Floss, fabric, paper, pens ... has moved ... see last post below please

It's begun!

2008-11-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

As I sit here in the quiet of my home, I've begun my new blog. You can find me here: http://nancyneverenoughtime.blogspot.com/ or here if you just want to follow a link.

I've only put up one post - just a 'welcome' - but, it'll come along ... Hope to see you there!

Sunday

2008-11-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

What incredible weather we're having here! It's already 63 degrees & it's only 10:30am. The sun's shining, windows are open ... awwwwwww!!
T's on the road - has been 2 hours. Miss him already!! I'm very thankful the weather's so good .. T shouldn't have any troubles with his traveling, though we discovered today the Bills are playing home in Buffalo. That should be fun ... not. Hope T's brother likes the carrots I picked for him this morning. They looked yummy!
Yesterday was spent at a craft show with my mom, last minute errands with T ... and watching CBJ almost win their game. :-(
Today I get to pick up my rental car, spend a bit of time with K ... and play! Hope you all have a great Sunday!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to see the neighborhood kids tonight ... all dressed up & excited! I've not carved the first pumpkin yet - seems weird to do without Kel here to play with me. We'll see if we have time before she leaves for the high school's band contest this evening ... Yep, she'll be home this weekend - yea!!

Hope you all have a wonderfully spooky Halloween!

I may rue the day ...

2008-10-30T18:18:00.000-07:00

I decided to post this, but I just have to share this well-written article about our presidential race. If you have any interest in the debacle known as the presidential race, go read this ... If you don't, cool. Your choice...

Thank you, Sandy, for your comment! And I didn't take it personally at all!! I firmly believe one of the best things about the US is our ability to individually express our own opinions. If I agree or disagree with you (or the author of that article or the man in the moon), we're free to express ourselves. (I guess I should say as well that if anyone does post "nasty" comments here .. well, I do have that little trash can at the end of each comment I can use *lol*) I don't mind discussions or debates about politics or anything else - I do mind the haranguing I hear daily in my office.
I guess by putting this post on my blog, some may interpret it as my expression of who I'm voting for. No one should make that assumption .. 'cause I'm not telling! ;o)

If you know me ...

2008-10-30T11:49:00.001-07:00

as in, have met me face to face or whatever, you'll know I'm ... hmm .. unique. Ok, you'll have figured that out if all you've ever done is read my blog. *chuckle* To show you that I come by it honestly, this picture is my mom (on the right) at her senior citizen group's Halloween luncheon today. She won the best costume prize & Susie won funniest (I think) in her pumpkin costume. Mom's wearing one of my skirts, her own tshirt jazzed up, carrying paper pumpkins & signs made by Tom. Yep, we are indeed a unique family .... ;o)

Change...

2008-10-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

The winds of change are blowing ... I'm thinking that my blog overhaul may be bigger than I originally thought. May move away from 'stitchingbrat' to ... whatever my poor cold brain can come up with. Stay tuned!

I've just signed up for 2 online classes - more on those tomorrow when I (hopefully) thaw out. But aren't these the cutest tags? We'll see if my brain can work this all out...

Tonight, Sassy (aka Sassy's Fabrics) & I went on a cemetery tour at my village's cemetery. Our village is on what was the Erie Canal ... goes way back in time. We have the grave of what is believed to be the first white woman to have died on the canal - Catherine Richardson. (That's a sarcophagus she's buried under with a new footstone saving the verse her husband had engraved on the limestone, which has greatly faded away) Anyway, a tour was hosted - 8 stations with docents dressed in applicable period clothing, who shared stories about their parts of the cemetery. It was awesome - but VERY cold. I learned new things about the village ... including there's a few mass graves in our cemetery, containing the remains of cholera victims. At the time, the townsfolk didn't know what was killing so many people so quickly, so they buried them in the mass graves to dissuade family members from digging up the remains. How incredibly sad! One of our village's founding families is the Rarey family ... the family of John Rarey, the original 'horse whisperer'. One of his descendants was the docent at John's headstone ... what wonderful stories Ed shared of his family. (Did I say how cold it was out there???)

I've acquired a few new wonderful goodies over the last couple of days. I'll share pictures soon... Sandy, you are SUCH an enabler!!! Love you! :0)

A goal .. and you can help!

2008-10-28T17:32:00.001-07:00

I just realized how outdated some of the "stuff" on my blog is. I need to update the list of fav blogs, clean out blinkies, etc. So, while Tom's gone for the next 2 weeks (YIKES!) I'm going to take the time to clean this place up. (Hmmm... think I should do it at home, too? *lol*)

If you have suggestions for blog design places, a fav site to visit, whatever ... send it on! And maybe I'll even figure out a prize or two to hand out. That'd be one way to start getting rid of stash, wouldn't it?

Lalalalala

2008-10-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

Is it November 5 yet??? I'm SO done with political ads - they're everywhere! Some creative souls have taken their junk mail & done some great creating ... not me. I just toss the crap. I am appalled at the colossal waste - the amount of $ spent on advertising is disgusting. Wretched excess! I'm tired of the mud-slinging, of people not telling us what they will do but instead pointing fingers at others ... I'm tired of the ads that so apparently think we're all clueless & stupid. *sigh*

Yeah, it's been that sort of day. Cold. Gray. Very winter-ish. Brrrrr! Add my work day & it's just been a lovely day <--said with much sarcasm. Why do people have to be so condescending? One boss sends me emails about work, always with a "since I know you don't know what you're doing" tone. Grrrr... I responded to one today with "I do stay educated, you know". Idjit. I do my job & do it damn well ... Guess I need to look at it that I do have a job & he must have some need to feel in authority. It's on him, not me ...

ANYway ... tomorrow's a new day! :-)

One down ...

2008-10-28T03:47:00.001-07:00

I got one pair of earrings done last night. Tried a second pair but they just didn't work the way I wanted, so ... I'll play another day. I like how these work with my necklace - both of which I'm wearing today.

Did you see snow yesterday? I didn't, stuck in my office as I was, but many others here in Columbus did. Brrrr!!!

One more

2008-10-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the picture quality, but this is the other necklace I made yesterday. I'd bought two crystal beads to put with this piece, but once I started laying it out - yuck! *lol*

Today I am going to clear out the flower beds. We've got snow flurries predicted for Tuesday .... nooooooo! It's too soon! My plants are still so pretty (well, most of them) ... but, snow will zap them so I guess I should just go ahead & pull them out. :-(

And for those who wonder about my crafting ADD ... yep, I've got it. Big time. Always have ... There will never be enough time in my life to do all the things I want to do, for sure!

Finishes

2008-10-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Ok ... they're not stitching, but the one piece I stitched last night/this morning, I can't share as it's for an exchange. I'll try to remember to share a picture when the exchange is completed in December.

Ideas for my journals are rumbling through my head, so I'll play with that tonight or tomorrow. For now, it's all about beading ...

The first 2 are a necklace I finished today. The center piece, the 4 large side beads & the amber teardrops are from my time in Arizona - the orange seed beads are from my cross stitch stash. This took more time than I expected as I kept changing how it all went together, finally adding the copper coils last night (made by me) to keep the smaller beads from disappearing into the bigger ones.

The third picture shows the wrapped bracelets - the finished one is Kel's, the one on top is mine. I still need to wrap copper around the frame - something to do tonight as we watch CBJ stomp Anaheim.

The 2 beaded bracelets I made last night, with beads bought in AZ & here. I bought more of the bigger beads than I used, so ... guess I'll have to make more!

The last is of the first necklace I made, made entirely of pieces purchased in AZ. I wore it on Thursday & felt my friends with me all day.

Wow...

2008-10-23T15:54:00.000-07:00

It's October 23 & I've not posted anything since the 12th. Hmmm... what have I been doing? ;o)

I've discovered the joy of beading ... I resisted for sooooo long, then my friends in AZ led me astray, made me go in bead stores ... and there were so many pretties! Of course I gave into temptation... And now I'm finally making things with what I bought. Good thing .. couldn't live with my conscience nagging me much longer! I restrung a jade necklace last night - now it doesn't choke me! I strung a turquoise & pottery necklace last night, too, and began beading my bracelet. K's is done (hmmm...guess I better take a picture to share) so I just had to make one for me, too.

And I discovered a wonderful beading store here today ... oh, the fun!! Great employees, wonderful stash ... Guess I really better get to selling some of my stitching stash to support my beading stash!

More pictures

2008-10-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

One day, we ventured away from Prescott to Jerome, a one-time mining town turned ghost city turned now to an artists' colony. We had some incredible experiences there - people picking up on our groups' energy & such - and many of us certainly helped stimulate their economy. The 3rd picture is a sign made by one of my sistahs for her local dining establishment. Mitz is so talented!!

