Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone!  May 2011 bring you health, wealth, and happiness!

Here are my two sets of goals, life and stitching, for the upcoming year! 

Life Goals:

1. Become more fiscally responsible!  That means continue to pay off my debts and put money away in savings. 

2. Get a passport. This is a carry over from last year BUT I hope that as long as I keep it on my list I will eventually get it done!

3. Find a new place to live. Depending upon the job situation, this may occur in April.
4. Be open to new things. Be it love, a career change, a move to a new city/state. Whatever it is, I want to be more open to the change! Definitely a carry over from 2010!  But one that should always be worked on.  I'm hoping this year to make progress in determining "what I want to be when I grow up" and I think change is key to that!

5. Spend  more time with family and friends.  Which definitely means a trip to Nebraska!



Stitching goals:
1. Finish Cassady's baby quilt.

2. Finish Brendan's baby quilt.

3. Finish HAED's Dragon Knot
4. Finish 2 pages of HAED's Mad Tea Party

5. Finish 2 pages of HAED's Queen of Hearts

6. Finish Lisa's Christmas stocking - Dimensions Kit

7. Complete Nora Corbett's 'M'

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Reflection of the Past Year

Let me start off with that I hope that everyone had a marvelous and wonderful Christmas!  Mine was perfect!  Spent it with my parents and my little sister.  After the year that we've had, it was nice that our family was together!

I went back to my post at the end of last year to see how well, or not so well, I did on my goals!

Life Goals:
1. Pay off another debt. I was really good this past year and managed to pay off 2! I hope this year to do the same! Hmmmm, I didn't get another debt paid off.  BUT I did make progress to eliminating some debt! 

2. Put money away in savings! This wasn't exactly accomplished in 2009 so hope to improve upon it this year! Another one not quite accomplished.  While I am ending the year with more in savings than I started the year off, I belive that I did make some progress.

3. Get a passport. I just think this is something I should have. What if I want to go on a cruise or go to Mexico? Need one for those these days! Didnt' happen!  LOL

4. Find a new place to live. Be it a new apartment or maybe a new home that I purchase. Ok, let's not get crazy! Buying a home is a HUGE commitment. Not sure if I am mature enough for that yet! :) Also didn't happen!  My lease goes through April.  Depending on the job situation, I may or may not renew because you just can't beat the rent that I am currently paying!

5. Be open to new things. Be it love, a career change, a move to a new city/state. Whatever it is, I want to be more open to the change! Oh, I was more open!  The jury is still out on whether or not it was a good move.  I made a career change in 2010.  It's been difficult and stressful needless to say.  This one is definitely going to stay on for next year's list!


Stitching Goals:
1. To not buy any new patterns. (Now if someone else buys it for me, I won't turn it down!) I did pretty good.  I only bought one new pattern and that was for a biscornu.  I haven't started it yet but I hope to one day!

2. To buy only stash needed to complete patterns I currently have! Did very well on this.  The amount of stash bought was just the bare minimum.  Usually just thread that I didn't already have!


3. Finish Cassady's baby quilt. Yep, I was BAD about this one.  Oh well, she does have a birthday coming up in March.  I'm thinking it will need to be done by then!

4. Finish Jason's new baby (not born yet) baby quilt. Baby Brendan was born on May 26 (the day after my birthday).  He still does not have a baby quilt but I did stitch him a cute froggy baby bib! 

5. Finish HAED's Dragon Knot (that's an ambitious one!) Didn't finish.  After the year I had with the person that it was originally intended for, I tucked it away for a while.  But I have to admit that I lately I have been itching to get it back out to finish!

6. Finish 1 page of HAED's Mad Tea Party This was accomplished!  Woo hoo!  It was difficult as I am stitching it 2 over 1.  This is my "experiment" piece.  My niece is very anxious for this one to be finished.  I have a feeling she will be waiting for it for a long time!

7. Finish 1 page of HAED's Queen of Hearts This piece is for me (hopefully!).  I did accomplish this also!  Yay!   In fact, I'm currently sewing on this one and have started the 2nd page.  It's almost 25% done. 

8. Complete Nora Robert's Corbett's 'M' This piece is also for me.  I didn't even get around to kitting it up!  Maybe I will do that on New Year's.  It will give me for incentive to get it done!

I think that I did pretty good for the year!  While some goals weren't completed, at least I feel that progress was made.  The important thing is to keep moving forward! 

This year was a tumultous one!  Lost some good friends this year due to disputes but also gained some good friends!  Some of our beloved family members passed away this year due to illness but are now in a better place!  My sister gave me the greatest scare of my life this year but we are all stronger because of it!  A brand new nephew was born!  My best friend had her third daughter this year!  Life isn't perfect but there is so much to be thankful for!

I'll be working on my list of goals for 2011 and hope to have that up very soon!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Happy Holidays!

I've been negligent in my writing on the blog.  It is a combination of things.  Busy.  Stressed.  Life.  Friends.  Family.  All of those combined have left me very uninspired! 

I've been spending a lot of time with my parents on the weekends.  Life has thrown me a huge curve ball and I'm lucky that I've been able to go to my parents for counsel and solace.  We've had our typical family dinners, been going to church together, and enjoying Saints games and Lady Tiger basketball games.  The week is time for work and spending time with my friends and dog.

