Christmas!

Merry Christmas To All!  I hope that you had a wonderful time with friends and family!

Christmas Eve
Christmas eve, thankfully, was pretty much as it always is for our family.  Although the day did start out very doubtful!  Here, in South Louisiana, we awoke to torrential downpours of rain and tornado warnings.  It was a great day to sit on the couch and catch up on all recorded shows on the DVR! 

I also baked a sweet potato pie.  Homemade!  It is for Christmas dinner.  I've done one before, last year, but I was still a little nervous about baking this one.  It "appears" to have come out ok.

This year, it is my dad, my sister and I.  My mom is still in Omaha with my grandparents.  Pretty much snowed in.  My dad, sister and I went to mass at 4 pm.  Then home for our traditional gumbo dinner.  It was quite yummy!  Then Dad had us open our gift from our mom.  Mom bought us these gorgeous tiger fleur-de-lis silver pendent necklaces.  Then we all settled in to watch "Four Christmases" with Vince Vaughn and Reese Weatherspoon.

Christmas
It has been a good Christmas day.  My sister and I must have been on "Santa's" nice list because we did get some really nice things.  I got a radio/cd player for my apartment.  Various books. The Bon Jovi CD (LOVE THEM!). Some sweaters. Snow White DVD and Dirty Dancing DVD. 

Duke had a good day.  He had a stocking full of new toys and bones for him!  He was even decked out in his "Feliz Navidog"shirt!  He was given a huge beef rib bone to gnaw on.  That kep him quiet for about an hour!!!

Duke tearing into his stocking.  He got 2 new toys and a bunch of rawhide bones! For those who can't see, his shirt says "Feliz Navidog".

Spoke to my niece and nephew.  They were so excited about Christmas.  I love hearing kids talk about Christmas!  Marly was up at 2 am!!!  Parker was up at 5:45 am!!!  However, they were both warned they couldn't come down till 7 am or they couldn't open present till 6 pm!!!  LOL!!!  They managed to keep themselves occupied in their rooms till 7!  They absolutely loved everything they received.

Spoke to all the family members. They were all figuring out how to get to my grandparents for Christmas.  There is so much snow on the ground that church services were cancelled!  I think my mom said the temperature was 9 degrees! Last time we spoke, everyone had made it to my grandmother's for dinner!

Had an opportunity to speak to my friend Jason today.  He is a good friend from college.  This is his first Christmas as a married man although he and his wife are not together.  He went home to Tennessee to be with his dad and she was out of vacation time!  So sad.  However, I think Jason has given me the best news today!  I am going to be an Aunt again!  He and Johana are expecting a baby this summer.  I can't wait!!!

We saw "Sherlock Holmes" this year for our Christmas movie.  I adore Robert Downey Jr. so I LOVED the movie!!  It is dark but does have many numerous funny spots in it.

Saturday
Saturday was an 8 hour shopping marathon with my sister.  I was exhausted.  We shopped 2 malls and one outdoor shopping center.  While we traveled less than 20 miles, I felt like we had traveled the state!  But it was a great day!   Shopping and lunch with my little sister.  Dinner with my dad.  It was an overall great day!!!

We did get some good deals.  Plus we "had" to start spending our gift cards!  They were burning holes in our wallets!!!  Dad sent me home shortly after dinner because he said I was "looking bad."  LOL  Leave it to Dad to be so blunt! 

These are two of the goodies I bought myself for Christmas.  They were my holiday retail therapy!!!  :)

My pretty new Coach purse!!!

A pendant necklace that says "Love Kills Slowly".  My sister also got one for herself!

When I got home, my new radio/cd player was set up and ready to go.  Dad had come over to walk Duke while I was out and just couldn't resist putting it together for me and testing it out!  LOL  I was just so tired the night before that I hadn't put it together.  But now I can listen to my new Bon Jovi CD!  Yay!!!!

I always dread the holidays because it reminds me of how alone I am.  But this holiday, I had a great time! I had a great 4 days with my little sister!  Dad was wonderful.  We did miss Mom but we know she was having a good time with her parents and shoveling snow (she's currently in the midwest where they are snowed in!).

I am not looking forward to this week.  But the bright side is that I only have to work 3 days then off for 4 days!  I'm thinking those 4 days are going to be a lot more quiet than the 4 days of Christmas!!! 

A Moment of Calm

At this moment, it is quite peaceful in my home.  Duke is sleeping on the couch. No tv. No radio.  Just the sound of me pecking away at the keys on the keyboard.

This weekend was hectic.  Hmmm.  Hectic may not be the word.  Stressful.  Stressful is more descriptive.  Two of my friends (may have to rethink that after this weekend) decided that it was time for me to get a cat again.  I had a cat for 10 years and he passed away a little over a year ago on the day Hurricane Ike decided to come through.  Anyway, so it has just been Duke and I since that time.  We've adjusted well.  Duke has especially liked being an only child and getting all the attention. 

My friends were at the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning and saw a rescue group showing cats.  One of the cats was a flamepoint himalayan.  He was beautiful.  Very laid back.  Declawed. Neutered.  1 1/2 years old. Sounds pretty good, huh?  They instantly thought of me.  So they both chipped in on the adoption cost with the condition that if I didn't like the cat, I could return him.  So, thus I became an owner, rather reluctant one, to a cat. 

He really was a good cat.  Didn't come out from under the bed for almost two whole days, but when he did, he made his presence known.  He loved to talk.  Meow, meow, meow, meow!!!!  And did I mention he was 13 pounds?  13 pounds of pure love!!  He had a way of making his presence known! On the second night, as I was trying to sleep, he came out of no where and landed on my chest.  All 13 pounds of him.

Duke was ok with him.  As long as he didn't get too close to me or his toys.  And other times, he enjoyed chasing him as he attempted to hump the cat.  You would think I'd never had him neutered!!! How do you explain to the dog that the cat is not his sex toy?

But the 2 main problems I had with the cat was I just am not ready to have another cat.  I actually think I will never want another cat again.  And the second was that, my mother is right, I am allergic to cats.  I've had this nagging cough for weeks now (and according to the doctor could last a few more weeks), then add a long haired cat who liked to sit very close to my nose.  I thought I couldn't breathe before, I really couldn't now. 

