found a stack of letters that we and he had written while he was at different camps through the years. I didn't read them - I just put them in my drawer with the last shirt he wore. Last night I decided to read them. I could HEAR his voice in the letters he had written. He and I were so close! In one of the letters, he wrote, "There's nothing better than writing a letter to your momma." I really cried and cried. I didn't get to bed until 5:00 this morning. I got up at noon and feel like I've been backed over by a truck! The only way I keep going is by constantly praying. I have witnessed so many miracles since my son's passing! I know I couldn't go on if I didn't have the Lord walking with me and holding me up!! Well, that's my little sermon for today!

I'm going to have some lunch and start stitching. I really want to make a hugh dent in the pile of Christmas gifts I have to do! Have a day full of happy moments;and may God bless you!

Long Time, No Post

2008-05-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since my last post! I think my computer screen is gone for good this time!! I can't afford a new one right now, so I'll have to use DD's laptop for a while. But that means I can't show any pictures, and it's very rare that her laptop is free for me to use.

Anyway, I have been doing a lot of cross stitching! I've finished the Birds and Birdhouse. Happy Dance!! It is really pretty. Maybe someday I can show it to everybody! I also made a Mother's Day card for my mom. It was a flower wreath with "Happy Mother's Day" inside it. She really loved it and now wants it framed, after she told me she doesn't want anything else cross stitched to hang!

I've also finished a small freebie called "Summer House." It was in a newsletter I got from somewhere. The name of the site was not on the page with the pattern and that's all I saved. I am so proud of myself. It called for Crescent Color threads, which I don't have; so I choose my own colors. It's the first time I've chosen my own colors for a piece!! I used a couple of WDW threads that I had and DMC threads. I love the result!! I really wish I could show a pic! I'm planning to make it into a tuck pillow. I have so many things that I need to "finish"finish!

I'm working on a couple of new things. DD's birthday is this week and I'm doing a birthday piece for her. It's a freebie I got from Rainbow Gallery. It's a birthday cake. My LNS doesn't carry the Rainbow threads, so I also chose my own threads for this piece. DD's favorite color is purple; so I'm making it with purple, white, and brown colors - some WDW and some DMC. It's really fun to choose your own colors! I'm also working on a card for my sis. Her birthday is 2 days after DD's. I have a sister piece that I'm going to frame for her, also. I also have been invited to a retirement party for a dear teacher friend later in the month, and I'm going to do a card for her, also. I don't have time to stitch something big for her, so I'll buy her a gift.

Last month my family started a new family tradition. Well, really I started it! We don't get together often. I finally figured out why we don't. When my dad was alive, either he or Mom was in the hospital every few months! Of course the whole family would gather at the hospital and be there the whole time - so those hospital stays became our get-togethers! We really saw a lot of each other!! Anyway- back to our new tradition. We are getting together on each family member's birthday! Last month was the first one - my brother's birthday. We met at a restaurant. We had a great time! However, my brother wasn't there! He has been very sick, but we decided we would get together whether the birthday person could be there or not! lol
So we're getting together for DD's, my sister's, and my great-niece's birthday next week. Dear great niece's bday is in the first of June.

I just got a big box in the mail while I was sitting here writing this! I ordered several cross stitch books from that Bargain Books site. I won't let myself open it until I finish this! lol Guess I'd better close because I just can't wait to see my new books (which are my Mother's Day present to myself!!) I'm going to read some of your blogs as soon as I can! Please forgive me for being so lax about that, but DD doesn't let me use her laptop often. I think about my cyberfriends very often, though, and hope all of you are doing great!! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!!

Lots of Work

2008-04-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

It has really been a while since my last post. Our computer died. I had to wipe out everything on the hard drive and reload everything! I'm so glad we learned how to do that! The picture above is my progress on the birds and birdhouse piece. I really love this piece and can't wait to finish it. I've been working on it exclusively the last few days. I want to get it finished! I had someone else to ask about the designer. It is from an old mag and they didn't tell the designer's name!

The next 3 pictures are my last 3 finishes! Happy dances!!!

The picture above is my latest charity square. I'm going to get it in the mail very soon! This piece just called to me! I love the different styles in it - the flowers are kind of abstract and the leaves are very realistic. The different textures are neat, too. Plus I love anything that has some checkerboard in it! I really enjoyed doing this!

I finished the 4th part of the Rose Sampler (above). I just printed out the 5th part, so I'll start on it soon! I really like this and it is going to be huge!

The piece above is a freebie and my first time using WDW threads. I'm looking for a little cross charm to put on the heart. I'm not sure how I'm going to finish it yet! The colors in this really spoke to me! There's usually something about a piece that really touches me and makes me want to stitch it! When I choose a piece because it "spoke" to me, I usually really enjoy doing it.

Well, I want to go watch "Criminal Minds" on television and work some more on the birds. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Happy Dance

2008-04-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

This is my latest charity square for Love Quilts. I got a little bogged down in the blues of the gown; so I am very glad to finish it! I really like it, though.

The start above is my next charity square. This is "Mayfair Basket" from the June 2007 issue of The Cross Stitcher (US). I'm doing this one for a particular child - Kayla. I am going to do it again for a little girl named Emmie. And it looks like I'll be doing it again for my DD. She saw it and wants one, too. lol I'm missing some threads. This is all I can do until I get the threads. You do the rest of the flowers with pink variegated threads. I was excited when I saw it, because I really enjoyed stitching with the variegated thread on the piece in memory of my son. I did this much in 2 days. I can really get a lot done when it's something that I'm enjoying doing!

I subbed on Wed. at a great school and had a great day. The classes were extra help for students who had failed the state achievement test; so they were small. Plus half of the grade had gone on an all day field trip. The largest class I had all day had 8 kids in it. She left a lot of sudoku puzzles for them to work on. I just sat at a table and cross stitched all day. It was in a portable so I knew no one would come out to bother me! And I made $145.00 for just sitting there and cross stitching - my kind of job!!! But that's not the way it usually is! Usually I just get to stitch during the planning periods.

Margaret wanted to know who the designer of Birds and Birdhouse was. They did not tell the designer's name, but it was in the June/July 1991 issue of Cross Stitch Quick and Easy, although this piece is definitely not quick!! But I'm really enjoying it!

That's about all that's going on around here. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Resurrected Computer

2008-04-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

Well, the computer decided to work again. But it still goes blank quite often! The piece above is my latest start and finish. I did it in about 3 days. It is the freebie I found at Cyberstitchers. I really enjoyed using the variegated thread. My mom really likes this and wants me to do one for her for Mother's Day. She wants hers to be red and blue. I want to get 2 heart charms to put on each side of "a treasure." It will fit perfectly in a 5"x7" frame.

Above is my progress on the Birds and Birdhouse. I finished the bird and part of the left side border and vines. I really enjoy working on this, but I have so many I have to finish that I only work on this a little each week. My mom also saw this one and said she wants one, too. She wants one of everything I do!! Yet she keeps telling me she has enough cross stitch hanging in her new apartment. And, by the way, she is finally all settled in and really loves her new apartment! I think she has finally realized that we are not going to move her again and that she'd better be content where she is!

I'm doing the piece above for my DB for his birthday, which is on Apr. 28th. It's on 22 count cream hardanger. It will fit perfectly in an 8"x10" frame. It's called "Brothers" and was in the Jan/Feb 1993 issue of Simply Cross Stitch Magazine.

This piece is my latest square for charity. I actually finished this since I started this post. I'll show a pic of the finished piece later. I'm still trying to do about 1 square a month for charity.

I haven't subbed in ages, but I've got to do some. If I just didn't need money!! lol! I really love staying at home and stitching!

DD's best friend is living with us again. She stayed with us about 4 months the first of last year. This time, she is paying a little rent! She is going to college part time and working part time. But I really can't afford to let her stay for nothing. Jerry is going to move out. He has a mobile home and now that he is back on his feet, we both agreed that it was time. I really look forward to the time that I am the only one living here!! I LOVE my DD with all my heart, but I love her enough to want her to some day have her own place and life.

Well, the computer is warning me that it is about to cut out! So I'd better post this! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Computer Death

2008-04-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

My computer has died!! I can't afford to get another computer right now. I can post some on my daughter's laptop, but I can't post pictures! Boo! I've been doing a good bit of stitching the last few days. I finished a new piece that is a freebie on Cyberstitchers. It says, "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." And it has a border around it. I did it in memory of my son. I've never stitched with DMC variegated threads, so I did the words with a white, purple, and light blue variegated thread. I did the border with a purple and blue that matched the v. threads. I really liked using the v. thread.

I have done a good bit more on the birds piece. I'm also trying to finish up my next charity square. It's an angel. I really wish I could show pictures of my progress.

My stitching club meets tonight, but I've got a migraine and can't go! I tried to get to feeling better, but to no avail! I really enjoy the club!

DD's best friend has moved in with us again. She and DD are sharing a bedroom. But I told her she has to give me some rent each month. She was practically living with us anyway, but I really can't afford to feed her and pay for the water she uses, etc. I really don't want to sub. With this little bit coming in from her, I won't have to sub much!

Well, I'm having trouble typing this post with my headache; so I'd better go and put the cold cloth back on my head. Have a day full of happy moments; and may God bless you!

New Oldest UFO

2008-04-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

I'm working on the 4th part of the Rose Sampler above. I took this over to my mom's and worked on it, and she really liked it. It's a good piece to work on when I visit her. We talk and talk; so this piece doesn't take a lot of thought and I don't make as many mistakes.

Since I finished my oldest UFO, the piece above is now my oldest UFO. I've been working on it, too. I did the bird - a house finch. I'm really enjoying this piece. I plan to hang it in my bedroom. I did start the Jesus Loves Me piece with the WDW threads, but I've put it someplace and can't find it. I am missing one of the threads - the LNS was out of it - so I've done all I can do on it! I love stitching with the WDW threads!! I'll show a pic later.

Mon. I didn't feel like going to my teacher friends' get together; I ended up in bed all day. That afternoon, my DB called to tell me that my mom and sister had been in a wreck. They were on their way to my mom's eye dr. Mother was driving and she was turning left and pulled in front of an oncoming car. She thought she had time to get across, but she didn't. The other car was going very fast. She hit mom's car on the passenger side right behind the front door. Luckily they both had their seat belts on! The car was spun around and ended up pointed in the opposite direction from which they were driving. My sister's face hit the door window. She has a black eye and loose teeth and bruises down the side of her face. She also has bad bruises on both her knees. My mom was mostly injured by the airbag. She's very short and has to sit very close to the steering wheel. Her whole chest is black and she bruised some ribs and her left arm very badly! They were so lucky!!! Mother's car was totaled. The back axle was broken in half! Luckily, the driver of the other car was not injured! A third car was damaged by flying debris. We are so thankful to the Lord for protecting them! The paramedics said they were extremely lucky that they survived! So I have spent the last 3 days at my mom's. I almost collapsed yesterday, so I stayed home today.

Every time I feel like life may settle down and let me recover from all the stress I have been through, some new tragedy occurs!! Take care when you're out driving!! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!!

Oldest UFO Finished!!

2008-03-29T20:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Dance! I have finished my oldest UFO! At one point, I didn't think I was going to be able to finish it. I kept making mistakes in the bottom left corner. I ended up stitching it 3 times!! But I really like this. I'm going to have it framed. Since I've finished 3 UFOs and 2 WIPs, I going to allow myself to start a new piece. It's a small freebie that says "Jesus Loves Me" except the "love" is a heart. I'm doing it with WDW threads. I can't wait to start!

Angela at Pattern Nuts Place wanted to know where the Lady's Pincushion in the previous post came from. It was in an old mag - Cross Stitch and Country Crafts, the July/Aug., 1991 issue. I have so many old mags!

Well, I was hoping I would feel better today, but I had a virus today - bad stomachache and "other problems." (I won't go into details.) lol As long as I was sitting, my stomach didn't hurt too bad, but when I stood up, I would double over with pain. I looked back at my old posts from this same time last year, and I was having almost the same problems! Go figure! I hope I feel better by Mon. I'm supposed to go out to lunch with my "teacher friends." We get together once a month. After lunch I want to visit my mom. I haven't been to her new apartment since 2 weeks ago.

Better go. I want to start that new piece before I have to go to bed! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Some Finishes

2008-03-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

I haven't felt much better this week. In addition to the unending head cold, I have had migraines 3 days this week. But I still managed to do some stitching. I decided I wanted to finish some old UFOs and get them off my mind. I started the piece above over a year ago. I was dreading doing the backstitching and daisy stitches. But after I got started on it again, I really enjoyed it. I'm thinking about making a little pillow out of it.

I started the piece above about a year ago. I was going to do it for my sister's birthday last May. I didn't get it finished in time and then got side-tracked by other pieces. My sis turns 50 this year, and I'm planning on having a surprise family party for her. This is about the first thing I started on everweave instead of Aida. I thought it was extremely hard back then, but since I've had more experience with evenweave since then, I really enjoyed finishing it. However, this really isn't evenweave; it's linen. Now I really like stitching on evenweave and linen better than Aida! I'm going to make this into a pillow, too.

This is a piece that I did for my brother. His birthday is in April, and I wanted to do this for him to hang in his woodworking shop behind his house. I really like the way it turned out. I'm going to frame it.

Now the piece above is my oldest UFO. I started this in Jan. of 2005. It was the first thing I started when I picked up cross stitching again after not stitching for over 6 years. I had to relearn stitching. This seemed so hard back then, but now it's not hard at all. I have to do a little more backstitching. Then it has a border and says "Snow People warm the heart - - - in any season." This is from a very old magazine. I plan to frame it and hang it in my house.

DD and her best friend spent the last 3 days at Mrytle Beach. They stayed at a Days Inn. I was worried to death that something would happen to them, but they made it back safely at 3:00 this afternoon. They really had a great time. She had to rush off to work, so I'm waiting for her to come home and tell me all about it! Wish I could have gone with them, but they wouldn't let me! Said I would cramp their style or something like that! lol They used their tax returns to pay for it.

Better go - I want to finish up the snowman piece. I went to the LNS and got fabby and WDW threads to do a little freebie I found on the net. I'll show that when I get started on it. I can't wait. I have never used WDW threads before. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

An Easter Miracle

2008-03-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

We have had an Easter miracle!! My computer at home has not let us get the internet since the end of Feb. DD had done something to it when she got her laptop. Today I was playing a game on it and a pop-up from the internet appeared. I was surprised and clicked to go to the internet and it worked!! I have been checking it at least twice a week and it wouldn't work! I am so excited! Finally I can post again and catch up on all your blogs! I have really missed my net friends!

I have a lot of pictures to show! The pic above it the 2nd and 3rd part of the Rose Sampler SAL that I'm working on. I can't show the whole top on the scanner. I really need a digital camera! I really like working on this piece; it's very relaxing!

The pic above is of the huck towel I finally finished! Happy Dance! It only needed the gold border. I don't know if you can tell from the pic, but the border has gold blending filament combined with the gold DMC thread. I really like how it turned out!

I wanted to do the little piece above to make into a scissor fob that I could take to the stitching retreat. I got it stitched in time, but didn't get it put together in time, and as you can see, I still haven't put it together!! But I can't wait to do it. I got a new pair of stork scissors with the gift card my sister gave me for my birthday. I'm going to put this scissor fob on those scissors.

The piece above is my charity square for any child quilt at Love Quilts. It is an angel. I got a little tired of it and haven't worked on it in quite a while.

I love the piece above. I'm doing it to put on the top of a lidded basket for my mom for Christmas. The material is 28 count evenweave fiddler's cloth. The bottom half is a country scene and the top half is a shelf with country things on it. I have a hard time putting it down; it's so much fun to stitch!

The pic above is the piece I'm going for DD. It's Midsummer Night's Fairy by Nora Corbett at Mirabillia. And below is my progress so far!

I'm doing it on 28 count blueberry hand-dyed jobelan. This is one of the pieces of material DD gave me for Christmas. I was a little scared to start it; I thought it would be real hard. But it isn't. I'm really enjoying it!

I have had that head cold that started last Sat. all week and I'm still not well. We have eaten a lot of take-out and delivery!! It seems no one around here can cook but me!! lol Plus we have had some major problems this last week. I have lived in my house 15 years, so I guess it was time for things to start tearing up! First the toilet in my room tore up. We didn't fix it since we could all use the main bathroom. On Fri., that toilet tore up, too. While Jerry was looking at it and trying to figure out how to fix it, the hotwater heater broke down! I went to the freezer to get something and when I opened the door to the garage, water was spewing out of the heater and running everywhere! We had to replace the hotwater heater! Thank goodness, Jerry was able to fix the toilet!! I hope nothing else breaks down for a while!!

Well, better go. I hope everyone had a great Easter. Since I've been so sick, we didn't have a big dinner. However, I did make ham biscuits and potato salad! It was great! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Disappointing Retreat

2008-03-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty busy lately. We got my mom moved into her apartment last weekend. Then after 1 week, she decides she would rather move back to where she was before. I had a long talk with her and tried to remind her of all the reasons she wanted to move in the first place. After sleeping on it and doing a good bit of praying, she has decided to stay where she is. She has trouble being content! She has always been that way. She made poor Dad return almost everything she ever bought. She asked me hadn't I ever been unhappy with my house or any other place I've lived. I told her no. I'm an optimist, and I've just always been content where ever I was! Once I've made a decision, I'm usually pretty happy with it!

I went to the stitching retreat last Fri. and Sat. I had a great time being with the other ladies and talking and laughing, but I was rather disappointed in the projects and goodies that we received. We got a photo box with little scissors, a folding ruler, a little piece of fleece to put beads on, some freebie patterns, a tiny little writing pad and ink pen (also tiny), one #24 and one #26 needle. The first project was a discontinued pattern that she got permission to reproduce (so it was a freebie). It is a tiny Rainbow Row to put on an Altoid can. The can was not included. We got a small piece of fabric to stitch it on and only enough thread for the project. The next project was a little kit from The Sweetheart Tree: Just for Fun #1 - Fiesta Flowers. We got a small piece of purple fabric to stitch it on. It does include a button and some beads. The price was on the little plastic box the pattern came in: $5.00. (I have never seen any pattern or kit in her shop that costs less than that.) Again just a few pieces of thread. The last project was another freebie. It was really cute - it looks just like a can of Campbell's soup and says "Cross Stitch" instead of "Campbell's Soup". It is cream of ort soup. Ort is the pile of tiny pieces of thread you compile while stitching. After you finish the stitching, you put it on an empty can of soup and use it as a mini-trashcan for your ort. We did get a can of soup with that project. My door prize was a $10 gift certificate for the shop, which I liked better than any of the other prizes. The meal Fri. night was homemade soup that the owner had made and lunch Sat. was pizza. The retreat cost $90 and I figured it up - we got less than $25 worth of stuff. With 14 women attending, she really made a lot of money!! I would rather have bought $90 worth of x stitch stuff!! I did end up spending $42, because I bought the threads for the Lizzie Kate double flipits. I used the gift certificate to help pay for that. I've seen projects that they have gotten at other retreats, and they were great! I really was shocked when I saw what we got!! She has 2 retreats during the year, but I don't know if I'll do another one.

As soon as I got home from the retreat, my nose started running and my throat started hurting. Today I have a full-blown head cold. I have slept most of the day and feel horrible! I hope I get over this quickly - I need to sub some! Better go to bed. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Lots of News

2008-03-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hi, Everyone! DD didn't know that I wasn't finished with that last post when she published it! But I guess that's okay. We still can't get the internet on our home computer. I really have a hard time typing things on her laptop. I keep hitting the wrong keys and wiping out what I've done! lol These newfangled things are so hard for us "OLD FOLKS" to learn to use! lol

I have been stitching a lot the last few days! I have finished the 2nd part of the rose sampler. DD is going to make me a copy of the 3rd part, so I can stay caught up. I wish I could post some pictures! I'm also working on a new piece for my mom for Christmas next year. It's going to go on a basket lid. I'm really enjoying stitching it. It's a country piece and I love the colors! I did some Valentine pieces and made the draon piece for DD into a bookmark. She really liked it!