I completed all my shopping today. My last gifts to pick up were for Duke.  His stocking has been hung and stuffed full of the goodies.  Now he is pouting because I won't let him have any of it yet!!!  Nope, it is for Christmas!  Yes, I do take each item out on Christmas morning and let him pick and choose that which he wants to play with.  I also make sure to bring one of his new items with us when we go to my parents. Now all I have to do is finishing wrapping!



On a side note, and kind of a sad one, poor Duke's mother, Molly, passed away today.  She was just a year older than Duke and died of heart failure.  As many of you know, Duke has a heart condition also.  It is being treated with medication and I hope that he has a few more years ahead of him because we are aggressively treating it!  He seems to be doing well on the medication and is even gaining weight so I hope that at his regular annual check up things will continue to look good and we won't have to add any more medicines!

I have been stitching.  Here and there.  When I am home I've been vegging out and watching movies.  Being very lazy!!!  I've been working on what will one day be a Christmas stocking for my sister.  Not this year of course, maybe next year! 



It is time to start working on my goals for next year.  I'll review my list from this year and either carry over those that haven't been completed or cross off that which I have completed.  I might even add on a few more.  I know that I have quite a few projects that I hope to finish in 2011 as I didn't have very many finished this year!

Hope that all of you have a Happy Holiday!

Monday, December 06, 2010

Are You in the Holiday Spirit?

I have always liked the anticipation of the holidays but then, boom, it happens!  The holiday blues settle in.  Ugh!  I really wish they wouldn't.  I loathe being a "Scrooge"! 

I don't seem to be the only one though.  I've been reading a number of blog entries where writers are confessing to feeling "Bah Humbug!".  It's comforting to know that I am not the only one!  My friend Jill suggested that I need to listen to some more Christmas music.  Ummmm, not sure about that one!

I do have my little tree up. The gifts are purchased if not wrapped. I haven't put out my stocking or Duke's stocking yet though or put up my holiday wreath on the door. Why?  Because I am stressed and worried to the max.  What has me stressed?  Money, job, and life (in that order).  LOL!  Oh, how I wish I could learn life's lessons without falling down so hard!

After the summer that my parents had dealing with my Sister's problems, I didn't want to bother them with mine, but this weekend was a culmination of a month long of worrying that led me to baring my soul to my parents.  They were more upset that I didn't share my worries with them than the actual situation.  It felt good to share my concerns with them and to be reassured.  I was not looking for a solution but just a sounding board.  Although, of course, if I chose, I know that my Dad has a solution because as he reminded me "I'm here for both my little girls."  Awww, don't I have the best Daddy in the world!  And yes, I am 35 years old and still a Daddy's girl!  Always will be! 

I saw recently a status update on a friend's FB page: "Stress.  It does the waistline good."  I laughed when I had seen this because the friend who posted it is like a size 0.  However, I have to agree with it!  I've been stressing so much that my appetite has dwindled away to nothing and my pants are starting to fit a bit loose.  Maybe I should start to exercise and take advantage of this "jump start"?

I've continued on with some stitching, even though  my mojo is gone!  I'm hoping to get it back if I continue to pick up a project and put some stitches into it!  Right now I am working on a Dimensions Stocking Kit that I have had for years!  It is so odd to be stitching on 18-count Aida cloth!  Yikes!!  It is so stiff!  But I really wanted to get this stocking finished.  I bought two of the same pattern with the intent to make one for my sister and one for myself.  So, the one I am working on now is for my sister.  After 1 week of work, this is how far I've gotten.  Sorry for the poor quality pic, I took it with my cell phone as I am out of batteries for the camera! This particular piece has a lot of half cross stitches in it and blends.  Do I hope to finish it for Christmas?  Sure.  Will I?  Probably not.  LOL I'm pretty realistic!



Despite all my worries, misgivings, and stress, I still have a small kernel of hope and faith for the future.  Who knows?  I may still win that lottery! 

Happy Holidays!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving Madness

Ok, I shouldn't say madness!  It was quite a relaxing and quiet 4 day weekend!  I enjoyed it so much!  I really need to win the lottery so I can have more of quiet, relaxing days!

Thanksgiving
This year I was lucky that my parents decided to stay in town and we had Thanksgiving dinner together.  My sister couldn't join us as she had to work on Black Friday (the joys of a retail career!) but she will be coming home for Christmas!

I have many things to be thankful this year even though I've had some major losses.  I am thankful that I've been given an opportunity to use the degrees I earned and the brain I have at my new job.  I am thankful that my family is safe and healthy.  I am thankful for the friends that have stuck by my side this past year and for the new ones I have had come into my life. 

My Dad does most of the cooking for dinner.  He makes the cranberry sauce (fresh not from the can!), the stuffing, and he fries the turkey (the best part!).  My Mom and I make the mashed potatos, sweet potatos, green bean casserole and the crescent rolls while Dad is outside frying the turkey.  This year, I made the desserts.  Well, one of them anyway. 