It was very hard to do but I returned him to his foster mom.  He really was a sweet loving cat and I think that Duke liked having a companion around.  Maybe in 2010 I'll get another minature poodle or a poodle mix dog.  But for now, no more cats!

Weekly Update

The week wasn't so bad at least until the end of the week.  That's when it decided to go "BOOM"!

Another Bites the Dust.....
And yet again, we have turnover in our office.  One of the newest employees has been offered a position that she just couldn't refuse.  I completely understand.  More flexible hours, a little bit more money, Friday afternoons off, and able to wear jeans or scrubs to work.  Awesome!!  Just really sucks because she was really good at her position.  She will be missed.  I better rest up!  This means more work for me!!!

And they keep falling...
This seemed to be the year for changes and for people to come and go in my life.  I guess that happens.  Each person serves a purpose and when it is time to move on, poof!!!  There they go.  I think that as a person I've grown a lot this year because with the latest departure of a friend, I'm not "devastated".  I am definitely learning to "roll with the punches."  Makes life much easier!!!  I worry enough as it is, don't need to worry more than is necessary!

The Return?
But as friends leave, others come to replace them.  Or rather swap out?  An acquaintance from the past has reached out to me.  Twice this month.  Indicating that a visit is coming at the end of the month.  I'm typically not a skeptic but I am not going to hold my breath.  I will believe it when it happens but I have to say, I'm looking forward to it and hope it happens.

There's also been a re-connection with friends with whom I've grown apart from.  We'll see how that goes.  Can't assume that it will be just as it always was in the past but it's nice to know that something is completely lost!

Classics and Zombies?

I was out Christmas shopping on Saturday morning.  I am terrible at trying to figure out what to get someone.  Especially if I don't know what they already have or what is on their list.  Anyway, I have a friend who doesn't really like horror or vampires or supernatural but she adores zombies.  Go figure.  Anyway, there is a book out "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies".  Yes, that is correct.  Zombies.  How perfect?  She loves Pride and Prejudice and add the additional element of zombies to it.  I hope she enjoys it.

Parker's Present

I finally finished Parker's present this weekend.  It is a scrapbook which I covered and added the Buzz Lightyear crossstitch to.  It's the first time I've ever finished a cross stitch project any other way but framed.

Pampering

Saturday was a nasty day, weather-wise. But despite that, I went and had my hair colored and then treated myself to a manicure.  I went short with my  nails this time.  I can't tell you the last time I went short.  I feel naked! I also can't seem to pick up things now!  But it has made typing and stitching so much easier.  I did go trendy with the polish though.  I went super dark.  Not black.  I belive the color was OPI Black Cherry Chutney. 

I also bought myself a pair of new black boots.  I needed a pair with high heels.  Amazingly, they are quite comfy as I wore them to a Christmas party that night.

Now I must go and finish up the laundry and get ready for the upcoming week!  Besides work I have two parties to attend and a few gifts left to pick up.  Not to mention a trip to the post office!

Busy Busy Busy....

I feel like I jammed so much into this weekend, I need a weekend to recover from my weekend!!

Snow
On Friday evening it snowed.  The rain started at about 4 pm and by 5 or 6 pm it was sleeting.  Many people around the area were reporting snow as early as 5:30ish but I didn't see any till almost 10 pm.  Duke and I went for a walk and there were big fluffy snowflakes.  That makes two years in a row that we've had snow in South Louisiana.  The next morning I bundled Duke up in his Harley Davidson sweatshirt and we took a walk outside.  The picture below shows the tiny bit of snow that was left:

Shopping
Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOATHE shopping.  I just don't do it if I don't have to.  But Saturday was an exception.  I had a list of gifts I needed to get and I was determined to do it.  I started out at 9:30 am and didn't get home till 3:00 pm.  I was able to get everyone's presents with the exception of my mom's.  I visited 5 locations: Bed Bath and Beyond, Petsmart, Hobby Lobby, the Outlet Mall, and the Mall. I drove all over town!!!!  I can't remember the last time I shopped for that many hours!

Christmas
With most of the shopping done, it was time to wrap everything.  I spent a good portion of Saturday night wrapping presents. I'm still not done but a majority of it is done.  As I was wrapping, Duke decided that he wanted to get in on the action and do some snooping around:

Even Duke's presents are ready for him on Christmas morning!

Here is my tree loaded with presents.  Most of the presents will be gone by the end of the week though as they are for friends who live out of town. But don't forget, I still have other presents to wrap.  I spoiled everyone this Christmas!

Football
The SEC championship.  What a disappointment.  The one, and only time, I will ever root for Florida and they lose to Alabama. I'm still in shock!  But not as much shock as I was over Texas' field goal with 1 second left to beat Nebraska.  I do not think that Texas deserves to go to the National Championship game but I guess we'll all find out in the bowl selection show!

It was nice to find out though that USC is going to the Emerald Bowl.  Awwww, darn, it's their first non-BCS bowl game in 7 years.  That makes me very happy!  :) 

The Saints!!!  Woo hoo!!!  Can we say: UNDEFEATED!!!  12-0!  It was a crazy game with lots of ups and downs.  Pretty exciting up to the very end.  I liked what one of my colleagues posted on Facebook: "I always thought Tom Benson was the devil.  Now I just think he made a deal with the devil!"  What an exciting time for us in Louisiana to have our team undefeated!!!

Mexican Hot Chocolate
With the cold weather, I've been wanting something warm to drink.  I don't like coffee nor tea. So that leaves things like apple cider or hot chocolate.  Well, on my way home Friday, I stopped at the grocery store with the intent to purchase some hot chocolate.  The shelves were EMPTY!  There was no hot chocolate left!  With the exception of Nestle's Abuelita.  What is that you ask?  Well, upon looking at the box, it said it was "mexican" hot chocolate.  Now, how different can it be?  Chocolate is chocolate, right?  So I purchased a box.  I have to say, I like it BETTER than normal hot chocolate.  It has just a touch of cinnamon which I guess makes it mexican.  If you ever get a chance to try it, I highly recommend it!!!