I'm going to start the Mirabilla fairy for her as soon as I can find the material she gave me for Christmas. I have again put it somewhere safe and now can't find it! I got all the threads and the metallic threads, too. I'm going to get the beads later. If I got them now, I'd probably put them somewhere "safe" and forget where! lol

I am really excited! My LNS is having a stitching retreat Mar. 14th and 15th. She had told us about it at the Christmas party, but I couldn't remember the dates. I haven't felt like going over to the store since right after Christmas. But last Thurs. I really felt led to go to the shop and pick up the next LizzieKate double flipits. While I was there, I overheard her talking to another customer about the retreat. I asked when was it and she said the 14th and 15th. I asked her when was the last day to sign up and it was that day! It costs $90 and I really didn't have the money, but I decided I would cut back on something else - I really need to do something for myself every once in a while. So I signed up and paid. If I had not gone to the shop that day, I would have missed the retreat! It's that Fri. evening until 9:00 at the shop and then 9:oo am until 6:oo pm on Sat. - also at the shop. The theme is a surprise. We're going to do at least 3 projects (get them started). Everybody gets a goodie bag of stuff and everything you need for the projects. She also gives out door prizes, and everybody gets one. We get dinner Fri. night and lunch Sat. It was limited to 16 people and I was number 14! I really can't wait!

Guess I'd better go! I want to read some of your blogs. I'm afraid I can't post a comment on DD's laptop if you have to type in those letters and numbers - it won't show them. But know that I am reading them! Pray that DD finds the time to fix my computer soon! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Internet and DD Problems

2008-02-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted! It's been busy around here, but that's not why I've been gone so long. DD got a lap top and decided to use a router or whatever it's called to hook up our old computer and her laptop to the net. She did something wrong and now we can't get the internet on our old computer. I am so upset with her! I'm on her lap top right now. She doesn't seem to be able to find the time to fix my computer! I
'm going

I'm Back!

2008-02-09T17:43:00.001-08:00

To begin with - Pattern Nut sent be the "You make my day!" Award. Thank you, Angela! That was so sweet of you! You "made" my day!! I need to list people that I want to send it to. I'll work on that and do it in a day or 2. Please forgive me!

I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long! January is always difficult for me! I have depression, and it gets worse during the short days of winter. Also, I really miss my son after Christmas more than during Christmas. I've also been sick - 2 bad migraines, a stomach virus that lasted a week, and a cold complete with sore throat and earache! I haven't really done a lot of stitching. The little piece above is for my son. I'm going to hang it on his crypt. I do that very often! It's made on vinyl weave. The pattern is in the new book I got with the gift card my sister gave me for my birthday. It's 80+ Cross-Stitch Kind Thoughts produced by Kooler Design Studio. I also got the book 365 Tiny Cross Stitch Designs also by Kooler Design Studio with the gift card DD's best friend gave me for Christmas. I haven't done anything in it yet. I've got a lot of things marked to stitch later!

I finally finished organizing my stash. I went through all of my mags. and put labeled post-it notes on charts I might do someday. I made copies of charts I definitely want to do some day and put those in a notebook. I put each WIP and UFO in an individual ziploc bag with the thread needed and a working copy of the chart. I put all of them in a plastic box with a lid. Now I can get out what I want to work on and just put it back when I want to do something else

I've abandoned the idea of a rotation. I just don't work well on a schedule. As a teacher, I was always having to do things according to a schedule! My whole work day was scheduled! Since I've retired, I don't want to have a schedule! I just want to stitch whatever hits my fancy each day, and sometimes it's more than 1 thing a day! However - even with all my organizing - I have finished a couple of small pieces and now I can't find them! lol I'm going to have to get another plastic box in which to keep finished pieces that aren't finished finished.

The piece above is the Valentine piece for DD. This is the first dragon I've ever stitched. I really enjoyed doing it! This was a freebie here. He's very thin so I'm thinking about making him into a bookmark for her to use in a textbook. What do you think? I'm also working on a little piece to put on a card for DD's best friend. I made her and DD little pillows last year for VD.

I subbed 3 days last week. That's the first I've subbed since before Christmas! I spent Thurs. and Fri. at the elementary school I was teaching at when I retired. I'm going to be there on Mon., also. I was able to retire in Mar. after my son died. The kids I had that last year in 2nd grade are now in 5th grade, and I subbed half a day Fri. in 5th. They all came running over to me in the cafeteria and were hugging me and telling me how much they missed me! It was so neat to see them; they're taller and bigger but their faces really hadn't changed that much! They were really sweet students!

My DB came over and brought us breakfast this morning. He hasn't been to my house in years, because he lived in Florida and always stayed at Mom and Dad's when he visited. He came to tell me that my mom has decided to sell her mobile home and move into an apartment. I really didn't want her to because she has lived in apartments before and was not happy with the noise, etc. Also, it has always fallen to me to help them move and get settled and listen to her complain when she didn't like it. As I have said before, my mom can't be content anywhere. But DB assured me that he would take care of everything and would listen to her complain! lol I can't handle anything like that right now; I can barely handle my own life! I realize that the mobile home holds so many memories of her and my dad. I know it's hard for her to live there alone. I hope that she can make friends at the apartment complex and will have more to do.

Well, better go and get ready for bed. I'm going to spend the day tomorrow with my mom and we can talk about the new apartment and all! She already has the apartment and is moving in the end of Mar. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Happy Dance?

2008-01-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

Can you do a happy dance when you've finished a section on a SAL? lol I have finished the first section of Rose Sampler (above)! I really like doing this piece! I can't wait until the next section comes out!

I've also worked on this piece that I'm doing in memory of my son. I started it in 2005. It's My Child designed by Gayle Nelson from Bucilla. I have done about half of it. Yesterday I did the letters N, O, and P. It's hard for me to work on it, but I'm going to try to do some of it each week. I bought this kit many years ago at Big Lots when they were still selling cross stitch stuff. I only paid $6.99 for it. I didn't stitch it until my son died and then it was the perfect piece to do in memory of him. God certainly works in mysterious ways!! I changed it from present tense to past tense. I already have a place I want to hang it waiting for it! I'm also planning to do it in present tense for DD someday!

I forgot to tell that I got the kit Frederick the Literate! I got it right after Christmas. Walmart had it on sell for $7.oo!! Walmart is selling out all their cross stitch stuff. I was so excited - I have really wanted this kit because everyone seems to be stitching it! Then yesterday I got a mag in the mail (Ladies Home Journal) and what should I see but a purse with Frederick the Literate on the front of it! Have you seen this purse!? I didn't realise Frederick was so famous! I also got 2 of Lizzie Kate's Double Flip-its. It's the newest one with the words Love, Live, etc. Donna at my LNS has the fabric on order, but it hasn't come in yet.

I was going through some more stuff the other day and found a big box of cs mags that I haven't looked at in years! I have had the most fun looking through them and marking what I might do some day! It was like getting them all new again - I didn't remember any of the patterns! Now I'm kind of stuck because I can't figure out what to do next! lol I didn't stitch much yesterday. There's about 20 pieces I would love to do next!! I'm going to try to work on some of my UFOs.
And maybe start something for my sister for Christmas next year!

I lost 2 more lbs last week! I'm back in the groove! lol I grilled hamburgers on my new grill/griddle, and I love it. They turned out wonderful!! We're going to have grilled hamburgers very often! Better go and work on My Child. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Snow!

2008-01-18T09:19:00.001-08:00

The rotation didn't last long! lol But I'm going to do it starting now. When I started working on this charity square, I decided I really wanted to get this finished and in the mail. I really enjoyed doing it, although it does have a lot of backstitching! This is going to Love Quilts for an any child quilt. I've also decided to change something in my rotation. I'm not going to start the Victorian Christmas Eve piece yet. I'm going to pull out one of my UFOs to put in its place. I've decided to finish some of the pieces I have started before starting something new. (I will start a new charity square.)

It snowed yesterday! School was canceled, and we had a relaxing day at home. The dogs loved the snow, especially Bebe. She tried to chase all the flakes as they fell! It was the first time she saw snow. All of the snow is gone today, but the weatherman says we may get some more tomorrow. I love snow - because when I was a teacher, any time it snowed it was an excuse to do nothing - no housework - nothing! So I always loved snowdays. I still use it as an excuse to not do housework! lol I do cross stitch, though!

My birthday was on Wed. This was one of the best birthdays I've ever had. On Tues., Jerry took DD and me to Cracker Barrel (my favorite restaurant - because I love their breakfasts!).
He gave me a candle that crackles and pops like a real fire. I LOVE candles. Then on Wed., Katie took me out to lunch at Monterrey's. She gave me an Emeril Reversible Grill/ Griddle. I wanted one of these so bad! I have been looking and my mom looked. She was going to give me one for Christmas, but she got too sick to shop. DD found it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. It goes on the stovetop over 2 eyes. It is cast iron! So far Katie has used it twice! I haven't felt like using it yet. Everyone is making sure I stay on my diet by giving me cooking things! lol Mom gave me a gift card for Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I guess she wants me to get something for cooking, too.

I had some kind of stomach virus yesterday! I wasn't able to stitch much, just enough to finish the square. I feel some better today! Better go and fix lunch. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Rotation Started

2008-01-14T06:22:00.000-08:00

I started my rotation yesterday. I worked on my SAL, Rose Sampler, yesterday and last Fri. at my stitchers' club. I didn't get much done at the stitchers' club, because we talk too much! lol I really like and enjoy doing this piece. It's very relaxing, because you don't have to worry so much about the colors. There is a little gray in it, too. I am almost finished with the first section. Today I'm going to work on the baseball piece for charity. I'll post a pic of that later.

I had a very busy weekend! Sat. I spent the day with my DB. He doesn't have a car yet. I took him to a tool shop. I have never seen so many tools!! He builds furniture. He is really an artist at it! He has been working at this new shop for 6 months and has already gotten 2 raises. After the tool shop, we went to Home Depot and walked all over the whole store! He is a shopaholic like me. I know - it's hard to find male shopaholics, but he's one! I didn't buy anything and I told him at the end of the day that I had gotten my shopping "fix" by just watching him buy all that stuff! He has his own woodworking shop in his backyard and that's why he's buying all the tools! After HD, we picked up lunch for us and our mom and went and visited her. He got up all of her leaves (I blew off her patio). We had a nice visit with her. She's a lot better, but not back up to 100% yet. To keep herself busy, she colors those fuzzy pictures. She got out all that she has done and showed them to us. She used to cross stitch, but can't see well enough now to do it! She keeps wanting to do a piece, but then has to give me what she's started because she just can't do it anymore. After Mom's, I took him to the grocery store and it took a good while to get all his groceries. After helping him get in his groceries and having my first look at his woodworking shop, I went home and passed out! I was asleep before 8 pm! But I had a great time!!

Yesterday, I did a good bit of housework - very rare for me! lol And then spent the rest of the day cross stitching! I never told what I got for Christmas. DB gave me a Crockpot, and DM gave me a food processor! Since I did Mom's shopping for her, I picked out what I wanted! lol I have wanted both of these appliances for years! We got another type of slow cooker for a wedding present, but after 22 years it finally died! I made spaghetti in my new Crockpot yesterday and it was great! DB even gave me a Crockpot cookbook, and this recipe even fit my Weight Watchers' diet! Oh, AND I am back on my diet - thank you for all your prayers! Last week I lost the 4 lbs. I had gained over Christmas! Now I'm back on the straight and narrow again!

I'm still working on getting my stash organized, but I seem to be making a bigger mess! I don't have a very big house and there's just not a lot of storage space! I really need a stitching room! I'll just dream about that until DD gets her own place. She's doing much better in her classes so far. She has stopped going anywhere during the week when she has classes! She has studied everyday. She has also asked them at work to only give her weekends. I am very proud of her. One of my dear "internet friends" gave me some very good advice. She said that sometimes it takes a person a while to figure out what she wants to do and that I should be patient with her! So I'm trusting her and relaxing as much as I can!

We found out there's going to be a new great-grandchild in the family! My nephew and his wife are expecting their 2nd child! This one was a surprise - their first son will be 18-months-old when this one gets here! They had a hard time getting pregnant the first time, but not this time! I can't wait to stitch baby things! I hope this one is a girl, but a boy would be fine, too!

The furbaby, Bebe, has learned how to climb! The other day we caught her climbing up the piano! She got in Jerry's recliner, which is beside the piano, got up on the arm of the chair, and was on the keys of the piano when we grabbed her and got her down! I don't know what she wanted from up there!! She is the first dog I've ever had that loves to make her squeaky toys squeak! She knows just where to bite each toy to make it squeak! So we hear "squeak, squeak" all day long!

Well, better go! I want to read some of your blogs before I start my stitching! I have a hard time finding enough time to do all I want to do! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Firetruck Happy Dance

2008-01-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to finish this! It is past due and did I say that DD's purse diva pillow was the piece from hell? Well, it isn't! This is! It looks very simple, doesn't it?! Well, looks can certainly be deceiving! Maybe it was because I really didn't want to do this piece right now! I had to frog almost everything in this piece and some places more than once!! I know this isn't a very good picture, but it was too big to fit on the scanner. The border gave me the most trouble.I redid it twice. Learn from me - don't do separate parts of a border. When I tried to connect the parts, they didn't meet right! I was almost finished and had to take the whole border out! It is still 1 square too far to the right, but don't tell anyone! lol It is going in the mail today!! I'm not going to do anymore squares with a deadline. My life is more complicated than it was this time last year. I don't have as much time to stitch as I did back then. I'm going to do squares for any child. These don't have a due date; you just send them in when you finish them. Oh, and this square is going to be in a quilt and sent to a fire department in Charleston, SC, in memory of the firemen who died in that Charleston fire last year. I was really honored that they asked me to do a square - there's 9 squares - one for each firemen who gave his life trying to save others!

Someone wanted to know where I got the Rose Sampler. It's at this site. I can't wait to get back to it. I'm going to my stitcher's club tonight, and I'm going to take it to work on!

I took a break from the firetruck one day and started organizing my stash. I have thousands of mags and booklets. (This might be an exaggeration, but not much!! lol) I have been getting mags since 1980 (at one time I was getting 4 or 5 every other month.) This was pre-marriage and pre-children! lol Anyway, I am going through them and putting post-it notes on charts I would like to do some day and labeling them. I am also setting up 2 notebooks - one with copies of WIPs and UFOs and one with copies of charts I want to do in the near future. It's lots of fun looking at all of these charts!

Have to go and get ready for stitchers' club! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

A New Start

2008-01-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

I just couldn't wait!! I took a short break from the firetruck, and started the Rose Sampler. This is the progress I made last night. This is going to be HUGE! The material is 19" X 25". Someone was "fussing" at me for doing it on Aida, but I couldn't have afforded a piece of fancier material that large! lol I have never stitched anything monotone, but I am really enjoying this!! Even DD said she might do it, too. She's working on a snowmen kit "Santa" gave her. I'll show her piece soon. I'm going to put this aside (sigh) and finish the charity square! I hope Mr. Frog doesn't show up again!

I've been thinking about a rotation:

Sunday - Rose Sampler (RS)
Monday - Charity pieces
Tuesday - The piece for my son - My Child
Wednesday - Future Christmas presents
Thursday - Victorian Christmas Eve (VCE)
Friday - RS
Saturday - VCE

How does that sound! I'll try it a few weeks, but I really like working on one thing at a time! I'm afraid I won't ever get anything finished! We'll see!

That's about all for today! Got to finish that charity square before I can start my rotation! Better get started! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Charity Square and Christmas Present

2008-01-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

I finally got started on the square for the quilt to honor the firemen who lost their lives in the Charleston, SC, fire. I failed to notice that the instruction sheet said the due date was Jan. 1st. I am furiously working on it! And. of course, Mr. Frog has made an appearance several times! You can see where I had to take out some red. I hope it doesn't show after I stitch it again! After I finish the firetruck, there's only the border and my name and a leaf to do.

Above are the 2 pieces of fabric that DD gave me for Christmas. They're both 28 count hand-dyed jobelan. The piece at the top of the picture is blueberry and the bottom one is raspberry lite. Aren't they beautiful?! I had told everyone that I wanted money to buy fabric, but she was the only one listening. She went to the LNS and picked these out! She wants me to do her something on the blueberry piece. I haven't found anything for it yet. I bought a Mirabillia fairy pattern to do for her and hid it somewhere, and, of course, now I can't remember where I hid it! She might look good on this fabric, but I'm not sure because she is wearing a purple dress. I'm going to have to find her to see if the colors will show up. It was so much fun getting fabby! I never have before!

And this is one of the pieces I want to stitch in 2008! It's called "Victorian Christmas Eve." This is in the Jan., 2008, issue of Cross-Stitch and Needlework. She's by Nora Corbett - and I just bought 2 of her patterns! I already have some 28 count linen (Waterlily) that I'm going to do her on. I'm about to kit up the Rose Sampler that I'm doing as a SAL. I wanted to do it on 32 count linen, but they didn't have any at A. C. Moore or Michael's; and I wanted to use my gift cards. I got 16 count antique white Aida instead. It's okay with me; I still enjoy stitching on Aida!

DD got signed up for her new college classes. She didn't do as well as she should have last semester! She's going to drive me crazy! She just won't apply herself and doesn't believe me when I tell her she has to study!! She doesn't believe anything I say! I know - that's how teenagers are - but still - I do know a few things!! She says she will get serious this semester. She's very intellegent! She was always in advanced classes. She just doesn't put forth much effort! This is so stressful for me! I told her she had to think seriously about whether she wants to go to college or not. If she doesn't, I told her, she could take classes to learn a trade or something. I told her that unless she's going to take her classes seriously, she should just drop out and get a good full-time job! But she said she wants to get a college degree. We'll see what happens this semester!

I have finally done it - my freezer is full!! I have been watching the sales and stocking up on a lot of things and I have filled the freezer! But I don't seem to want to cook! lol I have to get back on my diet. I gained 4 lbs. over the holidays! I know that's not as bad as it could have been, but I've got to get my will power back! Pray for me!!

Well, better go. I need to get to work on that charity square! I'm anxious to start the Victorian Christmas Eve piece and the Rose Sampler! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Lost and Found

2008-01-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

I panicked and thought I had lost the ornament above, but I found it this morning! I was trying to get this finished for my DB for Christmas, but couldn't get it finished. I finished it a few days ago. He and my DBIL collect anything with deer on it. I was really excited when I saw this and another deer ornament in one of the bargain books I bought! It's in Donna Kooler's 555 Christmas Cross-Stitch Designs. There is a whole section on Nature Christmas. Although I finished it in 2007, I dated it 2008 because I'm going to give them to the guys next Christmas. I have started the one for DBIL. I'm going to finish it next. They were really excited when they opened their pictures of the deer heads on Christmas. I had a really hard time framing them. The wood of the frames was very hard and I couldn't get the nails to go in to hold the pictures in. I finally taped them in - I hope they stay put! lol I put brown paper on the back so it didn't show. I also lost the little hangers for them. Stupid me - I put them in a ziploc bag and put the bag in a "safe" place. Of course, when it came time to put the hangers on, I couldn't remember where I had put them! lol As my DB was leaving that night, he said, "Vicki, thanks for giving me the head." My sister and mom (who have dirty minds) got a giggle out of that! lol

And the piece above is one that worked up very quickly yesterday. It's a freebie at Cyberstitchers site. I changed all of the colors except the white. It also said to backstitch the snowflakes in dark blue, but I wanted my snowflakes to be white. I bought some little Christmas buttons last month and was glad I could use one on this! This is only the 2nd piece that I have put a button on. I really like this. I'm going to make it into a little pillow that I can hang on my perpetual calendar.

I haven't told everyone what happened at my mom's house on Christmas with DD's boyfriend. DD finally agreed not to ask him to come, but she was there and we had a great time! I went with her to Jerry's family get-together. I have always declined going to it although his family asks me to go every year. Well, this year his sister-in-law (whose house the gathering was at) called and begged me to come; so I went. I had a great time and they all treated me like the prodigal daughter returning home! I plan to go from now on.

DD has broken up with her boyfriend! Hallelujah!! She finally realized that he was a deadbeat and was using her! She finally saw that she deserves better! I hope she can meet a nice guy with a JOB!!! lol

I'm going out in a few minutes - I got 2 gift cards for Christmas - 1 for A C Moore and 1 for Michael's. I want to buy some new material! I got a 50% off coupon for Michael's out of the paper; so I should be able to get something really nice for nothing!

Better go! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Last and First

2008-01-01T14:39:00.001-08:00

This is my last finish for 2007. I did it yesterday. It didn't take but a couple of hours. This came from the book Cross Stitch Celebrations Month by Month by Sue Cook. This is one of the books I got from the Bargain Books site I mentioned in an earlier post. There are so many things in this book that I want to stitch!

And this is my first finish of 2008! It's in the book Christmas Ornaments produced by Kooler Design Studio. I started it last night and finished it today! I collect cows, and like to do cow ornaments. Pattern Nut wanted to know where the ornaments in my last post came from. They're in the Dec. 2007 issue of Just Cross Stitch.

