Meeting Ms. Daisy

As I promised, here is Daisy.  Isn't she a beauty? 

She's beginning to settle in.

It's nice having a dog again.

Even if the cats don't agree just yet.  :-)

Hi All

 First of all, I want to thank the 31 followers who've stuck with my poor excuse of blogging.  I guess I needed a break for a little while.

Life is changing again (we are preparing for the DH's retirement in August and subsequent loss of 60% of our salary...a hugh amount!)  We've met with a financial planner to decide what to do with his 401K.  We've budgeted out what we think we will have as income.  I've been hoarding paper products, pet food, laundry and cleaning supplies for the last 6 months in order to cut our grocery bill.  And the numbers aren't great but we will survive. Let's just say I'm glad I've got a monumental stash to stitch from because there's not going to be many purchases until we figure out what our finances are going to be for the first year.  I will be making a big wish list.  I think the reality of this change just hit me and I put aside all the fun things just to stew for a bit.

 I've been stitching but I haven't taken one picture of what I've done.  Mainly, I've worked on Americana and patriotic small things cause I decided I needed to have a basket of those hanging around.  I stitched 7 things, Lizzie Kates, Littlehouse Needleworks, a very cute piece from the Sampler Girl.  They are all on one ginormous piece of linen and I think I have to get myself in gear to make some pillows or pinkeeps soon.  Otherwise they will be hanging around waiting to be finished for next Summer.

Today is my birthday.  It's a quiet one.  I decided not to take the day off (as I usually do) so I am working.  I didn't ask for anything because we finished up the house and that's a gift in itself.  The 2nd Lietenant and the lovely Jenna sent me a pretty card and greetings on Facebook.  A bunch of friends also sent me well wishes on FB too.  It's a nice day.  I am blessed.

Also, we finally got a German Shepherd!  We found her on Craigslist.  The rescue groups just grew tiresome and it didn't look like we would get a dog until the end of summer because even though we were "approved", the foster home had to see how we interacted with the potential adoptee and they got to decide if we were "worthy" to adopt him/her.  So, after spending 3 months jumping through hoops with 3 rescue groups, Dave just got fed up and went on Craigslist.  He contacted the owner of Daisy on Tuesday and yesterday, he picked her up and brought her home.  Daisy's a beauty, a bit on the thin side, and is very sweet.  She's intelligent, curious and is totally in love with Dave. 

However, the cats aren't thrilled.  Frankie is on the defensive.  He puffs himself up to 2x his normal size and HISSES. He lays in wait to attack her and when he does, she looks very confused and hurt. The other cats are staying upstairs.  Livy is hiding under the bed and Ella slinks downstairs when she's hungry or needs the litter box.  It will take a few days for them to sort everything out and they'll be friends. 

So, I'm not going to promise pics of my stitching but I will post pictures of Daisy.

Thanks for hanging in there with me...I really appreciate you all!

Another Drive By Post - and HOUSE NEWS!!!!!

The dog saga continues...and we are dog-less. I am beginning to think that there is a list somewhere with our name on it that says not to let us have a dog. This is the most frustrating experience that we've ever gone through with the exception of the house saga (which I am not going to regurgitate).

The rescue group had a meet and greet on Saturday in Rochester which is 3 hours away from us. The DH contacted the families who are fostering the dogs that we are interested to ask a few questions. The one family never got back to us. Anyway, he asked the other family what their procedure was to take the dog home if we liked him and we all got along because it's a haul (6 hours in the car round-trip) and we'd like to close out this chapter. The foster family said that if we liked the dog and it appeared that we got along, they wanted us to GO HOME AND THINK ABOUT IT FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS THEN COME BACK AGAIN. They were not willing to let us take the dog home with us. So we didn't make the trip.

In the meantime, the DH found a private individual about an hour & 1/2 away from us that had a litter of older puppies that she was willing to sell.  Actually, she was willing to give away the male dogs that  are about a year old.  When Dave made the initial call to her, it took her 2 weeks to get back to us.  Then we made arrangements to drive up today but the lady asked that we call her before we made the trip.  So we did, TWICE and she never returned the calls.  So we stayed home.
And we are dog-less for at least another 2 weeks cause DH is going out of town.

On a happier note, our house is just about finished!!!! Can you believe it?  FOUR years later we are finally getting closure.  We found a Christian contractor who gave us a good price to finish up the work and he's been working daily for the last 3 weeks.  Now we are 99% done!
The chimney side:

The sunroom side:

The front of the house.  We are having a field stone facade placed around the door and dining room window.

The back of the house.

You have to know that I am SO happy that I just want to do a happy dance all day!  This is the happiest I've been since we started this adventure with the exception of Jenna and Mike's wedding.

Anyway, it was a great weekend, we went for a walk, I made scrumptious cookies, we grilled chicken and just hung out and marveled at our house.  There's a lot more to do (when is a house EVER finished) but at least I know that we aren't compromising the structural integrity of our home.  The rest will come in due time.  I can be patient.  That's one of the things I learned from this experience.  Patience.

Stitching, I've worked on a few wips, nothing to write home about.  And surprisingly enough, I haven't even opened up the box with my new sewing machine inside.  Just busy with yard work and trying to keep afloat at work.

So thanks for hanging in there with me on this long post.  I want to thank you for your prayers, friendship, emails and good thoughts through the house ordeal.  I so appreciate each and every one of you.  It's so amazing to me how we are all connected.  And I'm so blessed because of it!
Have a great week and I will post stitchy pics soon!

A Quick Post

It's cold, cold, cold here in Upstate NY. We had spring and summer a few weeks ago and now we are back into late October, early November weather. One of the managers at work said that we are to have the same summer we had last year. Dreary, cold and wet. Yuck.  Too grey to take pictures of my stitching.  I tried but the pics just are too dark. So once again, no stitchy pics.