For the first time, I made a cranberry apple pie.  As I was putting it together, I had very little confidence in it.  Soooo, before putting it in the oven, I ran to Whole Foods and purchased a sweet potato pie for back up!  LOL!  I wasn't the only one doing that!  Came home and put the cran apple pie in the oven and crossed my fingers.  My Dad loved it!  Ok, he may have just been saying that because I'm his daughter but I tried it to and thought it was quite yummy!  It is the recipe from the Betty Crocker recipe book.  I suggest it to anyone who likes cranberries and apples!

Movies
This has been a week for movies.  On Monday I went with my movie buddies, Kati and Doug, and saw Harry Potter.  Yes, I loved it!  Yes, I've read the book and ultimately know how it ends but I enjoy seeing the interpretation on the big screen!  It did not feel like a 2 1/2 hour movie!  In fact, at the end of the movie I actually said out loud "NO!  I want more!"  Doug laughed at me and said he agreed! 

I also watched a few movies from my cable's On Demand.  I saw "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant".  If you like campy, cheesy vampire movies, this is one for you.  I enjoyed it thoroughly.  I think it is based off a comic book or maybe some type of anime story but I'm not sure.  The next movie I saw was "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.  Cute.  Good story for the older crowd.  It passed the time for me as I stitched! I also watched "Leap Year", a cute romantic comedy. 

Shopping
Luckily most of my shopping was already done.  I had a few last things I needed but nothing that could get me to go out on Black Friday.  In addition to it being Black Friday, the temperature had dropped 40 degrees (it was 80 degrees on Thanksgiving day) and was raining.  I stayed in, watched football and stitched.  My idea of a good day!  Saturday was a nicer day.  Still on the cool side but the sun was out.  I ventured out before the important football game of the day (LSU of course!) and picked up a few deals.  Nothing for myself.  Gifts for friends and family!  We have a rule in our family: You can not buy yourself anything new starting from November 1 til Christmas.  You want it, put it on your wish list!

Christmas Decorating
I used to put my tree up on the day after Thanksgiving.  I would put it up and decorate it while I watched the LSU Arkansas game.  But starting last year, they have moved the LSU Arkansas game to Saturday so the tree didn't come out until then!  I did start off on Friday with putting my Nutcrackers out.  I love Nutcrackers.  Just one more thing for me to collect.  Luckily though I only have 4 so not too many to store or put out!


Football
Well, the Saints won on Thanksgiving day!  That was a nice way to spend the late afternoon.  But then the Tigers lost on Saturday.  It was a horrible way for us to end our season.  We did end up 10 - 2.  That's a great record, if you think about it. I guess we are so jaded these days that anything less than the national championship is a failure.  So I should be happy that we had a winning season and look forward to whatever bowl game we end up.

Stitching
Of course with 4 days of relaxation I would have a stitching update!  I have a finish!  Yay! I made this for my Grandmother for Christmas this year as I pulled her name. It is a celtic cross. I love the colors in this piece!  The pattern is from Scotland, a gift from a friend who visited there.



I also finished one whole page of HAED's Mad Tea Party!  Woo hoo!  I am doing this one 2 over 1 and it is very slow going.  It has a tapestry feel to it.  I'm liking the way it is looking but not that it is taking so long to stitch on!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Last weekend before the holidays!

This past weekend was the last weekend before the holidays begin!  And although at the moment I don't have much planned, I know that it will be a busy time through the New Year!

Arts & Crafts Fair
On Friday afternoon, I attended an annual arts & crafts fair at a local high school.  I went with a friend of mine and we had a good time looking and visiting but I really do not know why I go to these things!  I go through each booth saying "I could do that" "I can make that" but of course I don't!! But because I have those thoughts, I rarely if ever buy anything.  The only thing I bought at this fair was the cinnamon sugar pecans!  Yummy! 

Football
Football season is slowly winding down.  LSU is 10 and 1 and only has 1 more game before the bowl game.  It is impossible for us to get to the SEC championship game.  Unless of course Alabama manages to beat Auburn this Friday, then maybe?  I'm not sure.  But without football what shall there be?  Oh yeah, baseball starts in February!  (Our basketball team is still "rebuilding" and not so good).

The rumors are circulating as to what bowl game we will end up in.  According to my father (and he's always right or so it seems) they will be headed to the Cotton Bowl.  Although that is now held in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, I'm not really happy about that.  Of course I think we should be in the BCS championship!  The Sugar Bowl will try to avoid taking us if they can since we are pretty much in their backyard and it means less tourist dollars for New Orleans.  The Sugar Bowl is never happy when LSU comes to town.  We buy the tickets just no need to stay in the hotels!

Christmas Gifts
I am acutally way ahead this year!  I set a goal of buying all gifts by December 1 and I think I am on track.  I only have 2 more gifts to buy and the two that remain are turning out to be my toughest to get.  I don't want to just settle on something but that may be what happens!

I plan on pulling out the decorations either Friday or Saturday.  Probably Saturday as I traditionally decorate while watching the LSU Arkansas game!  I will have to do some  cleaning this week though to make room for my tree.  I have a little apartment and I don't have a lot of room to put up a tree.

Duke
Duke is doing well, or so it seems!  I am supposed to watch him for behaviorial changes.  Does eating count as a behaviorial change?  He ate very little before being put on this medication and now he eats all the time!  Will I now end up with a little butterball?  Hopefully not.  He still runs around like a little maniac and likes to play.  I hope that will counteract all the extra calories he is now eating.