This is a huck towel that I was trying to get finished for my XMIL. I couldn't get it finished in time. I decided I wanted it myself! It's not quite finished. I have to stitch the border. It's gold with blending filaments.

And this is the piece I did for DD. I didn't get it finished in time for Christmas either. I finished it day before yesterday. I thought it was going to be my last finish of 2007, but I decided to do the little ornament. I'm going to get some black and white material and make a pillow with this piece. DD really likes it! It's very appropriate for her; she got 2 new purses for Christmas! (Now she has at least 2 or 3 dozen purses!) I have 2 purses - 1 for the summer and 1 for the winter! lol I can't find the book this came out of right now. I'll look for it and name it in a later post!

I am going to set up a rotation this year. I haven't quite figured it out yet. I have so many things I want to do. I want to set aside one night for charity stitching, one night for future Christmas presents, etc. I'm going to do a SAL - my first! It's on the EMS website. It is a large freebie and they will post a new part of it each month. It is a roses sampler. So I'll need one night for working on that. There's also a Christmas Lady in the latest issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework that I want to do. It's by Nora Corbett. I also want to do the Mirabilia piece that I bought to do for DD for next Christmas! I also have at least a dozen WIPs and UFOs that I need to finish! There is just not enough time to stitch all I want to stitch!!!

I didn't have any problems with my depression during Christmas - I guess because I was so busy. However, the last week I have been thinking about my DS all the time! I really miss him! One thing that has set me back is that 2 of DD's friends were killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve. They were 2 guys - both 18-years-old. The one driving was speeding and lost control of the car and hit a tree right in the other boy's front yard! I can't get their parents off of my mind. I know what they're going through! This makes 3 young men we've known that have been killed in car accidents since my son's death. I worry so about my DD. She's a good driver, but I don't know what I would do if something happened to her!

Also last week I got a notice that I have been called up for jury duty. I was called about 2 months ago! I had to have my dr. send another note to the clerk of court telling them to excuse me because of my depression and anxiety attacks! It looks like they could flag my name or something so I wouldn't get called up again!

But I am feeling some better today - the depression is just something I go through after Christmas every year since my DS's death! I am looking forward to a great, new year!

Well, I'd better go and figure out that rotation! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Long Time, No Post

2007-12-25T08:54:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I have been SO busy. I can't believe it's been so long since I posted anything! I was almost constantly stitching! Week before last I subbed all week in that special ed. class I had subbed in before! I had a great week! The kids were very sweet. The aide even gave me a gift certificate to AC Moore on the last day. I haven't used it yet! I got the deer pictures framed and my DB and DBIL loved them!! I got all the ornaments done. These are the 4 I did. I did 5 of the above and 3 of the Santas and 2 of the reindeer and birdhouses.

My teacher friends really liked them, and I gave one of the angels to my sister and one of the Santas to my niece. We really had a great Christmas!

Better go! DD got a "Scene It" game from my niece and we're going to play it. We always play a game on Christmas Day! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

The Piece from Hell!

2007-12-08T06:50:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy this week! I took Mom to the dr. 2 times; I went shopping twice; and I spent the day with my sister yesterday. We went shopping, too. We don't see each other very often, even though we only live 1 hr. apart. We are very different and have different kinds of lives. But we love each other and have a great time when we get together!

I'm working on the piece above for DD for Christmas. I wanted to show a pic of the finished piece from the book, but I guess I hid the book so that DD wouldn't see the pic, and now I can't remember where I hid it! lol This is a purse and it says "A purse diva lives here." This has been the most frustrating piece I've ever done! I had done the dark red all the way down the left side and when I started the other side I realized something was wrong on the left side. It took me forever to figure out what was wrong! When I did, it was a mistake in the second row! I had to take all of it out because I had made the same mistake in the next 5 rows!! Then I started it again and got to the end of the right side and it didn't end at the same place that the left side did. It took me forever again to figure out what was wrong! So I had to take out half of the left side and stitch it for the 3rd time! I guess I'm tired and not really paying close enough attention. I'll be so glad when I get this finished. I'm doing it for DD because she loves pocketbooks! Every time we go shopping, she has to buy a new one!! She has more purses than I have owned in my whole life!! I'm going to make this into a pillow like I did for her last year, if I ever get it finished! The ornies are coming along very nicely. I really can't wait to show pics of them!

I'm almost finished with my Christmas shopping. I get a couple of decorating and home magazines along with my xstitch mags, and I usually pass them on to my mom. She told me how much she and my sis loved looking at and reading them. I always forget to take the old mags to Mom. SO I've gotten a magazine subscription for each of them for part of their Christmas presents. When I went shopping with my sis yesterday, she was looking at mags while we were in the checkout line, and she said she wished she had a subscription to a mag. So I think I've done the right thing for them. My mom also wanted some new towels, so I got those for her. I'm doing a small pillow for my sis. I'll show that when I'm finished with it. Now if I could just find something for my niece. Do any of you have any suggestions! She's 30-years-old and has one daughter. I thought about giving her a mag subscription, too, but I can't decide what mag she would like!

Well, I need to start working on that pillow for DD while she's at work. I'm trying to keep it a secret! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Books, Books, Books!

2007-12-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

I am so excited!! I found a bargain book site and found a bunch of cross stitch books very cheap!! You know me! I have to buy things on sale or cheap!! lol I ordered 13! It only took a week for them to get to me!

These are the books I got:

Jayne Netley's Cross Stitch Animal Collection (has deer patterns in it!)
The Best Designs from Donna Kooler
Cross Stitch Collection: 101 Original Designs by Claire Crompton
201 Cross Stitch Christmas Designs by Kooler Design Studio
Cross Stitch Angels from David & Charles Books
Helen Philipps' Cross Stitch Garden Notebook
Sue Cook's Wonderful Cross Stitch Collection
Cross Stitch Celebrations Month by Month by Sue Cook
A Christmas to Remember from Leisure Arts, Inc.
Donna Kooler's 555 Christmas Cross-Stitch Designs
555 Little Sayings in Cross-Stitch by Marie Barber
Cross Stitch Alphabets from David and Charles Books
Donna Kooler's Cross Stitch Inspirations

I LOVE every one of them!! I now have a mile long list of things to stitch!! I figured it up and this is $287.75 worth of books!! I paid $48.80 + $3.50 for shipping for a total of $52.30!! And they were all brand new books! Can you believe it!? This was my Christmas present to me!! I spent over 5 hours last night looking at them, and I can't wait to look at them again! Even if I never stitch anything out of them, they are beautiful books and fun to look at! There is at least a dozen things I want to stitch in each book. So - do you want to know where I got them from? The site is here. There were several that I didn't get. After Christmas I'm going to order the rest of them!! The shipping and handling charge is $3.50 no matter how much you order! I recommend that you check them out!

I have decided to buy gifts for my mom, sister, and niece instead of stitching something for them this year. I'm going to start stitching the tops for the baskets right after Christmas so they will be ready long before Christmas next year!! I would have to stitch constantly to get them finished in time. I always wait too late to start my Christmas stitching! I did that last year and really didn't feel like it was Christmas until Christmas Eve. I'm going to stitch my ornaments and maybe some small things for the ladies in my family, but hold off on the big ones until next year. So I only have to frame the pictures for DB and DBIL and finish the ornaments. Plus I'll have more time to look at my new books! lol

Yesterday was a very busy day! I went with DD to the eye doctor at 9:15. She won't take her contacts out every day, and she was afraid he might fuss at her. She just can't get it through her head that she can destroy her eyes by not taking them out. She's already had an infection in her eyes once because of leaving them in too long! She left them out a week before going to him yesterday. He said they looked fine. Then DD and I ate a late breakfast out. We really enjoyed it! I took her home and went straight to my mom's to take her to the dr. She is still not doing so good! The dr. said the CAT scan didn't show anything wrong with her brain except normal aging. He now wants her to have an MRI. So I will be going with her on Wed. to have that done. Then she and I ate out for lunch at a hamburger joint. Then we stopped at the grocery store. She hasn't been able to drive, and she needed a lot of groceries. She went around in an electric buggy and pointed out what she wanted for me to get. I also picked up a few things for myself! This took us forever! She was really tired when we finished! Then I took her home and took in all of her groceries and she got a LOT!! I also helped her put up the groceries! Luckily when I got home, Jerry was there and got out the groceries I had bought! I picked up fried chicken on the way home for us to eat. I didn't get home until 7:00 pm! I was exhausted!! It was so wonderful to see the box of books waiting for me. So I spent the rest of the time until 12:00 looking at my new treasures! What a day!!

I got so tickled at my furbabies a few days ago. Sugar, the black poodle, got up in my lap. I was cross stitching. She just stood on my lap, staring at me. She does that when she wants something. I couldn't imagine what she wanted! I had already let them go outside, and they had food and water. Then Bebe, the puppy, came over with the dog brush in her mouth and laid it at my feet. I couldn't believe it!! I brushed Sugar and she got down, satisfied! It was probably just a coincidence that Bebe brought the brush, but it really was strange and funny! They do amaze me! Bebe is potty-trained. She either goes outside or goes on the paper I put down. She really just learned it on her own by watching the other 2 dogs. She is so funny when she goes! She knows she has done something wonderful and will jump in my lap, going crazy - jumping around and licking my face to death. I really brag on her and give her a treat! She is a very smart puppy, and does the cutest things! And Jerry just adores her and plays with her all the time! He's an animal person anyway, but I've never seen him make such a do over a dog before! It's really cute! Pets enrich your life so much!

Well, that's about all my news for today. Need to go work on those ornies and rest. I'm going to sub all next week in the same class and in another class the last day the kids go before getting out for Christmas. I'm not going to sub any this week, so I can rest and stitch! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Stitching Away

2007-11-30T10:25:00.000-08:00

The 2 charts above are my latest additions to my stash. I went to WalMart to pick up some bedroom shoes DD wants for Christmas. I decided to stop by the cross stitch section - are any of you able to go into a store that sells Xstitch stuff and resist browsing through the Xstitch stuff!? lol I certainly can't! I guess WalMart is downsizing their Xstitch section; they had almost everything on sale! I got these 2 charts and a LOT of huck towels dirt cheap! I like doing the huck towels and they make great gifts! I'm going to do the horses for Jerry. He LOVES horses. When we were together, we had a farm complete with cows, 2 horses, dogs, and cats! I really miss it! Anyway, he's been hinting that he would like for me to stitch him something horsey! This will NOT be for Christmas - maybe his birthday next July!
And the other chart is one that I have wanted for a long time! I will do this for myself to hang in my bedroom.

And this is the 2nd deer that I did for DBIL for Christmas! I'm glad that I got them finished. The one for DB is on brown hopscotch material and DBIL's is on this forest green one. I didn't want them to be just alike so they would be unique gifts! I lucked out and found 2 square oak frames that are the perfect size for these squares and they only cost $6.44 a piece! I was sure I would have to pay a fortune to my framer to make frames for them. I didn't think I would be able to find square frames that were just the right size! I can put the pieces in a frame by myself, so I've saved a lot of money!

I'm furiously working on my ornaments. They are so much fun to stitch! I'll show pics after our "teacher get-together."

I'm still trying to come up with something for my mom and my niece. I lucked up again and found lidded baskets at Michael's for 70% off! They had very tacky pictures on the lids. The pictures came off easily and I'm going to stitch something and put it on a padded mounting board and glue it to the top of the lid. Does that make sense? lol They will be sewing baskets. I have something I've already stitched for my sister - if I can find it!! I'm going to do one for myself, too! The problem with finding something to do is that the piece needs to be wider that it is tall. It's hard to find the right pattern that is that way! But I'll keep looking. If I don't get them done this year, I'll do them for next year! I've also started something for DD. I can't show it because sometimes she browses through my blog! I'll show a pic after Christmas. I've had several people asking me to post pictures of my decorations. I will soon - I don't have a digital camera and will have to use my "old-timey" camera and get the pics developed! I'll try to do that soon!

On the diet front - I've lost another 3 lbs. for a grand total of 49 lbs. I went to my dr. yesterday and he couldn't believe I had lost that much. My blood pressure was perfect!! I asked him about something for my migraines, but he said that if Imitrex makes my blood pressure shoot up, any of the other meds for migraines would, too. He said he could put me on a preventative med., but since I already take a lot of meds daily, he'd rather not. I'm going to try to reduce the stress in my life! I also told him about my neck pain. My neck has been really hurting. I've been taking Motrin and putting heat on it. I finally realized that the pain was really originating from a spot on my shoulder. He said that I had injured a tendon that goes from my shoulder to my neck. I can't pronounce or spell what he called it! lol Anyway, he said what I was doing was exactly the right thing to do and also gave me some muscle relaxers. Maybe someday I will be pain free! It seems that when one thing stops hurting, something else starts! I guess it's old age! lol

My mom is doing some better. She had a CAT scan and it showed nothing wrong. The dr. now wants to do an ultrsound of the veins and arteries going from her heart to her brain!? I've never heard of this, but, oh well! We want to find out why she's having these dizzy spells!

I'm having a terrible time with DD right now. She wants to take her boyfriend to my family's Christmas get-together, but I'm not comfortable with her taking him this year! My mom is in bad health; my sister is also in bad health; this is only our 2nd Christmas without my dad and my DS; it's my DB's 1st time getting to our get-together since my dad's death; and there are just a few of us left. We cut up a lot and have some silly family traditions; and I'm afraid we won't be comfortable to act like we normally do with a stranger there. It would be different if they were engaged, but they're not even going steady! It might be the last Christmas with my mom - she is not doing too good! Now DD says if he can't go, she won't go either! I told her that it was her choice rather to go or not; that she's 18 and can decide for herself. She'll probably go, but she's going to drive me crazy about it until after Christmas!

Well, better go and start stitching! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Christmas Everywhere!

2007-11-25T11:49:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving! I had a very restful and happy one! The little piece above is what my DS made for me one year. He was only 7-years-old and it's the only thing he ever stitched, but he and Katie wanted me to teach them to cross stitch. Katie was only 5 so she never finished hers. This hangs on my refrigerator - it has since he did it and gave it to me! It's very precious to me!

I've been decorating for Christmas!! As I have said before - for several years before my son's passing, I had problems with my health and depression. So it has been years since I got out all of my Christmas decorations and decorated the house! Last year, I didn't even get my little tree up until Christmas Eve. But I feel a lot better this year! On Fri., Jerry and I got down all the Christmas decorations and packed up all of my usual doodads. I polished ALL the furniture and arranged ALL my Christmas goodies! I have a 3 piece wall unit with lots of shelves! Now they are full of Christmas treasures! It brought back so many happy memories of my kids when they were little! All the ornaments they had made through the years, ones with their pictures on them at different ages that they made for me at church, even some ornaments that my mom gave me that we put on our tree during my childhood! Christmas has always been a special time for me! The kids and I always made and decorated Christmas cookies. We made and decorated gingerbread houses at my mom's. Their daddy and I always took them on rides all around town to look at all the decorations. We would also drive up in the mountains to see all the decorations! I made zucchini bread loaves for all the neighbors, and the kids and I would deliver them to everyone on Christmas Eve. We always bought Christmas gifts for 2 children who wouldn't have gotten anything so that the children could feel how wonderful giving to others feels! So many happy memories! Although Glenn isn't with us physically, I know he's here in spirit, and remembering all these happy memories keeps him alive in my heart. So Christmas is not a sad time for me! It's even more precious than it was before we lost Glenn!

I hope all of you are making wonderful memories with your families!! Because no matter what happens to you, no one and nothing can take those memories away from you! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Lots of New Stash

2007-11-21T09:12:00.001-08:00

I went over to the LNS and treated myself to some new stash! The pattern above is what I got when I was over there a couple of weeks ago. I forgot to show everyone what I got that day. This chart was on a sale table. I really fell in love with it, especially because Santa's legs and shoes remind me of my Papa, who died over 20 years ago. He had big thighs and wore shoes like these. I know that sounds weird, but it really reminded me of him! Plus I really like it!

I also got the leaflet above during that first visit. I even bought the perforated plastic to do these on. I probaby won't be able to do any of these before this Christmas. But I plan to do some for next Christmas. This wasn't on sale - I know you're shocked that I bought something that wasn't on sale! lol

Now this is one of the things I bought yesterday! I have wanted to do a Mirabilia chart ever since I first saw you stitchers doing them! I'm going to do this next year for my DD. She loves purple. I haven't showed it to her. I'm going to do it when she's not around so that it will be a BIG surprise!

And this is the Mirabilia I'm going to do for myself!!! I think she is so beautiful! I didn't buy any material to do them on yesterday. I'm going to buy that after Christmas! This is the most I have ever spent for a single pattern, but I decided I was worth it!!

Last but not least - I also got this yesterday. This and The Lady of the Mist (the one in the previous picture) were on my wish list! I spent a lot of time Sunday looking at on-line needleshops and made a list of patterns I would like to get. It has over 30 things on it - like I could even do 30 more things than what I already have planned to do! But one can hope, anyway!! I told my mom if I should go before her, to pack my cross stitch stash around me in my casket and maybe I can take them to heaven with me!! lol But I just really liked the one above. It will remind me to be glad about each day, and to not dwell on the tragedies that have happened in my life! But back to my new stash - I'm definitely going to have to try a rotation after Christmas!!

Well, the plans for Thanksgiving have changed again. Mom doesn't feel well enough to go to my sister's, and my brother found out that Home Depot is not open on T. Day. I could have told him that! So they're not working on the floor tomorrow and I have been so down in the dumps lately that I really do want to spend some time alone - so we are back to the original plan! But please don't feel sorry for me - it's really what I want and need right now!! Holidays are very hard - without my son. I can make it through Christmas and will have a wonderful Christmas, but it takes a lot out of me and doing Thanksgiving also would really do me in! I really need some quiet and solitude before I start the whole Christmas thing!

That's about all the news I have! I have almost finished 4 of the ornaments that I'm making for my teaching-friends. I can't show pics right now because several of them read my blog! I wish I could; they are turning out so pretty. I just hope I can finish finish them so that they look like the ones in the pictures! I'm doing one for myself and will put it together first, so I can figure it out and get some practice before I do any that are gifts! Well, got to go! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

New Thanksgiving Plans

2007-11-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

Well, my plans for Thanksgiving have changed! I'm excited, but also a little sad. I was really looking forward to that time alone! But maybe I can get some alone time at another time!

My DB called last night and said that he and my DBIL were going to redo my sister's kitchen floor on Thanksgiving Day. I don't know why they are doing it on Thanksgiving Day, lol, but, anyway, he wants us all to go up there and he is going to buy a big Thanksgiving meal. There will only be my sister and brother-in-law, my brother, my mom, and me. DD has to work until 5:00, and we're going to eat at 12:00. My sister's daughter is also going somewhere else. This is really a big deal, because my DB and my DS had a big fuss about 4 months ago before my DB moved up here, and they haven't spoken since! My mom was worried that they would never work things out! Members of my family NEVER have big arguments or little ones for that matter! We've always gotten along perfectly! We don't see each other very often, so we are just so happy to see each other. But they had words about my brother moving back here and hadn't spoken since. My DB had tried to call DS and apologize but she wouldn't pick up the phone or call him back. Finally DS gave in and called DB last night and they talked everything out and everything is forgiven. I'm so happy! As I have said before, my mom has always insisted on "happiness" since we were little. (not realistic, I know, but that's how she is) My DB and DS not speaking was breaking her heart! She just knew our family was falling apart! I tried to convince her that disagreements in a family were normal and that they would work it out eventually! So I know she will be happy that the problem has been resolved! I am! She was driving me crazy about it. She always expects me to be the peacekeeper. She wanted me to get involved and try to "fix" it. I refused; I wasn't going to get involved and have one or the other mad at ME! I love them both! Anywho - I will be spending Thanksgiving with my family - I just hope DS doesn't expect me to help with the floor. Oh - you don't think they have an ulterior motive for having us up there, do you?!! lol I'm NOT spending my Turkey Day fixing a floor!! lol

Well, better go! It's time to fix lunch. I have the hardest time coming up with ideas for lunch other that a sandwich and soup! I tried Progresso's Light Soup (0 points on Weight Watchers), and I really like it! Maybe we have enough left-overs for today's lunch! lol Jerry does not like to eat left-overs! But beggars can't be choosers! lol He'd rather eat left-overs than fix his own lunch! lol Have a great day and may God bless you!

My Prize!

2007-11-19T12:49:00.000-08:00

This is what I won in the drawing on Pattern Nut's blog. I got it today! It's a piece of 28 count platinum lugana and a deep red rose from Mill Hill! I love them! Thank you so much, Angela!! It was so sweet of you, and I can't wait to start something on the material. I will have to find something extra special to use the flower on. Again - thank you! It was so much fun to get a surprise on the mail!