Stitching
Oh, I've been bad.  No stitching update to report.  Just too much going on!  I do hope to do some before the New Year but major updates will probably have to wait until 2010!!!!

Off I go!  The Bowl Selection Show is coming up.  While LSU is not going to a BCS bowl game, I still want to know where they will end up and who their opponent will be!!!! I pray it isn't Iowa, as being reported, because that means the game will turn into a family rivalry.  My uncle is from Iowa and that is his favorite team.  I can hear the taunts already! LOL!

Tis the Holidays.....

22 Days....
til Christmas!!  This is what I stared at for about 5 minutes as I sat on the interstate this morning trying to make it downtown for a meeting.  Like I didn't have enough anxiety about getting everything done in time!  Thanks for the reminder billboard gods!!!

Snow
Hmmm, I live in South Louisiana.  Something we don't see much of is the "white stuff".  Last year we had a snow day.  First time in YEARS!!!  Well, we are once again having snow predicted for tomorrow night.  Should be an interesting night!!!!  Here are some pictures from our last snow day, which happened almost one year ago!!!

Presents
Considering that I loathe shopping, I'm doing ok on the shopping front.  I am having some problems.  I don't know what to get some of my friends, especially the ones who say "You don't have to get me anything."  Yeah, right.  Like I'm not going to buy gifts?  I am also looking for a waffle iron for my dad's present.  Mom said that is what he wants so I figured, that's easy enough. NOPE!!!  Every place I've been to so far has been sold out.  Who knew that waffle irons were going to be a hot commodity this Christmas? 

30-4
I gave myself a 30 day deadline. In 30 days I hope to have established an exercise routine and have my apartment clean.  Why 30 days?  To be honest, an old acquaintenance mentioned that a visit might be in the works for that time.  I really want to look good. Or at least feel good because I've been trying to do something, anything to get back into shape.  I want to be "unforgettable". LOL! I also need to get this messy pig sty I call a home cleaned!  So embarrassed to have anyone over right now!!!  So, even if this visit doesn't happen, I see the good in it.  It has gotten me motivated!!!  And I am rolling with it!!!!

The -4 is the number of days that have passed.  Today is the 4th day.  I am happy to report that I have exercised for 4 days in a row now!!!!  Yep, the heart hasn't stopped yet!!!! I've also done at least one thing each night towards getting my apartment back to the immaculateness I know that it can be!!!!

I've promised myself a little treat this weekend if I exercise 5 days in a row.  One more day!!!  If I stick to it tomorrow, I can go and pick myself up a new book, or some girly treat!!!!  I'm going to do it!!!

Decorations
I've decorated my little apartment for Christmas.  I put up my little tree.  I have the stockings hung.  Below are a few pictures of these items.  Yes, that is a stocking for my dog!  Oh crap!  I forgot to put him on the list of presents I need to buy!  Yikes!!!  Can't have him waking up to an empty stocking on Christmas morning!!!  Isn't my new Eeyore too cute?  I've caught Duke twice trying to pull him down to play with.  He's only succeeded once so far. 

I love sitting in my living room by the glow of the Christmas lights with some music on  in the background.  It is so soothing!  And no, the music is NOT Christmas music.  I just can't get myself to the point where I can listen to carols yet.

New Experience...
This Christmas will be a new experience for me.  One that has yet to occur and well, that I am not looking forward to at all.  This Christmas, my mom will not be with our family.  Mom leaves on Monday to go home to be with her family (her parents, siblings and their spouses) this Christmas.  My grandmother is having minor surgery next week so Mom is going to be with her and has decided to not come back till New Year's.  I will still have my Dad and maybe my sister if she is able to make it but we've (my sister and I) have never had a Christmas without her.  This is going to be so weird.  I'm not sure how I'm feeling but I'm leaning to the "I really don't like this" side.

Stitching
Really not much to report on the stitching front.  I've been so preoccupied with everything else going on with the holidays!  I can report that I have picked up Dragon Knot again.  Not sure how brief of a return it will be but I have put a few stitches into it!!!

Ok, enough typing!!  I have things to do!  :)

So relaxing....

I have had six days of NO work.  I didn't go anywhere. I had no plans. But it was such a relaxing time to be away from the stress of work.

On Wednesday, Mom and I went to New Orleans for an afternoon of shopping, dinner and then a LSU women's basketball game.  We had a blast.  We went to the Disney Store (we no longer have one in our town) where I bought some gifts for the kids and then bought myself a brand new Eeyore!  He is so soft and cuddly.  That's my favorite Disney character. We also visited Build-A-Bear where we picked up the Darth Vader costume for my nephew Parker's bear.  It is too cute!!!

Thursday was a quiet day.  Just my parents and I.  My sister, who lives in Austin, couldn't make it home because she works retail and had to work on Friday.  She slept in and went to her District Manager's house for dinner and then to Old Navy for some shopping.  Can you believe the number of stores that were open on Thanksgiving?  It is just plain ole ridiculous!!!

Friday, Black Friday, was another quiet day.  I did do a little bit of shopping.  I was able to get a present for my aunt since it has to be shipped. I also bought myself a few things.  I've been spoiling myself lately!  Watched the Auburn - Alabama football game.  Good game.  Too bad Alabama won.  I also put up my Christmas tree and other decorations.  Pulled out the stockings for Duke and me. Spent the evening watching tv by the glow of the Christmas lights.  So peaceful!  I love it!!!  Friday evening was spent stitching (yes! stitching finally!) and watching episodes 1-3 of The Tudors.

Saturday and Sunday were somewhat quiet days.  Spent the time cleaning the apartment and wrapping a few presents. The LSU - Arkansas football was a close call.  LSU ultimately won with a field goal in overtime but it was strangely very unsatisfying.  Even after a couple of glasses of wine!!!  Even the new uniforms were not very impressive.  Nike used Notre Dame gold for our helmets instead of the usual yellow gold.  Not very impressive.

I have no stitching update.  I was too busy having fun and relaxing and just doing nothing that I didn't make any significant progress on any of my projects!!!  :)  But that's ok!!!

