I took a little break from my life. I was exhausted mentally and physically. I was so surprised by how much the wedding took out of me. And, I've been dealing with a bunch of personal things here at home. I decided to let some of my commitments go, take a break (and give myself one too!) and make peace with some of the stuff I can't control. That's a first for me cause I am a control freak extraordinaire. I am feeling much better.
Anyway, I've been stitching. First off, I finished Notforgotten Farms, Parson Brown.
I stitched him on 28ct lugana with DMC. It came out pillow size so I went and picked out some homespun fabric to back him and I'll have another snowman for my collection.Also, I'm working on a few exchanges and a Christmas gift or three. And, I am stitching ornaments for Jenna and Mike. I've finished 2 ornaments so far, a Prairie Schooler and one from Angel Stitching that was in the '06 JCS ornament issue. But I've not put them together. Recently, I've developed a fear about finishing things. Mainly, because I've ruined a couple during the finishing process. So I've decided that I have to have quiet to concentrate and not rush things. I've discovered that I like the stitching process more than I like the finishing process.
Are you looking forward to the holidays? I approach them with caution because this isn't my favorite time of the year. I'm not a fan of the hustle and bustle and with the economy, our resources are tight this year. I've been bummed about that and I'm having a hard time knowing that Santa's pack won't be as full as it was in Christmas' past. I don't have any vacation either so the holidays overall will be different. Usually, I have 2 weeks off but this year with the wedding and a forced vacation via a July 4th shutdown, my vacation is very short. The 2nd Lieutenant won't be here on Christmas Morning (he's off making holiday memories with the lovely Jenna). Different indeed!
Thanks for hanging in there with me. I'll be posting more often and if I get enough light, I'll try to take some pictures (if my dinky camera cooperates). So stay tuned!
Anyway...I'm off, I've got to get ready for tomorrow. It's back to the work week for me! Thanks for stopping by..I do appreciate all of you!
12 comments:
Welcome back, Joanie! I've been thinking about you lately and wondering what you've been up to. I'd guessed as much that you were on a much needed break!
Parson Brown is looking very cute!
I have found myself humming Christmas tunes already! I love Christmas but not all the hustle and bustle. Make it whatever you'd like it to be this year!
Hi Joanie ..I missed your posts a lot..glad you are back..Your Parson Brown piece is cute..I LOVE snowmen.
I am not really a christmas person and liked it better when my children were small..I am not sure if I am going to put a tree up this year..Like you I really detest the hustle and bustle..I need to get back to stitching again.
My Mom and I have this conversation nearly every year about Christmas. With me working in health care 8 out of 10 Christmases I work anyway, plus with my kids being the age they are, I want them to know that Santa comes down the chimney here at home....I ask her to come up, but she won't so we travel down before the actual day and have Christmas there. I know what you mean, cause I know what my Mom feels...so now its time to make your own special Christmas Memories...Christmas isn't just one day anyway, it should be every day! :)
I love your finish! That really made an adorable pillow.
I dread the holidays too, mainly because they're run by my relatives and I've never been able to celebrate xmas like I did when I was little. I'd love my kids to have the same thing, but you have to give in to the in-laws, I guess. They won't be around forever.
Congrats on your Parson Brown finish! I finished this earlier this year and framed it...I think yours looks wonderful as a pillow!
Sounds like you took a well-deserved break to recharge your batteries. Hang in there with the holidays...I know it can get a person down. I try to focus on living more with the Spirit of Christmas rather than the commercialism. That's why I still make a few little gifts :)
Hi Joanie, So good to see that you are back, I was getting worried. I hope the break did you well.
I know all too well what you mean about the holidays. So many people forget what the holidays are really about. I just keep wishing it was Jan. 2 already and the hustle and bustle was all over.
Parson Brown is adorable.
How are Olivia and Joey doing?
I'm really glad you're back!
Shirley, CT
Lovely finish, congratulations!
I've missed you posting Joanie - as I have been reading your blog for a long time, it was one of my first ones. I'm having trouble getting in the holiday mood as well - it has not been the greatest year and I just don't seem to have my usual Christmas mojo. A dear friend of mien says she has a love/hate relationship with this time of year and I can understand why! Sometimes starting a few new traditions helps you not focus on what isn't the same anymore. Glad you are back - and I think you are in the majority of us who like stitching better than finishing LOL.
Hey girl! Love that finish and I'm glad your back to blogging. I've missed reading your updates.
Your new finish is so adorable, I always love pillows made of stitched pieces.
It certainly was good for you to have a little pause and to concentrate on what was/is important to you.
Beautiful finish!
Good for you, for letting go of those things you can't control! That's so hard to do!
Christmas isn't for stress. Don't let things get to you. Just sit back, relax and enjoy. Life is always changing and since we can't change it I suppose we have to learn to roll with it.
I can't help but enjoy the Christmas season. The lights, the joy, the feelings of love. I don't go for the hussel and bussel stuff, I relax and do what I can and let the rest go. I have to, I want to remember the reason for the season, not the made up one.
So try and enjoy, look at the lights, look at the joy in the faces of young and old and remember lean on the Lord, he has big shoulders.
I'm going to follow your blog just to see how things go for you and also, good luck on your weight loss. Keep up the great work.
God Bless my new friend.
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