*Summer Face*I was disappointed though, cause the beautiful fimo pins that came with the pattern were crushed in the mail and the replacements didn't come in time for me to put them on the edges of the biscornu. I tried beading the edges but gave up cause beads and I don't seem to play nicely together. The biscornu looks a bit naked. But I love it cause it's really tiny. Happy Birthday, Carol!!!
The Cadet has been gone now for 3 days...it's very weird not knowing what he's doing or how is doing. Field training is intense. I know he will do well if he just keeps a positive attitude. David thinks that once he gets used to getting yelled at, he will actually like it. He's always loved a physical challenge so I don't think the running and PT work outs will bother him too much except it's really hot there. It's the boredom that will get to him. The endless drilling and marching. Standing at attention for hours. That stuff. Plus, he does have a temper and I am afraid if he gets discouraged, he will say ENOUGH and quit trying. Mike is a lot like me, when he gets to a point where he feels that he's exhausted all possibilities, he will just STOP, give up and quit or take an *I don't care anymore* attitude.
On house news, David and I now realize that we will never see any of the money we gave the contractor, nor will we be able to finish the job like we planned. We've had a number of other contractors come out to estimate finishing the job. Because the house is partially done and most of what has been done must be removed, all of the contractors said they just want to start it over. No one wants to touch what's been done because the job and the materials are sub-standard. The estimates we've gotten to see what it will cost to finish the house are in the 50-60K range, the amount we were quoted when we started this mis-adventure. So I went to the bank to see what they could do for us and they are willing to consolidate our existing mortgage and give us another 40K on top of what we have out in a home equity. Unfortunately, the payments would be over 2.5K a month and we can not afford it. SO, David and I are forced to rethink all of it and cut back on the *niceties* and drop back on the type of windows we wanted. And to afford this, we will have to do the work in stages, which means I will have to choose replacement windows over new construction windows because they will have to fit into the existing structure which really limits us on style and type. Also, it will limit us on siding choices too cause we were looking at siding with built-in insulation which is thicker than normal siding and requires the windows to be framed out to meet the thicker siding.
Needless to say, I am quite beside myself. I really want to just cry. This entire situation has put me into a state, I am really, really angry over it and I can not shake the feeling of helplessness because I can not do anything to fix this situation. Two managers at work have approached me and told me to come see them if I needed to talk. One told me that I never smile anymore. The other said that it's evident that I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. I don't believe my work has been affected yet, my manager just gave me a pay increase, much more than I expected. This situation is like an unspoken wedge between David and me, though, I cringe when he wants to talk about it and I get snarky over it.
I believe that this is the cause of my stitching slump. It's not a full blown, put everything away slump, it's just an *Ok, you have to do this slump*. There isn't much joy in stitching cause I can't seem to concentrate on it. Usually, the rythmn is calming but now I get all fidgety after 15 minutes or so. It seems to be a chore right now so I just stitch a little at a time. I worked on my Stitcher's Wallet a bit and I picked out the patterns for the exchanges I am in. But, I did put away most of my WIPs. and I will work exclusively on exchanges until the end of September. It's ok cause it is stitching, and obviously, I enjoy the process much more than the finishing! I am very happy to work on pieces for others, it's a good feeling to share my work. It takes my mind off of the Cadet and all the other things going on in my life right now. I don't know what I am going to do when all this stress finally goes away. I'd love to find out though!!!
So, thanks for sticking through this long whiney post..I'll take a glass of merlot to go with my *whine*. I appreciate you and I am glad that I can share with you.
I hope that your weekend is filled with good things and a lot of stitching time!
12 comments:
Your birthday biscornu to Carol is gorgeous!
I totally feel for you Joanie and the house problem....I can't say anything to make you feel better, but know that I'm pulling for you. Everything happens for a reason and someday it is my hope that this can be less of a burden for you and all can be right again.
In the meantime, BIG hugs :)
Aw, Joanie! I love this little biscornu so much! It looks great without the beads and pins - LOL! {{{Hugs}} to you - you are so wonderful! I forgot to post about the pretty writing paper you sent too! I am so sorry! I love it!! I shouldn't blog so late at night... I forget things :-)
What a horror story with your first contractor! I'm so sorry that happened to you, and hoepfully things will work out.
The biscornu looks absolutely adorable, and not naked at all. The specialty stitches in the corners really dress it up.
what a lovely gift you made!
I hope things work out about the house very soon! That has to be a very stressful situation!
Joanie, your gift is just lovely and I know Carol will treasure it. Sorry your house dream has not turned out as you had hoped. Hugs to you - Patti
First of all, the gift you made is beautiful. It is such a pretty biscornu pattern and I know it will be cherished.
Second of all, I am so sorry this is happening. But know that I am thinking of you. I hope everything will work out somehow.
So sad to hear about your worry and expense on the house remodeling and of course worrying about your son. I hope it all works out for you and the Cadet remains safe. Take a break from stitching and eventually your mojo will be back. {hugs}
The biscornu is so pretty. You have every right to be unsettled about the house and about your dear Cadet. I'd be upset, angry and concerned too; don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes it's good to take a stitching break also--it'll be back!
How are you coming along on the Beatrix Potter Quaker sampler? I would love to know where to purchase this so I can add it to my long list of WIP!
Your biscornu is beautiful! I'm so sorry about the house troubles. It's no fun, take it from someone whose been there. :( Hope your son is doing well. Just think of how happy you'll be at his graduation - I know my MIL was bursting was bursting with pride at my dh's! :)
Good luck!
Lovely little biscornu and you did a wonderful job on it! So sorry to hear about such awful house troubles. I hope things sort themselves out for you soon. Meanwhile I hope your stitching mojo reappears!
Oh, Joanie, I was afraid of it all coming to this. :( Sometimes I watch "Holmes on Homes" on Discovery tv; he comes in and fixes other contractors' messes - and you come to my mind.
I know the depression that comes with stuff like this having gone through it after our whole house remodel project fell through. I tried to go on, be my usual happy self, but inside it killed me. So we've kinda done like you're planning - one project at a time. Now, four years later, I can see that really it was for the best, but it's taken a long time to get there. You've lost lots more $$ than we did, and you have to live in the mess the contractor left, I can see how you would feel the way you describe, and probably even more than you're saying. Wish I could reach out and give you a big hug!
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