Returned to work today.  It wasn't so bad.  But I do believe that I have an aversion to work.  I was completely fine my week of vacation but at 7 pm last night I came down with a terrible headache and then woke up this morning feeling nasty.  I think it is psychosomatic. LOL! 

Tonight is Monday Night Football!!!  Saints are going for an 11-0 record!  Can't wait!

First Day of Vacation

Today is my first day of six straight days of no work!  I have to say, it is pretty overwhelming!  I am not used to having so much time off! I don't quite know what to do with myself!

I started the day off by sleeping in till 9 am!  It felt so GOOD!  Duke even participated.  In fact, he was still in bed when I got out of the shower!  I guess he was feeling lazy too!!!

Treated myself to a movie: New Moon!  I was so excited to see it!  I know there are many people out there who do not like the Twilight series, but I am not one of them!  I adore the books and have liked the movies.  I can so appreciate the depression Bella sinks into when Edward leaves her!  Although she goes on with her life, there is a hole that is left in her.  Ahhhh!!!!  Romance!!!!  True love!!!!  What a way to escape my reality!

Did do a little bit of Christmas shopping.  Can't say what I bought, someone who I purchase gifts for might be reading this and the surprise will be ruined!

Now on to a few household chores.  It always amazes me how just me and the dog can create so much clutter!  Mostly that I loathe cleaning too so it piles up and piles up till I HAVE to do it because I can't stand it anymore!!!!  Also made the cranberry salad that I am in charge of for Thanksgiving.  It tastes better when it has "sat" for a while!

I hope to get some stitching done later on this week!  So much to do and wow! the time to do it!!!

The week update

Not much to report this week.  Just a few things.

Ringing the Bells
This past Wednesday, my co-worker and I did our annual 2 hours of ringing the bells.  For those who don't know, this is for the Salvation Army.  We stood outside one of the mall's entrances for 2 hours and ring bells in the hopes that someone will donate some money.  I have to say, people were quite generous this year!  I think that this was one of our best years!!!

Closure?
Talked to someone this week who I hadn't spoken to in months. Falling out, lack of communication, growing apart, misunderstandings, dishonesty - that pretty much covers what happened.  Regardless, I'm always the type that I want to talk things through.  I want to know the truth. Even if it is ugly.  I can honestly say that in this situation it didn't help as much as I thought it would. It wasn't hurtful in anyway, just didn't end up being what I thought it would.  I'm not sure what I thought that ending would be. But I think now, I can move forward.  A little more wiser, a little more wary.

Fresh Market
Saturday was rainy and ugly which of course was not conducive to me having to run errands. But I did!  One of my stops was to the grocery store, Fresh Market. Does anyone have one of these stores?  I ADORE this place.  I rarely go because I ended up buying a bunch of stuff I don't need!!!  I wanted to make myself a nice dinner for Saturday evening (I've been craving some red meat!), so I went to buy a nice steak.  I ended up with a portobello mushroom and mozzeralla cheese beef pinwheel, a double stuff potato, and a greek artichoke heart salad.  Yummy!!!  But that wasn't all.  I bought cheese, hummus, nuts, cranberries (fresh!), cheddar cheese biscuits, dipping pretzels, pita chips, and olives.  I think that is it! LOL  This place is just awesome.  I love their prepared foods.

Football
I will have to honestly say that I have never been as upset and sickened by a football game as I was by LSU's performance on Saturday night against Ole Miss. We have a quarterback who knows only how to get himself sacked and a coaching staff (making really good money) who do not know how to call a time out. They might as well have just handed the football to Ole Miss with a red ribbon tied around it and say "Here you go. You win."  Today, Sunday, LSU is a complete joke to the rest of the football community because they spiked the ball with one second left instead of kicking a field goal which could have won the game for us.

Thankfully, the Saints had a great game on Sunday and are now 10-0!  First time in franchise history!  Awesome!!!  It is so much fun to watch them!

My Pretty Car
I am so sad!  On Sunday morning, as I was going through the parking lot, a man in a black Honda pulled out of a parking spot and right into the front driver side above the tire of my car.  My pretty new car!  I've only had her 6 months!!!  Now she has a big ugly dent in her.  I'm ok other being so very angry!  I saw him coming right into me but there was no where for me to go and I didn't have time to hit my horn. The other car?  A scratch.  One little scratch!  I can't even describe the sound of the car as it scrunched under from the impact of his car.  Made me sick to my stomach!

That was my week.  Definitely lots of downs but I haven't let it get me down!!!!  That's the important thing!!!! I have ahead for me a VERY short work week.  I only work Monday. Yay!!!  Then shopping, cleaning, and decorating is on the agenda!!!  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Update of Last Week

Boxes for the Troops
Last week was Veteran's Day. In honor of the day, our little office of 8 put together boxes for the troops. Also, one of our co-workers is the wife of a Major in the marines who has done 2 tours of duty.  She knows first hand how much cheer a box from home can bring.  With the help of my friend Jill and my mom, we had enough stuff to do 11 boxes!  I LOVE putting boxes together for the military.  It's a way to do a good deed for others and to feel good about yourself without a bunch of hoopla!  We all agreed that this is something we would like to do on a regular basis.

Renaissance Fair

Saturday was a beautiful day!  Beautiful blue skies. Sunshine. Cool weather.  It was a perfect day to be outside!  I started the day out by getting my hair cut and colored.  Changed up my color a bit.  Went dark brown with lots of red in it.  You can really see the red in it when out in the sun.  I am so loving it. It was time for a change!!!

Celestine, Jill, Joy and I all piled up in the car and went to Hammond for the Renaissance Fair.  It was a great afternoon spent outdoors looking at the different booths, watching a Birds of Prey show, a joust and the numerous people in costume.  Joy and I had some fun at the hat shop trying on hats.  I swear that Jill and Celestine were there with us, they are camera shy!

Stitching Update

This past week I focused on the Mad Tea Party.  I was just on a roll and felt like I was making great progress so I just had to keep on with it!