I am very busy at work. Last week, we "entertained" Customers for 13 hours a day all week. This week, we are "entertaining" government auditors for 12 hour days until Friday. I am POOPED!

I've been stitching, it's been my sanity for the last few weeks. I finished up my Blackbird Designs exchange piece and now on to the finishing. I also worked on Alphabets and I am struggling with the buttonhole flowers on Lucy Minton. Lucy would have been done weeks ago but I can't seem to get a handle on counting when stitching the buttonholes. My flowers look mishapen and all alien like. I thought hard about doing something different with them but the buttonholes add so much charm to the piece. And, I am completely not going to let them get the best of me. LOL!

And, my clicky finger has gotten me in deep doo-doo. I've bought up a lot of Carriagehouse Samplings and kitted up a Quaker sampler, another Lucy.   Meet Lucy Haworth.

There is a SAL going on at Ellen Chester's With My Needle and Pen group.  I saw the sampler and fell in love.  I couldn't resist her but honestly, even though I kitted her up, I won't start her until later this year or even next year.  She's in the want to stitch pile.

And I really got in trouble cause I bought a sewing machine. A Janome 7330.

I've been looking for a sewing machine for a while and this will fit the bill quite nicely.  I shouldn't have spent the money but hey, you only live once, right?  It's got a little more that I wanted but the price wasn't bad and I did want some of the options that this machine offered. 

On another note, the 2nd Lietenant and the lovely Jenna are now at Goodfellow AFB in Texas for the next 9 months.  They got there on Sunday.  Today, they found an apartment.  Hopefully, the Air Force will get their stuff out of storage soon so they can sleep in their own bed and eat off their own dishes. I know they both are tired of temp housing. 

And we are waiting to hear if we can adopt a dog.  We are trying to get a rescue German Shepherd.  You would think we were adopting a child.  We had to fill out an adoption application, go through a phone interview, give them 3 references plus our vet (and they called ALL of them) and now we are waiting for them to come "inspect" our home to see if it and we are suitable to own a dog.  It's been time consuming and somewhat frustrating.   One rescue group turned us down because we have 3 house cats and they felt we couldn't handle a dog and the cats at the same time.  They felt that this situation required a professional dog trainer. We aren't "professionals" so we were denied an animal that needed a home.  We've had dogs and cats who lived in the same house with us for our entire 31 year marriage and the DH has had dogs all his life.  The animals work it out (and yes, we are vigillant so no one gets hurt) and they co-habitate quite nicely.  So cross your fingers that we "pass".  Otherwise, we may end up at the local SPCA.

Well, that's all the news in my little corner of the world.  Thanks for hanging in there with me, kids. 

Moderating comments

I am moderating comments.  Many links to porn sites.  SHEESH!!  This is a family blog.  Sorry for the inconvenience to those who have comments that don't link to smut.

Have you seen this?

Oh geez, when are they going to stop?  I love, love, love Blackbird Designs and my goodness, they've done it again!

Now, I can't wait to stitch this or at least add it to my bulging stash!

On other notes, our house is finally getting finished! The contractor has put in all our windows and we are waiting for siding to be delivered.  I will have a finished house by the middle of June!

Been stitiching too, my blackbird designs exchange, Alphabets by Merrily Beams (I snitched this pic from Littlebits blog) and Connie and I are going to begin our SAL again.  I am so looking forward to this SAL. 

Work is very busy right now so I apologize to those who visit.  I do love that you stop by and I especially love it when you leave me a sweet word or two.

Thanks for stopping!

A Sunshine Award!!!

Lookie!! TWO posts in ONE day!  Can you stand it?!!

I got this great award from Julie at Julie's Creations a week or so ago.  I've been meaning to post it but life gets in the way.  So Julie, THANKS A BUNCH!

It came at a good time too...I really needed a lift and it did make my day.

I know I try to keep the blog to stitching related things and some family stuff and I really don't want to bore you with personal things.  But I will share with you what was going on the day that Jule's awarded me this lovely bit of Sunshine.

1. Crazy person at work who, whenever I have to interact with the person, makes me want to slit my wrists.

2.  Extra bill that we didn't plan on (damn New York State taxes).  Sucked a bunch of cash out of the meager savings.

3. BIG stress about the DH's job or lack of one come September.  NO teaching jobs out there.  It's gonna be tight, folks, and I'm worried about how we are going to get through.

4. A not so good doctor's report.  (High cholesterol and pre-diabeties on top of the hypertension I've had for the last 10 years)

So. When Julie's little award popped into my reader, I got all smiley!  And I realized that in spite of the day gone wrong,  life's pretty dang good.

SO...I know that the rules say to pass this on but I'm going to nominate everyone who comes by to visit.  Thanks Julie and thanks to all of you, who be-friended me and my little corner of the world.  :-)

Saturday - Pictures and Everything!

HI everyone!
First of all, I want to wish everyone a blessed Easter! How wonderful is our God!
Alleluia! HE IS RISEN!!!

I have pictures! See patience IS a virtue!
I finished Blackbird Designs, Summer Basket, a few weeks ago.  I stretched it and now I am saving pennies to frame it.  I'll probably go to Michaels and with my trusty coupon, I'll  let them mount it.

 

I stitched my Mom's initials (NK) in the sampler because the sampler just reminded me of her.

The entire sampler:

The alphabet:

I stitched it with the recommended GAST on Weeks Dye Works linen.  The jury is still out about the linen.  I found that it was very soft and very stretchy.  Maybe it was my cut. 