Arizona

2008-10-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

A few pictures to tease you ... from my trip to Arizona. The first shows part of the town of Prescott, with Thumb Butte rising in the background. Our house (last picture) was near the base of the Butte. The reflecting sunset picture ... well, it just shows the glorious piece of nature we lived within for a week.
The time spent with my sistahs was all I could have hoped for ... a most awesome group of women!

coffee brain ramblings

2008-09-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

to those friends who have responded to my post about splitting my blog: thank you!! i guess i'll just keep truckin' along the way i am ..

i bought a new journal yesterday (pics later) for my trip & other travels. this is the first journal i really felt compelled to create a cover for & i'm quite pleased with my creation. i've already written in it, too ... about the powers of turquoise, a color i'm extremely drawn to right now.

since friday night's presidential "debate" (must be a description of that word somewhere that i'm not aware of ... that certainly was not a debate) i've heard & read all sorts of opinions about the candidates, the state of our country, etc. (ok, who hasn't?) i've come to realize that i'm easily accepting of others' religious beliefs & practices, but i've a voice inside that screams in agony when someone vocalizes a different political belief than my own. i've found myself wanting to speak out in a few forums where my voice could cause problems ... and i'm already fearful of my workplace tomorrow as i have a boss who's very loud & argumentative with his own political thoughts ... it rankles my soul to stay quiet, to bite my tongue to be "safe" or non-controversial, but i don't know yet how else to handle this. it saddens me to consider staying quiet when my own thoughts are as valid as the next person's ... *sigh*

Bite me!

2008-09-28T06:19:00.001-07:00

"Bite me!" is definitely one of my most favorite, most used phrases. Imagine my delight when I came across this delightful charm from "Charmed, I'm Sure" on Etsy!! Love it, love it, love it!!

More progress has been made on my "Book of Ornament" - I'm on the last square, then have to finish the backstitching between each block. Whoo hoo!

Two days & a wake up ... and I'm outta here! :-D

almost ....

2008-09-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry it's not a better picture ... and that my toes show (lol) ... but here's my PALs round robin - almost done stitching!! Eight wonderful PALs friends stitched 8 squares, now I'm doing the final 4. Then to try to follow the directions to make it into an accordion book. I hope I can do it!!

I've been thinking about something & wonder about your thoughts on the matter. This blog began as my stitching blog, with a bit of 'me' thrown in. Now it's that plus my art journaling & whatever else I throw in. Should I continue as is, or start an art-only blog - thus, separating my life into sections? ;o)

Four days & a wake up ... and I'll be on a plane, jetting my way west ... WAY west! I'm meeting 7 wonderful friends for a week of frivolity, spirituality, friendship. I canNOT wait!

me

2008-09-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

One of my online groups - Stitchers Time Out - is having a retreat in KS this fall. Since I won't be able to attend, I'm sending Flat Me! :o)

I spent yesterday morning cleaning out the flower beds, except for those hardy enough to last for awhile longer. Some of them just keep on going ...

good ol' Ike

2008-09-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

What a bizarre day yesterday was!! We had 30-75 mph winds yesterday (thanks, Ike). Our development never lost power (yea!) though it seems everywhere around us did. Our office has partial power & no internet. About half of us showed up for work this morning (though I waited until I knew we had power), but were sent home at 11 since everything was so hit & miss. Over half of our county is without power, trees are down everywhere, 1 out of 3 traffic signals aren't working ... It's truly a mess! Thankfully, the weather has cooled off so that's another blessing. Many schools are closed, some stores are ... (The 2 pictures from our neighborhood are of the smoke that enveloped us in the afternoon. I still don't know what was on fire, but something was - enclosing us in smoke & the smell of wood burning.)

My mom's car was a casualty of the wind last night. She was at church for a dinner & though they lost power while they were eating, no one thought anything about it ... until someone heard the crash. A huge limb fell on Mom's car. Fortunately, it didn't do a lot of damage - didn't break anything but made lots of dents all over & left her car covered with tree sap & sawdust.

Never boring here!

Don't faint!

2008-09-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

I've actually been stitching! I received my RR back from the PALs women a month or more ago and have finally begun stitching the remaining blocks. Right now, for the life of me, I can't remember the name of the piece! It will finish into an accordion book & is all Quaker patterns ... *sigh* Oh, for a memory ...

We had Kel home for the weekend. YEA! Celebrated Mom's birthday as well as X's 2nd birthday with pizza, cake & ice cream. Yum! Kel & I went shopping Saturday ... ouch! ;o)

My niece & her family move back to Florida at the end of this week ... an experience with way too much emotion attached to it right now.

being thankful

2008-09-05T05:46:00.000-07:00

one of the online groups i'm in reminds us on thursdays to be thankful ... and i finally remembered to list mine! ;o)

today's my mom's 82nd birthday. we'll party tonight with pizza & birthday cake and also celebrate my great-nephew's 2nd birthday.

it'll be a bit bittersweet ... my niece & her family are moving back to florida. we won't discuss my feelings & opinions about the move ...

catching up a bit

2008-09-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

Not that I've been busy or anything (lol) ... canned the rest of our green beans last night, went to Sunbury's Labor Day flea market & the Native American powwow on Monday ... spent Saturday with stitching friends Lauren, Renee & Milly (& her DH) having breakfast, gabbing & shopping at Cross My Heart. How did a 4 day weekend pass so quickly??

Our assignment last week in Kira's group was to scan magazines, grabbing words, then pictures as they grabbed one's attention. Then, we were to think further about what those pictures meant or symbolized. I sure seem to be stuck in vintage stuff, things that speak peace or serenity to me ... and, as always, nature. Nah, I don't try to escape my work ...

again ... my garden!!

We celebrated Mil's birthday while she was here ... and I forgot to take a picture of the floss tag I made her! Maybe she will ..

Wow!

2008-08-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

Cathey has blessed me with another award! Thank you, dear one!

Here are the rules:

1) Only five people allowed.
2) Four of them have to be dedicated followers of your Blog and one has to be new and live in another part of the world.
3) You have to link back to who gave you the award.

But ... who to pass this on to??? Some may be repeats ... sorry! Shoot ... who DOES read my blog as a "dedicated follower"??? *lol*

Of course, Cathey ... If you've never read her blog - please do! She's a talented stitcher with a wonderful sense of humor and a huge amount of courage & strength.
My buddy Renee ... she better be a dedicated follower or I won't go to First Watch with her ever again! ;o)
Sandy (yeah, again) ... truly, she's my inspiration when I play with my journaling
Milly - Ms. Smokin' Needles herself!
Carol - a very talented artist - and, as I've told her, I really like her "job" portraits down the side of her blog

Again, thank you, Cathey!
To ALL of you who read my ramblings - be you old or new - THANK YOU!

Thank you, Kim!

2008-08-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

I received this award from Kim . Thank you! What a fun award! Now to choose 7 ... oh no!!!

The rules of the award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.

Renee - one of my bestest friends ever!
Cathey - a wonderful survivor with an awesome outlook!
Mercy - a longtime 'net fellow stitcher
Sandy - another longtime 'net friend & now, a fellow art journalist (she got me hooked, bad!!)
Meari - a talented stitcher with an enduring sense of humor while in single-land
Nicolette - absolutely love her doodles!
Julie - she shares beautiful pictures from nature

Now, the problem is, I'm too lazy to go to these blogs & leave notes about the award! *lol* So, if you're reading here & want to let one of these talented women know - cool! I'll love you forever! If you're one of these women & you're reading here - let me know, 'k?

gardening

2008-08-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

this morning, in an attempt to beat the heat of the day, i went into the garden to pick beans. tom had turned some of the plants over to allow the sun to get to the beans better ... it worked as i picked 3 large colanders full of green & yellow beans & will have many more to pick in another day or two. then the plants will be done...

i didn't plan on doing any weeding as at this point, we pretty much let whatever weeds want in, to grow. but of course, there were some in my way, so i pulled ... sans gloves. and there's one little prickly stuck in a finger that i can't see but can certainly feel.

i've been reading 'plant seed pull weed' for the past week or so .. a good read. very calming, thought-provoking ... reminded me often of why i love to garden. the tranquility of sitting there, feeling the sun beating on my back, hearing the birds at our feeders chirping away to lend music to my time out there. feeling so full of appreciation for our harvest - we'll have canned beans & frozen tomatoes all winter long. and maybe canned tomatoes as it looks to me like we're about to be overwhelmed with ready tomatoes. the joy of knowing what we eat comes from our own labors!

there are lots of gardens around our neighborhood, but they're all flowers, shrubs & trees. it looks like we're the only ones with vegetables growing, at least in our quantity. with the lot sizes we have, it's a bit sad to me that more people aren't using their yards to grow edible things. if nothing else, we're all hearing how much more expensive everything will be this winter ... but, more importantly, how can so many people choose to be so dependent on grocery stores? how can so many people choose to live off of processed foods? i'm not the most healthy person nor the most weight conscious, but when a small investment of time yields so much?

and i always go back to ... how can someone not want to absorb the pure pleasure of time in a garden? no phones, tv's ... no sound but the birds with an occasional car driving by? how can we not each need that quiet time to replenish our overloaded senses? i thinned the carrots this morning ... it is so incredible to see those baby carrots developing and gives such a feeling of anticipation of the sweet flavor they'll have when fully grown! a few years ago, we planted carrots & had a few little boys we know jumping up & down, wanting to help pull them. we all agreed nothing tasted better than those carrots!