Random Thoughts

Stitching Questions
I've had a few questions on why I chose to do 2 over 1 on the Mad Tea Party.  I have successfully completed 2 HAEDs using 1 over 1.  I am currently stitching Dragon Knot 1 over 1.  I decided to do 2 over 1 because I am always reading about other stitchers who do that and I figured, if they can do it, I can do it!!!  Also, I wanted to see what the coverage would be like.  I can say that so far it is very much like a tapestry.  The stitches are very tight.  It's a little bit more difficult, but I am going to continue on with it!!!

Happy Thoughts
I just wanted to share this picture with everyone.  This is my niece Cassady.  This picture captures her so well!!!!  When she smiles, you can't help BUT smile!!!!  I look at this picture when I am feeling alone and blue.  Brightens the day up INSTANTLY!!!!

Updates!

Stitching

I have an update on two projects!  Yay me!!! 

The first one is Mad Tea Party.  This one is a HAED being stitched on 25 count, 2 over 2, correction!  2 over 1.  Thanks Nancy!  You are so right!  I do mean 2 over 1.  Sometimes my brain goes faster than my fingers! This is the first time I've done a HAED with two threads. Typically I only use one.  I like the coverage but it definitely makes it a little bit more difficult.

The second update is the baby quilt I am doing for my newest niece. It is stamped cross stitch.  Let me say it again, for the thousandth time, I LOATHE stamped cross stitch!!!

Weekend

It was such a lovely quiet weekend.  I've been so sick these days, it was great to stay at home and rest!!!  I watched the LSU game.  Yes, we loss. We won't dwell on that.  I also watched the Saints!!!  Who Dat!!!!  Yay!  They are 8-0!!!!  First time in the club's history! 

I also made enchiladas.  Yummy!  I used my grandmother's recipe.  They aren't hard to make but after making them this weekend, I remembered why I don't!  My tiny apartment kitchen just does not have the counterspace to make them!!!  They create such a mess!!! 

Jill came over for dinner.  I always am nervous when cooking for others.  But the enchiladas seemed to have been a hit with her.  I even sent some home with her. And there is, of course, more for leftovers! Yay!  No cooking for the next few days!  That's always a plus!

Totally Free

A co-worker and I ventured out to a local bakery, Totally Free, today.  We just thought we would see what they have.  They make goods WITHOUT gluten, sugar, dairy and eggs.  Yep!  What is possibly left to make a cookie or a muffin? We got some chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles.  I love snickerdoodles.  I didn't love these snickerdoodles.  They were very thick and unusual tasting.

Work

Another fun, exciting week of work.  Can you hear the sarcasm drip from the words?  The little man is in a mood, and not a good one either.  I hope I make it through the week.  My tongue may not survive as I may have to bite through it to not say any smart ass remark.  Wish me luck!

Some more random thoughts...

Fun!
I have been having such a blast lately!  I wouldn't trade it for anything!  But there have been consequences!  Laundry is piling up!  Furniture is going undusted! Carpet is not being vaccuumed!  Recorded television shows are piling up!  Oh well!  As Scarlett always said "Tomorrow is another day!"


Social Networking Sites (this is completely my opinion and many may disagree)
Most people, these days, have either a Facebook profile or a MySpace page.  I have both (but have to admit, much prefer the Facebook profile!).  It always amazes me what people will put out there for EVERYONE to see!  I love my Facebook profile because it has allowed me to catch up with so many old friends and family who live far, far away but never has it crossed my mind to put on my profile anything that I wouldn't normally tell any of those people or post something "inappropriate" on someone else's profile.  I have seen other profiles with sexual references or scantily clad pictures.  How inappropriate is that?  Not only can the whole world see it, but some of these people have children and now their children have been exposed to this "behavior." Not to mention the ramifications it can cause in your professional life. I think that at times people have "brain farts" or perhaps they have no brain!?

Ok, enough of me grandstanding on my soap box......

Christmas!
Christmas is coming!  And as the HAED website has so graciously once again put up the countdown, we now know that it is about 51 days away!  And since I have been having so much fun, I am WAY BEHIND on getting my Christmas stitching done!  So my fingers have been flying as fast as they can the past few evenings!!!  To the point that I can literally say that I my blood is in the projects! LOL!  I've pricked my finger one time too many!

V
Who remembers from the 1980s the mini-series and tv show V?  About aliens who come down to Earth to co-exist "peacefully" with humans but actually looking to harvest us as food?  I do!  I was just a little kid but I remember watching it all. I'm not one for aliens but for some reason, the lizard alien people fascinated me! I have two questions: Who is going to watch the new pilot of V?  and Did the tv producers already run out of ideas that they are now having to re-make shows that didn't make it before?

Ok, these were just some random thoughts that have been rambling through my brain lately!  I promise that one of my goals this week is to put up progress pictures on the things I've been stitching/bleeding on!

Halloween Weekend

There was a time, not too long ago, had someone had told me that I would be having so much fun I would not have believed them!  This Halloween weekend was so much fun!

Friday night started the weekend off.  Jill and I went to a late dinner at Zea's where we had some great food!  Then we were off to the 10 pm showing of Rocky Horror at the local community theatre.  The production company that was putting it on is owned by a friend of mine, Chris.  They did an excellent job!  We laughed and smiled so much!!!  Gasps of shock as the actors came out in their lingerie and laughter as the actors mingled among the audience.

Saturday was a beautiful day!  Cool temperatures. Blue skies. A perfect day for Halloween.  Jill and I went down to campus to spend the day. First was the baseball team's national championship ring ceremony.  The whole team was there with the exception of two players.  One was in the Dominican Republic playing baseball and the other was Chad Jones, he was getting ready for the football game.

After the ring ceremony, it was FOOTBALL TIME!  We made it over to the hill in time to see the band come down the hill.  A great tradition everyone should see at least once!  Then on to the game.  We were playing Tulane.  So, while it wasn't exactly an exciting game, it was still a great night!  A win is a win. No matter who it is against.

It was a weekend of firsts for Jill.  She'd never been to Rocky Horror.  Never been in the new Alex Box Stadium.  Never been to an LSU football game. It was a great time!  A wonderful weekend!

