Hi Everyone!

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. There is so much going on in life at Chez Crazytown that I have been a tad overwhelmed. Many, many things are tugging at me to do and to deal with, so much that I haven't even stitched at all in the last week, hence the lack of blogging. After all, this is a stitching blog (or I try to keep it to that but I don't always succeed). I was going like gangbusters to finish my Prairie Schooler, Autumn Winds, and I think I am just about 3 hours away from finishing it up but my stitching mojo was sucked up in the vortex of work, home, finances, worry, stress, audits...life. So, maybe, just maybe, I'll find enough *umph* to siphon out a little stitching energy and finish it up. At least, I hope so!

I did join Vonna's Me, Myself and I Round Robin blog. I've always wanted to stitch one of these but I can not keep up with the pressure of a deadline right now. No pressure with this round robin! I've chosen to stitch a Prairie Schooler town and have it be perpetually in Autumn. I am plotting out a fairly elaborate border right now and thinking about my house placement. It's going to be great fun. Construction begins on December 31st, so stay tuned for updates. I can work on my border before then so you'll get a peek at it when I get something concrete down.

Have you seen this little gem? It's a Just Nan piece called Boo.

I almost bought it from ABC Stitch Therapy last night but I held firm. I am not a Just Nan fan, I think I was taken with the tin more than anything. Tonight, I lost my resolve and I broke down to buy it, but it's gone from the website. Oh well...you snooze, you loose! Actually, I saved myself $50. Good thing too.

On the home front, the DH is on leave from work, hence the financial worries. He is student teaching. He goes back to work in January until August, then he *retires* to his *encore* career as a Math teacher (Middle & High School). He's good at it. He loves it. But it means a GREAT reduction in cash flow. Like a creek that shrinks down to a mere trickle. I'm nervous about it, particularly if he doesn't find work right away. Prayers, please.

My SIL was diagnosed with breast cancer on Friday. She saw a surgeon today and she will have a lumpectomy on Oct 3rd. They tell her if there is no complications, she'll be back to work in 2 weeks. Two weeks! Geez, no recovery time there! Prayers for her too, please. And for my brother too, who was let go from his job of 18 years a couple of months ago. They really need prayer.

At work, we are preparing for the biggest audit of my career. It's been a zoo and will continue for the next 3 weeks. We will get through it but it will be stressful.

On a lighter note, the lovely Jenna has returned from her Australian adventure. The Cadet is so happy to have his love home. They are joined at the hip whenever he's not in school or at work. She had a great experience Down Under. What an adventure! Anyway, I believe wedding bells will ring this time next year. I am so happy for them.

Anyway, that's the latest news from me to you. I want to thank all of you who've hung in there with me and I do appreciate all of you. I am so glad you've stopped by and I hope you'll continue to visit. I like the company!

Hopefully next time, the post will be filled with stitchy pictures. I don't think that my mojo is completely gone, it's just taking a back seat to a lot of other things. I could never give up my stitching...they'd be coming after me with that white jacket if I did! Hey, have a great day tomorrow...everyday is a blessing and a gift even when the days are filled with things I can not control.