Here's a close up of City Stitcher's, Lucy Minton and the whole sampler.  I'm getting closer to finishing Lucy, only the algerian-eye alphabet band and the button hole flowers to go!

Lucy's stitched on 32ct Flax linen with the recommended DMC.

Lately, I've been drawn to primitive patterns and Schoolgirl samplers. These samplers were the type of stitching that drew me to cross stitch initially. I've dabbled in many styles of samplers but I seem to return to this style.  And another return to my roots is that I am enjoying being a "One at a Time" stitcher.  I've vaguely felt uneasy stitching on more than one project.  I couldn't put my finger on why though.  Then I realized that I get anxious because I have so many Wips (like 30) so I made a decision to concentrate on one of those (Summer Basket) and then if I wanted, I could start a smaller project (Lucy).  So far, it's working and I'm enjoying my stitching so much more!  My current project is Lucy and when she's done, I'll return to Hand To Work's, This is the Day.  I can't work on it for a long time, I get bored with the solid stitching.

I've been debating on what I am going to stitch next.  I am not in the mood for another hugh project.  I want to stitch another sampler.  I've been bad with ordering patterns, I ordered a slew of Goode Huswife and kitted up the samplers in BBD's new book.  Then I go blog hopping and see the cute little pillows and tags and pinkeeps and I want to stitch a gazillion of them cause they are so sweet scattered about.  But before I chose a brandy-new project, I'll rummage through the Basket of Incomplete Projects.

I was messing around with the camera (the kids got me a new one for Christmas).  I'm not familiar with it but I have to say I love it.  It's 12 megapixels and I'm finding that the quality is quite good for a little point and shoot!

Obligatory cute kitty pics:  :-)

Frankie

Olivia

So in closing,  I wish all of you a blessed and joyous Easter!  I hope that you will be spending it with family and friends.  The DH and I are by ourselves (we'd better get used to it) and I'm planning on a nice dinner with pinapple upside down cake for desert.

Happy Easter!!!!  Happy Spring!

Drive By Posting - PLEASE take this survey

Just a quick post, I know, I know I owe you a ton of news.  Life is busy and I am slowly adjusting to life without my 2nd Lieutenant & the lovely Jenna being 3 hours away.  Alabama and Texas aren't exactly day trips and I know I won't see them until Fall or much later.  I really got depressed and I'm finally coming up out of that funk.

Anyway, the reason for this quick post:
Please take this survey:  The 2010 NeedleArts Survey,  

The needlearts community needs your advice and opinions, whether you are a beginner or an expert! This survey is only conducted every few years. Your input is very important and will be included in a published national report. Your answers are ano...nymous. No one will use your survey responses to market to you. In return for your participation, you will receive valuable benefits:
(1) Gain a chance to win 1 of 5 $100 needlearts GIFT CERTIFICATES.
(2) Ensure stores and suppliers provide what you want. (3) Explore your needlearts interests. Your valuable input will help the needlearts community, too:
(1) Advocate for more programs to support the needlearts, such as Helping Hands Needlearts Mentoring, Stitch N’ Pitch, and Stitching for Literacy.
(2) Help independent retailers and family-owned suppliers succeed by giving them the customer feedback they need.

It's important because our passion is dying and we need to let the needlearts community know what we want and how to keep our beloved past time alive.  Please take the survey - a few minutes is all it takes~
Thanks!

I am here - REALLY!!!

First of all, thank you very much for hanging with me.   I wanted to be a better blogger and post more often but life surely had other plans for that!

This weekend, the 2nd Lietenant and the lovely Jenna will begin their Air Force journey.  Their first stop is Montgomery Alabama, where Mike will attend ASBC (officer's training) for 7 weeks.  Then it's off to San Angelo Texas, for 7 months for Intellilgence School.  Please, if you would, keep them in your prayers.  It's a transistion for them, leaving home pretty much permanently.  It's going to be a big adjustment.

I did start Lucy Minton.  I crumpled.  It's a fast stitch and I'm enjoying it a lot.  It's a different style of sampler than I normally stitch.  I do love it.  Simple and primitive.  It'll look nice in the family room.

And, I am stalking the mail person for stash from Nashville.  I am breathlessly waiting for my Goode Huswife book and the Blackbird Designs.  I also won an older Sheepish Designs pattern, the Hedgehog Sampler.  Oh and I bought soap too...Goodies are coming!

Well, I just wanted to touch base with you all.  I am glad you stop by even though my posts are sorely lacking in pictures.  I'll remedy that soon.

Are you ready?

Are you ready for this?

I know I am!  We got clobbered earlier this week with a nor'easter that dumped 16.5 inches of snow on top of 10 inches that was already on the ground.  Oh, how I want warmer weather. 

Anyway, I've been stitching, I am almost finished with this:

I only have 4 stars on the right side to stitch and the letters G, R & W to go.  I ran out of Clover thread.  Bummer.

Next up, I am planning on stitching this:

I am so looking forward to my purchases from Market too!  I ordered the new Blackbird Designs book, Honeysuckle Manor and Bird in Hand.  I also bought the new Goode Huswife book and the new Prairie Schoolers.   Just because I needed a mid-winter pick-me-up.

I am focusing on my wips too.  Summer Basket was one.  I am proud of myself because I've resisted a new start, even though, this sampler from the City Stitcher is calling my name loudly!

I think it's the house that won me over.

So that's all that's going on in my little stitchy world. 

What's new with you?

Just Some Here and There

HI everyone! How are things in your world? In mine, it never is a dull moment.

First of all, my sweet MIL fell down her basement stairs. Mom is 85 and frail so she didn't fare well with her tumble. She broke her arm in 3 places, her wrist, arm and elbow. She banged her head up too and in general, is just a big bruise. She spent a week in the hospital and is now in a rehab nursing home until she is steady on her feet. Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks!