New Additions to the Wish List

Today has been a sick day.  I woke up early this morning, before the alarm, with a sore throat.  I did manage to get myself up out of bed and to work on time this morning.  But as the morning progressed I just felt worse and worse. So, I was home by lunch time. 

I have been plopped on the couch all afternoon watching about a week's worth of shows that I had recorded.  I also took some time to browse through some of my favorite cross stitch websites.  Below are just some of the patterns that I wish I could have!

HAED:

Mystic Stitch:

Other patterns:

When I Grow Up....

I frequently think that thought: "When I grow up I want to be ...."  I haven't yet figured that out to be honest.  I have two college degrees, both of which I don't use in my present job. While I enjoy the work I do, hmmmm, I loathe my boss thus making it an uncomfortable situation. Most days I can just ignore him and do my work and put 100% or more into it.  Other days, like today, I just do the minimum to get by.

This weekend, while visiting friends, I was told "You should be a wife, mother, and a teacher."  Hmmm, well, I am none of those. Do they  know something I don't? 

The friend who told me I should be a wife and mother is a very dear, close friend.  We've known each other for twenty years now!  Wow!  That's a very long time!  We know everything about each other. She said that seeing me with my niece and how we interacted, she just knows I would be a great mother.  I'm glad she thinks so. I'm not sure.  I'm good with kids in a short span of time, but I do like to give them back!!!  :)  And as for the wife comment, I'm not sure what she bases that on.  Maybe it is just part of the package of being a mother. But in order to be a wife and mother, well, there needs to be a man.  Hmmm, the jury is still out on that one.  I'm not sure that I want a man in my life.  Yes, yes, yes.  I know.  I just haven't met the right one.  As my sister once said, "I think Mr. Right got hit by a bus!"

The friend who told me I should be a teacher has also known me for a long time also.  Let's see.  We've known each other for....eleven or twelve years. I can't remember exactly when I met her. I know it was before she got married in 1998. Anyway, she tells me I should get my certification because she could see me teaching high school.  I personally think she was smoking something when she said that!  I am such an impatient person.  Plus my communication skills to explain things to people are not that good.  Very rarely can I "think outside the box" to explain something to someone who has never been introduced to a topic.

What do these friends see that I don't?  Am I blind to my own possibilities in life?  Probably so.  I don't like change and I don't like getting hurt. But I am learning not to sweat the small stuff and to roll with the punches.  Life is much better that way. Maybe when I am least expecting it, Mr. Right will walk through the door.  And if not, maybe I will become that teacher.  Or find some other new exciting career.

Until that time when any of those things come true or not, I will ponder: When I grow up, I want to be......

Houston Trip

Friday I anxiously counted down the time to 11:30!  As soon as it hit, I was out the office door!  After stopping to get some gas and cash (hey! that rhymes!), I was on the road.  It was a beautiful day for a ride!  Blue skies all the way! 

Once I arrived, we were off to dinner at Gringo's!  They have some of the best Mexican food!  I also had a apple pucker margarita.  It was good to try but I probably wouldn't have it again.  It isn't as good as say, mango or peach.

Then we came home where we had a quiet evening. I was able to play with Cassady, change her, get her ready for bed, feed her, and then put her to bed.  She is just too sweet!

Saturday was an awesome day!  We had so much fun at Sarah's youngest daughter's birthday party!  It was a great time to catch up with an old, dear friend.  It was also nice to see her parents.  Sarah's dad was one of my high school teachers.  He is, and always be, Mr. Paul.  His wife however has become just Pam.  Isn't that funny!?  Cassady was awesome.  She was so good tempered and she just played and played.  I finally had to leave because she would not lay down to nap.  She had to be up and aware of all that was going on!  She was out seconds after putting her in the car!!!  It was an awesome trip even though I got lost twice.  But what's a road trip without getting lost at least once??

Sarah's two girls are just so cute.  They are total opposites.  Eden, her oldest, is the spitting image of her mother, outgoing and very talkative.  Zoe is more reserved and like her father.  But they both cannot be mistaken for anything other than "Paul" girls. 

Saturday evening was a nice relaxing evening with the girls.  Stacy, Cassady and I went out for Chinese, then Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and back home to watch the LSU game.  The boys finally decided to deliver a decisive victory for us! 

I was on the road by 9 am on Sunday.  Cassady decided that she wanted to wake up at 6:30 am!!  We really thought she would sleep late as we had had such a big day on Saturday!  No such luck!  But that had me home by 1:30ish.  I have been able to spend that time watching the Saints game, stitching, some laundry, and making some homemade cranberry sauce (I love cranberries!).

I have the long work week ahead of me, but that's ok!  I have Rocky Horror on Friday to look forward to and then Halloween, Tulane LSU game, and enchiladas with friends on Saturday!!!!

Almost here!

Friday.  Noon.  Almost here!  I can't wait!!!  At noon I am out of here!  Headed to Houston to see two of my favorite people!!! 

But before then, I have to do laundry, pack, wrap a birthday present, clean the kitchen, pack Duke's overnight bag (he's going to the grandparents), and take the trash out!

Right now though, I am blogging, listening to the rain, and the tinkle of my windchimes.  The combination of the two sounds is so soothing. Thanks Jill for the windchimes!

It felt like today was going to last forever!  Thankfully the afternoon went pretty quickly.  Probably because I was in fear for my life!!!  The boss and I had an off-site meeting with a volunteer to help us with booking speakers for an upcoming convention.  He drove.  He has an 1980 something crown victoria or something similar to that, which takes FOREVER to just turn over.  Praying is a prerequisite to driving with this man. Whiplash?  Yep, you will suffer from that after driving with him.  In the short drive to the meeting, I learned about how 2 of his pine trees are dead not because of a disease but because of a beetle.  A beetle who picks and chooses which trees it will kill.  I also learned that since he and his family have lived in their house they have removed about 20 trees altogether.  15 in the first year that they had lived there.  On the way back to the office, I was regaled with the stories of him purchasing new vehicles for his wife and daughter but not for himself.  Why should he?  This one still runs!  Even though the windshield wipers are shot, it guzzles oil and the engine sounds like it is constantly "coughing".  Not to mention that he was yawning so hard that I thought his face would split in half at the jaw joints.  Which was probably why we almost got killed when he tried to turn left onto a major street from a side street.  Comments like "Whoops, almost got my front end there" and "Almost had to have a conversation with my insurance agent" were made!