five years ago, when mom & i agreed to build this house, to live here so k could finish school in this system, we talked of moving when she was done. in my head, i've always thought i'd move some place out further. t & i talk about it often, he looks at land often. we've seen places that appeal to us, but ... nothing goes further than that. yet. seeing the bounty we've gotten from the garden this year, knowing all of the work t does every year to enrich our rock-filled soil, slows us down a bit in our desire to move. for now, i accept that this place is where we're to be. in a rambing aside - the house we had before (k, me, my mom, my ex) had a great garden, too. it was a place in our yard that had been a garden years earlier, so we worked to bring it back to life and had great harvests each year. we even had deer who liked out corn enough to nest in it. the house isn't far from here and we each frequently drive by it. k exclaims each time, about the present owner, "she's let the garden go back to grass! she left the ornamental grasses but nothing else! how can she do that???" *sigh* though k isn't one to spend a lot of time helping in our garden, if she has a choice, it's nice to know she appreciates the labor as well as the fruits of the labor ... and recognizes the sadness of land not used for a garden.

my baby

2008-08-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

yeah, i had to create something about today ... about the 'butterflies in the stomach' we were both experiencing.

move in day

2008-08-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

and so it begins ... k's life at college.

we got there first, so went ahead & arranged the furniture the way the girls had discussed ... MUCH better arrangement!

ah, color! ;-)

today's the day

2008-08-23T03:55:00.000-07:00

the rental's 99% packed ... everyone's awake ... soon, we'll drive out our driveway to begin her journey to college.

counting down

2008-08-20T18:02:00.001-07:00

i'm probably boring you all to death ... but, having my one & only go away to college is sort of consuming me right now. (yeah, that's called an understatement) i thought i'd have more time to sit & journal about it tonight, but haven't had as much time as i wanted ... and i'm rambling. regardless, i did do this page tonight. it's hard enough for me, but it's harder for k ... she's having to say 'good bye' to a lot of her friends. the joys of growing up ...

Home

2008-08-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

We're back from Michigan .. tired, somewhat relaxed ... I played a bit in my journals, but not much. Felt too good to sit & play with the kids, canoe, swim in Lake Michigan.

I read "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield while gone - wonderful book! And as I read, I thought about my dreams ...

There are wonderful trees around the 'resort' T's son manages (a row of 9 cabins, access to the Platte River) - had to try drawing them.

We discovered Monday morning that a tree limb had attacked our van - shattered the back window & left a big dent in the back door. MAJOR grrr!!! It doesn't show well in the scan, but I tried to draw a big purple monster first .. one we'd seen on top of a car dealership (ok, it was actually a purple gorilla) ..

A number of years ago, I was visiting my ex in NC. We stopped at a pull-off (western NC ... beautiful mountains) and I had a sort of epiphany about me, at some future time of my life.

Is it time to go back to MI yet?!?!?

here comes the sun

2008-08-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's a "half theme" day in Blissfully Art Journaling land with "here comes the sun". Since I'm stuck here at my desk, not seeing true sunshine, I used my anticipation of the weekend ahead ...

Hmm ... is this what I'm "supposed" to do? Ahhh ... it's what I wanted to do. *lol*

roses

2008-08-12T18:49:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple of days, I've had roses running through my head & some of my emails, especially as in "smell the roses" as I begin this journey as a mom with a daughter away for college. I was anxious all day to get home & create page(s) - but, of course, had to go to the dentist first, have dinner, etc etc. And, as Tom, Mom & I sat outside after dinner (which was all homegrown veggies - corn, beans, tomatoes, melon - yum!) we talked about growing roses. A bit spooky, I can tell you!
But, I finally got to sit down & play ...

the photo here is my mom, many years ago ...

this photo doesn't show too well, but ... the 'writing' is an email i sent today ... again, about having & taking the time to smell the roses ...

waiting for my friend ...

2008-08-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

i doodled ... there's been a lot of talk about zentangles & such in the "everyday" group i'm in ... so, as i sat in the parking lot last night, waiting for my friend, i played. i found out one thing - the pocket size moleskine & an ultra fine sharpie aren't necessarily made for one another. oh well ... it's a beginning ...

frustrations vented!

2008-08-10T07:58:00.001-07:00

Wish I could just pour this OUT of my head as easily as I put it all on paper!!

2 weeks

2008-08-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Friday, we went to see "Mamma Mia" again .. and this time, I couldn't hear "Slipping Through My Fingers" without crying. Way too apropos right now!!

Schoolbag in hand
She leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye
With an absent-minded smile
I watch her go
With a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm loosing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes
Her and me at the breakfast table
Barely awake
I let precious time go by
Then when she's gone
There's that odd melancholy feeling
And a sense of guilt
I can't deny
What happened to the wonderful adventures
The places I had planned for us to go
Well some of that we did
But most we didn't
And why I just don't know

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers -

And last night, it hit hard ... two weeks from yesterday, we take her to college ...

I almost forgot!

2008-08-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

I added the picture/link the other day, but forgot to mention the "why" ... If you've not discovered the "Journal Revolution" you should! *lol* This is one of the first sites Sandy sent me to when I expressed an interest in journaling (especially after seeing hers!) - and I've been hooked ever since. Enjoy the visit!

finches

2008-08-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

We have 5 finch socks out back (hmmm ... pictures in another post, maybe?) that are filled with only thistle/finch food. But every once in awhile, the finches get curious about the bird food we keep in the front yard (songbird food). The finches are just so pretty!

2008-08-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

new toys ... had to play!

this is in kel's book (ok, obviously) .. found inspiration in a book (uh oh .. which one? i've gotten so many from the library lately!)

a quickie from the other day ... do indeed love our garden!

ArtChix

2008-08-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

I have new toys to play with! I placed an order with ArtChix last weekend & received my goodies today. What wonderful papers & vintage goods & all I got! I'm going to work on a page tonight, which I'll share when it's finished ... but I want to play with it all NOW! :o)

We picked beans, tomatoes & onions from the garden today. Got 2 big bowls of beans but decided to let others grow in the sun another day or two before picking. There might actually be enough for canning this year. Yea!! The tomatoes are starting to turn quickly, so most of those are being put in the freezer. Tom keeps hesitating on picking the melons .. I just might have to sneak out tomorrow & pick one. They look soooo good! I've got to remember to get out in the lavender early in the morning, before the bees take up residence.

Kel filled one of hummingbird feeders this evening - with one of the hummers hovering over her shoulder, watching the process. Hungry little boogers! :o)

one more...

2008-08-07T05:20:00.000-07:00

looking at this this morning, i need to at the very least put a glaze over this ... good ol' glare ...

can't stay away from the journals!

2008-08-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

(looking at this post this morning, 12 hours later, i've got to apologize for how dark these are! i'll try to remember to re-do these ....)

kel & her recent experiences with a friend & the friend's mom instigated this page ... it's not done ... know what i want to add but haven't found it yet

someday, maybe i'll really be able to draw faces!

the joys of gardening

2008-08-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

the bounty has begun ... hallelujah!

can't you just taste these? especially warmed by the sun, with a salt shaker in your hand?

we forgot to plant sunflowers this year ... but the birds (and their food, supplied by us) apparently decided to make sure we had a few ...

our finches ... we've got yellows, too, but this guy was just too pretty ...

more to come ... yea!!

Assignment

2008-08-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

I've joined an art journal group (ok, more than one) ... but the "assignment" of journaling about a favorite prayer grabbed me, immediately. So ... here's what I sat tonight & created. If I do say so myself, I like what I did!

I've often realized that growing up in the church I did, I've felt "more" tolerant of things ... and, I've understood that we were taught - both at church & at home - to do things in moderation, to understand that God loves us, no matter what. I remember well - but probably not often enough - the overwhelming sense of peace I've always felt, sitting in those pews. Our church isn't big ... it's warm, welcoming. And I could always look up at one of the crossbeams & smile with pride, knowing my life began there, that my parents were always involved, that our family was always there. I remember my dad being confirmed when I was (what an awesome experience!) ... the loving grace our minister laid out to all of us ... the hymns sung in joy & with full voice by everyone. My dad was buried from this church ... what bittersweet memories. "When the Saints Go Marching In" resounded through the church as his casket was taken out ... the pride I felt at being one of his pallbearers ... Wow ... what memories are sitting here, flooding through my heart ...

Thank you, Shelleen!

2008-08-03T09:57:00.001-07:00

I've known Shelleen a long time .. between different Yahoo groups & Amy's PALs group. She's such a sweetheart & now she's nominated for this award. Thank you, Shelleen!!

The rules for passing the award on are:
Here are the rules for this award:
• The winner may put the logo on her blog.
• Put a link to the person you got the award from.
• Nominate 5 blogs.
• Put links to the blogs.
Leave a message for your nominees.

Now ... I look at LOTS of blogs & many have received the award. And, truthfully, I don't want to pick out just 5 of them ... and I love all I read ... so, I'm going to be bad ;-) and not nominate 5. Ok - I'm too lazy to figure out who has received the award already & who hasn't! *lol* So, to any who read this - I nominate YOU!

the geeks

2008-08-02T05:19:00.001-07:00

We got Kel's laptop for college *sigh* ... another confirmation that she'll be traveling away from home. It happens ...