The Second Lietenant and the lovely Jenna are getting ready to leave for the South. Initially, they go to Alabama for 2 months while Mike attends officer's training, then onto Texas for 7 months while he's in Intelligence school. I am getting sad that they are going. I know it's not rational, they are away now and we don't see them but once a month or so. I guess I am concerned that they will be AWAY, more than a day trip away. And now is where things get interesting, they will be on their own, for real!

Moms worry, don't we?
 
I have been stitching. I'm doggedly working on WIPs because at last count I had about 30. Yes, 3-0! I am not exaggerating. Most are about 1/2 done. I think I have a phobia or something about closure. I get going on a piece, get all excited and about 1/2 into it, the bloom is off the rose and I'm looking for my next piece to give me that stitcher's "high". You know, the one that you feel when you start something new and you are in love, love, love until....until the frogs come or there's stuff you dread stitching like big blocks of solid colors or teensy tiny pieces of pattern that's stitched in eleventy dozen different shades of chartruese. You know, the thrill is gone and the piece just becomes another WIP. This is the reason I have 30 pieces in various stages of "done".  So I thought I'd do something about it. 
 
First,  I went through EVERY box, bag and hidey-hole where I thought a WIP could be lurking.  What treasures!  And I thought that I would find things that I didn't want to stitch anymore but I was wrong.  I still love everything that I have going and I sighed to myself and wondered why I didn't finish them up long ago.
 
So I chose 2 pieces to concentrate on, mainly because they have bright colors and I felt I needed a bit of color after so many grey days here in Upstate NY. I chose This is the Day by Hands to Work. The pattern is in one of the JCS magazine issues. I am doing it on 36ct Vintage Autumn Gold with the recommended threads. It's a cool piece that is completely out of my comfort zone for color.  This is the Day was about a 1/4 done when I began this adventure. Now it's 1/2 done and I gotta tell you, stitching the entire alphabet and number area is slow going. I like the effect but it's taking forever to see any progress. I make myself stitch at least 2 threads each time I pick it up.
 And I also decided to work on another(!) Blackbird Design, Summer Basket. I figured that I subscribed to all the Loose Feathers, so I should at least stitch one, don't you think? It's also stitched on the recommended fabric with the recommended fiber because I bought it as a kit from Needlecraft Corner. Summer Basket was just a start when I put it up but now it's almost 1/2 done. The colors are very soft and the linen is not as crisp as I'd like but it's an enjoyable stitch.

And I'm stitching a replacement piece for the Blackbird Designs Exchange that I host. 

My stitching plate is full.  But it's a happy full and I am less stressed about stitchy things cause I have a plan.  When I finish with one Wip, I'll continue with another.  And maybe allow myself a new start or 2 but not a free wheeling, no holds barred start everthing in sight. That's how I got 30 WIPs in the first place.
 
Now, don't get to thinking that I won't buy another pattern cause my cupboards are chock full o'WIPs.  Oh no-o-o-oo, I am supporting the needlework industry already in a BIG way cause I've pre-ordered a few things from the Nashwille market.  I had to have the new Goode Huswife book, the new Blackbird Designs, the new Prairie Schoolers and a few things from With Thy Needle and Thread.  I am debating on the new Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow but I am holding out because I haven't even started Village or Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. 
 
How 'bout you?  Are you lusting after anything from Market?  Is there anything that you can't live without?
 
So, I hope I'll get some pics up on the old blog soon.  The kids gave me a new digital camera for Christmas and I am still learning how to take a decent picture with it.  I am so glad that you've come by and I'd love to hear from you!  It makes me happy that you've stopped.

Some Chit-chat

Hi all!  I hope you are having a good week.  Tomorrow is FRIDAY!  YaY!   It's been a busy week at work, I am conducting an internal audit and literally on my feet all day.  I go home and collapse. 

I stitched though, I worked on the Miss Snow Fairy.  I added her right wing and started on her pot o' holly on the right.  I've been trying like the devil to resist the urge to start something new but I caved tonight and started yet another Blackbird Design.  I started stitching the heart from Truly Thine, one of the early Loose Feather Designs.  I guess I got bit by the Valentine bug after seeing all the Valentine finishes on your blog.  I want to stitch all the Valentines that you have done but unfortunately I must work to feed my addiction.

Have you been keeping up with With Thy Needle and Thread blog?  Brenda's got the best tease on her site for an upcoming sampler she's going to post on Country Stitches.  I LOVE the colors and I am sure that it'll join the gazillion other samplers in my ever growing stash.  She's got neat punchneedle designs too.  I like how they look but I haven't had good luck with punchneedle. 

Do you think the designers could just cool it for awhile?  I know Nashville is just around the corner and there are teases everywhere on various designer's blogs.  Go check or the Blackbird Designs blog too.  Eye Candy!  Love that sampler she's got in captured in the hoop.

The Second Lieutenant got his official orders yesterday.  They will be leaving in March for Alabama.  He's going to Officer's school for 7 weeks and after that they travel to Goodfellow AFB in Texas for 7 months.  Say a prayer for them, it's a big change for both of them.  They've settled in nicely in Rochester, made some great friends and have nice jobs that they will have to leave.  They are sad but I think excited too.  Both of them are a little anxious.  And fearful of the unknown.  They'll get through it but it's just another strain on the newlyweds. 

Well dear friends, I am going to close for now.  I am so glad that you stopped by for a chat.  I hope that on Saturday I'll have pictures for you.  So thanks for your comments and your visits.  I love that you come by!  :-)

Happy Saturday!

Ok, Take 2 of this post. IE just shut down blogger on me while I was uploading pictures. I hate Vista.