I finished up another ornament, but I can't show it. The intended recipient reads my blog! I want to show it so badly! It really turned out cute! I also did some more work on the second deer head.

I subbed today in that special ed. class and had a wonderful day!! They were the sweetest kids and no one misbehaved! They are having a sub again tomorrow, but the teacher had already arranged for another person to do that day before she had the death in her family and had to be out today. The kids begged me to come back tomorrow. I really wished I could! We had so much fun today! I wish I had classes like that everyday!

Well, short post today - not much going on right now! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you! And again, Angela, thank you so much for my special giftie!!

Reindeer Ornaments for my Deer Collectors?

2007-11-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

I'm making good progress on the second deer for DBIL. I'll just wait and post a pic when I get it finished. This little reindeer is for DB, and I will do another for DBIL. I make an ornament for everyone in the family, and I thought these would be good for the "deer collectors" in the family! lol

I did another one of these ornaments on several different colors of fabric, but they didn't show up good enough. This is 28 count tea Irish linen, 2 over 2. And I think I have finally found the one I want! This is not quite finished. I'm waiting on some red and gold fine braid that Donna at my LNS has ordered for me. It's taking so long though! This is one of the ornaments in the newest issue of Just Cross Stitch. I really like them. They're kind of country. And very different from the ornaments I usually stitch. I'm afraid I really like cutesy patterns, but I love these! They seem so fragile and dainty!

I subbed last Wed. and Fri. I felt sick both days, but the classes were great and I didn't have any problems. I was able to just sit and watch the kids, so I made it through both days. I really needed to work some. I hadn't subbed in a month. But I've been so good with my coupons and careful buying that I actually have extra money and will have enough for Christmas! Thank goodness! I've already got a job for Mon. at the same school I was at Fri. It is a self contained special ed. class. I don't usually do those classes, because my nerves are too bad and sometimes it depresses me so bad! But the teacher came to me at the school Fri. and asked me to do it. How could I say no?! But she only has 8 students and she said they were very sweet. She had a death in her family. It will be the last day I sub before Thanksgiving.

DD and Jerry are going to Jerry's family's Thanksgiving dinner. I don't go, although his family asks me to come every year! But JERRY doesn't ask me and I don't think we would be comfortable. What if he decided to take a girlfriend with him?! I couldn't handle it. My family doesn't get together on Thanksgiving anymore, because our family is so small now. We've lost 3 family members in the last 3 years. Also, Mom would not stop making a BIG meal and wouldn't let us help her or bring any dishes! She's not able to do that much cooking anymore, but she would go ahead and almost kill herself to get it done! Plus we decided it was really hard to make it to our family's and in-laws' family's dinners! I stay at home and usually get a turkey and dressing plate from a restaurant close by that makes great meals! I really enjoy being alone and relaxing! I like spending Thanksgiving this way. Katie and Jerry always bring me a big plate of food from their family's dinner! (Yum!!!)

Well, I need to go and get some Christmas stitching done! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Deer Happy Dance!

2007-11-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

I have finished one of the deer I'm doing for DB and DBIL. I like the way this turned out. I'm going to go ahead and do the other one because I am using the same threads. It wasn't very hard to do and went very quickly! They both collect anything with deer on it.

I went to the Stitching Club last Fri. night and had a great time! There were about 12 women there and we talked and laughed and stitched. I felt very welcome and plan to continue going. They're having their Christmas party at the next meeting - so I will have to take some food, but they're not exchanging gifts. I'm so glad I finally found a stitching group I can go to. Everyone was about my age and we had a lot in common!

Chiloe wanted to know more about my son's accident. We're still not sure how he ended up in the lake. There were no witnesses. At first the detectives thought that he did it on purpose, but after they investigated and talked with everyone who knew him, they said they KNEW he didn't do it on purpose! He was getting ready for college and had several appointments the next week. He was too happy! There was alcohol involved - he had been drinking. They ruled it an accident - maybe he took a curve too fast and went off the road into the lake and couldn't get out of the car. I couldn't have survived if they had found it a suicide - I couldn't live if I thought his life was so bad that he would do that! But we still wonder how it happened!

DD and I went to Michael's today. I used their 50% off coupon and got the Janlynn Summer Sampler! I was so excited that they had it! I only have to get the winter one now! I'll probably never get them finished! lol But at least I have them to work on. I'm planning on taking the Autumn Sampler to work on at the Stitching Club. It meets the 2nd Fri. of each month. There is also a UFO night. It's every 4th Fri. of each month. I'm going to attend those, too. Lord knows I have a lot of UFOs!!

Better go! I want to get that 2nd deer started, plus I'm working on those ornaments for my friends and family. Oh, by the way, those ornaments are not in The Cross Stitcher. They are in the latest issue of Just Cross Stitch. I hope I didn't cause any problems for anyone! Have a great day, and may God bless you!

Happy Birthday, Glenn!

2007-11-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

This is an older picture of my son, but it's my favorite! It was one of those old fashioned pictures. DD is in the picture, too, but she made me promise not to show her! lol I had gotten very lax about taking pictures right before my son's accident. I had taken a lot of pictures of him just a few weeks before the accident, but I hadn't loaded the film correctly and none of the pictures took. He had given me the camera for Christmas the year before. I was so upset when we took the film to be developed and there were no pictures.

Today would have been his 21st birthday! I miss him so much. He and I were very close. I was 32 before I got married and had just accepted the fact that I wasn't going to get married or have children. Then I met Jerry and knew he was the one, and Glenn was born 4 days before our 1st anniversary. He was a very good baby - my little miracle! He wasn't always that good, though. He was a very mischievious little boy! He loved to play pranks on everyone. He was extremely smart, and had trouble behaving in class because he would finish his work so fast and then be bored. Several of his teachers told me that he was the smartest child they had ever taught! He was a Boy Scout, had a 2nd degree blackbelt in Karate, was the 5th grade spelling bee winner for his school and the 5th grade winner for the school district! He was in the Duke's TIP Program for students who made the highest scores on the SAT in the 8th grade. He was a Junior Scholar because of his grades in school and on the SAT. He was listed in Who's Who Among America's High School Students in 2004. He was already getting letters from colleges and universities all over the United States trying to recruit him. But he wasn't a nerdy kid. He had a lot of close friends, and they got into trouble sometimes. He had some run-ins with the law - nothing all that serious! His friends said he was the clown of their group; he always kept everyone laughing!

The day of the accident, a Fri., he had taken my car to have the brakes looked at. He made an appt. to take the car back the next Mon. He came over to my school to pick me up. I was in the library helping another teacher on a computer. When I didn't come out for a while, he came in. He would come over to the school a lot and all the women there would make a big fuss over him! He was 6'4" tall, and very handsome if I do say so myself! lol He came into the library and started helping another teacher on a computer. After a while, we left. When we got home, we sat in the car for a while, talking. He said, "You know, Mom, I just attract girls - all kinds of girls- old women, little girls, all girls are just attracted to me!" We laughed and talked for several min. Then his friend came over and I fixed them some supper.

Finally, they took off to meet up with the rest of their friends. He hugged me and kissed me on the cheek before he left. He told me he loved me and I told him I loved him. I didn't wait up for him because he was 18 and came home pretty late sometimes. At that time I was in pretty bad shape. I was on antidepressants (not as much as I take now), and would have to go to bed pretty early.

At 6:30 the next morning, DD came running into my room, yelling, "Get up, Mom! There's some policemen at the door!" Since he had been in some trouble before, I thought maybe he had done something and they were coming to tell me what he had gotten in trouble for. They came in and told me to sit down. They said, "A car has been found in a lake, and we have traced the car to you. There was a body in the car. Do you have a teenage son?" I couldn't figure out what they were saying. I said, "Yes, I have an 18-year-old son named Glenn." They asked, "Does he have any distinguishing marks - scars or anything?" I still couldn't comprehend what they were saying. I kept thinking it couldn't be my child - he must have let someone else drive my car! I said, "Is this person dead?" They said, "Yes." All I could think about was that my house was so dirty and messed up. I started saying, "I've got to clean my house! I've got to clean my house!" I couldn't cry! I couldn't let myself believe that my most precious son was gone! The lady coroner started helping me clean up the house, and I started calling my family and friends. But I couldn't cry! I was just in shock! Within 30 minutes my house was full of friends and family. I finally started crying, but I still didn't believe it until I saw him at the mortuary. The life I was living ended that Sat. morning, and we have had to build a new life. It is a very different life from what we had before, but there are still a lot of happy times. I'm very thankful for the years I had with my son, and I really cherish all the happy memories we made while he was with us! I know I will see him again someday!

So, Happy Birthday, Glenn! Mom loves you with all her heart!!

Halloween Spooks

2007-11-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

This is DD on Halloween. Thank goodness! She doesn't look anything like this in real life!! lol

And this is DD and her boyfriend. They had a great time that night. We all did!

I finally got over to the LNS when it was open! It was like being set free in a candy shop!! I was good though and only bought one book and one pamphlet, and the pamphlet was on sale! I got one of the Kreinik braids I need, and she ordered the other 2 I need. I really like the owner, and we had fun talking cross stitch. They have a Stitchers Club that meets once a month. It meets tonight and I'm going. I've been wanting to find a group that meets to stitch! I'm very excited! And the LNS is only a mile from my house.

I finally got over to my mom's yesterday. We had a great time. We sat at the table all day and talked. I tried to help her balance her check book. My dad always handled that; he was an accountant. But she really just can't remember how to do it. I'm going to just go over there and do it for her every month! Since my dad's death, she just can't think like she used to do. I know what it's like. I was that way for a long time after DS's death. I couldn't even remember how to drive! I'm much better, but I still get addled sometimes. I guess it was such a shock to my brain! At my mom's age, I'm not sure she will ever get back to normal.

I got so tickled at the dogs yesterday. I was awake, but just laying in bed resting yesterday morning. They decided it was time for me to get up. Sugar, the oldest, kept pushing the covers down with her nose, and the other 2, Coco and Bebe, jumped all over me and licked my face to death! I gave up and got up. Then this morning I was lying on the bed looking at old cross stitch mags. They didn't want me to look at them; so -again- Sugar laid on top of the mag. and the other 2 jumped all over me and licked me to death! I had to give up before the mag was destroyed! lol

I'm going to have to cut this short - NOT! The computer is about to go out and I want to get this on my blog and go stitch! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

House Happy Dance

2007-11-06T08:02:00.000-08:00

I finished this piece yesterday. I really had fun stitching this. When DD looked at it, she said, "You're stitching in French?" lol I decided to leave November in French. I plan to do all the months' houses. I'm going to make a quilted wall-hanging with them. I'm going to make a tuck pillow for this so I can display it now. Then I can take it out when I'm ready to make the wall-hanging.

I'm going to do some ornaments next. There are 5 beautiful ornaments in the newest issue of the US Cross Stitcher. You use Kreinik fine braid as well as DMC threads. I've never stitched with the fine braid. Does anyone have any tips for me? Is it hard and is it worth the effort? I won't be showing pictures of these because some of the future recipients read my blog. I'll show them after our yearly Christmas party.

I'm thinking about setting up a rotation. I have so many things that I have started and want to finish, but I also have a lot that I want to start. I especially want to work on a piece I started that is in honor of my son.

DD and I went shopping yesterday. She needed some winter clothes to wear to her classes. I needed some DMC thread and salt! lol We had a ball. I try to do stuff with just her as much as I can. I have always tried to spend some "alone" time with each of my kids at least once a week. We would go out to eat or to the park or shopping, etc. This has meant so much - to them and to me! DS and I went to some counseling because of some problems he had gotten into with the law. The counselor asked the parents when was the last time they did something with their child - just the 2 of them. Some couldn't remember the last time they had; some said it had been ages; and some said never. I was the only one that could say that my son and I had gone out alone in the last week! I would get so tickled because my 18-year-old son would get a call on his cell phone from one of his friends while we were on our way to a restaurant or whatever, and they would ask him what he was doing. He would say, in that deep low voice of his, "I'm going out to eat with my mom." He would never cancel our outings to be with his friends. It was a very special time for both of us! Those memories of the times that I spent with just him - talking and cutting up - are very precious now! Anyway, back to DD - as we were leaving the Old Navy store, she turned to me and said, "I love doing things with you." I said, "Yeah, because I end up paying for most of what you buy!" lol She said, "No, I mean it. I love doing things with you. We have so much fun!" I almost broke down and cried right there in the parking lot! We may have some rough times, but we love each other with all our hearts! She also told me the other day that she was talking to a friend about how she wants to raise her children. I said, " Just like your mom?" and laughed. She said, "Yeah, that's what I said. I want to teach them to be independent and to think for themselves like you taught us." She went on to say that she wanted to be as close to her children as she is to me. Sometimes I worry that I wasn't a good mother - I guess if you lose a child, that's the main thing you worry about. It really helps to hear her say things like that!

Well, I'd better go and start one of those ornaments! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

November House.

2007-11-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

I started this yesterday. I have wanted to do one of these houses. This is the November house. It's a freebie I got here. I really want to do all of the houses she has designed! But I made myself start this one before I do anything else. There are so many things I really want to stitch! And so many things I have already started and need to finish!! I'm doing this on 28 count lambswool Jobelan, 2 over 2. I really like stitching on Jobelan! It's so soft! I have to do the fireman quilt square next! And I want to get back to the Janlynn Autumn Sampler and I need to start Christmas stitching!! Aye!!!! There's just not enough time for everything!!

Things are going pretty good around here. I'm finally recovered from the marathon migraine! I tried using Imitrex for my headaches, but I have high blood pressure, and the Imitrex made it shoot up dangerously. My doc took me off of it! I've been taking Excedrin Migraine and that usually makes them bearable, although it doesn't get rid of them completely. But this last headache wasn't fazed by the Excedrin Migraine and I took quite a few! When I take the Excedrin, it messes up my stomach. So I have suffered with a stomach ache all last week! Today I finally feel good!! I'm going to the Doc in a couple of weeks, and I'm going to ask if he can give me something else for the migraines! Maybe they've come up with something newer than Imitrex.

I'm going over to my mom's after lunch today. We'll probably go out to Denny's to get Grand Slams. That's our thing to do. DD may come and go with us today! She has a hard time going to my mom's house, because her Papa isn't there. It's hard for her to go in the house and see the empty chair where my dad sat all the time! I sit in his chair when I'm there, and I feel like I'm sitting in his lap with his arms around me! I can't sit on the sofa and look at his empty chair either! I've been more depressed lately - my DS's birthday is coming up on the 11th. And I guess feeling bad for so long has gotten me down, too. It will really perk me up to go to my mom's! I haven't subbed the last 2 weeks so I will have to sub some this week!

Well, that's about all that's going on here. I live a very simple life now, and I love it! It's amazing that all those things I thought were so important before my DS died are not important at all! I don't miss teaching or doing all those other things I used to do! If it's possible, simplify your life as much as you can!! And spend all the time you can with your children if you have any! And tell them you love them as much as possible, because you never know when it might be the last time you get to tell them you love them!! I told my son I loved him; he left and never came home again!! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you! If I didn't have my faith in God, I wouldn't be able to get out of the bed every morning! He really will give you the strength to bear anything! Well, that's my preaching for today!

Another Halloween Happy Dance

2007-11-01T20:10:00.001-07:00

I really love this piece! It was so much fun to stitch! I just adore the little broom! I have a square black frame that I think this will fit in. I just have to remember where I put it! I hope everyone had a great Halloween! We did! We had a lot of trick or treaters, and they were all so cute!

DD and I went out to lunch and shopping together yesterday. She has to dress up every Halloween! We went to a Halloween store, but the prices were outrageous! We ended up going to Walmart and putting together an outfit ourselves. She really looked good. I'll show a picture when I get the film developed.

Not much happening around here. I may go visit my mom tomorrow. I haven't felt like subbing any this week. I'm planning to sub a lot next week. Better go - it's late. Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Halloween Happy Dance!

2007-10-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

It's finished! DD got the thread I needed, and I finished it last night. I loved doing this! I'm working on another Halloween piece that I found at Cyberstitchers. I'll show a picture when it's finished.

Not much going on around here. I haven't gotten any sub jobs so far this week. I've got to go to the grocery store - I'm going to try to get there today! I don't have any candy for the trick-or-treaters, and we have a lot of trick-or-treaters every year!

Better go and get busy stitching and shopping! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Halloween Stitching

2007-10-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

This is almost finished. I decided to wait and go to Michael's to get the color called for on the pattern. The colors are so pretty on this that I want to use what the designer used! Anyway, Micheal's has their DMC threads for 4/$1.00. I did this on 32 count natural linen - 2 over 2. I haven't stitched on linen in quite a while and it took me a while to get used to it again! But when I did, I really enjoyed stitching this!!

This is the tuck pillow I'm going to put it in. I made this for something I did last year, but I wasn't happy with how that stitched piece looked in it. This piece is perfect for it. This is not a very good picture - all I have is my scanner, but you can see what the fabby looks like. I really enjoyed stitching this piece! I'm going to start another Halloween piece! I love stitching Halloween things! It's one of my favorite holidays - right behind Christmas! Not much else happening around here. My head is finally back to normal - or rather what is normal for me! lol I probably won't sub much this week. I don't sub on Halloween Day or the day after; the kids are just too wound up!! Better go and start my next Halloween piece! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Finally - Halloween Stitching

2007-10-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is the Halloweeny piece I started yesterday. I am feeling better; my head is only bothering me a little today. I really appreciate the sweet comments from everyone! Thank you everyone! I really appreciate my internet friends! I got the freebie above here. It's called Haughted Tea Party. I love anything by Brooke! I haven't got all the threads I need. I went over to Wilson's to get what I need, but they were out of one that I needed! I'm just going to look through my threads and pick out another color. It's a lighter orange than the 2 already used.

I was afraid to weigh today, because with the migraine marathon, I haven't really been as good as usual. However, when I weighed this morning, I'd lost 3 more pounds for a total of 46!! Guess I have changed my eating habits so much that I could still do my diet even eating delivery and take-out!

DD has broken up with the latest deadbeat boyfriend! Yah! Yah! Don't tell her I said that! lol I really wish she could meet some nice guys! I keep encouraging her to make friends in her classes!

Well, need to go and finish my Halloweeny piece! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Back in the Land of the Living! - Barely!!

2007-10-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Finally today (after 4 days) my head isn't hurting! Hooray! Hooray! I'm afraid to move my head too much for fear it will start hurting again! Night before last it had eased up enough that I could stitch a little. I am almost finished with this charity square. It is definitely too late to go in Fletcher's quilt. I'm going to finish this today and send it in for an any child's quilt. Next I'm going to do something for Halloween, even though it's almost too late. I'm going to take a break from the charity squares. I need to do my Christmas stitching next! I've got to get back to frogging that deer's head! My brother kept hinting that he wanted me to do something for his house. Finally, one day last week he just came right out and asked me when was I going to do something for him! I told him he ruined the surprise, but that I AM working on something for him! I've also got to get started on the ornaments for my teaching friends. I won't be showing pics of them this year, because several of my teaching friends read my blog!

Even with the marathon migraine, I've tried to stick to my diet. We'll see if I was successful tomorrow! I weigh on Saturdays.

Better go and start stitching! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

No Stitching Withdrawal!

2007-10-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

I still have the TERRIBLE migraine. I haven't stitched in 2 days! That's the longest I have gone in ages!

I know why this headache is so bad! DD got mad at me Mon., because I didn't have any cash to give her to eat out. Jerry was fixing hot dogs, because I was in too bad a shape to fix them! I haven't seen him cooking in ages!lol Anyway - DD didn't want her dad's hot dogs. I had gone to my room and was in bed. She came in my room, begging for money. When I told her I didn't have any cash, she pitched a fit and SLAMMED the door on her way out! Anyone who has migraines knows that sounds really bother you!! It felt like I had been shot in the head! I screamed and screamed for quite a while and had a terrible panic attack and I have been hurting ever since!! After posting yesterday, my head got worse and I spent the rest of the day in bed! Looks like that's where I'm going to be today!

Bad Migraine!

2007-10-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

I wasn't able to stitch much yesterday! I had a terrible migraine! It's much better today! I didn't get this sports square finished like I wanted to do. I guess Joan at Love Quilts will have to use it in an any child quilt! I hate it when I can't get the squares I've committed to finished on time! When I have one of these migraines, my whole life comes to a halt! It's like losing days from your life! I'm not the type that likes to be sitting around doing nothing. I like sitting around, but I have to be stitching or reading or something. And when you have a migraine, you can't stitch or read or do anything!