New Kids on the Block
Yes, I admit it.  I am a NKOTB fan!  Yes, I did watch them on the American Music Awards last night (along with the performance by my all-time favorite Bon Jovi!).  NKOTB has currently joined with the Backstreet Boys for a concert tour.  As of last night, they had only announced 7 dates, most of them in Canada BUT today an announcement came out with a bunch more dates.  They are coming to our area!  Yay!  My friends and I are already on top of this and planning our trip to Lafayette to see the concert! 

Mad Tea Party
In my quest to complete another stitching goal for this year, I've been working on HAED's Mad Tea Party.  I am so close to finishing this one page!  I really want to get it done so I can scratch it off the list and not carry it over to next year!

Before

After 1 week

Monday, November 15, 2010

Another Overdue Post

Where has the time been going?  I feel like it is just flying these days!  So much to do and so many things on my mind!

Weekend with Marly
Two weeks ago I was able to spend a weekend with my 9 year old niece.  We had so much fun!  She made her first pizza (it was quite nice to not have to cook dinner!).





We also made yummy caramel turtle brownies!

We watched movies, Shirley Temple's Little Princess and Alvin and the Chimpmunks, The Squeakquel.  I have to admit, the Alvin and the Chimpmunks movie was very cute!  I want a cute little chimpmunk that can talk, dance, and sing like Theodore!

Marly was also able to see my parents.  We had a great lunch at a local soda fountain (yep, we still have one of those) where we had the best cheese burgers and fries! 

We also did crafts.  Of course we did!  Or rather she did and I just pitched in when needed.  She made Christmas ornaments, Christmas magnets, and a Thanksgiving scene which will make an excellent centerpiece for dinner! She had a blast doing those! 





Then we watched the LSU Alabama game.  Yep, we've raised her right.  She is a little Tiger fan.  She did crafts during most of the game allowing me to focus on the game but then she watched the 4th quarter with me and we cheered our Tigers on to victory!

New Job
The new job is going well.  So much to do.  At times I am so overwhelmed that I don't know where to start so I just pick up one thing and try to see that one task to the end.  At this point, that is about all I can do.  But I am enjoying re-learning things that I had forgotten since college due to lack of use! 

Thirty One Gifts
Thirty One Gifts.  Has anyone ever heard of it?  I hadn't until I was invited to a party for it.  I mostly went because it was being given by an old high school friend and I like to catch up with her every once in a while. Anyway, Thirty One Gifts is a business that sells things like purses and totes in different styles, patterns and you can customize with monograms.  You should check it out if you have the chance.  I was able to get Christmas presents for my Mom and my Sister.  Two checked off my list!

Duke
Many of you know that I have a little miniature poodle named Duke.  He is 11 years old (this December).  He's my baby but he is also an old man!  Recently he got sick.  An upset stomach.  It lasted for 2 days so I took him to the vet.  The vet said that something just didn't agree with him and he should be fine in a few days BUT, yep there is always a but in there, he did not like the sound of his heart.  Two years ago Duke was diagnosed with a heart murmur.  Very common in little dogs.  However, since his last checkup which was 6 months ago the murmur had become worse than they thought it would and are now recommending medication.  So now my baby is on heart medication.  It isn't too bad.  The pill is so tiny it is easy for him to take but since he's been sick I can't tell if the reason he is moping around is cause of his stomach or the new medication.  One of the side effects of the medication is that it will make him loopier and more lethargic. He's not playing with his toys anymore which kind of bothers me but like I said not sure if that is because of the medicine or his upset stomach.  However, he has been eating everything in site which is very unusual for him.  I guess I'll just keep an eye on him for a few more days before calling the vet again.

Mad Tea Party
I have been stitching.  In fact I was able to spend the weekend stitching as I stayed home to watch over Duke.  So between football, naps, and parties, I stitched on HAED's Mad Tea Party.  I'm hoping to finish one page of this pattern as it is one of my stitching goals for the year.

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Where in the World Have I Been?

I have not been blogging as much as I usually do.  Life has been busy or I have been so darn tired I can't muster any imagination to sit down and write out a posting.  But today, I was determined to do just that!

Let's go back to this past Friday:

Friday was my last day at work (today is Wednesday and last Friday seems like months ago).  I was dreading this day because I really thought it would go on FOREVER.  But it didn't.  It zipped by so quickly.  I busted my butt and got a TON accomplished. Had a great "last" lunch with the other girls from the office and when 4 pm came, I was out the door.  I think I ended my chapter there on a good note.  My boss offered me all the luck in the world and assistance in any future endeavors should I need it.  He also offered me a job as one of the other girls in the office decided to put in her 2 weeks notice 30 minutes before I left!  The president of the association I worked on also offered me any assistance should I need it.  It was all very nice and bitter sweet. 