Anywhoo...as I was saying...

It's a glorious Saturday here in Upstate NY. The sun is out and it's warm. Yes, W-A-R-M! Almost 40 degrees warm!  The David and I actually washed the cars out in the driveway and I was wearing a hoodie!  No, I wasn't bundled up to the point where I couldn't move. Contrast today to last Saturday when we were barely above 10 degrees, this is down right balmy. Not complaining one bit. I'll take it and I wish it would be this way for the rest of winter. Not going to happen though, ol' Man Winter has a few snowstorms up his sleeve, I bet.

Anway, back to stitching. I've got pics. Hopefully IE will allow blogger to upload them.  Well, blogger is being a poop and doesn't want to upload all my pics but here's Miss Snow Fairy. She's getting done!  This piece puts a smile on my face.  And it's one of those pieces that I am enjoying every stitch. 

I've made some progress but not as much as I'd like. Miss Snow Fairy now is standing on some snow and her holly is in it's container instead of floating in mid-air.  The week was very busy and I was very tired when I got home so last night really was the only night I stitched for more than an hour.  It was nice. There will be no stitching tonight though, cause we are going to a wedding celebration. My boss' son got married out of state in November and  there wasn't many of us invited to the actual wedding.  So tonight we are going to a party to celebrate the wedding.  It should be ok.  I am a little anxious about it cause I don't really know any of their family and I'm not sure who will be there that I know.  It's at their church so it's going to be dry.  At least I won't have to worry about having too much to drink and saying something stupid.  I'll just do that sober...ha, ha!

When it was so cold outside, the cats took turns laying in front of the fireplace.  Ella is toasting her belly...

And  her back...

This is Frankie. Frankie showed up at our door in the Fall around Halloween. He was really timid and wouldn't let us even touch him. It took him weeks to allow us to pet him.  But today, he rules the roost and is quite content. I really like him.

It's a little unnerving being in one room with 3 housecats and 2 barn cats. I feel like I am turning into one of those crazy old cat ladies hanging out with 5 felines.  (Not really, but...it does get crowded in the family room with all of them.)  Oh, geez, excuse the cat tree.  I didn't realize how terrible it looks.  The cats use it as their scratching post (better than my sofa, although they've managed to claw that too) and I didn't realize how shabby it looks...gee whiz.  The DH and I will have to do some repairs on it.

So, I think I'm going to pull out a bit of stitching or maybe my Kindle.  Thanks for dropping by!  I hope you are having a great weekend.  Until next time, happy stitching!!

My Sentiments...EXACTLY!!!

The DH just informed me (sadistically, btw) that it's a mere 10 degrees outside. 
With the wind chill it's a balmy -10.

Yay.

He wants to go cross country skiing. 

Stupid man.

I think this sums it up quite nicely, don't you?

I saw this pic on With Thy Needle and Thread.  It made me laugh.

Thanks!  I really, really needed a chuckle.

Stay warm, kids!!

P.S.  Stitchy pics to follow!!!!

Baby, It's C-O-L-D Outside!!!

Wowser, it's bitter cold AGAIN in Upstate NY...I must tell you I am really, really tired of this weather.  After a few years of relatively mild winters, one's with a week or 2 of this weather, a winter like this is just plain brutal.  And a dreary steel-grey color to boot.

I've been stitching. I've worked on Miss Snow Fairy last week. I'm about 1/2 done now. I switched out working on her with This is the Day. You remember that sampler in JCS by Heart in Hand?  The one with exhuberant colors?

Well, with all the grey in the recent days, I've decided I needed something colorful to work on.  So I pulled it out of my ever growing stash pile.  I'm stitching it with the original colors.  I have a love/hate relationship with the sampler, though.  The linen I'm stitching it on, 36ct Lakeside, Autumn Gold, is very, very scratchy.  It grabs the thread.  It distorts the stitches.  It makes me unhappy.  But I'm too far into this sampler to start over.  This linen will NOT get the best of me.

So tomorrow,  I'm hoping for some sun.  Then I'll take some pics of my stitching.  And BTW, I snagged the pic from Edgar's blog, Blacksheep's Bit of the Web...

So until tomorrow, stay warm!  I'm curling up by the fireplace with my Kindle, my stitching and a cup of cocoa.  How about you?

The holidays are officially over

The Second Lieutenant and the lovely Jenna have returned to their home and tomorrow we head back into the routine of work.  I really enjoyed the 2 long weekends we had for the holidays, not quite as good as the 2 weeks I normally save but none the less, a welcome break from the office.  Now, back to the stress of projects and money and bills.  It was nice to put aside all the routine and have a few days where I didn't worry about anything.

All things end, right?

Tonight we watched Iron Chef America and I stitched some on Miss Snow Fairy.  I am disappointed that the Steelers didn't get into the playoffs as a wild card.  But honestly, they didn't deserve to be in the playoffs so I'm not too disheartened.

Anyway, I do want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who come by and come back to see what the ol' blog has to say.  I thank all of you who leave comments and I thank those who don't too.  I enjoy everything that you write and I hope that you find something worthwhile when you visit here.  I am grateful to all of you.  Many times over the past year I thought of deleting the blog.  But I am glad I didn't.

So, it's onward and upward to Monday.   I wish everyone a great week, I hope you stay warm cause it's freezing here in good ol' Upstate NY.

See ya later!

Hello everyone! My Stitchy Year in Review

I hope everyone rang in the new year in grand fashion.  We did...on the sofa with the DH softly snoring beside me.  Actually, he woke up about 11:45 and we watched the ball drop on Times Square. We were snug in our bed by 12:30 AM. Such party animals!