I did get to feeling well enough to watch that Johnny Depp movie - The Secret Window. That was the last movie my DS and I watched together before he died! He had rented it and wanted me to watch it with him. He knew I like psychological thrillers. It was very rare for him to sit down long enough to watch a whole movie, and that was the only one he ever wanted us to watch together. He had already seen it and wanted to see if I could figure it out before the end of the movie, but I didn't. I really enjoyed watching it again. I thought it would make me sad, but it made me feel like DS was here watching it with me! But the movie wasn't over until 2:00 am; so I really shouldn't have watched it, but the weird thing is that my head stopped hurting while I was watching it!

Well, enough rambling! I've got to go and finish that sports square! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Wackiness!!

2007-10-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Here's my progress on this latest charity square. I'm trying to finish it by Mon. I'm having fun with this one! Next I'm going to stitch a Halloweeny piece and then start my square for the Charleston Firemen Quilt. I'm looking forward to doing that one! I have stitched 25 squares for charity in the last year. And it's been almost a year since I started this blog! I have really grown emotionally and shrunk physically!! lol I finally broke down and weighed yesterday, and I have lost -----DRUM ROLL ------- 43 pounds!! (since May) I'm really HAPPY, but I still have a long way to go!! But back to the charity squares - I'm going to take a break for a while, and stitch squares for any child instead of signing up for a particular child. The any child squares don't have a deadline. You just send them in when you're finished with them. I can't resist signing up for EVERY child and I sign up for too many and then don't have time to stitch anything else! I'm about to get burned out on the charity squares, and I don't want that to happen! I do them in memory of my son!

Now - some really great news - I won a drawing for a cs pressie on Pattern Nut's site. I don't know what it is - it's a surprise! That's so sweet of you, Pattern Nut, to have drawings for cs stuff! Thank you! Thank you!!! I have entered 3 drawings and won 2 of them! Maybe I ought to go to Vegas and try my luck!! lol I don't order things on the net, because I don't have a charge card. So it's really exciting to get something cross stitchy in the mail!!

After my horrible experience at that school last Mon., I was afraid to sub again. However, I took a job Thurs. and had a great day!! I even felt like going from the school to my mom's and spent the rest of the day (until 2:00 am) with her. We had our usual reminiscing fest and went out to Denny's for a Grand Slam. But when we got there, we realized we only had $13.00 between us. I know everyone thought we were nuts - trying to figure out if we had enough money to get coffee with our GSs. We didn't - so we drank water! lol We were laughing and cutting up trying to get the money figured out to pay the check and leave the waiter a tip! I'm sure everyone there thought we were mentally challenged!! lol But we're both very wacky (I got it from her) and we couldn't figure it out! When I was young, my mom would always embarrass us by doing wacky things like talking to mannequins! And I did the same to my children! Those memories of my mom's wackiness are my favorite memories now!! Lots of people take themselves too seriously!! DD and DS (when he was alive) loved to tell all their friends about their mom's wackiness! Like the time I was going through the drive-through at a Burger King and there was a trash can before you got to the ordering screen, and I told the trash can our order. I don't know what I was thinking! DS said, in a monotone. "You're talking to the trash can, Mom." It was so funny - I didn't mean to do that little wackiness, but it's a favorite family story to tell! Life's too short - be as wacky as you can!! And you'll spend most of your time laughing!!

Well, better go! I'm fixing French onion soup (a Weight Watchers' recipe) for lunch! Got to get it started!! Have a day full of happy (and wacky) moments, and may God bless you!

Play Ball!

2007-10-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

This is the newest square I'm working on. It will go to Fletcher at Love Quilts. I'm enjoying this, but I want to stitch Halloweeny things so bad!! I have found several neat things at Cyberstitchers. Also Brooke's Books has a new Halloween pattern = Haunted Tea Party - that I really want to do! But I went to Love Quilts' site and read the thank yous from the parents of the kids who got a quilt with one of my squares in it, and I got inspired again! I want to finish this square quickly.

I substituted at a school Monday that I consider a good school. but the classes were awful!! It started even before school started. They were very rude, insulting, disruptive, etc! I sent for an administrator several times, but it took over 30 minutes for anyone to come! By then, I had already taken 2 anxiety pills and was almost in tears! I gave them the names of the worst ones, and they took 10 kids to In-school Suspension for the rest of the day. I got myself together enough to finish the day (I told them I wanted to go home, but they couldn't get anyone to cover the classes), but I had problems with the rest of the classes all day - but not as severe as those first classes! The administrator dropped by several times during the day! The teacher across the hall said that the teacher was very "relaxed" with the students. That always spells TROUBLE for a substitute. If a teacher doesn't have good discipline when she or he is there, the kids will be horrible with a sub! So I haven't subbed since Mon. I had to get over that experience. I have a job at another good school tomorrow. I hope those classes are better!

That's about all that's been going on around here - just stitching the last few days! Better go and get started on that square again! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

How True!

2007-10-14T05:09:00.001-07:00

Your Inner Color is Blue

Your Personality: Your natural warmth and intuition nurtures those around you. You are accepting and always follow your heart.
You in Love: Relationships are your top priority, and this includes love. You are most happy when you are serious with someone.
Your Career: You need to help others in your job to feel satistifed. You would be a great nurse, psychologist, or counselor.

What's" Your Inner Color?

This is so true about me! It always amazes me how close these things are to the real me!! I started the baseball square and have finished the ball, but it's all white and gray so a pic wouldn't show up. I don't think it will take me long to do it. Then I have to do the fireman square for the quilt in memory of the firefighters who died in Charleston. THEN I will finally be able to stitch something just for me!!

I tried a new recipe last night! Broccoli and Cheddar Pizza! It was really good - believe it or not!

I got it from one of my Weight Watcher Cookbooks. The rest of the family liked it, too.

I didn't get my floor mopped yesterday. No big shock! I got sidetracked and polished my den furniture instead!! I also washed several loads of clothes! It's amazing what I will do to keep from mopping the floor. I HATE to mop! I tried to bribe DD into doing it, but she hates it, too!

Well, I finally got around to reading all my internet friends' blogs! I got up early - 6:30 - just so I could! (Not really - just couldn't sleep! lol) I really enjoyed seeing what everybody is doing! I am so inspired now!!

Going to go and get started stitching!! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Fire Truck Happy Dance!

2007-10-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

I got it finished!! Although there's a lot of mistakes in it, I'm very proud of how it turned out! And I don't think the mistakes are obvious. There was a lot of backstitching! But I really enjoyed doing it - I know, I'm weird! By the way, this pattern was in the July 1995 issue of Cross-stitch Plus. Next, I've got to start another charity square. It's a sports square for Fletcher at Love Quilts.

I actually did some housework yesterday! lol I'm a bad "stacker"! And it had been years since we had seen the tops of my kitchen counters! So I spent half the day yesterday cleaning off my kitchen counters. Now my kitchen looks so clean! Except for the floor, which I'm mopping today!

An update on DD - We haven't seen or heard anything from her old boyfriend - the CRAZY one! Thank goodness! But she has hooked back up with an old boyfriend that I'm not too crazy about. He's better than the CRAZY one, but he's also a deadbeat! Doesn't work, has piercings everywhere, and talked DD into getting a tatto! Thankfully, it's a medium-sized star on the back of her neck. My family is NOT a tattoo family! And I really didn't want her to get one, but she's 18 and after it's done, what could I say or do? I think she will be satisfied with just one. Her dad hasn't noticed it yet! And heaven help us if my mom ever sees it! I tried to talk to her about this guy, but it only made her more determined to see him. (which I knew it would do!) So I'm just praying she'll eventually get past this "deadbeat" stage and find someone who at least has a job! Otherwise, she's doing great - hasn't missed a day of work (actually, she LOVES her job!) and is doing great in her classes! Since her dad had the talk with her about her temper, she's been trying to keep it under control!

Things have finally settled down with my brother, Mom and me! Although DB hasn't gotten a car yet and has to borrow Mom's a lot, they have finally adjusted to being so near each other. DB hasn't lived in our town since his early 20s - 30 years ago!! He wants to be a part of the family and be "involved" and he was really getting on Mom's nerves. He was calling her everyday. Although she'll let you know exactly how long it has been since you last called her, she doesn't want us to call her everyday. When my dad died, she began living by herself for the first time in her life! And, shocking to us, she really likes it! I know she misses my dad horribly, but if he can't be with her, she really enjoys being alone sometimes! If we call her everyday, she thinks we are expecting her to die and waiting for her to die! And actually, DB didn't want to call her everyday, but once he started it, he couldn't figure out how to stop without hurting her feelings. You may have noticed, our family is not the best at communicating! We are very close and love each other to death, but we have problems talking about our real feelings! To anyone - not just family members! We grew up in such a happy family and Mom insisted on "happiness" all the time, so we never learned to tell how we really feel. Mother's feelings are hurt very easily - it has something to do with her own childhood! She has this fear that her family will stop loving her. I've told her many times that she can't do anything that will cause us to stop loving her, but she still worries. We were talking the other day and she said, "What has happened to our family? Why have all these awful things happened to us?" I told her, "Mom, this is life! It can't always be sunny skies and happiness! We have to realize that there will be unhappy times and just go on!" She's trying! Boy! This has turned into a real "baring of the soul"! If you skipped over this last paragraph, that's okay! lol

Oh! I didn't tell you how the calling everyday thing got settled. God certainly works in mysterious ways! DB gave Mom a cell phone to keep in her purse in case she is out and gets lost or needs us! She really doesn't know how to use it though. Well, DB and I were talking on the phone and his cell phone rang. He answered it and it was our mom. But she wasn't talking to DB. She was talking to her sister. She was at our aunt's house. She had gotten something out of her purse and had accidently turned on the cell phone and had pressed DB's number on the speed dial! DB could hear everything she was saying, but she couldn't hear him! She was telling her sister about my brother calling her everyday and that it was driving her crazy! DB and I were dying laughing!! I had tried to hint to DB that she really didn't want us calling her everyday and he had admitted that he really didn't want to. I told him, "I guess this will cure you of calling everyday," and between laughing hysterically, he said, "It sure will!" He called my aunt and told Mom the phone was on so she wouldn't use up all her minutes! He told Mom what he had heard and how he felt about calling her everyday and we all had a good laugh! And we said we would try harder to tell each other how we really feel! lol

Well, this has been a LONG post, but it's been good for me! I've got to go mop the floor and get the sports square kitted up! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!!

Firetruck Update

2007-10-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

All I have to do now is the backstitching, and this will be on its way to Love's Quilt for Elijah's quilt. I haven't stitched much the last few days - too tired after substituting! I've been at a very good school, and the classes were great! I'm planning on staying home tomorrow and catching up on my stitching!

I was able to do a little shopping after school yesterday! I used 50% off coupons and got the stash above from Michael's and AC Moore. I've barely started the Autumn Sampler, but I want to get all 4 of the samplers. I really wanted the Summer Sampler next, but they didn't have it. So I got the Spring Sampler. At half price, it was only $12.50. I really liked the Christmas book - like I don't have a million Christmas patterns already! lol It was only $3.50.

I have a sports square to do for Fletcher at Love Quilts. I'm going to do it next, and then I'm going to stitch for MYSELF!!

Everything's going okay at home. Jerry finally sold the house at Hilton Head, but he is losing money on it! At least, we'll have it off our minds now! Katie is doing great at college. The dogs are all fine, except they get very upset when I get up early to sub!

Better go! I'm going to get started on that backstitching! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Firetrucks Everywhere!

2007-10-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

It's very appropriate that I am stitching an antique firetruck. I subbed at a middle school last Fri. and they had a fire drill - of course. Every school I have gone to so far this year has had a fire drill while I am there! Someone pulled the fire alarm at this one, and the firetrucks came out and all! It was a false alarm, thank goodness!! I hope no one notices that I'm always there when they have these false alarms and thinks that I am doing them!! This one was at 12:oo and the students eating lunch had to leave their plates and go outside! They said it was the 2nd time someone had pulled the alarm that week! Anyway, this square is for Elijah at Love Quilts. He wanted anything with an engine. This is going very quickly and I am really enjoying it! I have another one I must do very quickly. It's for Elijah's brother, Fletcher. It's a sports-themed quilt. That's so sad to have 2 children so sick in one family!!

I had another migraine yesterday. DD has a terrible temper that she got from her dad! Jerry took her keys to her car before she got up yesterday and went to have another key made, because that was the only one she had! He had already taken it to Walmart to have one made, but the key wouldn't work. You have to have one made at the dealership or it won't work. When she got up and her key was not here, she went balistic!! She started screaming and throwing things. I was doing something on the computer and didn't notice anything. When she screamed, a sharp pain shot through my head and the migraine started! I was in bed all day!

Today I've felt better, but a little sick to my stomach. That happens sometimes when I have migraines! I've already got a job for Wed. and Thurs. It's a good school!

Well, better go. The computer is acting like it is going to go out! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Puppy Love Happy Dance

2007-10-03T14:15:00.001-07:00

"Puppy Love" is finished!! I really enjoyed stitching this. It will go to Love Quilts for Karissa's quilt.

I haven't subbed any this week. I've had a migraine for several days. I did visit my mom yesterday - even with the headache. It was tolerable yesterday, but today I had to go to bed! Bebe, the puppy, was really puzzled when she saw a washcloth on my forehead. This was the first time she has seen me with one on my head. She got in my lap and looked closely at the washcloth and smelled it. Then she looked me right in the eyes like she was saying, "What the heck have you got on your head!!?" It was so funny! I told Jerry I bet she's thinking, "These humans really do weird things!" I'd better go - the computer is about to go down! That's about all I wanted to say! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!

2007-09-30T09:20:00.001-07:00

I finally got the printer downloaded again!! The monitor on my home computer is working again! Sometimes it goes out, but it's really doing great today! This first picture is what I'm working on now. I need to finish this today! It's for Karissa at Love Quilts. It's due tomorrow; so I've got to get it in the mail tomorrow. She waits a couple of weeks before she makes the quilt. This is "Puppy Love" from the book Furry Friends by Gloria and Pat Designs.I'm really enjoying this. This puppy reminds me of my poodle, Coco. His eyes are just like this puppy's.

Here is the finished Belle! She's going to Cole's Quilts for Veronica's quilt. She wasn't too hard to stitch. She's also due tomorrow. I've been holding off on mailing her, because I wanted to post a picture of her and I don't have a digital camera.

This one is one of my favorites!! This was a joy to stitch!! She will be in Rachel's quilt at Love Quilts. Jerry even said he would like for me to do one for him and make a pillow with it! He never says he wants me to stitch anything for him!!

And last but not least, these are 2 little ornaments that I stitched this week. Aren't they precious! I did the one on the right first and cut it out and then read the directions that said to glue felt to the back before you cut them out! That will be a whole lot easier! They are from the book Christmas Ornaments by Kooler Design Studio. I did them on vinyl weave. I really like to stitch on vinyl weave! I put up a small tree every year with just handmade ornaments; so these will be perfect for my tree!

I haven't gotten back to the deer yet to do that frogging. The dreaded frog has been leaving me alone - thank goodness!! I had to get these charity squares finished first.

Things are going pretty good around our home. I subbed 2 days last week. They were both good days. There was a fire drill at one of the schools. Almost every school I've subbed at this year has had a fire drill while I was there! I went to a school that I had subbed at a couple of years ago and had had a bad day. I said I would never go there again! But they have moved into a brand new building, and I had heard that the students were better now. So I decided to try again, and this time I had a great day!! I plan to go there again if they call me.

I did my monthly marathon shopping yesterday - mostly for groceries! Using my coupons and store specials, I saved $115.39!! I do one big shopping trip once a month and then just pick up the few things I need in between. I'm still doing my diet - I've lost over 40 lbs!! I have totally changed my eating habits! I'm still trying new Weight Watchers recipes. There's only been 1 0r 2 recipes that we didn't really care for. We eat lots of fresh veggies and fruit. The new 100 calories treats really help, too.

Well, that about catches everyone up on my life! I'm going to visit my mom for a while today. Have a happy day, and may God bless you!

A Quick Post

2007-09-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

I'll have to make this quick. We haven't got a new monitor yet, but the old one will come on for a few minutes; then it goes out!

I can't show any pics, but I have finished Belle and also finished a horse for Rachel at Love Quilts. The horse really looks good, and I really loved doing it! It went very quickly! I have started another charity square. It's 2 puppies - "Puppy Love" from one of the Precious Moments books. It's going pretty quickly, too.

My mom had the cat scan (I guess that's how you spell it! lol). The doctor was surprised because he couldn't find anything wrong with her aorta artery - the twist was gone! God still does miracles!! The dr. said her heart looked great and she's doing better than she has in years! I had prayed that God would not take another family member from me after losing 2 so recently, and He answered my prayer!

All of us here at the house are doing fine! I subbed 2 days last week, but one was an aide job and I get paid very little for that. I'll tell the story of how I ended up doing the aide job later. It's a long story!!

Mary Ann, I'm disappointed that I didn't win that Summer Sampler, but I'm very happy for the girls who won your contest!! lol That was so generous of you!! I can't part with any of my stash, because my tastes change so and I'm afraid I will want to do a pattern later! I'm awfully selfish when it comes to my cs stash!! lol

Better go! Have a day full of happy moments, and my God bless you!

Backstitching Belle

2007-09-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

This is my progress on Belle for Veronica's quilt at Cole's Quilts. I spent last Sunday with my mom, and I stitched a good bit of the border at her house. Then I have been able to stitch a couple of hours each evening this week. I subbed Mon., Tues., and today at an elementary school. I covered for the music teacher. She had left videos for me to show; so it was a very easy job! The kindergarten and 1st grade students were so cute! I haven't gotten a job for tomorrow. I'm planning on just being lazy and stitching!

While I had the kindergarten kids, the fire alarm went off. I was afraid I was going to lose all the little kids! But, luckily, their teacher and aide found us and helped me. Firetrucks came and everything! I found out after school that they think one of the students pulled the fire alarm!

Our Walmart must be going to stop stocking cross stitch supplies; they have their DMC skeins for $0.10 each! I bought almost 70 skeins today! I got every color I was missing and a lot of colors that I know I use a lot! I plan to go back and get some more! The clerk said, "I have to swipe each one," and acted like she didn't want to do it. I told her it was okay; I had plenty of time! They're not restocking them; so they are out of a lot of the most popular colors.

It's been a while since I started this post. Our computer moniter has broken down, and I can't afford to get another one right now! I'm at another school right now. This is a middle school band class, and they aren't the best behaved class.

I've finished Belle and almost have her ready to be mailed. I've started another charity square. It's a horse for Rachel at Love Quilts. I'm really enjoying this square. It's not very hard, and it's going very quickly! I can't show a pic right now. I'll show it as soon as we get a new monitor.

I went to the doctor with my mom yesterday. She had to have a cat scan. The doctor said that in an xray he took of her heart it looked like her aorta artery is twisted. Please pray that everything is okay! I'm not ready to lose her, too. My son died 2 years ago, and my dad died 10 months after my son.

The class that's in here right now is very good! We're watching a video; so this should be a very easy day!

I've missed reading your blogs and comments! It's terrible when you don't have a computer! Since this is a school computer, it won't let me access my email! I'd better go and watch these kids! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

Not a Good Week

2007-09-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

I finally got all the mistakes in the yellow out! It took 2 days! I haven't stitched much this week. I have felt very tired and blah this week. I guess I got too tired last week. Then yesterday I woke up with a terrible migraine!! I was in bed all day - we even had to order pizza for supper because I could not cook! I feel much better today - but it still hurts some!

I haven't even attempted to fix the mistake in the deer yet. I'm going to finish Belle first and get her in the mail! I need to start the square for the firemen quilt!

Well, that's about all for today! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Visited by Frog!

2007-09-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

The deer for DB is coming along very quickly, but the dreaded "Frog" really pulled a whammy on me yesterday! I've made a mistake somewhere on his left antler, and I haven't figured out what I did wrong yet! I finally just put it up and will look at it again today with fresh eyes and see if that helps me find the mistake! I really like doing deer patterns, but this one bothers me a little! I don't like the mounted heads of animals, but BIL has one hanging over their fireplace and I know DB will like this! But it still kind of bothers me!! BIL hunts, and he shot the deer whose head is on their wall. DB doesn't hunt, but he likes collecting deer things. I guess it's better to have a "stitched" mounted head that a real one!