But I made it!  Or I wouldn't be writing this entry! :)

Ok, I must run!  I have things to do!  Dinner to make!  Dog to play with!  Stitching to do!!!  Everyone have a great weekend!

Mid-Week Update

It's Wednesday!  Yay!!!  Only 1 1/2 days of work left!  I am counting down to noon on Friday when I head off to Houston again!  Two times in one month!  How lucky am I  to get to visit some of my most favorite people!

Work - work is a paycheck.  While we are now fully staffed, I agreed today to take on more work.  I know!  What was I thinking?  Obviously I was not!  Or, I seem to have a serious problem at saying "No".  (My mother would disagree with that one!) We are currently bidding for a new client and well, it seems that it will fall onto me to service the new client, along with my current one and the other one that I am working on their annual convention.  Yeah, I can do it.  Now, whether my mind/sanity will survive, that's a whole other story!!!!  It just might entail some overtime which will be very welcomed!

I have been stitching some on the baby quilt.  A little bit each night.  But I don't see enough significant progress to post a picture.  Not sure what will be significant but you will know when you see the picture!  :) 

Have you checked out Heaven and Earth's website lately?  They've just recently released stockings!!!  Hmm, I wonder how long it would take to stitch one of those?  I've only completed two storykeeps.  I've always wanted a cross stitched stocking.  I have two stocking kits in my stash.  Started one, put in about 10 stitches.  But now it sits, waiting for me to pick it back up.  I just don't like working on aida anymore!!

Jill got a brochure today in the mail about the Renaissance Festival.  Woo hoo!  I've only been to this particular festival once but have been to other Renaissance Festivals.  I've always enjoyed them.  More so just being outside and enjoying the fall weather, but also looking at the crazy period costumes that the normal people wear, not just the actors. This was also the first time I had ever had a fried Milky Way.  Yes, they fried a candy bar.  It makes it super sweet.  Not really a fan of it.  I'm not very big on sweet things.

This fall weather we have been having has put me into a better frame of mind.  Makes me want to get up and do things!  I am so excited about seeing my BFF from high school, Sarah, this weekend.  Dinner at Gringo's with my "sister", Stacy. Time with my two nieces, Marly and Cassady!  Then next weekend!!!  Woo hoo!  Halloween!  I love Halloween!  Rocky Horror on Friday night with Jill and then the Tulane game on Saturday with Jill and her hubby!  I'm making enchiladas! Yummy!  I know, a very halloweeny meal, don't you think?  Mexican goes with everything! :)

November starts the holidays!  Those are just around the corner! I am so looking forward to my week off during Thanksgiving.  Even though it means I am just sitting at home doing nothing.  Well, that isn't true.  I have TONS of stitching to do.  Yay!!!  I can't wait!!! I also can't wait to decorate for Christmas.  I am staying home in BR this year.  I am refusing to travel to Austin to have Christmas with my parents and sister. So I am going to decorate my apartment.  I am very excited!  No, I won't be alone.  I already have friends kindly welcoming me to join them for Christmas.  I am so blessed!! :)

Well, I should have plenty of pictures to share after my weekend in Houston!  Till then, adios!!!

Beautiful Fall Weekend

Well, Fall has finally decided to land in Southern Louisiana!  We've had two days with tempteratures in the 60s during the day and 40s at night.  Blue skies. Wind.  Lots of sun (which we've missed the past few weeks with all the rain).

Saturday I took a ride down to even further South Louisiana to attend a crafts fair at Oak Alley.  It was a nice day to spend outside.  But it was quite the adventure.  Upon arriving down there, I discovered that people were being asked to park at some of the local spots (school, parish hall) and shuttle in.  It seems that with all the rain that we have been having, the fields that were typically used at the plantation for parking were closed because they were just too wet and muddy.  So, after parking my car at the parish hall, I waited for over an hour for a shuttle.  You see, the shuttles they were using only fit either 12 people (if it was a handicap shuttle) or 24 people. In addition, only 4 shuttles were running.  This is when I wish I had a truck. If I had a truck, I would have tried to park in one of the muddy lots that they proceeded to open up as the day went on.

Upon arriving to the plantation, I discovered the place was packed! I began to wander amongst the people and the booths.  It amazes me the things that people come up with to sell as crafts and people actually buy them.  There was one booth that was selling bikinis for dogs.  Yes, you read that correctly!  Bikinis for dogs.  Another booth was selling bottle caps as jewelry: necklaces and earrings.  Why can't I come up with something like that and make a living at it?  There were also some really true artists there.  There was one booth that was selling LSU themed pictures (always a hit!).

They also had some great food there!  Now I only sampled one item, but the aromas were irresistible.  For lunch I had fried eggplant with a crawfish sauce.  It was even better than it sounded!  I was good though.  I avoided the funnel cake.  Although it was calling my name as I walked off the grounds! 

The rest of my Saturday was spent watching football, piddling around the apartment, and making some very delicious Taco Soup (recipe provided by my friend Jill). 

Sunday started with two phone calls before 9 am.  I guess that was my cue to get up. The first call was work related and the second call was my Dad wanting to know if he could come over to help me put up fencing on the balcony so we could doggy proof it.

A trip to the bookstore for a birthday gift and the rest of the day was spent at home!  I worked on my balcony, getting it all cleaned up and doing some weeding.  Hung up my new windchimes that was given to me as a gift from my friend, Jill. Watched some football.  Saints are awesome! Took a walk with Duke. Quick trip to Dad's to pick up some potato soup.  A nice conversation with my BFF, Jeff, and then my sister! 

A very poor picture of the wind chime.  Totally chopped off the jewel at the bottom!  But it is now hanging! :)

Picture of my mexican heather.  I just had to take a picture!  I can't tell you how many times I have thought it was dead

and cut it back to nothing and it came back!