Friday night, my friend Jill and I met up with my sister at a new pizza restaurant.  It was awesome!  Loved it!  Had me a spicy taco pizza.  I LOVE taco pizza and hardly anyone makes it anymore.  After a nice dinner and some teasing of my sister about her "goth" makeup (she says it is what they do in the "big city", puhlease, she lives in Austin), Jill and I headed to the daiquiri shop to wait for another friend so we could head to the middle of no where for the corn maze.  That was our little halloween adventure.  After traveling down a deserted highway for MILES, we finally came across a giant blow up doll and lots of lights, figuring it was the corn maze I almost pulled in UNTIL I saw the sign "girls girls girls" and "exotic dancers".  My two friends in the car insisted that was the place as they hadn't seen the signs but I continued on and sure enough the next place with all the lights was the corn maze.  I think it took us an hour to get through the line and then another hour to stumble our way through the maze.  Thankfully I had brought a flashlight because it was super dark out there, being away from all the city lights. But we had fun!


This past weekend was a bye weekend.  No LSU football.  I didn't quite know what to do with myself.  So I stitched and did some cleaning and watched other college football teams.  But those football games just weren't the same!

I did accomplish another one of my goals for the year!  This goal was a stitching one.  I finished one whole page of HAED's Queen of Hearts by Rachel Anderson!  Yay me!!!  Only have 48 pages left to go! I love making progress on projects! This one section had only 4 colors in it.  Mostly black, some grape, dark brown and garnet.


Monday I started my new job.  I am the business manager of a small, local engineering firm who is currently rebuilding from the ground up.  It is going to be a lot of hard work, anxiety, and stress but if I follow through on this, the end results are going to be phenomenal!  After two days of work, I spent last night doing a lot of soul searching and praying.  Had a long conversation with God about the things going on (yep, me.  I do talk to God!) and I'm looking forward to everyting that comes. 

This Friday brings in my niece.  It's been so long since we've had some girly time together.  I cannot wait! Her dad and brother are going to the Bama-LSU game and she is going to stay with me.  I've got crafts for us to do together, brownies to make, ingredients to make pizza, nail polish to do each other's nails!  It is going to be a hoot! LOL

That's my world at this time.  I hope yours is going well!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Did it!!!!

I have finally done it!  I completed one of my goals for this year. I stated at the beginning of 2010 that I wanted to be open to new things, be it love, career change, move to a new city/state.  Well, I have accomplished this goal!  On November 1, I will begin a new job!!!  It was a hard decision but everything seemed to fall into place that made it seem "meant to be." 

I was approached by an acquaintence who owns his own engineering firm.  He is currently in the stages of completely reorganizing and restructuring the company.  He offered me the chance to come in and do the restructure and reorganization and run the business side of the company.  It is everything I went to school for!  I can finally apply my masters degree that I earned!  I am very excited for this opportunity. I think it is going to be a lot of work but I am so ready for it!!!

Everyone at my current work place is in shock.  No one ever thought I would leave.  I didn't think I would leave even though I had started to get the five year itch!!!  I wasn't even looking.  But when I was approached for this position, I had to seize the chance!


Other than the new job, I've been busy!  I spent a weekend with my niece and nephew.  They wore me out!  But it was so much fun to spend the time with them!  We had fun!  We had a sleep over, played games, went to the park, picked out Halloween costumes.  Parker is going to be an ice dragon ninja (not sure what that is, but it made him happy) and Cassady is going to be Little Red Riding Hood (too cute!).  We didn't pick out Marly's costume yet as the ideas that she gave me, of course the store didn't have!  I am going this weekend to pick out a costume for her and to surprise her!

My little niece, Cassady, is a very inquisitive, active 18 month old.  She was into everything!!!  But she seemed to take a special liking to my personal journal.  She would sit and thumb through the pages over and over.  Good thing she can't read!!!  Yikes!!! 


My Parker, he is getting so big and so full of wisdoms!  He had me cracking up with his words of wisdom about me NOT being married.  He told me that at my age, I shouldn't bother getting married.  "It was too late and not worth it."  LOL  Oh, I was rolling with laughter on the inside!  When we played the game of Life, he told me I couldn't go the college route because I "had done enough of that in real life."  I love spending time with him!


My Mom is currently recovering from surgery.  It wasn't anything bad but something that she has needed to get done for some time now.  So I've been spending my free time on the weekends amusing her.  She is now able to drive herself but she still gets tired very easily and needs to take it easy.  This weekend I am going over to do some  housecleaning for her and hang out with her.  The big Texas - Nebraska game is on.  My mother and family being from Nebraska, there's a lot of Cornhusker fans around.  Me, not so much.  I don't like either team but I'll watch them for my Mom.  I'm an SEC girl!!!

My Tigers are still undefeated!  6-0!  There's even talks of a chance to take a run at the National Championship.  I personally think that is a little bit of overkill.  We have been extremely LUCKY with the wins that we have had and the last one being against Florida was THE heart attack game of the season so far.  We have McNeese this weekend, Auburn next weekend and then we are off until Nov. 6 when Bama will roll in.  If we can go undefeated until Bama, WOW!!!  We will see what the winds bring our way!

Ok, I am off to relax for the night.  Got me some stitching to do!  As always!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Busy busy busy

It's been busy.  I feel like there is so much going on, my head is swimming!!! 

Life is a buzzing....
The past weekend my friend Stacy and her son, my nephew, Parker, stayed with me.  2 adults, 1 child, in a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment.  Fun times!!!!  Stacy got the bed, Parker got the couch and I, being the ever gracious hostess, slept on the air mattress in the living room.  My back is still "yelling" at me for that one!!! But it was so much fun!  We had lunch at one of the favorite local spots.  I was able to introduce to Parker the "best cheesefries" in town!  When he's a little bit older, I'll let him have one of the many international beers that the restaurant also has.  Until then, the cheesefries will have to do!