One of her best buds was having a rough time at home, so she grabbed her own computer & came over last night. Cracked me up ... geeks, at home on a Friday night, playing with their computers, checking out new music, MySpacing like idiots, giggling & gabbing away. Love my girls ...

Ahhhh ... Friday!

2008-08-01T05:45:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful it's Friday - which means no office work for me! Oh yeah ... feels good!

Today won't be the most pleasant of days .. in an hour, I'll get in the van & go to Lancaster for the funeral service for my friend's boyfriend. J's still in shock ... As with all things, there's good & bad through this - maybe now, J will let herself have a "life" again ... That sounds cruel, maybe, but she's spent so much time tending to him, often not spending time on herself.

Kel & I will spend part of this weekend shopping for her dorm room & school supplies. *sigh* I catch myself walking past her room, sometimes thinking of the things I can put in her room (my art supplies *lol*), but more often thinking how quiet that room will be without her music, laughter & chats. The steps to adulthood ...

We're finally harvesting tomatoes from our garden. YUM!!! We're losing our cucumber plants & at least one zucchini plant, probably to some pest. Grrrrr!! Tom works so hard in the garden - makes me angry to see his work get destroyed - but we've certainly had tasty harvest this year. Can't wait to taste one of the melons!

Shelleen's given me a blog award - thank you!! I'll post more about that later...

The Breakfast Club

2008-07-31T11:10:00.001-07:00

TBC is one of my all-time favorite movies ... lots of reasons. Anyway, today I was Molly Ringwald - eating sushi at my desk today. I didn't realize when I purchased it last evening that the little black plastic tray it was in is not just plain ol' black plastic ... what fun!!

The sushi was very yummy - crab, avocado .... mmmmm ....!

What did you have for lunch today? I didn't go out today - not even to sit near the river & just look at something different for a bit. J's boyfriend died Monday - tonight's the time at the funeral home - so I want to get home in time to get cleaned up a bit before we head to Lancaster.

Played some more in my journal last night. Maybe I'll remember to take a few photos to share .. ;o)

being a copycat

2008-07-28T10:56:00.001-07:00

i'm a fan (almost daily reader) of ree's blog & am always hmmm ... fascinated? intrigued? when she posts of her guy's forearms, jean-covered tush, etc i'm impressed that he apparently has no problem with her comments (or all of ours! *lol*). anyway, all of this leads to my fascination with my guy's hands. this isn't the best picture but ... hey, it's a start.

t's hands, like his soul, are strong. some may look at them & see roughness ... hmmm .. yeah, that works for me, too. one of my "aaahhhh" moments with t is when we're walking somewhere - most anywhere - and he takes my hand in his & we walk on.

don't mind me ... i needed a break from the stupidness of my office ... a little eye candy ... ;o)

can you say SMALL?

2008-07-27T06:41:00.001-07:00

We took K to TU for freshman weekend yesterday. The kids stay in their actual dorm rooms, with their roommates ... do "fun" activities & get to know one another.

We knew the dimensions of K's room ... but when you see it in person ... OUCH! Is it SMALL! One of the RA's was going to work with them to see if they could come up with a better arrangement of everything, to make it a bit more livable. Like the green cast to the room? Every room that doesn't have a window covering in place (most every room, as each year's students are responsible for their own window coverings) has green plastic temporarily pinned over the windows. Lovely .... not. *lol*

But ... there are a few great things to their room. They are at the end of a hallway & share a bathroom with the 2 girls across the hall from them. Yep, 4 girls to a bathroom instead of 20 for K&R. Major plus! And, I guess a door near K's room is for another bathroom (I assume it's a community one) so ... should be no problem having bathroom time. ;o) They've got 3 windows in their room which makes furniture arrangement more of a challenge, but gives them better air circulation - and, with no a/c, that's a plus.

We're meeting the roommate's parents today - K's riding home with R, so we'll pick her up there. Should be interesting!

Don't you love their excitement?!?!? :o)

foggy bottoms

2008-07-24T07:33:00.001-07:00

ok, i just like how that sounds ... *lol*

we're in a 'cool' spell here in central ohio. the night's cool off, but the ground's still quite warm from the day's sunshine, so we have morning dew & fog. this morning, i thought to take pictures as i left the house. the first is looking across the back from the front of our house; the second is the park's field across from our development entrance. glad my brain wasn't feeling as foggy as the air was this morning! ;o)

coffee please!

2008-07-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

i started a pot of coffee here at the office ... while i wait for it to brew, a few random things ...

i put 2 pictures in my flickr account of pages i played on last night, sitting on the front porch. funny how i had random garden pictures or some such being on the 'cultivate your garden' page (the phrase has been pretty upfront in my brain the last few days) - then, instead, a bunch of random weird thoughts appeared. maybe i needed some cleansing so i could cultivate? ok, maybe not ... anyway, i played with mostly colored pencils - wished i'd taken an eraser outside with me but ... it's a step to letting things out, regardless of how 'good' or 'bad' my journaling is.

stopped by h's this morning to drop off paper plates & such. their neighborhood is much older than ours & has glorious trees & flowers in every yard. *sigh* i miss trees ... but it was a beautiful drive on a quiet thursday morning. which reminds me that i took a couple of pictures of our fog this morning - need to download them. i hope tomorrow morning's similar to today - will be nice to sit on the porch with my coffee and enjoy the quiet.

that said ... i'd best go get my coffee & get to work. may your day bring you sunshine & smiles!

short vent

2008-07-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

well, i'll try to keep it short ...

enter b - wanted to retire a couple of years ago from her position as bookkeeper for one of our clients. decided to stay on parttime as independent contractor. every time something changes in their payroll - which she still does - we have a major discussion about how to do it. they use quickbooks - fairly easy, straight-forward software. after this morning's conversation about how to add an additional withholding tax to an employee, then receiving an email from her telling me maybe i'd chosen the wrong location so she'd changed it ... and she was wrong ... i'm sitting here, getting dizzy 'cause i can't stop shaking my head in wonderment. she makes the easiest tasks difficult. *sigh* she is such a fun person & has never struck me as being stupid ... but, man, am i tired of these 'fights' to get things done.

ok ... back to my own work ...

Thank you

2008-07-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who have left comments here ... I really appreciate them!!

To all who have added our friends, T&H, to their prayers, thank you. At 11:40pm yesterday, their daughter called to let me know T had passed. I think I'm still just a bit stunned, though we all knew it was inevitable. H is still in the hospital & hopefully now the hospital/doctors will work with the family to get him out & home. My mom is a mess. These are her best friends - have been for 55 years - and she's "stuck" in Florida. My aunt needs someone with her every day & on Saturday, Mom & my aunt decided to have J take this week as vacation. I think they'll work something out so Mom can come home, at least for the funeral, but ... if not, we knew this could happen & had discussed it with T&H before Mom left. I really wish I could wiggle my nose & change everything! Please, if you can, offer up support, prayers, whatever works for you, for my "other" family.

Thank you, again ...

focus

2008-07-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

As you may have read in an earlier post here, I *want* to journal ... maybe a written one only as well as an art one. But, right now, with T&H both so ill, so close to death, creating for myself seems ... hmm ... selfish. Not right. Too many other things taking up my heart, my energy. And, of course, K's getting-closer-by-the-day move to college ...

I thought yesterday I'd add T&H to my journal, spill some memories & emotions ... but, the pics I chose sit on the counter, waiting. Do I think putting those things to paper brings everything too close, too real, too happening-soon possible? So ... those journals sit.

Instead, I've worked on a book for K to take to college, to have a bit of 'home' and 'mom' there beside her. When T goes camping, I send cards, stash some in his luggage ... remind him of home ... and me. Yeah, yeah, I know he won't forget ... but, it's what I do. So, why should K be any different? I've already begun stashing Hallmark cards to send to her. Who doesn't love getting mail? Ok, enough rationalization ...

My pretties

2008-07-20T11:54:00.001-07:00

Tom loves to harass me about my flowers ... "are they edible???" Then I remind him ... the coneflowers create echinicea. I have lemon balm, tandy, herbs ... lavender ... sweet Annie ... so, ummmm.... yes!

I love the colors of my coneflowers, especially this one. Apparently, the bees (yea! bees!) like it, too.

My sole hollyhock plant. I planted 2, three or four years ago. One bloomed beautifully, then disappeared, never to return. But, one is better than none ...

My little snapdragons .. planted 2 years ago and this year, have sprouted sporadically (say that fast 5 times!) around the house. They are so cute!

Mmmmm ... daylilies! These flowers sprout all over Ohio & they certainly seem to love our dirt (or, the rocks that pass for dirt). I've these oranges, yellows & deep burnt oranges.

I've planted new (to me) ones this year that I hope thrive well. My parents' best friends are both dying from cancer & H dug up hostas & daylilies from their yard for me. I am truly blessed to have something that will bloom & grow in my garden, in memory of them.

how does your garden grow?

2008-07-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Since we've spent time weeding & watering the last few days ... and thunderstorms are supposed to be coming in ... thought I'd share some of our bounty.

This may be the last bunch of radishes I harvest. There were many going to seed .. but, you never know. There might be one more batch since what's left is pretty thinned out.

See all the cucumbers?!?!? Do you think Tom likes 'em?