This is my newest start. I worked on her most of yesterday. It's Belle from a Disney Princesses book. She's for Veronica's Quilt at Cole's Quilts. "Frog" also got this one. I have to take out most of the yellow! But this one is not going to take me long to stitch. I'm trying to pick out easier patterns for my charity work. The last few squares have been too hard, and I really got depressed because I couldn't get them finished on time and I couldn't do any stitching on things for myself! I love doing the charity stitching, but I really have a lot of pieces I want to do for myself and for Christmas gifts!

We had a wonderful cook-out yesterday, and the steaks were delicious!! I fixed a salad and baked potatoes, and we even had strawberry shortcake for dessert! And it was all on my diet!!

I didn't get a sub job for today, so I'm going to spend the day doing the laundry and stitching (or rather "frogging"!) I'm going to sub as much as I can this year! I cooked and froze stuff yesterday - chili for hotdogs and chili and beans. I'm trying to get meals frozen so that when I sub, we can just take out something from the freezer and heat it up! I'm just too tired to cook after subbing all day! I'm very proud of what I got done yesterday! My big chest freezer is over half full! (Not just my cooking from yesterday!)

Well, better go and get busy "frogging." Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Subbed All WeeK

2007-09-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

He needs his antlers, but here is my progress on the deer for my DB. Yes, Mary Ann, I subbed all week! I didn't get to stitch any until last night! I got a call last Sun. from the assistant principal at a very good middle school. They had a class that they had not hired a teacher for, and she asked if I would sub the whole week. Four of the classes only had 6 or 7 students in them, because they were 7th and 8th grade language arts assistance classes for students who didn't do so good on the standardized tests last year. The other class was a regular 7th grade language arts class, but it was a block class - it lasted 2 periods. However, they were very good students, and I didn't have any problems. The only drawback was that I had to make up my own lessons, but I'm pretty good at winging it! lol But I was exhausted everyday when I got home!! I had to take a nap everyday, and we ate sandwiches or take-out every night! When you have to talk all day, and you're not used to it, it really wears you out!! I don't see how you stitchers who work full time get as much stitching done as you do!! I'm really impressed!

Everyday in each class I had a "warm-up activity" for them to do as soon as they entered. (This gets them seated and quiet as soon as possible!) On Fri., I had them write a letter to me telling me what they thought of my subbing - what they liked and what I could have done differently and any advice they had for me. The letters were really sweet! No one said anything bad about me. (surprise!) But one letter was so humorous. This is what one young man said:
"As far as over-all teaching skills go, I can see no flaws. I can tell you that you've succeeded in doing your job, for I have learned quite the number of things from you. I dicsarded one complaint of me feeling uncomfortable with you teaching this class, because of the mellow dramatic substitute switch." (They had a different sub the week before.) This one really tickled me! lol

Now in the picture above you can see Bebe's handiwork (the puppy). She chews on everything! I couldn't believe she got my cross stitch and chewed the corner! Thank goodness it was a corner! No matter where I put my cross stitch stuff, she manages to get to it!

We're going to cook out tomorrow for Labor Day. We're going to grill steaks!! I can't wait!

Better go! I'm going to rest today and stitch! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Stitch or Read?

2007-08-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Here's my progress on the deer for DB. I didn't get as much done as I thought I would. I lost my stitching mood and found my reading mood instead! I'm also in the mood to start new pieces. I've had to cancel a few of my charity squares because I signed up for too many, and my life has gotten more complicated than it used to be. I got out the material to start another quilt square, but in the mail the other day I got my material and chart to do my quilt square for the firemen quilt a group of us charity stitchers are doing in memory of the Charleston firemen who were killed. I decided to start it next. It's a fairly simple pattern and shouldn't take me too long to do! I think I'm beginning to panic because I'll have to start subbing VERY soon, and I won't have much time to stitch then!

I got a call last night from the substitute system for a job. It's set up on a computer; so you don't actually talk to a "live" person. You have to punch in numbers to answer the questions it asks you; and it's been so long since I last punched in my pin number that I couldn't get it right last night! I had looked up my number earlier to make sure I remembered it right, but I just couldn't get it punched in right. I guess my subconscious self just didn't want to start subbing yet! lol So I didn't get the job! I hope I get another call tonight - I really need to start subbing, whether I like it or not! lol

As for my reading - I started A Place of Execution by Val McDermid. It's a murder mystery set in the 1960s. I'm a child of the 60s so it's bringing back a lot of happy memories! I've had it for quite a while, but just never got around to reading it. Like my cross stitch stash, I have paperback books stuck around everywhere! I found it when I cleaned out my roll-top desk to make a good place for DD to study. I wish I could read and stitch at the same time! I ought to check out some books on tape from the library, but I really enjoy the feel of a paperback book in my hands! Is that weird or does anyone else out there feel that way!?

That's about all I have to say today. Better get busy on that fireman square! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

New Project

2007-08-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday night DB took my mom and me out to a seafood restaurant for my mom's birthday! We had a great time and went over to his new house for me to see it! I really like it. It's an older house with hardwood floors and ceramic tiles on the kitchen and bathroom floors. I got so excited for him that I started his Christmas present! The picture above is what I am going to stitch for him and my brother-in-law for Christmas. They both collect anything that has to do with deer! It's on hopscotch material. I got 2 pieces many years ago very cheap at Big Lots. I've just never gotten around to stitching snything on them. Then last fall my sister, mom and I went to a LNS and I found this book in a sale bin. It's Hopstitch Classics by Canterbury Designs. I bought it just for the deer pattern.

And here is my progress so far. This piece of hopscotch is brown as you can see (a little!). The other piece is forest green like the picture of the finished piece. I was planning to make them into pillows, but there is the perfect place in my brother's hall to hang it as a picture! Plus - since it's a mounted deer head, it seems to me like it should be hanging on the wall. Let me know what you think!

God certainly takes care of you if you trust Him! My brother gave me a $100 bill Thursday night. In the past I have loaned him money when he needed it, and he hasn't always paid me back. So he called me Wed. and said he wanted to give me some money. We really needed it bad to buy some groceries! As I have said before, when I retired, I took a major cut in my pay. I do fine when I am subbing, but I haven't been able to save much for the summer when I don't work at all. I will start getting calls for sub jobs in the next few days, but we really needed a little money to pick up a few groceries. DD is spoiled and really wasn't happy when we had a big pot of black-eyed peas with rice and onions! lol (This is one of my favorite meals. We had it a lot when I was little!) I had prayed that God would help us make it to next Fri. when I get my retirement check, and out of the blue DB gives me this money!! I'm going to save money for next summer!! (even if we have to eat black-eyed peas and rice once a month! lol)

DD hasn't heard from the "crazy" exboyfriend since the windshield episode. Thank goodness! I think she realizes she needs to be more careful when picking out friends. She tends to take on down and out guys. She loves to help people. I hope she knows now that you can't always help people like that - they will just pull you down with them! She is a very good girl - no drugs, alcolol, etc. She just has a weakness for people she thinks she can help! I think it has something to do with her brother dying so young! I think she thinks she is honoring Glenn by helping guys the age he was when he died. Alcohol was involved in my son's death; so she tries to reform these guys.

Jerry's gone to Hilton Head for the weekend to check on the house he built there and is trying to sell; so I have the weekend to myself! I have been so busy this week! I'm going to cuddle up in my stitching chair with the TV on and do nothing but stitch!! I even have left-over shrimp from our birthday feast the other day; so I don't even have to cook!!

Better go! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Update on DD

2007-08-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to all of those who wrote such sweet comments and were worried about DD. She has not heard ANYTHING from the guy who broke her windshield. I think she really knows now that she should stay away from that guy!! As scary as it was, I think she did learn an important lesson. She's still excited about college, and that's the main thing on her mind right now. Thank goodness!!

I started a new piece today. I've decided to start my Christmas gift stitching. I'm doing a deer's head for my DB. I didn't get much done today. I'll show a pic tomorrow. Better go; I'm very tired! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

More Drama from DD

2007-08-22T05:28:00.000-07:00

I haven't been stitching too much the last few days, but here's my progress on Patchwork Garden. There's been a lot going on around here! I've only been working on this piece when I grab a few minutes to stitch. I'm really enjoying it, and it really relaxes me - no deadlines on it!

DD had a very upsetting episode with the guy she's been seeing. He is constantly having her take him places (using her - really)! He is on disability and doesn't work - although he cuts the grass and doesn't seem to have any problems that I can see. He asked her to take him someplace on Sunday night and promised to give her $5.00 for gas. Then when they got to the gas station and put in gas, he refused to give her the money. He does this every time - I guess DD is a slow learner! This time she locked him out of the car in an attempt to make him pay her. He jumped on the roof of her car and sat down on her front windshield and broke the windshield! The windshield on the new car she had had for 3 days! Then he called his mother and she went over there and then they said DD ran over him and that's how the windshield got broken. I have been having a bad feeling about him for several days - we had tried to tell DD that we were afraid of him and that she needed to not have anything alse to do with him! He had started calling her all the time - at work and even going over to her work! She had decided to quit having anything to do with him, but she thought she needed gas money. I don't know why she hangs around with these deadbeat people! None of them work and they sponge off of everyone else! She's not getting anything out of the relationships, but she's definitely putting a lot into them! Her dad went ballistic when he found out about the car and everything! Our insurance is going to replace the windshield without any charge to us. We have told her not to have anything else to do with him. I am really afraid of him!! Her dad told her that if he calls again, to tell him not to contact her again. Then if he does, we are going to call the police!

All this happened the night before she started her first college class!! So in addition to that drama, we have been trying to get her books and get her started! We were very fortunate - she was able to get some of the state lottery money and a grant from the federal government. Plus whatever isn't covered by those will be put into a loan that her dad and I are going to pay off. I highly recommend that if any of you want your children to go to college but can't afford it, check into getting financial aid! Her books are covered in these grants, but she put off sending in her application so long that the money is not in her account yet. We went over there today and got it all straightened out and she got her books today. We were also able to get enough in the loan to get her a laptop. She has been doing good about her studying so far!!

I'm going to spend the day with my mom tomorrow to celebrate her birthday. Then when my brother gets off from work, he's going to take my mom and me out to dinner! Thank goodness because I have very little money right now!

Need to go - I'm very tired! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

She's Finished!!!

2007-08-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

I forced myself to finish her yesterday!! And after I got started, I got back my CS mojo (is that how you spell that?)! I even worked some on Patchwork Garden last night! I do love this angel and will immediately start the other one for the charity quilt. But after I do all my housecleaning today, I'm going to enjoy Patchwork Garden and start the angel tomorrow!

And here is my progress on PG. I just love the little baby birds in the nest!! This was designed by Terrece Beesley and Trice Boerens of Studio B Designs. And as I said in an earlier post, it was in the Aug. 1998 issue of Better Homes and Gardens' Cross Stitch and Needlework. In the description of it, they say it is "a pastel patchwork of summer motifs." But these colors are not what I consider "pastel." Maybe I'll get into the pastel colors later! lol I like stitching pieces with several different motifs like this and the JanLynn Autumn Sampler. I do one whole motif at a time and it doesn't seem so overwhelming!

A couple of old friends called yesterday and I really enjoyed talking to them. One - Tonia - is a very special friend. She was my student in the sixth grade many years ago. Then after she finished school and became a teacher, she got a position at the middle school I was at and we became friends. When she first saw me, she said, "You were the meanest teacher I ever had, but they say you have mellowed with age." Then after a couple of years she transferred to an elementary school and we still kept in touch. I got a transfer to another elementary school. And then I got a call from her saying she was transferring to the same school I was at and she was moving so she could be at the school I was at! She even taught the same grade that I did. We were very close then and did a lot of team teaching and planning together! We had a great time! She is like a daughter of mine. She has 2 children and I claim them as my grandchildren! She helped me so much when my son passed away. We aren't able to get together as much as we would like, but I know she would be there if I needed her!

The other friend was the best man at our wedding. He was trying to reach DD's Dad (I'm going to start calling him Jerry, his name, it's too hard to type out "DD's Dad"!), but we had a long, great conversation. His wife and I are very good friends, and he was a friend of mine before I even met Jerry. He and Jerry were already friends, but I didn't meet Jerry through him. Jerry and I met at a church outing, which is another long and funny story. I'll tell that another time.

Well, I need to get started on that housework I mentioned! Can't stall any longer! lol Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Not Much Cross Stitching Going On

2007-08-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

I've had some problems finishing the Guardian Angel. After cross stitching almost constantly for over 2 years, I seem to have lost my CS mojo! We've been so busy with stuff around here. I've also really gotten into doing sudoku puzzles. But I'm going to make myself finish her today! I usually enjoy backstitching, but just can't seem to get into it right now!

DD and her dad have been busy trying to find her a new car! Her Dodge Neon just wasn't going to last many more DAYS!! It was konking out every day, and we couldn't afford to sink anymore money into it! Finally, yesterday they found a 2003 Honda Civic advertized in the paper and went to see it. And they bought it!! It's beautiful!! It's a dark blue (but not navy), gray interior, sun roof, auto everything, cd player, low mileage, and looks like new - not a scratch. They bought it from the owner and even talked him down $1000! She absolutely loves it. She wanted a blue Honda Civic, but was willing to take anything! So she was really excited when she got exactly what she wanted! She had to have a better, reliable car before she started her classes on Mon.! She's so excited about starting college!! I hope she keeps up that enthusiasm!

I'm looking forward to subbing again. Since I've lost a good bit of weight, I think I won't get as tired or frustrated with the students. And yes, I'm still on my diet! I did break down the other day, and DD and I got Reese's Cup Shivers from TCBY. It's been so long since I had one that it didn't taste right! lol I have my mind so set on this diet that things that aren't on my diet don't taste good to me! I guess that's really good!! I'm still trying new recipes and have tried lots of new vegetable dishes. I was always a "can" person - just opening a can of veggies and heating them up. But now I'm into fresh veggies. DD loves squash - summer and zucchini! So we're eating lots of squash!

Better go - lunch time! DD and I have ordered subs! Have a day full of happy moments ,and may God bless you!

Almost Finished!

2007-08-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

I have to finish Guardian Angel today! I really got a lot finished yesterday. I haven't been well the last couple of weeks. I slept through most of the weekend! Just a lot of stress! - worried about DD, money, my mom, brother, etc. I just have a little to do on the lamb - his face and some on his legs. Then I can do all of the backstitching. Then I'm going to take a day or 2 and work on Patchwork Garden. I have to do another Guardian Angel for another charity quilt and get it mailed by the 1st of Sept.

That's about all I have to tell today - haven't left the house in 2 weeks. It's been too hot, and I haven't felt like it! It is a little cooler this week. I hope everyone has a happy day, and may God bless you!

Too Hot

2007-08-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

My headache is better. Finally!! I was able to cross stitch a good bit yesterday. I worked on Patchwork Garden all day. You can see my progress above. I really love stitching on this - I love the colors! But today I have to work on Guardian Angel. I have to mail her in a few days.

I have plenty of time to stitch. We have had record highs here in SC this week! The last 2 days it reached 104 degrees F. And the humidity is terrible!! This broke the record set in 1952! I am staying in the house! The air conditioner in my car isn't working, and it will be a while before I can get it fixed. So I can stitch without feeling so guilty! lol

DD is officially a college student! She met with her adviser yesterday and signed up for her classes: English, Biology, Elementary Calculus, and Anthropology. She had waited so long that most of the classes were full! ( I tried not to say, "I told you so," but I couldn't resist! lol) She's real excited! I am. too! Classes start on Aug. 20th.

Better go! I want to get busy stitching and staying cool! Have a happy day, and may God bless you!

Headless No Longer

2007-08-07T07:39:00.001-07:00

Just no features on her face! lol I haven't been able to stitch too much the last few days - I have had a migraine since Sat. and still have it a little! We cooked out Sat., but my head was killing me so we ate inside. My head hurt so bad, the hamburgers tasted awful to me. DD and DD's Dad assured me they were very good. If you have migraines, you know they can affect your senses - things don't taste right; you smell weird smells; light really bothers you; every noise seems extremely loud! I've slept most of the last 3 days!

When I have migraines, the furbabies can tell. They want to sit in my lap - all 3 of them - and they lick my face and arms. It really doesn't help.

Better go and put a cold cloth on my head! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

The Headless Wonder

2007-08-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

Latest progress on the guardian angel. Right now she's a headless wonder! lol I want to finish her dress, because I don't like stitching in these blah colors. I want to get them out of the way first and then I'll really enjoy the rest! I haven't worked on anything else the last few days. I've been pretty busy!

I had a nice visit with my mom on Thurs. She and my DB are back to normal - loving each other! DB has moved into a nice house he is renting. He's very happy where he's working! He's already gotten 2 raises since he has been there - only about 3 weeks! He really is an artist when it comes to woodwork!

Not much to say today. Have to go and do my weekly vaccumming and dusting, so I can start stitching! We are going to cook out tonight - yay, yay! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Update on Guardian Angel

2007-08-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is my progress on the guardian angel. I worked on it most of yesterday. I did a little on Patchwork Garden, but not enough to show yet. I haven't been able to stitch any today. I decided not to do my shopping yesterday, because I was afraid I would be too tired and wouldn't enjoy our outing to the Chinese restaurant. So I did my "marathon shopping" today. I take one day a week or so and do all my shopping for groceries, stash, medicines, etc. I'm trying to save money by using coupons and taking advantage of sales.

I do let myself buy about $10.00 worth of stash each month. I got some white aida at Michael's with a 40% off coupon; and I got some marbled aida at A.C. Moore with a 40% off coupon. The marbled aida is kind of a bluish green. I'm going to do a fairy on it - someday! lol The white aida is for my charity stitching.

Yesterday was DD's Dad's birthday and we took him out to a Chinese restaurant. We had a very good time. Yesterday was also his mother's birthday, and his whole family went to a fish camp tonight to celebrate her birthday. So I'm here alone - which hasn't happened in quite a while! I enjoy being alone sometimes! However, I spent most of the time on the phone with my mom. I'm planning to visit her tomorrow. It was so nice not to cook dinner yesterday or today. I had a leftover plate for supper tonight.

Better go - I want to do a little stitching before bedtime! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

Stash in the Mail

2007-07-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

This is what I won on Maryann's blog! I haven't gotten anything cross stitchy in the mail in years! Long ago, I ordered 3 kits from The Stitchery catalog: a baseball collage for my son, a ballerina for my daughter, and an antigue store for me. I started the baseball piece, but never finished it (one of my UFOs), and the other 2 have never been opened! DS's room had a sports theme, complete with sports equipment stenciled around the top of the walls. (I did a lot of stenciling in my house - I still love what I did!) DD's room had a ballerina theme - ballet shoes stenciled around the top of the walls. DS's room is still sports-themed, so I quess I could finish that piece and put it in his room, but DD and DD's Dad don't want any changes to his room. DD's room has been painted purple (even covered my beautiful stenciling! Does she realise how much work that was!!?) and DD has long passed the ballerina stage! Anyway, maybe I'll do those for grandchildren someday! I still plan to do the antique store. But back to my spring sampler, it came with Crescent Colour threads. I've never stitched with these threads; so I can't wait to stitch this! Again, thank you, Maryann!

The picture above shows my progress on Patchwork Garden. I'm really enjoying this! I don't have all the colors I need. I'm going to do my weekly shopping in a few minutes and will pick up what I need. I'm going to have to put this aside for a while and work on the guardian angel.

DD's Dad and I had our first "disagreement" since he has been here. DD was in one of her moods yesterday (she said she was PMSing - her excuse for any bad behavior on her part!). She didn't want anything we had at the house for lunch. She wanted me to order subs from Wedgys. We are very tight on money right now!! I told her we were not ordering anything until I start subbing again. She pitched a temper tantrum (yes, she's 18, but acts like she's 3!). Her dad and I were both saying, "No!" Then her dad gives in and says, "How about something from Taco Bell or McDonalds?" I couldn't believe it! I told him we shouldn't give in to her when she pitches fits! He went ahead and got her a hamburger and fries! I was furious!! When he got back, he knew I was mad! He wouldn't look at me and quickly went outside and piddled around. I gave him the silent treatment the rest of the day! I plan to have a "discussion" with him today about what happened. By supper time, we were talking again, just not about what happened. DD has to learn that she can't pitch fits to get what she wants!

Well, better go and get ready to do my weekly marathon shopping! Today is DD's Dad's birthday. We're going out for Chinese food tonight. It will be our monthly eating out! Eating out on birthdays is a family tradition! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

"New" Old Stash

2007-07-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Here's my progress on the Guardian Angel for Sophia's quilt at Cole's Quilts. This is going more quickly this time than the first time I did it. I'm enjoying it, too. I don't usually like doing the same pattern twice.