Parker is coming again this weekend to visit.  And this time he is bringing his 18 month old sister!  Yikes!!! It has been forever since I've had a toddler around here.  That ought to make for a very interesting weekend.  I think I'm ready.  Breakables are out of reach of little one's hands.  I've got "finger" foods for all the meals. I've pulled out my old dolls for her to play with.  Parker is easy.  He is fascinated with all of the books I own.  Ok, so he can't read most of them, but I have a few.  He discovered my book, "Collection of Lewis Carroll Works", this past weekend. I think if I hadn't paid attention he would have snuck it home with him!!! We are also going Halloween costume.  Tradition.  Every year, my mother and I take the kids shopping for their Halloween costumes.  We'll only have the 2 of them this year, their older sister is staying home for a birthday party but she has sent me many text messages this week to let me know what costumes she likes.

I have to say that my mind is currently full of lots of thoughts.  I've been presented with an opportunity to pursue a new career.  In the long run, it can be a great thing.  But it's the beginning that could be kind of rough.  I have some decisions to make and it is going to take some serious thought.  Please pray that I make the right decisions!

A Finish!
Woo hoo! I have a finish!  I finished the Christmas gift I was making for my friend Stacy.  It is Passione Ricamo's Welcome Fairy.  You can't really see some of the details, like the sparkly thread in the wings or the "trail" behind the butterfly.  I have to say it turned out beautiful and it is a very easy and quick stitch!



One Last Item...
I have always wanted a Raggedy Ann and Andy set.  But my mother has always said that they were too expensive and she was right.  I couldn't even bring myself to buy a set for myself.  However, I came home the other day and my mother had left me a surprise. She bought me a set!  So after 35 years, I finally have Raggedy Ann and Andy!  Sigh.  I love them! :) Yes, I am still a kid at heart!


Monday, September 13, 2010

A Stitchy Update

I promised a stitching update and here it is!  But I am going to lead with a picture of my cute baby niece.  Today was her first day at "school" and from what I was told, after this picture, it was all down hill for her!  It was her first time to be away from Momma!  But isn't she a cutie?!!!  Love her to pieces!



Ok, now on to stitching.  I'll start with the Mary Engelbright quilt, which is for my niece Cassady pictured above!  It is slow going on it.  Not because I don't want to finish it, I just find stamped cross stitch so incredibly tedious.  I have no patience for it what so ever!  But I do try to pick it up occassionally and do some work on it. 


The part that has been completed thus far.

Close up of the area I am currently working on.  I hope to finish Mother Goose in the next 2 to 3 "sittings".  But of course,  I have to pick it back up again!!!  Looking for some motivation, other than that deadline of Christmas looming over me!! 

Next, my "traveling" piece.  This HAED I typically keep in my travel bag.  But I had such great comments on it that I pulled it out over the Labor Day Holiday Weekend and worked on it.  I am stitching it 2 over 1 instead of my usual 1 over 1.  It gives it more of a "tapestry" feel.  The jury is still out on which I prefer.  Doing it 2 over 1 is definitely more work as it gets difficult to put the needle through.  By the way, I am doing it on 25 count Lugana. 

Before...

After working on it over the Labor Day Holiday Weekend

Keeping my fingers crossed, I hope to have a finish this week!  If I do, I will update the ole blog with a pic!

Have a good week!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Football!!!

I'm just a little late in this post.  Been busy!! Have lots of good things that I am preparing for in 2011 and well, the preparations must begin now!!! The only reason I am sitting down to write now is because I am avoiding another writing project that I've been requested to do by my Aunt for my Cousin.  Get into that one later.

Anyway.....

LSU's first game was last weekend.  Yep, it was a win.  A really, really, really ugly win.  Truthfully, we should have lost.  North Carolina may not have been the better team but they wanted it more and it was evident by their play on the field!!  I have a feeling that it is going to be a really long season.

The Saints first game was Thursday night.  No one can say that Louisianians do not know how to give a party!!!  A parade.  A concert with Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift. All day national television coverage of the activities going on around New Orleans. It was quite the event. 

The game went as I thought it would.  Saints win but the Vikings hung in there and made it an interesting game.  Although, and this is just MY opinion, Favre really needs to retire.  He looked so old!!!!  Either he needs to retire or he needs to practice some more with the team.  Their passing game was terrible!!!

It's Football Saturday here for me!  I am enjoying the day with some really good games.  Currently South Carolina and Georgia are battling it out then I'll flip it to the Florida and South Florida game to see who wins that.  Next up will then be Notre Dame and Michigan which will then lead into tonight's LSU and Vandy game!!!  Woo hoo!!!  Unfortunately though Alabama and Penn State play at the same time as LSU so there will be a lot of channel flipping tonight!!

Does it sound like I am parked on the couch in front of the tv?  LOL I bet it does.  But I'm not.  I've been cleaning.  My mother found all of my old cabbage patch dolls and I spent some time washing the baby clothes and cleaning the dolls.  Not sure what I'm going to do with them but they are now acceptable to be "out in public" again.  Since I was cleaning those, I decided to clean up my porcelain dolls that I have.  That has kept me busy most of the afternoon. 