Tomatoes ... one of Ohio's best crops, always! Ours are finally starting to turn. Can't wait to have that glorious sun-warmed tomato juice running down my chin!

Onions, Tom's rhubarb .. I picked 2 of the onions for our dinner's salad. Carried them by the greens under my arm ... there's a romantic odor for you!

when is thursday really friday?

2008-07-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

when you're me ... working 4 10-hour days. *yawn* i really like having friday (as it turns out) not at work. really. truly. loudly love it!
the problem is, though, then thursday becomes friday and all i think as i sit here is, is it time to go yet? wishing my life away ... i don't dislike my work, but i do dislike that it's black & white (though that's also what i like about it). i want to go home & play. pull weeds in the garden. stitch. create in my journal. stand on my head ...
well, not really. i can't stand on my head. at least not literally.
but, man, do i want out of here!! i've looked at blogs, trying to give my brain something different to look at ... and one's led to another led to another led to another ... uh oh. this isn't work? you sure?

Inspiration

2008-07-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

As I read Sandy's blog this morning, I started looking at others she links to ... and came across this. I've reserved both books from the library - spent enough $ yesterday to have me not buying these until I see them. *sigh* Another instance of why wasn't I born rich instead of beautiful? *lol*

If you like looking at pretty things, check the blog out & follow the links to others' blogs ... then to their etsy shops, if they have them. What wonderfully creative women!

I had good intentions of playing with a "plain" journal last night, but ... didn't. I volunteered to take Mom to the airport so Tom could sleep in a bit & it was far closer to my usual wake up time than his. So, at 5:30, we were at the airport ... *yawn* I knew they'd changed some of the roads around but hadn't even thought they'd change the one we always use to access the airport! Good thing we left a bit early ... Anyway, maybe tonight - if I don't crash when I get home. Shoot - maybe today if I need a diversion from work. [Can you imagine I'd need such a thing???]
Speaking of which ... every once in awhile, I decide I need to bring "me" to my office - and so I brought some of my lavender in yesterday.

this is going to be good ...

2008-07-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine - Sandy, in LA - has inspired me to play with "art journaling". *sigh* Yep, I need another plaything ... ;-) I'm not a talented artist by any stretch, but I do love playing & have collected pens & colored pencils & watercolor pencils for a very long time. I've been thinking journaling might be therapeutic for me as Kel begins her college life away from home & have been looking at blogs & journal theme sites - then, here comes Sandy with her beautiful creations. Now, she's an artist (as well as a beautiful stitcher) ... but she was kind enough to send me an email full of cool links ...

So, while I bought a sketch book & a lined journal book, I began to play with ideas in my head. Then, as I looked through a magazine I picked up today (Artful Blogging - too cool!) I saw a picture of clothes hanging from a clothesline, blowing in the breeze and started remembering the clothesline in my grandmother's yard, the one at my parents' home, the one we had in our previous house & Kelli's comments about missing having one here. Then I received an email about clotheslines - the etiquette people followed (hanging your undies on the middle line, between the lines of sheets & pillowcases). Hmmm .. anyone else get the idea I'm supposed to do something with these memories? Yep ... off I went, playing with watercolor pencils (about time, as long as I've had mine!) ...

This could, indeed, be dangerous .... ;o)

2008-07-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

Wow! I'm really behind here! We were on vacation last week, in NH & MA. Can I go back NOW?!?!?! We relaxed - didn't "do" much of anything. I stitched, read, ate, put my feet in the river ...

I got 1 Bent Creek row (summer) almost done while we were gone. Would have finished it but I didn't have 2 of the necessary flosses with me ... and finding a nearby place when you're in the White Mountains just doesn't work. So, I started the fall row & have most of it done. I love how quickly their pieces work up!

We did see the fireworks while in NH. N Woodstock & Lincoln combine a lot of their community things & the fireworks was one. We pulled into a shopping center & waited for them to begin. Sure 'nuff - 9pm, they started. We sat in the van & watched as they were just to our left. Finale goes off, Tom starts the van & 5 minutes later, we're home. Can't quite beat that!

Funny story from our trip: I have a favorite seafood restaurant near Tom's brother's house so Tuesday afternoon, I drive over to get some lobster. They're CLOSED on Tuesday! Wednesday afternoon, we drive to Bill & Bob's for some roast beef - they're closed on Wednesday! Thursday morning, we drive to the Notchview for breakfast - they're closed on Thursday!! We were cracking up by then, of course ... but I still didn't get any lobster! :-( Hmmm ... sounds like as good a reason as any to go back NOW! :-)

I took yesterday off to recoup ... I still felt like I was in the van, driving/riding along! Our garden has exploded! In amongst the weeds *sigh* are lots of veggies. I brought in a HUGE bunch of radishes, 6 zucchini, 2 cucumbers. I could have picked more zukes & cukes (lol) but left some to mature another day or two. Tom fixed dinner tonight with one of the zucchini - stuffed it with sausage. YUM!! I cannot wait for the tomatoes to start turning red!

Stitching finish

2008-06-26T12:13:00.001-07:00

I've had this in my stash for quite sometime & almost every time I start something new, I think "Oh, I'll stitch this" ... then something else catches my eye & off I go to that other "else". But, now, finally, I stitched LHN's "America"!!! Whoo hoo!

I have to say, I'm disappointed in the house colors. They don't look bad in this picture, but in person, I think there could have been a few other colors used - but, it's all good. If you look closely, you'll see the windows I personalized ... (gotta love a good rationalization!)

I've made a fabric choice for the Bent Creek rows that I think I'm taking next week when I travel. I met Renee & Lauren for lunch - we did a floss toss on a few of Lauren's fabrics https://sassysfabbys.com/ and decided on Sugared Toffee (I think *lol*). Then we went to CMH, where I wanted to get floss I'm low on (or totally out of) for the rows .. their stock was a bit depleted. :-( Oh, well, it's a great reason to stop at a LNS next weke!

2008-06-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was K's graduation party - and we had such fun! Got to see people we've not seen in quite awhile - and, unfortunately as it goes at parties like this, we didn't get to chat a lot with anyone - but it was still fun & we so appreciated everyone coming to celebrate with us. There were some we'd hoped to see - but, with our weather as weird as it got Friday night, as well as everyone's crammed-crazy schedules, it was understandable that some couldn't make it. (Boy, don't I sound magnanimous? *lol*)

Of course, that said ... there were those who didn't show ... well, who I hoped would have, or, to be honest, I guess I thought "should" be there. Yeah, my expectations of others ... One was K's dad's girlfriend - and rumor has it, she went to a movie with co-workers. She's not attended one performance, one whatever of K's in at least 4 years if not longer. She certainly won't be invited to anything else T&I host for K. A few band parents I'd hoped to see weren't there. :-( And then there's the family members who didn't come ... *sigh* Some I understand the why, some I don't. And it's all out of my control, but I know the actions of others, especially recently, has me repeating "I'm done, I'm just done" about many people. Or, as K said Friday morning, "they just aren't really family anymore...."

I'm especially curious to see what happens - if anything - over the next couple of weeks. We won't be in town for the 4th of July but I know there are some who expect us to be here (well, really at their home), a gazillion dollars worth of fireworks in tow ... and it ain't happening. Lots of reasons, but seems to me if they can't drive to our home because of gas prices, we can't afford to drive to theirs. Oh, and of course, there's driving the country roads in the dark ... *sigh* A part of me wants to be angry about all of this. I'm beyond tired of people who take, or expect to be given - but they don't have the consideration or social graces or anything else to give from themselves.

Many have asked me what I'm going to do, now that my time as a band parent/booster is done. I'll have more time to scrapbook, stitch, read, garden, spend time with those I choose ... and I'm discovering that my tolerance for things I don't have/need to tolerate is at an all-time low. There's too much good, fun, beauty in this world to let my soul be bothered by those who just irritate.

Yesterday, we attended the celebration of the 60th wedding anniversary of my parents' best friends. T&H are my 'other' parents & their children are my brothers & sister. The celebration was bittersweet - T&H both have cancer and are failing quickly. I'm very concerned about how my mother will handle it when either or both die, their friendship is that strong. Their illnesses have both come on very suddenly ... and watching them, talking with their children & friends, further pushed me to the realization that my life has to be what I want/choose it to be ... Not that my job as a mom is done (that never happens! *lol*), but as K moves forward into her college life, it's time for me to rediscover myself.

Wow ... heavy stuff for a Monday morning ....

and more...

2008-06-07T17:46:00.000-07:00

Let's see ... we have the pages for me & T, K's dad, my parents, her daycare (way back when! *lol*) ... and maybe some duplicates. Hmm ... maybe I better check previous posts before I put anymore here! :-)

Updating - scrapbook alert!

2008-06-07T17:39:00.001-07:00

As you can see, I've been working on K's scrapbook ... somewhat endlessly as her party is this coming Friday.

These first 2 pages are for T's family ...

These are pages for K's dad's family ..

And these are my family ... well, some of them. ;o)

The grads

2008-06-03T06:25:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday, we had a "family" grad party since we have 3 high school grads this year. (In case you hadn't figured it out, that's them, in the photo above *lol*). Mine's the one in the middle & was the only "true" grad on Saturday since her ceremony was Friday night. A lot of people expected us to be in tears - and I even wore waterproof mascara to the ceremony, thinking all those people were right. Instead, we were celebrating! No more GMHS nonsense EVER again! But, more on that at another time.