The 2nd Lieutenant and the lovely Jenna went to a friend's house for a little get together.  They were home relatively early but I couldn't say for certain what time cause I didn't even hear them come in.

I have been blog surfing off and on today and I see many of you've posted your stitchy accomplishments.  My 2009 accomplishments were very, very thin this year.  Mainly I started many, many pieces and most aren't too far along.  My usual MO.

The biggest accomplishment I had this year was to finish Bea.

I also finished Parson Brown, a lovely snowman from Notforgotten Farm.

I participated in a few exchanges and had a couple of small finishes. Nothing to brag about, really. I am hoping my stitching 2010 will be better! I'm going to work at it. As I said in my previous post, my plans are to stitch from my stash and to work on my Wips.  Currently, I am stitching on Miss Snow Fairy on an evenweave with the intention of making her into a pillow too. She's about 1/2 way done.

I have been bad with buying new things though.

The 2009 Blackbird Designs Loose Feather Club:

Some Lizzie Kate, LHN, Prairie Schooler..oh too many to list!  I feel like if I don't get what I want when I see it, it will be gone forever. I can thank all of you for that! I see what you are stitching and then I MUST have it too! Much to my husband's displeasure, I am sure. LOL!!! I tell him it's cheaper than therapy and when I am old and gray, as long as I have a magnifier, I am ALL SET!

I also have been drawn to more Primitive pieces, particularly for bowl fillers and little sachet pillows.  Have you seen this designer, Country Rustic Primitives?  She sells in e-patterns which I absolutely LOVE.  They come quickly and I like that you can save them on your computer.  How green!

Well, I should go for now, we've had a rather lazy day here.  I hope you all are having a great start to the new year!  See ya soon!

Looking forward to 2010!

Hi there, friends and fellow stitchy folk! 
I want to wish you a very Happy New Year! I hope that all of you who read my musings had a wonderful and MERRY CHRISTMAS, too.

 I am looking forward with anticipation that this coming year will be filled with GREAT things. 
Do you make resolutions?  I do but rarely do I keep them.  This year, I only have 2.
1.  To get healthy.
2.  To stay positive and not be so afraid.
This year, I VOW (and you are my witnesses) that I will get healthy.  That means to continue my Weight Watchers journey to finally lose the 35 pounds.  I will eat healthy but not deprive myself.  I will exercise and that doesn't mean only to walk on the treadmill which can get mighty boring. 

The next thing that I VOW to be is more positive.  If you haven't guessed by now, my glass is pretty much 1/2 empty most of the time. My life is tinged with blue most of the time.  And I am a complainer.  I've worked on the complaining part and I can say that I do less of it but I'm not exactly where I'd like to be.  I want to look at my glass and say, "Hey, it's 1/2 full!  I've decided to stay away from those folks who suck the life right out of you.  (This is going to be hard cause I spend most of my waking hours at work with someone who is SO negative, it's contagious.  But, I'm going to do my best not to let him get me down.)  I'm not saying I'm going to be Polly Polly-anna but I am going to be less Chicken-Little.  I want to be more open and embrace change and new things.  Look for the good in people, situations, LIFE.  Stop burying my head in the ground.

Have faith.

I think that these lyrics by Nickleback sum it up perfectly for me:
If Today Was Your Last Day

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?

What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

2009 was a year of change for me. I had big changes in my life and I came to terms with stuff I tried to forget about.  A lot of it I didn't like but I had to face it.  I had wonderful things happen, a lot of FABULOUS times, proud times (the wedding, the commissioning, a promotion) but I was AFRAID.  Afraid to lose my job, afraid of losing 2/3 of our income when the DH retires and (OMGosh) what if, what if he can't find a teaching job in September?!  Afraid now that the 2nd Lieutenant is married, he would grow away from me (I know, weird...)   Facing my financials, making peace with my half finished wreck of a house.  Working on forgiving my self and the people that hurt me.  Realizing that it will all get done in God's time and not MINE.

So anyway, I apologize for the post cause it's rambling.  It helps to write it down and then be accountable.

And for stitchy things...I'm going to work on my WIPS and stitch from my stash.  I am not rotating but will work on whatever I want at any given time.
 I will blog more often and guess what!  I got a new point and shoot camera for Christmas (and a KINDLE, oh it's so wicked!) which means that I have NO excuse for not posting pictures.

Anyway,  out with 2009 and in with 2010!

I wish you all the most blessed, abundant, love-filled New Year!


It's going to be a GREAT year!

With Heartfelt Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for and so many blessings that I am overwhelmed and humbled by them.  I am thankful for so many things, too numerous to list but I'm gonna list a few of them anyway!

I am thankful for:
My faith- Without my love of Jesus, I don't know where I'd be
My husband - who loves me through and through
My Second Lieutenant and the Lovely Jenna - they bring such pride and joy into my life
My health - for a tough old bird of 52, I have just a few aches and pains that are expected.
My hearth - It's not a palace and it's a work in progress but I love it!
My job - I love it and am thankful everyday that I have a means to feed my needlework addiction!
My critters - They teach me unconditional love every day.

My friends - Wow, I am thankful for you, dear blogging friends!
My hobby - A 30 year addiction.

And much more.

I am not as eloquent as other bloggers but when I look at what God has given me, I am amazed, grateful and thankful.  He promised to meet my needs but He's certainly met my wants too!

Have a wonderful day with your family and friends.  The DH and I are trekking to Rochester to have dinner with Jenna's family.

Enjoy your day!

Check out the Giveaway

Hi! The Linen Stitcher is giving away a really nice OOP Carriagehouse Samplings pattern. American Sampling!

Go check it out and sign up!

Have a great day everyone!

I'm Back...