DD's Dad was cleaning his room yesterday, and he found a box of old cross stitch magazines that I had forgotten were in DS's room. After I did my cleaning, I had a ball looking through the mags. It was like I had never seen them before! So that's my "new" old stash!

And the piece above is what I am going to start today! (I have a big stack of pieces I found that I want to do!) But this one really caught my eye! It kind of reminds me of the Seasonal Samplers by JanLynn. It's called "Patchwork Garden," and it was in the Aug., 1998, issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework. I'm going to do it on white 18 count Aida. I'm one of those rare people who still likes stitching on Aida! lol It will fit perfectly in an 8" by 10" frame! I have too many started already, but I can't wait to do this! It looks so springy and summery! I'm going to take turns working on this and the Autumn Sampler.

Well, nothing but stitchy news today! Better go and fix lunch! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

P.S. - I was reading through my last few posts and realized that I failed to mention that DD's Dad finally got DD's car fixed. Yay! Yay!

I Won! I Won!

2007-07-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

Mary Ann (Just Stitching) had a drawing for the spring sampler chart above and all the threads to do it. I entered my name and won! I am so excited! Mary Ann is a very special internet friend. She was the first person to leave a comment on my blog, and she also stitches lots of beautiful charity squares! Thank you! Thank you, Mary Ann! I can't wait to get it!

I did the little piece above yesterday. I did the spring one and had it hanging on my wooden perpetual calendar. I've been wanting to get this one done to hang there! I'm going to try to finish it as a tiny pillow sometime today. It's a freebie here. (Click on "Special Offers.") It was a quick little stitch! I couldn't see the finished picture very clearly and I thought the watermelon slice was a flower. I was really surprised when I got it finished! lol I love watermelons!

I got this much done on Autumn Sampler. This is really a challenge, and I really enjoy stitching it! I'm going to start my next charity square. It will be the guardian angel I did before. She will go to Cole's Quilts for Sophia. Then I will stitch her again for Allyson, also at Cole's Quilts. I have now stitched and mailed 20 squares. I have thoroughly enjoyed every square I have done. I'm sure I'm getting as much out of doing them as the recipient gets out of receiving them!!

DD's car is still on the blink! DD's Dad is trying to get it fixed as soon as possible! I'm just letting her use my car. I don't go out much, and I would rather stitch! lol

Tried a new recipe last night - a salmon pie. Surprisingly it was very good! All 3 of us loved it!

DB moved into the house he is renting. He doesn't have any furniture yet! He's sleeping in a lounge chair my mom gave him! He has all of his furniture and stuff in storage in Florida. It will probably be a while before he can afford to have it sent up here. He collects deer things, so I'm going to quickly stitch him a little deer magnet for his frig! lol I'm planning to do a deer pillow for him for Christmas. I did one for him in 1999 and it was the only thing he didn't put in storage. He brought it up here with him! It really touched me that it meant that much to him!

That's about all the news for today! Gonna get busy stitching! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

PM Princess Finished!

2007-07-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

PM Princess is on her way to Love Quilts for Mikayla's quilt! I really enjoyed stitching her! They will really be surprised that she's there before the deadline. lol I'm going to do a quick little summer piece and work a little on Autumn Sampler today and start a new square tomorrow.

Just as everything seems to be going smoothly, DD's car konks out! Ah - such is life! lol DD's Dad is out there working on it. This means I will have to take DD to work and pick her up until her car is going again. I was planning to go visit my mom today, but visits with her are day-long events. I visited with her the other day and stayed 4 hours. Yesterday she said, "You came for a 'little' visit the other day." Mom is so good at "guilting" me. lol

DB has found a house to rent! Yah! Yah! Mom is having to pay the 1st month's rent and the deposit, but it's worth it to get him out of her home!! He is driving her crazy and Mom has bad nerves!

Better go! I'm still in my gown and housecoat! Happy stitchin' everyone! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

Housework - Bah! Humbug!

2007-07-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

I'm working on the backstitching on the PM Princess. I would have finished it yesterday, but all 3 furbabies wanted to sit in my lap all day yesterday!! I think the 2 older dogs are very jealous of the new puppy. Whenever she's in my lap, they have to be there, too! I got so frustrated trying to stitch! I really wanted to finish this! I really like the colors in this piece.

I didn't stitch very much on Sat. I did housework all day -vaccumming, sweeping, dusting, washing clothes, etc. Plus I did a lot of cooking! I got very tickled at Sugar (our black toy poodle). After I had vaccummed the den, Bebe, the puppy, brought in a leaf and was playing with it like it was alive - poking at it, etc. When she finally lost interest and went to do something else, Sugar picked up the leaf and took it back outside! It was like she was saying, "Don't mess up Momma's clean floor!" Sometimes I think Sugar could talk if she tried hard enough.

Both of the poodles amazed me a few days ago. Bebe is still small enough that she can go through the slats on the wooden part of our fence (across the front). She usually doesn't unless we go out to get in the car, and she is outside. However, the other day both poodles kept going to the front door and barking and whining like they usually do when DD or DD's Dad has come home. I knew no one was at the door. Then they went to the door to the garage and did the same. I asked them what was wrong, and they came to me and went back to the door (which means, "Come with us!"). I finally realized Bebe was not with them. I opened the front door, and there was Bebe - out of the fence and on the front porch! The poodles were trying to tell me that Bebe was outside the fence! I'm sure they were thinking, "Boy! Humans sure are SLOW!" lol

Better go and get busy on PM Princess! Have a day full of happy moments, and may God bless you!

New Stash and an Update

2007-07-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

Above is an update on the PM Princess. I've really enjoyed stitching her and haven't gotten back to the Autumn Sampler. I guess my cross stitch genie was happy just to get it started! lol I hope to finish the PM Princess in the next few days. Next I have to do 2 more of the guardian angel I did before and she takes quite a while to stitch; so I doubt if I will get back to AS any time soon. I'm one of those stitchers who usually stitches one thing at a time. Although I have several UFOs. lol The next 3 pictures are my most recent stash acquirements.

I got the book above with a 40% off coupon at Michael's. I love these "Wannabe Bears." My kitchen is decorated in red, white, and black. I collect cows - hence the black and white and I just love red! I'm going to stitch these on some towels I have.

I got the one above with a 40% off coupon at A.C. Moore. I got several of these striped towels on sale a while back, but haven't come up with anything to stitch on them. I love these patterns. I'm stitching towels for my (estranged) mother-in-law and sister-in-law for Christmas. Even though my husband and I have been legally separated for 16 years, the 3 of us still give each other a little something at Christmas! They really loved me!! lol And I really loved them! You don't stop being friends just because you're not in the family anymore!

And the book above was on a 50% off table at A.C. Moore. I can't buy anything if I don't have a coupon, or it's not on sale! lol Anyway, I love alphabets. I especially like stitching things for DD that have her name or initial on them!

Things have gotten better here and at my mom's house. I think I failed to tell my internet friends that DD's friend, who was staying here, went home. DD had a talk with her and told her I was in too bad a shape to have extra company and that we just don't have the room! And Mom and my brother are getting along better since he started working and isn't there ALL DAY LONG!! They're looking for an apartment for him. So peace reigns again! (at least for a while! lol)

DD still likes her job and finally got her application in at Tech. She's all set to start college courses in a couple of months! Yah! Yah!

I am still on the diet and continue to shrink! I try 1 or 2 new recipes every week and so far we have liked all of them. DD especially liked the French Onion Soup we made yesterday. She LOVES Fr. Onion Soup!! She made some more this morning at 1:oo!! And of course I had a mess to clean up this morning! lol

Well, better finish cleaning up that mess and get to stitching! I'm going to visit my mom this afternoon. Have a happy day and may God bless you!

More Charity Stitching

2007-07-16T20:28:00.001-07:00

I worked all day today on the PM Princess for Mikala's quilt at Love Quilts. I didn't work any on Autumn Sampler today. I really got into the PM piece and couldn't put it down. I'm going to work a good bit tomorrow on AS. This PM girl is much simpler than the last one I did with the 2 girls with flowers!

I didn't really stitch all day today. I had a very bad anxiety attack last night. I started having them after my son died. At first I had them all the time. Now I don't have them very often, but every few days, it will all hit me again and then it's just like I am reliving the morning the detectives came to tell me that my car had been pulled from a lake and that a body was in it and did my son have any birthmarks or scars on his body so they could determine if the body was my son or not? I can't breathe - it feels like someone's hands are around my neck choking me. And it also feels like a knife has been thrust into my chest. I start screaming and crying and can't stop until I take my anxiety medicine. The next day after one of these attacks, I'm usually sick to my stomach all day or I have a migraine. Today it was my stomach and it was bad! As long as I stay in bed or sitting down, I do okay, but if I get up, I double over with my stomach hurting! So I was able to stitch as long as I was sitting. I couldn't cook so we ordered delivery for lunch and dinner.

On a brighter note - DD went to her first day at work in the bakery department of Ingles and she loved it!! She had to put the cookies on a big cookie sheet and put them in the oven. She also practiced cake writing. She said they're very laid back in that department and she liked the other 3 ladies she will be working with. She can't wait to go back tomorrow! I am so happy for her!

Better go. I need to get to bed and hope that tomorrow will be better! Have a happy day and may God bless you!

Started "Autumn Sampler"

2007-07-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't wait any longer! I started the Janlynn Autumn Sampler last night. Autumn is my favorite time of the year! I love the cool temps. and the colors! I'm going to work mostly on the charity squares that are due soon, but I will stitch on this a few minutes each day!

I'm working on this apple lady motif first. She's in the middle. This is definitely going slower than my charity squares! I love it! I really needed to do something that would challenge me! And this will do the job! lol

This is what I got stitched last night and today in between cooking and cleaning! There are a lot of different colors in those apples!

Mom didn't get over to my house yesterday; I went to her house instead! She's having a rough time with my brother there!! He's not easy to live with! He doesn't have a car, so he drives hers all the time. She's very particular about her car, and she misses being able to go places because he's always gone with it! She's scared to death that he's going to wreck her car! He also wants to stay up late and she can't go to sleep until he goes to bed! He smokes and she has bad asthma and even if he smokes outside, he still brings it in when he returns! He drinks - bad - and my mom and dad never had anything alcoholic in their home!! He's very sullen and hateful and doesn't want anyone to talk to him. He's also going around the house, pointing out what he wants to get when she dies! He seems to think he's entitled to all the antiques and items that are worth a lot! He hasn't been up here - helping to take care of Mom and Dad all these years!! My dad was always having health problems from the time he was 29-years-old. My brother wasn't up here everytime my dad was in the hospital; he wasn't going through all that stress and worry with us. Then when Mom was in her 60s, she had a heart attack and several other health problems. So if we weren't at the hospital with Dad, we were there for Mom!! Why does he think he should get everything?!! Plus, Mom gets so depressed because it's like he can't wait for her to die! He has no money so Mom is having to give him money everyday!! She's so stressed out with him there! It will be at least another month before he will have enough money to get his own place! I'm not sure my mom will live through another month with him!! I don't know what to do! I'm so stressed out and still grieving for my son!! I can't handle any more stress! Mom and I both have terrible anxiety attacks! I don't have room for him here at my house, and my sister is in very bad health, and she and my brother do not get along at all! We really didn't want him to come up here to live, but he came anyway and just expects us to take care of him and keep him up! Boy! I'm really on a rant! Aren't I!? Well, enough for today!

I tried another new recipe today - Honey Chicken. It was very good! Better get back to my stitching! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!

Good News

2007-07-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

This is my progress on the PM Princess. I worked on her a good bit today.

We are so excited - DD got the job at Ingles! She will be working in the bakery department. She will be baking and learning to decorate cakes. She's very excited because she will make a good bit above minimum wage. She starts on Mon. God has really been answering our prayers.

We decided to celebrate her getting the job and went out to eat tonight. We got Mexican food. We had a great time!

I'd better go; my mom is going to visit tomorrow and I need to get to bed. Have a great day and may God bless you!

New Start

2007-07-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

This is the next charity square I am doing. It is "Life Is ... Precious as a Jewel" in the book Precious Moments: Pretty as a Princess by Designs by Gloria and Pat. She will go in Mikayla's quilt at Love Quilts. I have until Aug. 1st to do it, so I should be finished early. They will really be surprised to get one from me early! lol

Here's my progress so far. I like stitching these PM girls. I'm not going to stitch the border around it. It would be a little too big if I did. I am going to get ahead on these squares so I can do something for myself! I would like to start the Autumn Sampler piece! There are so many things I want to stitch. But I do love doing the charity squares! There's just not enough time in the day to stitch everything I want to do!

Things have gotten a little complicated around here. Another friend of DD's has left home and decided to move in with us. No one invited her or told her she could; she just spent the night one night and hasn't left. I finally realized that she is planning to stay here. I wish I could take in every stray dog and child, but I can't!! I am an emotional wreck, and we are barely paying the bills and keeping food on the table for the 3 of us right now! I told DD that her friend can't stay here; she needs to go back home! DD is going to talk to her today about going home to her Dad!

Some good news - DD has an interview for a job tomorrow! Yah! Yah! It's at Ingle's and she's not too crazy about working in a grocery store, but I think she finally realises that we are not going to give her money and that she had better take any job she can get!! She will continue trying to get a job in a daycare while she works at the grocery store.

She and I had a long talk this morning and she announced that she wants to be a teacher - kindergarten. I am so happy!! Although teaching is a hard profession, it is a very rewarding profession! Plus almost all of my mother's family was and is in education! It seems to run in the family!! Right after my son died, DD dropped out of school. She would come over to my school and help me in my class sometimes. She would actually teach some lessons. She was great! She really is a natural! She even taught me a lot of the math I had to teach - graphing stuff that we never did when I was in school! Even if she changes her mind, at least she has a goal she will start working toward!! She's finally thinking about the future. (For those who haven't been reading my blog since I began - DD got her GED last March and had a very high score. She is going to take college courses at Tech. and transfer to a college in the future.)

Better go - have to fix lunch! Have a day full of happy moments and may God bless you!!

2007-07-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Dance!! Fireman Teddy is finished and on his way to Timothy's quilt at Cole's Quilts. I was determined to get him finished yesterday, but the dogs were not cooperative. All 3 furry babies wanted to sit in my lap at the same time ALL DAY LONG! I stayed up until 2:30 this morning to finish him! I'm going to start another square today. It's one of the Precious Moments girls - a Princess. I'll show a pic tomorrow.

Alberta, thanks for mentioning my blog on your blog! I tried to leave you a comment, but either blogger or my computer wouldn't let me! Alberta's blog is Busy Hands, Happy Hearts.

Not much happening around here right now - just stitching! Have a day full of happy moments!

2007-07-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

The picture above is of my nephew Rusty and his wife Mandy. They are the proud parents of our newest little one in the family, Thomas. I finally got over to visit my mom and my brother on Friday. I still hadn't seen the new great-nephew and given him the cross stitch I did for him. It's the Thomas in the frame. So Mom and I finally caught them at home and went over to visit.

Isn't he adorable!? He looks alot like his dad. He let me hold him and even smiled for me. He's a chubby little fellow.

And this picture was taken on the 4th. He's 6-months-old and so cuddly! They really liked the picture I had stitched for him! I was afraid they might not realize how much I had to pay to have it framed, but then Mandy said that she knew having it framed was expensive because she used to work in a frame shop. She said it was a very special gift, because "it came from the heart." We had a great time visiting them and playing with Thomas! I can't wait to go back to see them again!

I had a great visit with my brother. He looked very good. I'm so glad he will be in Greenville now!

I haven't done much stitching the last few days. I've been too busy with family! Today DD, DD's Dad, and I spent all afternoon playing Sorry - Card Revenge. I actually won TWICE!! I never win at games! We have always loved playing board games with our children! Almost every Sunday was spent playing something with them when they were young.

I had some board games in my class at school that we would play at recess time when it was raining and we could not go outside. I was shocked to find out that almost none of my students knew how to play board games. They didn't know how to roll the dice, count the dots on the dice, move their piece around the board, or even how to take turns. I couldn't figure it out and then one of the teachers in the lounge said, "Kids don't play board games these days. They play video games!" I think it's sad that parents don't play board games with their children!

Well, I'd better get busy on the fireman teddy. I'm almost finished with his boots. Then I only have the little dog and his bowl to finish and then I can do all the backstitching! I also had problems with blogger not letting me put on a title! And I'm still having problems leaving comments on some blogs. So don't think I'm not reading your blogs if you haven't heard from me in a while! Everyone is doing such beautiful things! Have a happy day!

Sea Life Happy Dance!

2007-07-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

I finished this up on Wed. I didn't put in all the fronds that were on the pattern. I was short on time and it would have taken forever. I really don't think it needs them. It's on its way to Samantha at Love Quilts.

After finishing the Sea Life piece, I picked up this WIP again. This is also a charity square. I started it a while back, but they pushed back the due date, so I put it up and worked on some that were due before it. This fireman will be in Timothy's quilt at Cole's Quilts. It's due on the 15th. I have said it before, but I would encourage anyone who has time, to stitch a square or 2 for these charity quilts. It is so rewarding!

DD's Dad and I had a good time cooking out on the 4th. Those were the best burgers we have grilled so far. We ate outside and the weather was perfect! I tried a new WW recipe last night - oven-fried chicken. You dip the chicken pieces in buttermilk and roll them in crushed corn flakes and flour. Then you bake them instead of frying. It was very good! DD's Dad said he liked it better than fried chicken. We will definitely have that again!

I'm going to try to get over to see my brother today. I've had a migraine the last couple of days. It started while we were grilling our burgers on the 4th. But I refused to let it ruin our cookout. However, it did knock me out of commission yesterday! My brother has already gotten a job. He is a carpenter and builds beautiful cabinets and custom furniture. He is very talented. I'm glad he's going to be living up here. We haven't seen him more that 2 or 3 times a year for the last 30 years! It will be nice to see him more often and "let" him build me beautiful things for my house! lol

Better go! I'm making chicken salad for lunch. Have a happy day and may God bless you!

Happy Fourth!

2007-07-04T08:21:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th of July to everyone!! We are celebrating with a cookout tonight - just hamburgers- and a watermelon! We had invited my mom and brother, but Mom doesn't feel like it. And DD has been invited to her friend's for a big family get-together and she'd rather do that. SO it will just be DD's Dad and myself. But that's okay with us. We're both pretty tired.

You can see my progress on Sea Life above. I have most of the backstitching finished. I am going to finish it today and mail it tomorrow. It's going to be late, but the quilter usually waits 2 weeks to sew the quilt, so maybe it will get there in time. I really like this square and enjoyed stitching it.

Bebe, the new puppy, is into cross stitching, too. She loves to get my threads and play with them. I have a round sewing basket that I keep my current project in, and it sits on the floor by my chair. I have had to move it up higher to keep it away from Bebe. She also loves the outdoors and loves to bring part of it inside - sticks, leaves, dirt, etc. But she's just so adorable, I can't get mad at her! She sleeps on my bed now, along with the other 2 furbabies. It's pretty crowded! lol But we all stay good and warm!

I'm joining 8 other stitchers to do a quilt in memory of the firefighters who died in the fire in Charleston. We are each doing a square. It will be sent to one of the fire chiefs and hung in a fire station there in Charleston. I'm so glad these ladies included me - it's a group of us who stitch for Love Quilts. I really wanted to do something in memory of these firemen!

DD's Dad has gotten another offer to enter a bid for a job. We're real excited! He went to Hilton Head over the weekend to check on the house he built there. We hope it will sell soon. I really missed him while he was gone. I got very depressed and had a bad spell Monday. My brother arrived from Florida on Sat., but I haven't felt like going to see him yet. Most days I stay at home - it's just hard making myself leave the house! I hope he understands.

Well, better go. I need to fix lunch! Have a happy day and may God bless you!

Lots of Family Stuff Going On

2007-07-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

I've really been working a lot on this square! All I have left now is the backstitching! I'm not sure what I'm going to stitch next. I'm not going to do the other square that was due today! I've just signed up for too many charity squares.

DD's Dad went to Hilton Head (almost 5 hours from here) yesterday to check on the house he built there and is trying to sell. I have really missed him. I've gotten used to him being around. DD stayed home yesterday to keep me company. That really surprised me! I guess she knew I was going to miss her dad. He's supposed to get back today.

I'm trying to get more organized. Friday I sat down and planned my menus for all this week. I can never decide what to fix for dinner. I'm going to try 2 new recipes this week. I made my grocery list from my menu list, but I took DD with me to get groceries and she talked me into buying a lot of stuff we didn't need. The bill was way too high! Next time I'll go alone.