I should be writing an inspirational letter to my younger cousin, Will.  His mother asked me along with a bunch of other family members to write an inspirational/encouragement letter to Will to read at his junior year retreat.  What does one write?  I feel like I have writer's block!!!  The other sad thing is that because he lives in Omaha, I haven't had much interaction with him.  Not to mention the 18 year age difference.  I'm hoping to be inspired soon!  Wish me luck!

Ok, enough for now.  Must watch some football.  Catch up on the scores.  I should have some good update pictures on some stitching progress by the end of the weekend!

Friday, September 03, 2010

Bring it on.....

I can't begin to describe the joy I was feeling last night as SEC football kicked off with South Carolina playing Southern Miss.  The return on SEC football!!!  Been dreaming of it since LSU played their last game on January 1.  One more day and the Tigers will be playing!!!

I did my grocery shopping today, thankfully.  It was already a zoo!  I can't even imagine what the stores will be like on Game Day.  But I am totally ready.  I have my beer, mango run, chips, dip, makings for taco soup.  I am READY!!!!  It will be football Saturday for me!!!  Football will be the only thing on my tv on Saturday! I may do some things around the apartment, but other than that I will be soaking up SEC football which I have dearly missed!  The day will start with  Game Day on ESPN.  It is being broadcast from Atlanta which is where LSU is playing tomorrow's game. Then I will watch one of the many games that are on tv up until 7 pm which will then start the LSU game!!!!!

I have been paying attention to all the stories that are coming out about our opponent, the Tarheels. At last count, the Tarheels would be down 15 players, 6 ruled ineligible by the NCAA, 6 suspended by the school and 3 that weren't allowed to make the trip because they are still being investigated. Gotta love NCAA violations!!! If we can't win against a team that is down 15 players, 8-9 of them starters, then we are going to have some serious PROBLEMS!!!


 
Yes, I bleed purple and gold. But I'm not any more obsessive about it than the next person down here in south Louisiana. I was just raised right.  A GRITS (girl raised in Tiger Stadium). I wonder what shirt I will wear tomorrow?  Yes, of course it will be a LSU shirt but will it be white, purple, grey, or gold?  So many choices! 

Life is good!  :)

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Time for Change

Thought it was time to change the background and layout of the ole blog.  It's been quite a while since I've done that.  Thinking of doing a few more changes but didn't want to get all wild and crazy just yet!

Need for control
I must be in need of "controlling" something.  Not sure what or why I need to control, but it manifested itself into me scrubbing the bathroom from top to bottom on Saturday. I don't clean like that.  I'm more of a maintenance type of cleaner.  But somehow I got it in my head that I needed to clean it.  I have to admit, I feel better. LOL! The cleaning frenzy has spilled over into Sunday too.  Cleaning up all my files.  I loathe filing! Which is evident by the paper that I have everywhere!

Favorite time
Only one more week and the opening game of LSU's football season will be here!  It seems like forever since their last game on January 1.  Let's hope they put that lost behind them and come out strong.  Now, so everyone can know, they will be on national TV, your local ABC channel, I do believe at 7 pm.  They are the college football game opener.  They are playing North Carolina in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  Game Day will also be broadcasting from there. 

Time for Review
September will be here in just a few days.  That leaves only 4 more months of the year left.  I was looking over my goals for the year.  Yeah, I haven't done so well!  LOL  But that's ok.  Here's a recap of the goals:

1. Pay off another debt. I was really good this past year and managed to pay off 2! I hope this year to do the same! As of today, hasn't happened.  I'm making my payments and a little more but life has had some unforeseen expenses crop up!  But I'm optimistic.


2. Put money away in savings! This wasn't exactly accomplished in 2009 so hope to improve upon it this year! Hmmm, this one isn't coming along as great either.  However, I do have upcoming events in 2011 that I need to start buckling down and saving for TODAY!

3. Get a passport. I just think this is something I should have. What if I want to go on a cruise or go to Mexico? Need one for those these days! Nope, hasn't happened!  LOL

4. Find a new place to live. Be it a new apartment or maybe a new home that I purchase. Ok, let's not get crazy! Buying a home is a HUGE commitment. Not sure if I am mature enough for that yet! :) Hasn't happened either. In fact, just signed another 7 month lease.  I just can't find a place in the same location I am at the rent price that I am paying. 

5. Be open to new things. Be it love, a career change, a move to a new city/state. Whatever it is, I want to be more open to the change! I'm not sure how to evaluate this one.  I think I've been more open.  I've had to be.  There are events that have occurred in the past year that if I allow them to, will jade my perspective on a lot of things. I can't let that happen.

Now for a few stitching goals:
1. To not buy any new patterns. (Now if someone else buys it for me, I won't turn it down!) I didn't quite make it, but I can report that I only bought ONE new pattern.

2. To buy only stash needed to complete patterns I currently have! I've adhered to this one!

3. Finish Cassady's baby quilt. Still working on it.  Hope to have it finished by Christmas

4. Finish Jason's new baby (not born yet) baby quilt. Still working on it.  Hope to have it finished by Christmas.

5. Finish HAED's Dragon Knot (that's an ambitious one!) At the moment, this one has been put to the side for other projects.  But I hope to pick it up soon.