Hi everyone! I'm back! Did you miss me? Yea, like a bad rash! LOL!

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!

No longer a Cadet

Yesterday, Mike commissioned into the Air Force as a Second Lietenant. The ROTC detatchment had a little ceremony and here are the pics:

Mike and Jenna:


The Lietenant:

And all of us.

We are very, very proud of our son!

More Wedding Pics

Ok, some more wedding pics...the snapshots are coming in from friends and family.

This is me coming out of the church right after the ceremony. I love the dress! I do wish I'd worked my arms a bit...but...hey...it is what it is.

Mike and Noah doing some line dance...the kids and their friends danced the entire reception. Of course, I did too. Made a proper fool out of myself.

Jenna dancing to the same song. I love her dress. You can see some of the "bling" on it. All pics are clickable and will get BIG.

And the happy couple.

Stitching is going very well all of a sudden. I've gone from famine to feast. I'm back 100% and want to start everything I see (which is very, very dangerous). I allowed myself to start Notforgotten Farms, Parson Brown, a very cool snowman. I'm stitching him on 25count evenweave with the recommended DMC. I did change out one color cause it faded into the fabric. I'm planning on making him into a nice homespun Winter pillow. He'll join the other Frosty Friends in my collection.

Oh, if you are interested, today is the last day to sign up for the Blackbird Exchange Blog Round 3 exchange. Pop on over and sign up. Or email me. Names will be assigned tomorrow. We've got very talented stitchers in the group. No lack of creativity in this bunch. Please join us for a fun time!

Thanks for stopping by. I love when you visit. I enjoy your comments and I hope you enjoy your time in Joanie's World. Stitching pics soon cause I've made enough progress to share. My progress is distinguishable now, not just blobs...hee-hee!

Slowly, slowly my MoJo is coming back

Thanks to everyone for commenting on my last post. I am getting back to normal and feeling more like myself. A few nights, I went to bed with the chickens (one of my Mom's fav sayings). And I am stitching again. Small things. I can't stand the thought of stitching on anything BIG.

So, I worked on Where My Heart Blooms, the house is about 1/2 done now and I am about 3/4 of the way finished. About this time in the progress, I usually just focus on that piece and finish it. It's like an obsession. But I haven't gotten to that place just yet. Soon, I bet! And I am working on the Plum Pudding freebie and I am working on October from Mary Garry. I've stitched that little witch before but gave her away.

I cleaned my house today. It's mostly clean. I stitched most of the afternoon, put out some of my Autumn decorations (I LOVE Fall!!!) I ordered new drapes for my living room (got 'em from JCPenney at 50% off which softened the blow when I told the DH how much they cost).

It's been a good day!

Have you been watching out for the new market releases? There are MANY that I want but I will practice restraint and do my very best not to purchase, um-mm, much. (I'd like to say I am only going to stitch my stash but I would be lying. I am trying to do that. I have so many cool patterns and I love them all!)

I love the new Carriage House Samplings! Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow and the tombstone are too cool. But I am drooling over the new Goode Huswife release, the Colonial Garden Series book. I will buy it and it will be my Christmas present to my self. Everything else that I love will go on a Wish List. Unless I lose my resolve, get stressed out, the planets align and I lose 10 pounds. At that point, there's no telling what I'll buy!

So what's on your Must Have list and your Wish List?

Out of Sorts

Have you ever been like a bird that flits from one thing to the other? Have you ever done that and got so overwhelmed by your lack of focus that it made you somewhat nuts? And gave you small anxiety attacks? Well, that's been my week.

Unfocused

Unproductive

I am blaming my short attention span to the wedding. I don't mean that in a negative way, it's just that's been our FOCUS for the last few months. Now that the wedding is past us (and the kid's are sailing to the Western Carribean as I write you) I realize that there is so much that I let go while preparing for the wedding. And now, there's too many things to focus my attention and energy on. Too many things that need my attention and too many things vying for a piece of me.

Work is insane. Hence a small anxiety attack followed by some really negative self-talk about not being able to handle this job (insert rolling eyes here...). I know that we are busy and yea, I am behind on a few projects but not enough to make me hyperventilate. Which I did and which is terribly perplexing.

Cross stitch is everywhere too. I can't focus on just one project and I can't stitch for more than an hour or so cause I get all fidgety. I've worked on a Prairie Schooler Santa from Santa and Snowmen. It should have been an easy-peasy finish, except, I can't count. Frogs.

Then I came across a blog devoted to smalls, Stitching Smalls with Friends so I had to start an autumn design. I decided to do a small Plum Pudding Needleart freebie called Blessed Be. I thought that it would be fast and easy...Nope. No attention span. Fractured attention span.

So, I decided to write here for a little bit and then go for a walk. It's a gorgeous day so I should at least spend a bit of time outside because before to long it will be too cold and snowy to walk outdoors.

Then maybe I'll be a little more focused and can make a dent in my autumn design.

More Wedding Pics

I am going to bore you a little more with wedding pics...here's the happy couple right after the ceremony.

Mike with 2 of his groomsmen, Charlie, the best man, on the left and Brian a groomsman in the middle at the rehearsal dinner.

And the wedding gift...Jenna pulled Mike away from the driver's side and insisted on driving it! At this point, she still thinks the car is a rental.

Mike getting ready to tuck her into the driver's seat. Jenna is checking out the interior.

Wedding Day pics!!!

I have a few pictures from the wedding. What a beautiful day! It was magical!

This is Chris...he was one of the groomsmen. Mike, Charlie and the DH were picking up their tuxes. Chris decided he wanted to be a manequin...

The wedding cake was scrumptious! Mike and Jenna chose 2 different flavors, one tier was hazelnut cake with chocolate filling (my fav) and the other was an almond cake with raspberry filling. The cake was dense, moist and the icing was not that sickening sweet buttercreme. It was DELISH!!!