Saturday was fun - a bit too long for me - and attended mostly by people I (nor K) know well, if at all. But, it was a nice day & fun to catch up with a few people. K & I stopped by a friend's grad party on our way home, then she went to another with some high school friends. T hasn't been feeling well, so I wanted to be home with him, rather than out partying.

K found out Sunday that Tiffin is starting a "pit" this year in their marching band, so she'll be playing bells & such - and doesn't have to report to camp until Aug 14 (4 days later than originally planned). She's super thrilled - knows what she'll be doing, has a few more days at home, etc.

Now to get K's party planned (Friday the 13th) and get the scrapbook completed. We've got about 20 "sets" in the binder now but I'm betting I'll fill the other 10 we have at home since I've yet to do her "friends" pages, band, senior year .... I've taken pictures of those done to add here - just haven't had the time to sit & upload.

We're to get strong storms this afternoon & evening. *sigh* I pray everyone stays safe through all of this weird weather that's been assaulting our country lately. Oh - and - GO WINGS!!!!!

K's scrapbook - continued

2008-05-17T04:45:00.000-07:00

Some friends are with you all through your school life. These are just 3 of many in Kel's life. They met as 1st graders when we started our Brownie troop & have shared adventures through the years. What fun it's been to go through our pictures & see them all grow into the beautiful young women they are now!

Over the past few years, Kel & I have discovered the beauty of New Hampshire - thanks to the friends & family who live there. Sadly, T's vet buddy hopes to move by the end of this summer so we won't be able to stay at his house anymore ... but, that won't stop us from visiting the area. It's just too gorgeous & it's where T goes camping with his buds every year. Anyway .. it's a place we love & very much deserved a place in Kel's book.

How could her book not have at least one page dedicated to Easter? She's always loved it - and, like Halloween, was never about the candy. Kel & her Easter egg hunts ... Hmmm .. maybe I should add a journaling about the Easter my brother & his then-girlfriend visited. Talk about a nightmare! *lol*

Decisions, decisions

2008-05-15T10:23:00.001-07:00

well, my bosses finally decided about my work time request. i drive 50 miles to & from the office, daily, of course, and at $4/gallon for gas ... OUCH! so, i asked if i could switch to 4 10-hour days or working at home 1 day a week. they've agreed to it!!! something of a minor miracle there ...

so, now i have to look at my calendar & see what will work best. i get to try whichever way & if it doesn't work, switch to the other. i think i'm going to start with the 4 10-hours just 'cause my self-discipline may not be enough for me to get that 5th day of work all done ... and, it gives me another day to do whatever i want.

do any of you work either of these ways? even if you don't ... i'd love to read your thoughts about the change.

and, yes, i've been stitching a bit - finally finished 'bless our home' last night & started a homespun elegance piece. i switched out the dog on 'bless' since we don't have one. looks ok to me! *lol* and i finished 4 pieces into larger pinkeeps over this past weekend. yeah, yeah, i'll get pictures here sometime.

life's just too crazy when there's a high school senior involved! :-)

yep ... more!

2008-05-04T14:40:00.001-07:00

So many pictures of my darling little girl! Yep, she's always loved dressing up, posing for pictures ... and, thankfully, she still has a glorious smile! Going through these pictures has made me miss my little girl but I'm reminding myself she's growing into a wonderful young woman. Thankfully, she's still full of hugs & giggles!

These 2 girls ... E's mom & I were SAHM's back when our girls were babies & met at a local bowling facility that was trying to give SAHM's a way to meet. As our girls have grown up & we now live in different - but nearby - suburbs, we rarely see one another. But, last fall, our 2 football teams played one another so the girls were able to scream & hug & giggle & gab. We'll see them again come graduation party time, I'm sure.

catching up

2008-05-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

Since I've done almost no stitching the last few weeks, I don't really have anything to share. I've been stitching CCN's "Bless Our Home" but it's pretty slow going ... back & forth, back & forth ... *lol* Oh ... and I've been scrapbooking since I've had 2 classes the last 2 weeks & am really feeling the time crunch for the end of May. Unfortunately, Kel keeps adding pictures to my stack ... will I ever finish? ;o)

Yep, my child was a thumb-sucker. She came by it honestly ... so was I. It's not damaged the teeth in either of our heads ... *lol* Of course, it had to have a section in the book! Especially if K was tired, in went the thumb, with the tag from her fav "puffalump" right there, rubbing her nose ...

I'd made these pages in class & K loves them, so she chose her middle school friends to show here. Oh, the memories ... *sigh*

And how could I not have holidays included? Hmmm ... where's the picture of the facing page for Halloween? Ok ... I'll get it here sometime ... *lol*

Another step

2008-04-12T03:16:00.000-07:00

Today, K & I go to Tiffin for her orientation. While, like every parent, I'm not totally ready to let go & watch her leave for college, I know it's a necessary 'evil' and even more, I know she'll be out of her high school & will be somewhere safe. Her school's been in the news this week, thanks to the increasing levels of violence. Fortunately, our school board finally approved 2 additional security officers for the school. Took them long enough! Actually, it took a teacher being hurt ... and while I'm sorry for his injury, these changes needed to be made before school began in the fall. Anyway ... she'll be moving on to much better things!

I finally got my Brightneedle "Alphabet Sampler" finished but I've not yet taken a picture. Next is the last PALs RR I have to do & finishing BC's "Good Morning" that I began on our NY trip. I did a lot of frogging on the BN piece - wouldn't have anything to do with the stress I've been under of late. ;-)

Work's still stupid but at least the 15th is in just a few days. Our "extra" CPA will finally go back to part time ... yea!!

Oh - I also got one more scrapbook page done ... have to step up the productivity!

It's been awhile ....

2008-04-04T04:36:00.000-07:00

so, if you don't like reading my work vents, pass on by ... ;o)

I work for a small accounting firm. It's April 4. If you've never heard me spaz before, know that this part of EVERY year is stupid, insane, ugly, weird, a major PIA. This year, I've worked hard at ignoring my coworkers as I really don't want to do jail time this year. But, I'm starting to reconsider that decision.

The CPA who sits across from my office (thank God I have a door I can close!) talks to herself, flicks her pen lids off & on, sighs when anyone else doesn't behave as she thinks they should, hits the keyboard so hard I'm surprised it doesn't just break into pieces ... The accountant next door to me spends most of her time socializing - back here in our part of the office, up front leaning on the receptionist's desk, on the phone. This year, she's farmed the majority of her work to above-mentioned CPA or our other bookkeeper, yet is recording huge "work" hours. Our other bookkeeper (there are 2 of us), has almost no work to do so she's been trying to keep the boss on our side a little towards sane, but she spends way too much time talking with anyone - clients, coworkers, family, friends. If you haven't gotten the picture yet, I am, of course, the only perfect employee here. ;o)

This morning, our receptionist's words just put me over a tiny edge. She's upset with one boss who always "runs home for a minute". Of course, the minutes are closer to hours & he's perpetually late for client meetings here. I know said recep is swamped, but, like others here, if she'd spend less time doing personal stuff (phone calls, chatting with coworkers), she might find she has more time to get her work done.

Oh ... one last ... because I'm not a CPA, there are many here who think their work is far more important than mine. Yeah, yeah, whatever. I work with our largest, best $ source, clients. And, right now, in the midst of my own regular work, I'm hustling to get 3 months of work done in just a couple of days for them because they need financial statements. Last week, to take care of my clients, I did a week's worth of work in 2 days because no one here will do direct deposit payrolls. Yep, they refuse to do what is supposed to be part of their jobs. When I took Wed off to do laundry, pack, rest before the all-night bus ride, I was doing work from home - again, because others refuse to do it.

Ok ... the world goes on spinning & it's another fun day in Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. ;o)

Day 2

2008-04-02T15:48:00.001-07:00

We exited our buses across from The Plaza - the hotel used in Sex & The City for Big's engagement announcement. Too fun! We walked from here to FAO Schwartz, just across the street. What a GREAT place!

I thought if I took a picture of the necklace I know T will want to give me for my birthday (at Bulgari), he'd remember. HA!

Everyone has to try a New York hot dog on the street, right? Yes, it was good - though I'll confess, I didn't taste much difference. We also had a potato knish from the same vendor - yummy!

We had dinner here - Angelo's Pizza. A nice, traditional Italian restaurant. They weren't quite prepared for us, for whatever reason, but we survived.
While most of us blissfully ate & talked, one of our students decided to slip away .... little twit.

The evening's event was going to the Top of the Rock. What an incredible experience!! Yes, I took pictures from the top (and we went to the VERY top), but those will be shared another time. ;o)

Day 1 continued

2008-04-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

I remember now that the IBM building is next to/part of the Trump building. I didn't get into the Trump building but those who did were sure impressed with the gold. ;o)

Sure wish we'd had more time at the Natural History Museum.

We survived!