It has been quite the lovely weekend!  Unfortunately I don't have any updates on stitching.  :(  Just too pretty outside.  Had to keep moving!!!  ;)

Anticipation

One more day of work and then FREEDOM!!!  This upcoming weekend I have no plans!  Ok, well, let me clarify that. I have nothing scheduled.  Come Friday at 4 pm, I am free from the chains of employment and can do whatever I want till Monday morning at 7:30 am.

My mom is currently out of town visiting my cousin in Boston.  He attends MIT.  I know, impressive, huh?  I've been replaced as the smartest person in the family.  Boo hoo!  Today my mom, grandmother, and aunt were visiting Salem.  I am so very jealous!!!!  Anyway, the point I was going for was that I have no family obligation for dinner this weekend as my mom is away and my dad is golfing this weekend.

You can tell it is fall time in Louisiana with all the number of festivals and fairs going on.  This weekend is a crafts fair at Oak Alley Plantation.  And since we are finally going to get some fall weather, temperatures only in the 60s, it will be a great time to go walk the ground of the plantation and look at some hand crafted items!!!  I might even be able to pick up a birthday gift for the birthday party I am going to next weekend in Houston!  That would be fantastic if I don't have to visit a department store!!!!

Other things I need to do this weekend are clean off my balcony, clean my computer desk (I am currently staring at a pile of bills - paid - that have yet to be filed), stitch and read.  So two of the four items on my list are my favorite things to do!  I might even do some cooking.   A friend gave me a great recipe for the crock pot - Taco Soup.  It is as yummy as it sounds!  But then, I think anything mexican is pretty yummy!

There is no LSU football game this weekend as it is the bye weekend.  Thankfully!  They desperately need to regroup!  But there is a Saints game!  Should be a good one!

I am ready for this weekend to arrive!  But in typical fashion, loathe for it to end!

Tuesday Thoughts

DVRs
Do you have a DVR?  I do.  Thought it was a good idea when I upgraded to high def cable.  Yeah, not so much!  I spend a lot of my free time watching shows that I've recorded because I wanted to watch them but couldn't because I wasn't home or watching another show.  It is an endless, vicious cycle.  My suggestion, stick to the VCR.  You can only record one thing at a time and you have to make the effort to set up the VCR timer and find a tape.  With the DVR, you just push a few buttons.  The more effort you have to put into it, the less likely you are to do it!

Apartment Living
I live in a one bedroom apartment.  I've been in this apartment for just over 4 years.  It's ok.  It isn't luxury living but then again, I don't pay a "luxurious" amount.  I have fairly low rent in a really central locale.  But there are times when I loathe living in an apartment.  Like at this moment.  I know Jill is going to enjoy using this as a reason to buy a house by her!!!  They are currently painting the exteriors of the buildings.  They needed it.  About 5 years ago.  Anyway, they are painting and yesterday  the office called requesting that I move my plants off the balcony.  I refused to bring them inside because I didn't want the bugs in my apartment that could be on the plants!  So they said to just push them against the balcony bars because they needed to paint the walls.  Ok.  I understood that.  I did that.  Most of the plants are against the balcony anyway.  When I came home today, all of the plants and  my gardening chest were shoved to one corner up against the wall.  Now, explain this to me.  You are painting the walls so you shove everything up against the wall.  Needless to say I am ticked off.  My balcony area is completely wrecked with dirt everywhere.  In addition to that, they have partitioned off half of the stairwell because they painted the steps.  Really?  I have had to carry Duke up and down the stairs so that he doesn't get into the paint.

Work
Work sucks.  Need I say more? 

Back to Houston
I will be back in Houston again very soon.  This time for a birthday party.  Another good friend of mine is having a birthday party for her youngest little girl who is turning 1.  So back to Houston I go.  I never attend any of her kids' events and I feel bad.  So I am going to go and take my niece, Cassady, with me.  She's 6 months old.  She's close to 1.  I think she would have a good time!  I really can't wait. 

Stitching
Not much progress to report on.  I'm working on some Christmas presents.  I just hope I don't run out of time.  I normally do but it's like when I know there is a deadline, I get really lazy and lose my mojo.  It's not fun to stitch when you HAVE to finish it within a certain amount of time.  Maybe if I wasn't so busy watching all the shows I recorded, I'd have more time to stitch?  Hmmmm....something to ponder!

Highlight of my day....

The highlight of my day was when I came home to walk Duke.  I took him for his usual afternoon walk and when he pooped....it was NORMAL!!!  Yippy! 

I know, this sounds totally absurd but if you knew the week I'd had with him, you would be excited too! 

Weekend before last, the poor baby was boarded as I was in Houston.  My mom was nice enough to pick him up on Monday so that he didn't have to spend the entire day there as I was at work.  Monday was a typical evening, him ignoring me because he was ticked that I boarded him.  Hey, not my idea!  My mom won't watch him anymore!!! 

Tuesday night, I was awakened by gagging noises at 3 am.  He then proceeded to throw up on my arm as he was sleeping on my arm.  Not a big deal.  Not exactly the best experience, but it wasn't much.  So I got up, cleaned off my arm and the bed.  No sooner had we settled back down, turned the light off, that I hear him making noises again!  Can I say, I never knew a little poodle, who weighs less than 10 lbs, could have that much puke in him. It was everywhere!  All over the bed's comforter and mostly, on me!!  But can I say, he didn't have one drop on him!!!  I had to change the bed sheets, my pajamas, and clean the comforter.  The comforter was removed to the living room and is now at the cleaners.  I figured that would be the end of it.  Nope, every half hour to an hour, he was up with diarrhea. 

While he did not gag again till Friday evening, every night he was up at around 2 or 3 am with diarrhea that lasted till I had to wake up.  I have been exhausted!  I can't even imagine what it would be like if I had kids!  This is a dog!!!!! At least with him, I can put him in his kennel or drop him off at the vet.  I don't think you can do that with kids!

Needless to say, I have been anxiously awaiting the night where he finally slept through the night (that was Saturday night) and the time when he had "normal" poop again.

I am a happy dog owner once again! :)