The wedding party. The day began with rain but the sky cleared early afternoon. By the time we got to the reception, the photographer could take some outdoor pictures.

And our beautiful bride. Her dress was exquisite. The pictures do not do her justice. She was radiant!

We had a blast at the reception, the food was great, the DJ spun great songs and I danced until my feet ached! We laughed and just had a wonderful time.

Oh, and the best part? After the best man's toast (which was appropriately funny and heartfelt) Mike gave Jenna her wedding gift.....are you ready? He gave her a '08 cherry red MUSTANG! You should have seen her reaction, it was priceless. Mike told her that he misled her, that the car wasn't a rental, he bought it for her. And that he wanted to give her her dream car because he just wants to make all her dreams come true. When he held out the keys to her, there was a gasp from all of us, no one could believe it!

There will be more pictures to come. These are the one's that we got before the camera decided to quit for the evening. I hope you like the little bit that I could share with you!

R.I.P. My Chrissy the Wonder Dog

Today, is a sad day at Chez Wedding...our beloved Chrissy the Wonder Dog has joined Freeway, Fraggles, Pirate on the Rainbow Bridge...

She battled a very aggressive cancer which was untreatable. The tumor was growing all over her muzzle. She didn't appear to be in any pain but she never was a complainer. Our vet, Dr. Steve, told us that there wasn't anything he could do for her. It was only a matter of time. So before she got too bad, we made the painful decision to send her on her way. Oh, how it broke my heart...

Oh sweet Chrissy, how I miss you!

Oh the countdown begins!

We are just under a month away from the nuptials...OMGosh, I can't believe in less than a month my Cadet will be a Mr. & Mrs.!!!! The invitations are mailed. Details are getting finalized. Of course, we do have a glitch, the florist decided they couldn't do the wedding so now we have to come up with another one - IN 3 WEEKS! There's so much to finish and do!

The wedding sampler is 1/3 complete. Being who I am, of course I changed it to suit me and I struggled with some bands and the personalization. I am through those parts now so it's just follow the patterns and get her stitched. I am shooting for getting it to the framer by the end of next week to take measurements so the frame can be ordered. Then my needles will be flying to finish it to give the framer time to do her thing and have it done the Wednesday before the wedding. I also have to finish making the money box and the scrapbook. The scrapbook and the sampler will be given to Jenna at the bridal shower her sister is giving her on the Thursday before the wedding. I just realized I am on a short runway! EEE-EEK!!

Anyway life is busy here at Chez Disorganization. Between work, insomnia, work, wedding stuff, work and more work, housework, wedding stuff, my head is going to explode. Add the stress of my DH's upcoming retirement and lack of a new job to fill in the gap between what his retirement will bring in and our monthly expenses, it's a wonder I've not been deemed certifiably insane and committed to the Psych Ward at our local hospital.

But anyway, time marches on.

Stitching...I've picked back up Blackbird Designs, Where My Heart Blooms. It was my car project because I can actually see the holes in the 30 count linen with my cheater glasses. But I wasn't feeling the love for this piece so it went into the UFO pile. This week, I just wanted mindless stitching. So out it came. And I fell back in love with it. I realized that I didn't like how my car stitching looked...mainly cause the tension was all wonky. And that's why I disliked the piece so much. Plus the linen is like cheesecloth so the stitches were either to loose or too tight. So out went that stitching to be replaced by even tensioned little Xs. And I am back in love with the piece. I stitched on it over the week and I am working on the house now.

Then I decided that I will be working on the Wedding Sampler exclusively from now until it's FINISHED. I have to reserve the hardanger for the weekends though just so I do it when I am not bone tired. I did some hemstitching last night late and guess what! It's got to be frogged. First of all, I misread the directions (and they aren't written that well either) and cut the wrong threads. Then when I started the hemstitching I totally missed wrapping a few of the vertical threads. I am chocking it up to fatigue. Learned my lesson.

SO that's life in Upstate NY..hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. Oh, before I leave you...check out Threadhead's Unite! A lovely French General give-away is happening! Tell 'em I sent you!

It's been awhile...and 1/2 way

I've been a bad blogger. I admit it. I'm sorry. I've neglected you.

Honestly, I've not stitched in weeks. I want to but when I get home from work, I am DOG tired. So tired that I do a few things around the house and then C-R-A-S-H. I sleep like a rock but wake up tired. My DH says that it's stress from work. Work hasn't been fun the last couple of weeks. That's putting it mildly.

I saw that Prairie Schooler released new Fall, Christmas and Winter designs. And the new 2009 Santa! I LOVE Prairie Schooler and even though I have enough stash to last 14 lifetimes, I've pre-orderd them from E-Handcrafts Stitching Room:

And now for the 1/2 way. It seems that I stitch a pattern until I hit the 1/2 way point and then it goes put in the Wip pile. I have ahem, MANY Wips that are finished 50% to completion. I am sad to say this. I swear I have Stitcher's ADD. And I have NO desire to work on them at this time. Has any one felt this way? I think it's the reason for my slump. I am in a slump.

I am sad.

Oh, and we are 5 weeks away from the wedding! OMGosh, I can't believe it's almost here! The invitations were mailed this week, details are getting completed, the kid's got their liscence, booked their honeymoon cruise and I'm holding on tight!

Thanks for the nice comments about the Bridal Shower. It truly was lovely. Don't you just love my GF's home? TOO DIE for!!! Jenna had a lovely, lovely day.

Well, thanks for stopping by. I love that you come and visit, even though I've not had much to say. I am hoping that changes REALLY, REALLY SOON!