After I planned my menus, I went ahead and cooked my chili for hotdogs on Fri. and froze it. I also cooked all the chicken for the recipes that call for cooked chicken, and I froze that, too. I'm very excited. I feel like a load has been lifted off of me, because I'm always trying to decide what to cook. DD also tends to veto things I suggest each day. She's a real control freak. So I made her approve of all the choices and made her understand that she couldn't change her mind. Now I don't have to think about what I'm going to cook and wonder if I have everything I need to cook the dishes. This will really help me out when school starts in August. On days I substitute, I come home so tired I can't think of anything to cook. I'm planning to make some dinners I can freeze so I will have them ready for days I don't feel like cooking! We have got to stop eating out. It's too costly and doesn't help me on my diet. And on the subject of my diet, it's going great. My clothes are getting baggy. I can tell that I am getting around better and I don't get as tired as quickly!

My brother has moved back to our town. He has not lived in this town since he was in his 20s and he's 52 now. He is not married and doesn't have much. He's staying with my mom until he gets a job and gets his own place. He builds custom wood furniture and usually works at a cabinet shop. I hope things turn out okay. He's pretty difficult to get along with and doesn't like children at all. My kids would always ask why their uncle didn't like them. I tried to explain to them that it wasn't because of them, he just doesn't like kids in general. He and I are SO different! We really get along great and I guess that's why - we're so different, we're never jealous of each other or anything! It's the same with my sister. She and I have never had a fight, even when we were children. We're all 3 very different!

We're planning to have my mom and brother over for a cookout on the 4th of July. We're going to have hamburgers. We also have a watermelon to cut up! My brother has only been to my house twice in the 15 years I have lived here! He always stayed at my mom and dad's house when he came to visit.

Well, that's about all of my news. I hope everyone has a happy day and may God bless you!

Sea Life Continued

2007-06-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

I stitched all day yesterday and got this much finished. I love the coral shell. It makes me crave ice cream for some reason. lol I'm going to work on this all day today, too. I have to get it finished quickly to have time to do the policeman bear I have to do next!

Things have been pretty quiet around here. We are excited about one thing! DD's Dad has his own construction company. He has been trying to get some contracts for work since he moved back from Hilton Head and moved in with us. He does house add-ons and small repair kinds of things. He's been working on a bid for a family that wants to have a sunroom added to their home. Yesterday he found out that he got the job!! The family also knows another family who also wants a room added to their house - so we're keeping our fingers crossed! Things are beginning to look up around here.

Well, I need to get busy stitching! Have a happy day!

Sea Life

2007-06-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

This is my newest charity square. This is Treasures of Summer from McCall's Needleworks and Crafts Magazine, June 1986. Again this magazine is probably older than some of you; so you know I'm OLD!! lol This square is for Samantha D. at Love Quilts. The theme of her quilt is sea life.

And this is my progress so far. This is the sand dollar. It's going pretty quickly; there are no fractional stitches. I'm going to try to finish this very quickly, because I have another square due on July 1st!

On Saturday DD's Dad worked on the kitchen sink. For those of you who are new to my blog, I call him DD's Dad because we separated 16 years ago. We never finalized the divorce. We've always been best friends, and he was a big part of my children's lives. Our 18-year-old son was killed 2 years ago in a car accident. We went through this terrible tragedy (and are still going through it!) together. Our daughter is all we have left and we both wanted to live with her, so he has moved in with us and is renting a room and helping with the bills. We are trying to be a family again and so far, things are going great. He has been here 2 months. He has done a lot of work around the house - repairs and all. My garbage disposal had died some time ago and then that caused a leak in that sink (I have a double sink in my kitchen). He took out the g-disposal and added pipe and a drain. We're going to live without a g-disposal. It took him all day to do it. And he actually cleaned up the mess. It's really nice to have a man around to fix everything!

Last night we went out to eat - the 3 of us. It's so hard to catch DD when she doesn't have anything planned! We went to the Cracker Barrel and had a great time. This was to reward DD's Dad for all the work he did on Sat. The Cracker Barrel is one of his favorite places to eat. After dinner, we sat out on the porch in their big rocking chairs and played "The Car Game." This is a game my brother and sister and I made up when we were young. As the cars pass by, you take turns saying it's your car. I hope that makes sense. We played it with our kids when they were little. It's funny to see what vehicle you get. I know the other customers thought we were crazy when they left, hearing us say "That's Daddy's car. That's Mom's car. That's Katie's car," and laughing hysterically. It doesn't take much to entertain us! lol

Well, enough rambling for one day. I need to eat lunch and get started on the shells! Have a happy day and may God bless you!

Drama, Drama Everywhere

2007-06-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Dance!! I got her finished! I really like her, but there was an awful lot of backstitching! She is going to be in Nevaeh's quilt at Love Quilts. The guardian angel was too late to be in Briannah's quilt, so she will also be in Nevaeh's quilt.

I wanted to show all the backstitching that went into her hair! It took me 2 days to stitch all her curls and only half a day to do the rest of the backstitching! I don't think I'll do her again - unless it's for a grandbaby in the future!! I tend to choose patterns that are too complicated for my charity squares! Then they take too long to stitch! But I just love doing the beautiful squares and knowing that they might bring a smile to a sick child's face!

It's been a very busy week around here. My aunt by marriage lost her brother last Sunday. He had cancer and committed suicide. He was 65 and the cancer was in his mouth, and they wanted to do surgery and remove most of his tongue and jaw. Mom and I went to the service and to my aunt and uncle's home after the service. They live about 1 and a half hours from here. My uncle is my mom's brother. He also has cancer. It's in remission right now. But he also has heart problems and needs to have 5 bypasses, but he refuses to have the surgery. He really doesn't like doctors and is one of those guys who doesn't want to confess that he isn't invincible! He's also a diabetic. So we worry about him all the time! My mom has already lost a sister to cancer.

Then we had a big episode with DD. She got a letter about a summer job opportunity. She called and made an appointment for an interview. I had a funny feeling about it, because there was no return address on the envelope or letter and it didn't say what kind of business it was. I called the business and tried to get some info, but the receptionist was very vague. Even DD's Dad called, and he didn't get much info either. She left to go to the interview at 5:3o and did not return until 8:30. I was almost out of my mind!! I can't help but worry when she's gone very long! It turns out that it is a door-to-door kind of thing. You sell knives by setting up appointments with people and going to their homes and doing a pitch for the knives. You have to pay $150 for a kit up front. It turns out that it was a "group interview" and there were several other teenagers there. They told them they could make $15.00 an hour. So, of course, DD wants to do it. There's no way we're going to let her go to strangers' homes to sell KNIVES!!
Plus we don't have $150 to spend on a kit of knives!! She went ballistic and said she just wasn't going to get a job then! We finally talked her out of it, but I know she will use that as an excuse not to try to get a job! Life with a teenager!! I don't know if I'm going to survive!!

So I woke up the next day sick from all the stress of the night before. I was sick 2 days! I finally felt better yesterday, so we decided to have a cook-out. I NEVER buy steaks - can't afford them, but last week the grocery store had T-bone steaks on sale. So I decided to splurge and bought 3 for us to cook out. DD, DD's Dad and myself - that makes 3. 3 steaks - 3 people. Then DD invites 2 of her friends to the cook out without asking first, and she told us they were coming 30 min. before we started grilling! We ended up buying some more steaks, but the T-bones weren't on sale anymore, so DD's Dad gets breakfast steaks which are paper thin!! We ended up cutting the T-bones in half (they were VERY big) and having both kinds of steak. At least everyone got a little bit of the T-bones! If they made a movie out of my life, it would be a hit comedy!! Or a tear-jerking tragedy!! lol

I've started a new piece. It's another charity square. It's sea shells. I got a good start on it last night after the grilling episode! My stitching keeps me sane! I'll show a pic when I get a little more done. Got to go! I'm going to spend the day stitching. Have a happy day and may God bless you!

Pictures of the New Puppy and Others

2007-06-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

The picture above is DD and her new puppy, Bebe. This was taken the day she got the puppy. Bebe is part miniature dachshund and part miniature pincher. She was 6 weeks old in this picture. Isn't she adorable?! (the puppy and my DD!)

This is a picture of Bebe in her playpen. She really likes it and it's really helped us out a lot. We don't have to watch her every minute.

The picture above is so dark, but this is our other 2 dogs checking out Bebe when she first arrived. On the left is the back of Coco, our miniature poodle. On the right is our black toy poodle, Sugar. The 2 older dogs have finally gotten used to Bebe and love playing with her. We still keep an eye on them, especially Coco. He tends to play too rough. The female, Sugar, likes babying the new puppy.

This is a picture of DD and what she is cross stitching. It's a whole line of puppies getting into a basket of laundry. She has finished this puppy. She's a very good stitcher! But she doesn't pick it up too often; she's too busy being a teenager and running around!

I finally got a picture of the piece I did for my new little great-nephew, Thomas, framed. I am proud of the way it turned out!

And last is a better picture of the spring pillow I did for myself. I really like this in my den!

I had a lot of errands to run today. I am so tired! I used a 40% off coupon at Michael's and got the JanLynn Autumn Sampler. I have been wanting this for ages! I can't wait to start it. But I need to finish a couple of charity squares before I can start it.

Well, I'd better go. The puppy wants me to rock her to sleep. She is so spoiled! Have a happy day and may God bless you!

Happy Father's Day

2007-06-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Here is my progress on the newest angel. I am enjoying stitching this, although her hair had a lot of quarter and three quarter stitches. I really like to go ahead and stitch the faces, but her eyes are French knots, and they sometimes get messed up while I am finishing the piece. All that's left to stitch is the wings. Then it's just a lot of backstitching! I'm going to try to finish her today or tomorrow.

Happy Father's Day to all fathers out there! Hope all the fathers that you stitcher ladies know have a wonderful day! We're taking DD's Dad out to dinner tonight. He wants seafood. Sounds good to me! lol

I've been pretty busy with my mom. She lives in a very nice mobile home, but lately she's had a good many repairs that she's had to take care of. Now she's talking about moving into an apartment. She has never been content no matter where she and my Dad lived. They had a very nice house, but she was never happy there. They sold the house and moved into an apartment. They were upstairs and she didn't like going up the steps. So she and Dad moved to a downstairs apartment. She didn't like that because she could hear the people around her. SO they had some land on a lake, and they built a very nice house on that lot. She didn't like that either - too far from the rest of the family and isolated from neighbors. So they moved back to an apartment. The noise still bothered her. (She's very picky about every thing!) SO they found this very nice mobile home and moved into it. She has it decorated beautifully! My dad said he would never move again, and he would only leave the mobile home in a box. She tried several times to get him to move, but, bless his heart, he held strong and refused to move. He always gave her anything she wanted!! Now, she's talking about moving and she's 78-years-old!! She's in very bad health and we're all too stressed out to move her again!! Although I have a brother and sister, I'm the only one that looks out for her and takes care of her. I have always been the one to watch over Mom and Dad. My sister helps a little more now, but I'm still the main one. I couldn't survive moving her again, and I know that once she's in an apartment, the noise and all will drive her crazy and SHE'LL WANT TO MOVE AGAIN!!! I went over to see her yesterday and I think I finally talked her into staying where she is! Surely she has had everything repaired and the mobile home will be okay now. Please pray that she will be content where she is and be happy!

Well, I guess that's enough rambling for one day. I'd better go and fix some lunch! Have a happy day and may God bless you!

Moving Along

2007-06-14T10:18:00.001-07:00

It's hard to see on this pic, but this is the progress I made on the newest angel for Love Quilts. I'm not sure I like the pinks I chose. I'm afraid the darker pink might be too dark. But I'm not going to change it now. I think it will look okay after it's backstitched.

Not going to say much today. I've got some kind of virus, and my stomach's bothering me. DD's Dad and I sat out in the backyard for a long time last night. It was just about to storm, and it was really neat. There was a breeze, and it was that time of night right before it gets dark. That is my favorite time of the day! We really enjoyed it!

Better go. As long as I sit, my stomach doesn't bother me very much. Maybe I will at least feel like doing some stitching. Have a happy day, and may God bless you!

A New Angel

2007-06-13T08:27:00.001-07:00

This is the next square I am doing for Love Quilts. This is for Nevaeh R. This pattern is in Priscilla's Babyland by Gloria and Pat Designs. And the other picture is my progress so far.

My migraine FINALLY went away! I have felt much better. SO - I've been able to get back to my stitching. This pattern has too much ecru in it!! I don't like to stitch with the same color forever! I'm going to leave the ecru and work on another color for a while. I'm going to change the green parts to pink, because Nevaeh wants angels with pink. I want to do some summer pieces, but I have a lot of charity squares to do before July.

Things are going very good with DD's Dad here. He actually washes the dishes! Every Day!! I never saw him wash a single dish when we lived together as a married couple! He even washed the dishes yesterday while I was cross stitching. Because of my guilt trips, I started to say, "I'll do those; don't worry about them." But, I bit my tongue and let him do them and kept right on stitching! When we were together, I said something to him about him never helping me around the house. We both worked! He said, "You won't let me do anything!" Thinking about it, I guess he was right. I have a real hard time letting people do things for me. I got that from my mom! (the guilt trips,too) lol So, I'm trying real hard to "let" him do things around the house for me.

The puppy is doing good. DD is a little upset because the puppy wants to sit in my lap a lot. We've figured out that she wants to sit in my lap when she's ready to take a nap, and she wants to be with DD when she's ready to play. Sometimes I have all 3 dogs in my lap at once. Really makes it tough to cross stitch! My children sat in my lap (at the same time) until they were teenagers! I guess I have a good lap for sitting on! lol I will post a picture of the puppy as soon as I get the pics developed. I need a digital camera!!

Diet is going great! It's very easy to stick to. We're just eating the right way and watching the amounts we eat. I've been trying new recipes and found some really great ones that don't have many calories. If you're going to diet, I highly recommend trying different recipes; then you don't get tired of it so quickly! Also I make sure I have some kind of treat everyday that is on the diet. Then I don't crave something sweet and fattening!

Well, better go. Bebe is climbing my leg which means she's ready to take a nap. I also need to get to stitching! Have a great day and may God bless you!

Guardian Angel Finished!

2007-06-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

I finally got her finished! But way too late to be used in Briannah's quilt. I'll go ahead and send it to Love Quilts and let them use it in an "any child quilt." I had that migraine Thurs. and Fri., too. I spent most of those days in bed. I have felt better today. DD's Dad and I worked around the house some more today. He finished up the utility room. He cleaned it out real good and put my scrapbook and cross stitch stuff out there. But he put the cross stitch stuff where I can get to it easily. I cleaned the carpet in the hall. It was very dirty. Last year I bought a Rug Doctor Steam Cleaner and I love it. DD usually cleans the carpet for me. It was harder than I thought it would be. DD makes it look so easy! We're going to do the den and bedrooms later.

I'm going to start another charity square next. I have several that are due the first of July. After July I'm only going to do 1 or 2 a month. I just don't have the time to cross stitch like I used to have. We're still on the diet. It's been 5 weeks! I can tell I have lost a good bit; my clothes are getting looser!

Better close. Have a happy day and may God bless you!

A Sad Day

2007-06-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

It's very sad around our house today. Our parakeet, PD Bird, died during the night. I had noticed that he was sleeping more than usual, but we've been so busy with the house, I really didn't think it was serious! We have had him for a long time. DD's Dad got up first and found him. He knew I would be upset and that I had a migraine yesterday; so he went ahead and buried him in the back yard and put his ladder, that he loved best, on the fence above his grave. He also put flowers on the grave. I'm glad he did. I still have the migraine and it's really worse than yesterday! I really miss PD Bird's chirping and banging his ladder on the side of his cage!

When we went through all my school stuff and took most of it to the Salvation Army, I didn't send my picture books that I had bought for school. I had oodles of books in my class library. However, the substitute they got to cover my class the rest of that year must have taken a lot of them. This really upset me because they were my personal books, but I didn't say anything because I was dealing with my son's death and really didn't want to bother with it. I still had 2 boxes full of picture books; most of them hardbacks. I wanted to do something special with them. I donated them to the Children's Hospital in memory of my son. I took them over there yesterday and the director of the Children's Hospital Learning Center (I think that's what she called it) came down and got them. She said they would put a label in each book that would tell that they were donated in my son's name. She was very nice and was very excited to get the books. It really gave me a warm feeling to do something in my son's name.

I did a little stitching yesterday, but not enough for a pic. I don't know if I will be able to stitch any today - with this headache!! Take care everyone and have a happy day!

Stitching Again!

2007-06-05T04:35:00.000-07:00

I just made myself sit down yesterday and stitch! I made a lot of progress on the guardian angel. I'm really enjoying stitching her, but she's going to be so late. She is supposed to be for Briannah at Love Quilts, but I'm afraid she won't get there in time!

DD's Dad worked on all the vehicles yesterday. He has a truck; I have a car; and DD has a car. Both his and DD's vehicles need work done on them; so he's taking them today to be worked on. My car just needs an oil change. I hate taking care of my car; so I'm glad he has taken that over!

The puppy is doing great! Both of the adult dogs are getting used to her. Sugar, the female, has been playing with her for a couple of days. The puppy has finally realized that she isn't going to get any milk out of either dog! lol Coco, the male, still barks at her, but not as much and he has stopped nipping at her. He still tries to get her to lie on her back in submission, but she won't! She goes right after him! But we don't have to watch them as closely as we were. DD is doing better about taking care of the puppy.

I'm having some problems leaving comments on your blogs. I don't know if it's my computer or the blogger. I am reading your blogs and trying to leave comments.

Well, I need to get to stitching the guardian angel. Have a great day, and may God bless you!

Still Busy

2007-06-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

I am so tired!! We finished with the garage and utility room! The garage was almost full of my "stuff." A lot of it was stuff I was going to give to Good Will and school stuff. After going through the stuff 3 times, I finally had it all gone but 3 boxes! Really good for me, because I am a terrible pack rat - I want to keep every little piece of paper, every empty box or bag, etc. Yesterday and today I've been working on my cross stitch "stuff." I have stuff stuck everywhere. I want it all in the same place and organized! I cleaned out my closet to make room for my cross stitch stuff. Of course, it won't all fit in there, even though I have a walk-in closet!

But right after my son died, I got into scrapbooking. It really helped me to make a scrapbook about him! But, being me, I kind of went crazy buying scrapbook "stuff," and the closet was full of it. Now I can't make myself do any more pages. I may get back into it some time in the future. So this morning I went through all of the scrapbook stuff and got it into boxes to put in the utility room. Now I've got to organize my c-stitch to put in there.

Last night I worked for ages on my ribbons and lace. I had bags of it that I used with my school children. I brought it home to use when I finish cross stitched pieces - on the pillows, etc. So last night, I wrapped each kind of ribbon and lace on pieces of cardboard and I have a small plastic drawer tower that I'm putting them in. I thought I had them all finished, and then I found another bag behind my chair! I'm going to take a break from the closet and finish the ribbon and lace! The little set of drawers is going on a small bookcase I have in the closet! I really wish I had a spare room that I could turn into a sewing and craft room.

Things are going pretty good with the new puppy, except DD isn't taking care of it as much as she should. It doesn't sleep much at night. DD spent the night with a friend last night; so her Dad and I took turns getting up with the puppy so that the other could get some sleep! I told her this morning - NO more sleeping over at friends' houses until the puppy sleeps through the night! The 2 adult dogs are not adjusting to the puppy very well. The puppy keeps nipping at them and trying to nurse and the older dogs just don't understand what is going on! They are beginning to nip back at her. We got a playpen to put her in during the day to give her more room to play. When she's out of the playpen, someone has to watch her to make sure the other dogs don't hurt her. She's very feisty, and the 2 older dogs are very laid-back and don't want this little feisty pup bothering them!! They are very jealous, too. They don't like for me to play with the puppy. They get up in my lap and try to push her off! lol

So there's a lot going on at this house right now, but it's not cross stitching! I'm way behind on my charity stitching and I'm finding it hard to come up with time to stitch! And when I do, I'm too tired to do it! Now I know what you ladies with families are going through! lol When it was just DD and I, it was okay if the house wasn't spotless and things weren't organized, but with her Dad here, I feel like I need to get the house in tiptop shape and that leaves no time for stitching!
Her Dad works all the time, and, as I've told you before, I'm terrible about putting myself through guilt trips. So I think if he's working, I should be, too! Maybe I won't feel that way after I get my stuff organized, and finish going through things and getting rid of stuff we don't need or use anymore!

Better go. I hear the puppy whining and, of course, DD's not here! Have a happy day and may God bless you!