2008-04-01T15:22:00.001-07:00

Last Wednesday night, 100 of us boarded 2 buses & traveled to NYC. Yep, me & my closest high school band friends rode through the night. Some slept, but the kids were so wound up, many didn't sleep until the very wee hours of the morning.

Our first stop was breakfast at Hard Rock Cafe, somewhere near Times Square (I'm still confused about the layout of Manhattan *lol*). Then we were driven to Rockefeller Plaza after we found a place to pull over & change into our band shirts.

Our first 'real' tourist stop was Radio City Music Hall. We had a backstage tour - VERY cool! And, yes, I got to have my picture taken with a Rockette. ;o)

After we all had time to do a bit of exploring around the area, the kids performed in the IBM Atrium - and they were WONDERFUL! A lot of people gathered to listen & a number of the regulars commented to us that our kids were the best they'd heard. Our equipment truck had not been allowed to enter Manhattan thru the Holland Tunnel (our access), but fortunately, the driver found his way in & was able to meet up with us at the IBM building. The kids scurried to load the equipment after the performance, and we were off to more exploring, then dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner. The food certainly wasn't the greatest, but the waitstaff sings as you eat - a fun experience.

After dinner, some went to see "Rent", others to see "Hairspray", the rest to see "Wicked". I was in the "Wicked" bunch (no comments needed there! *lol*). It was one of THE best theatrical experiences I've ever had!!

When we finally left the city for our hotel (in NJ), we were all extremely worn out. The lead bus driver (not ours) drove past our hotel, though there was a huge sign out front. *sigh* So, 20 minutes later than necessary, we finally were able to unload & get to our rooms. We sure didn't have to worry about anyone wandering the halls - everyone was too darn tired!

Day 2 & 3 will follow in other posts ...

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T09:27:00.001-07:00

I've finally begun

2008-03-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

My DD & I have talked about creating a scrapbook of/for her, before her high school graduation, for many months. She's gone through some of our stash of photos & made groups - which, truthfully, overwhelmed me a bit when I decided I really needed to start putting everything together.

So, I made myself sit down & get started last week ... and have finished 4 pages (2 sets of companion pages). Happy dancing here!

The colors of each set are the same, though the pictures don't show it. Would help if I used my 'real' camera instead of my phone's camera, but ... hey ... at least I took pictures!

What a difference a week can make!

2008-03-16T06:54:00.001-07:00

A week ago today, we were at the tail-end of our blizzard. We got about 20" of snow between Friday & Sunday, just last weekend. Of course, the city pretty much shut down ... one would think we never get snow here!

Today, all but the huge piles of plowed snow are gone. See the wheelbarrow? No snow!!

Wonder what it will be, 2 weeks from now, when we're just home from NYC? Uh oh ... I better not jinx us! All please pray for safe, warm weather while we travel!

Round robin finishes

2008-03-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

The past week or two has been all about doing my part on round robins. I hate to keep them here very long for fear something will happen to them or I'll get caught up in something else & not get them done. ;o)

So, in order here: The first is a Lizzie*Kate one for Rosalie from PALs. I stitched July. I originally stitched all of these for myself, each month individually, but they are really cute stitched as a group like this, too.

The second one is Karen's, also from PALs. These are all Prairie Schooler birds (I did the robins) & the border Karen's stitched really sets the piece off prettily.

The third one is Milly's signature RR - you can see I added a little Quaker touch to her piece. Signature RR's are always interesting, seeing how each stitcher adds her own touch.

So now I'm back to stitching for me. I'd thought about starting one of my punchneedle pieces, just to give my index finger a rest, but of course, I didn't. Instead, I'm back to an over-one by Brightneedle. Which one? You'll just have to wait & see! ;o)

SAL finished

2008-03-09T07:44:00.001-07:00

We're doing a SAL in the Bent Creek/Heart in Hand/Trilogy group I'm in ... and I actually got mine done! :-) It's over one on 32 ct antique white fabric & I'm very pleased with it. I have a little frame I bought last year that I'll hopefully put this in yet today.

Anyone want snow?

2008-03-08T06:08:00.001-08:00

The wind's picking up, so the visibility's even lower than when I took this picture a few minutes ago - but, we've got & are getting LOTS of snow! We've not hit blizzard status yet because the sustained winds haven't stayed at 35mph for 3 hours - yet! - but, we've certainly got the snow & the winds. We had thundersnow during the night. What a storm!

I know there are parts of the country/world that get more than this, but as they were saying on the national news last night, it's rare for us in central Ohio. Columbus' position on 2 rivers & all usually blocks a lot of the more severe weather - but not this weekend. We're under a Level 2 snow emergency & most businesses are closed - all schools are.

On the stitching front, I finally started my BC/HIH/Trilogy SAL. I decided to do Trilogy's "Spring" over one - no snow pieces for me right now! *lol* I've finished one RR I have here and will do the other as well as the signature RR I have here after I finish the SAL. I just needed to stitch for me.

I did work a bit on my Pizazz companion pages last night - got 2 done. I'm going to work on the other 4 today, I think - and have to start on K's scrapbook. She sorted photos last night, but we need to find what's stored on the computer & get those printed.

Books

2008-03-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

I saw this on Anna's blog & think it looks like fun .... How many have you read?

Look at the list of (100) books below. Bold the ones you’ve read. Italicize the ones you want to read. Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in. (Movies don’t count.)

1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25 . Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner(Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She's Come Undone(Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones' Diary(Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane & Abel(Jeffrey Archer)
91. In the Skin of (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)

Wow ... I'm better "read" than I realized! *lol*

And so it begins?

2008-03-05T09:30:00.001-08:00

If the planets align just so & She thinks it's time ... this box will eventually (soon?!?) walk out of my office and into my van, never to return. And, more than likely, another box will join in its journey... Yep, Monday I have an interview for a different position with a different employer.

And when I have that occasional "OMG, should I really do this now?", something even more bizarre happens here, as though a big finger's being pointed & a voice is saying "is THIS what you want to work with any longer?". It's downright scary ... I've been here for 14 years. I've never, in all of my bazillion years of employment, been one to change jobs on a whim or after a short amount of time - which translated means, I've no idea how to be interviewed for a job! My gosh, can't everyone just love me & want me all for themselves? So, I'll be "me" and we'll see what does - or doesn't - happen.

In the meantime, I have piles of work to get done & better get to it ... though I'm highly tempted to open my office door & sling it out amongst my coworkers who apparently have nothing to do. Yes, it is better to be busy than not ... and I must keep reminding myself of that.

Home

2008-03-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

I so love Mary Garry's designs ... why did she have to retire? I have debated for awhile about which to stitch first & finally made up my mine (ok - that's obvious, isn't it? *lol*).
T has said he'll make frames for me. He better start soon!

I went out to dinner with a few band mom friends last night ... what an enjoyable evening! Good friends, good food ... Today I'm going to see "Jesus Christ Superstar" with one of the women - can't wait to see Ted Neeley!

I'm now stitching on two PALs RR's. Ok, I'm stitching on one (wish I could figure out how to stitch on more than one thing at a time!). I think it's finally truly centered so I can just keep stitching. I've frogged 3 times! The owner stitched 50x50 squares for us to stitch in and the one I chose has a 49x47 stitch count. Hmmm ... how do you fit 49 stitches in 48 holes??? The other RR is Lizzie*Kate's flip its from a few years ago. I stitched all of them for myself that year, then swore off of L*K's annual flips its. So much for that resolution, huh?

My scrapbooking class Thursday was wonderful! I'll share pictures after I make the companion pages .. which I'd hoped to do today, but JCS, here I come!

tag You're it!

2008-02-26T16:21:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged! Milly got me (http://web.mac.com/milly/Site/Blog) ... So, *tag* YOU are it! Please pass this on, rather than me tagging individuals. There are SO many blogs I love reading, I can't choose just 7 of you! :-)

The Rules:

1.Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2.Post the Rules on your blog.
3.Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4.Tag 7 people and link them.
5.Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

So, to my 7 weird/random facts ...

1. I used to be an over-the-road owner operator (trucker) ... have pulled dry vans (dry goods - paper, canned goods, appliances) & flatbeds (steel, wood)
2. Everything I collect and/or create must be organized ... MUST be. If not, I'm nuttier than usual.
3. I live for dark chocolate.
4. I dream of owning 2 homes - one all "country", one all Frank Lloyd Wright.
5. When my DD was in 5th grade, I had VERY short purple hair. (Someday, I will again! *lol*)
6. I cannot stay awake all night.
7. I'm addicted to punctuality ... must be on time, if not early. Always.

Let me know when you've considered yourself tagged, please! Can't wait to see YOUR facts! ;o)

Animal tracks

2008-02-25T16:19:00.001-08:00

See the indentations in the snow? Those are deer tracks ... across our backyard!
Tom has said for awhile now (since we moved in 4 years ago, actually *lol*) that there are deer that come through our yard (have I said how much I love unfenced yards?), and come to think of it, we did find deer poop last year in the grass (have I ever shared the story of the "raisinettes" Tom handed me once?) ... Anyway ... we've now been able to see where they walk through our backyard, between our house & one next door. We think they head over to the wholesale nursery near us, to eat their castoffs. This family of deer are frequently seen in a field across from the entrance to our development .. I'm so grateful they survive despite all of us humans! The miracle is, they leave our garden alone every year. When I lived in my other house - about 1 mile from this one - they did nest in our garden one year, but they never ate what we grew.

We've also had other visitors ... bunnies apparently love our yard (how cute their little prints were on top of the crusty snow we had at the end of last week!). And either a fox or a skunk decided they couldn't wait to pee elsewhere the other day ... nice yellow spot we've got in our snow! *lol*

I am very thankful that though our area has developed from the rural farms it used to be to the slightly urban area it is now, the first residents here continue to thrive.

Go, CBJ!

2008-02-22T07:07:00.000-08:00

Blue Jackets: Shootout victory boosts spirits

Nash, Zherdev score; Leclaire makes two stops on East-leading Senators

Friday, February 22, 2008 3:07 AM

By Aaron Portzline

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

SEAN KILPATRICK | THE CANADIAN PRESS

Blue Jackets Gilbert Brule, top, and Nikolai Zherdev celebrate a goal by Sergei Fedorov.

OTTAWA -- On Wednesday, the Blue Jackets' coaching staff left the players to practice by themselves, hoping their absence -- if only for a few hours -- would change the dressing-room dynamic into that of a more resilient, tight-knit group.

WIP

2008-02-22T07:02:00.001-08:00

I've been wanting to stitch one of my Mary Garry pieces for some time now and have finally begun one! This is "Home" and I love it! Her designs are all a little quirky - so fun!

T told me the other night he'd be willing to make frames for me. Now ... do I think I'll get them in my lifetime or will they be like our deck - a figment of our imaginations? I know I could probably make them myself, when he tells me how simple they are ... but, I'd much rather stitch. Or scrapbook. Or read. Or sleep. Ok, most "or" anything.

Do you know ...

2008-02-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

how hard it is to stitch, watch hockey & read blogs at the same time? :o)

Just had to throw that out there ...

It's snowing here, again. We're to get 2-3", which is to be followed by sleet & ice. ENOUGH already! If it means I get to stay home tomorrow, cool ... but ... sheesh! And I know - we could have it so much worse. On the Weather Channel this morning, they were showing some place out west (ND or MN, I think) - the broadcaster threw a cup of water into the air and I watched it freeze as it moved up from the cup! OUCH!

Ok ... back to hockey & stitches!

Playing

2008-02-21T09:04:00.000-08:00

Months ago, we (T, K & me) decided "we" could take a picture of good enough quality to be in the high school yearbook for K's senior picture. (I'm sure you have that "we" group in your house, too ... don't we all?) Then, one of T's buddies would take her pictures .... then, one of T's brothers-in-law would take the pictures ... then, one of K's classmates (an accomplished photographer) would take her pictures ... "The" one was due at the school by the end of January. 2-1/2" x 3", 300 dpi. Ok, I know that lingo ... and since (surprise! surprise!) none of the skilled photographers had come through, K & I played with my birthday-gifted camera. Boy, do I have a lot to learn! Anyway ... a friend of K's played with the background of her first photo choice. It's ok ... But, last night, I played. We do have Photoshop - but have now discovered T took it off our hard drive at some point in time (probably one of the times everything appeared to be crashing - but that's another story). So, using Paint Shop Pro, I created what you see above. What do you think? I've not yet heard from the yearbook advisor as to which photo he'll use ... will be interesting to hear his choice.

New Hampshire Feb08

2008-02-20T17:39:00.001-08:00

Photobucket Album

Clicking on the photo above should take you to my album ... Now to learn how to just put a slideshow on here ...

Is it time to go back to NH yet? Please?!?!!?

K's ornament

2008-02-17T12:43:00.000-08:00

I finally got it totally finished! Whoo hoo! K asked me to make this for her & picked out the trim. I am very pleased with it!

He's home!

2008-02-17T12:31:00.000-08:00

My guy's home from housesitting in NH. YEA!

These are a few of the pictures we took last weekend, when K & I were there. We all want to go back - NOW! ;o)

The first picture is looking out from C's bedroom deck (2nd floor). The second is looking out from the 1st floor patio to the garage ... like the depth of the snow? *lol*

The third is Cannon Mtn ski resort. We were there last summer ... not nearly as much snow then. *lol* Later, I'll post a picture of the tram climbing the mountain - winter vs summer. Sure hope we get back there this summer!

BBD Quaker House

2008-02-17T12:28:00.001-08:00

I just finished this ... and I so love it! These are colors I don't often use, but I've decided the spring colors must be at least part of what pulled me in. It's just so pretty!

Birth announcement - done!

2008-02-12T08:11:00.001-08:00

One thing about sitting here in snow & now ice is I decided to get this totally finished. The picture's ok ... wish I had my real camera! *lol*

Brave Hearts

2008-02-11T17:09:00.001-08:00

It's home, framed ... yea! I don't know if they show, but there are a few 'bubbles' in the piece. *sigh* This framer always does a nice job but this is the 2nd piece that my stitching has not laid flat. Guess I'll go back to trying to do my own again. Or, better yet, make a road trip to Cincinnati! :o)

Our weekend in NH was WONDERFUL! Ok ... most of it was. ;o) We spent 3 hours at Lafayette Campground's parking lot, stuck in the snow. Could have been worse ... but "seeing snow" as in seeing the same snow in the same spot for 3 hours doesn't quite count. *lol* When we arrived Friday night at C's house, the sky was pretty clear & there were more stars visible than I've seen in a long time. Incredible! We had breakfast Sat at the Notch View - our fav place - caught up with the waitress - then started sightseeing. I got some good pictures but they're on the camera, which is still at C's so T may take pictures this week. Sat evening the snow began again - we had about 3" snowfall overnight. Sunday, the snow picked up as did the winds, but we made it safely to T's brother's house in MA and spent the afternoon visiting with family - especially the new baby. She's SO cute! I was concerned our plane wouldn't be able to take off with the weather was it was, but ... darn it all, it did. Kel & I both said after we were back in Ohio "I want to go back!".

It's truly a magical place for me. It's one of the few places I really sit back & watch the day go by. We watched snow clouds move across the tops of the mountains, come down the notch ... Saw skiers come down Cannon Mtn (oh, how I wanted to try!) ... Sat evening, the house down the river, at the bend, had one amber light glowing ... a Thomas Kincaid-ish picture, for sure. I hope T's picture turns out ...

I've known for awhile Ohio's not where I'm to "be" ... I think I've found where I am to be. Now, to make it happen!

In progress

2008-02-06T18:45:00.001-08:00

I so love the colors of this ... Blackbird Design's Quaker House. It's stitching a bit slower than I'd like because of color changes, but ... it'll get done. ;o)

Have been watching a show on the Food Network that's all about chocolate. My favorite subject! So, I'm munching dark chocolate M&M's ... what a wonderful creation! ;o) Oh, wait ... I have some Anthony-Thomas dark chocolate here ... yyuuummmm!!! What's your favorite chocolate?

Hump day

2008-02-06T09:23:00.001-08:00

Am I ever thankful it's Wednesday! No real reason, I guess, except it means we're that much closer to Friday & flying to NH. Yeah, that's enough to make me very thankful! ;o)

After the high stress of January - W2's & 1099's & all that happy rot - it's sometimes hard to maintain a focus in the office. I've got mega responsibilities yet ... regular payrolls, wrapping up errant 1099's, filing Ohio CAT returns for clients ... but I want to go home & sleep. I want my jammies on, a cup of coffee, a book ... but, I must be good & crunch numbers instead. While eating my lunch today, I stumbled upon the most wonderful site: http://thepioneerwoman.com I could easily spend all day reading, looking at her pictures ... and you have to check out the link to her cooking! How many people do you know have almost 300 comments on their post/site before noon??? Yeah, Ree's my hero .... ;o)

I've been stitching on BBD's Quaker House ... maybe I'll remember a progress photo tonight. I had digressed to stitch something for an exchange (will show after it's opened) ... have spent much time the last few days roping my daughter back into reality ... and hopefully, tonight, I'll do the finish of Piper's announcement so I may take it to NH this weekend.

Had some great news this morning! I'd wanted to sign up for a monthly class at http://www.pizazzitscrapbooks.com/ but I waited too late. Well, guess what? Adding my name to the waiting list worked - I'm now in the class! YEA!!! Tomorrow night's my first class .. can't wait! As much as I love my stitching, it's just not all I can do ... I have to have other things going to give me variety, I guess. As I've said often ... there will never be enough time in this life to do everything I'd like to do!

just a few more days

2008-02-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

and we'll be THERE! yea!!!!

the rest ...

2008-01-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

These are grandchild #2's section ... I sure hope T's DB & DSIL like this ... I sure had fun! (see post below for first section)

99% finished

2008-01-30T17:08:00.000-08:00

Yep, instead of stitching much, I've been concentrating on getting the latest photo album done. We'll be delivering it in person in NH soon, so ... the pressure was on! *lol* I've left blank (covered) pages at the back for grandchild #3, who's due later this year .. and I've got to get binder rings that I'll decorate with a few ribbons ... but, for the most part, it is DONE! I like it ... and know I have a LOT yet to learn about finishes, but that will come. The pics in this post are grandchild #1 ...