6. Finish 1 page of HAED's Mad Tea Party To date, this one has been a travel piece.  On vacation I was able to get some done on it.  I may pull it out soon and do some work on it.  This one I am doing 2 over 1 so it is turning into more of a tapestry type piece.  It makes it a little more difficult but I can't wait to see what the effect is since I typically stitch HAED's 1 over 1.

7. Finish 1 page of HAED's Queen of Hearts Haven't pulled it out to work on this year.

8. Complete Nora Robert's 'M' All materials have been bought but still has not been kitted up or started.

Fifth Anniversary
Today is the 5th anniversary of Katrina.  For many people across America this is an insignificant date but for us in South Louisiana, we will remember it to the day we die.  It was the day that all of our lives were turned up side down.  The changes that have occurred over the past 5 years in my sleepy little home town is amazing.  This weekend I began watching Spike Lee's "If God is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise".  I watched 2 of the 4 hours. The documentary revisits New Orleans for the 5th anniversary.  It's a sad, tragic, emotional story that is still ongoing.  If you get the chance, check it out.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Stitching Updates

I have a few updates to share.  I've been busy with work, friends and family but I've been taking some time out to do some stitching. 

Mary Engelbreit Baby Quilt:

Made a tiny  little bit of progress on the baby quilt.  I haven't spent the time on it that I should be but I have put a few stitches.  I am currently working on Mother Goose.

The entire area that has been finished to date.

Mother Goose, the area that I am currently working on.


Passione Ricamo Welcome Fairy:

I spent a great amount of time working on this project.  I need to pick it back up and get it finished.  It is such an easy stitch.




HAED Mad Tea Party:

This piece is my "travel" piece.  I work on it when I go on trips.  I was actually able to spend about 2 hours total on it on vacation.  I'm not sure if I have ever posted a progress photo before, but here it is now!

This is what the piece will look like.

This is the piece I've been working on while traveling.  It is the upper right hand corner of the pattern.

I'm Back....

From vacation!  It was so nice to get away.  2 whole days of absolutely nothing.  Sat by the pool, enjoyed drinks, read books, swam in the salt water pool, ran into old friends from home, good food.  It was an over all great time!!!

Here are some pics from the trip:

Our living area in the condo

View of the pool area.  One of the 3 outdoor pools.  It was a salt water pool.

Jill hanging out in the pool.

Me with the turtle right next to the pool in front of our chairs.

Sunset from our balcony.

Patty, Louis and Caroline drifting down the lazy river.


The stage area at Lulu's

Monday, July 26, 2010

Lazy Weekend....

So this past weekend was a lazy one.  No plans.  No where to go.  Nothing to do.  No one to see.  This was mostly because of Bonnie, the storm that wasn't.  I never even saw a drop of rain.  Thanks Bonnie!

Reading Suggestion:
I read a lot but I'm not one to say "Hey, you should read this book."  I'm going to make an exception.  I just recently finished "In the Sanctuary of Outcasts: A Memoir" by Neil White.  This is the author's tale of spending a year in a federal prison that was located in America's last leper colony in Carville, LA.  This book is not one I would have typically read since it doesn't have werewolves, vampires or witches in it.  But it really was a good book.  I suggest, especially for those who are from Louisiana, to read this book.  And if you happen to be in the Baton Rouge area, the author will be at LSU on Thursday evening and at the Jones Creek Library on Friday.

Stitching:
Since I had nothing to do this weekend and I really did manage to avoid doing chores, I was able to get quite a bit done on my new project, Passione Ricamo's Welcome Fairy. This is going fast, but as someone pointed out in a comment, anything seems fast after working on a HAED!!!  This is very true!

Last week's start:

This week's progress:

Monday, July 19, 2010

My Cup Runneth Over....

Boy, I sure do hope I am not jinxing myself!!!  Life has been good this week.  I love my sister dearly, but, geez, she was sucking the life out of me!!!  And money too!!!  LOL!  Ok, she has me wrapped around her little finger, I cave to all her demands! Anyway....

On to the good news of the past week. 

I have officially booked my vacation for August!  My friend, Jill, and I are headed back to the Caribe!!!  I was able to get a great rate on a 2 bedroom condo and we are headed there for a few days of R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N!!!  Cannot wait!!! It has been so long since I've been on a trip with no familial obligations or work obligations. Until we leave, I am on a STRICT budget.  Money has never flowed freely from my wallet but I am going on this trip NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

Recently received an email from my BFF, a doctor in Houston.  She is due to have her 3rd baby girl in November.  Very exciting!!!  She will have her hands full!  In October, Zoe will be 2, then the new baby in November, and the oldest, Eden, will be 4 in December.  Hmmm, I wonder if she planned that!?  Going to make it difficult to make all 3 birthdays.  I only made one last year which was an improvement over all previous years of not making any birthdays!!!  But now 3?  Will make scheduling interesting. Anyway, the down pour of babies continues!

I've been spending some time out on my balcony lately.  Our weather has been good AND bad.  But when it is good, it is so beautiful out!!!  These are some pics I've taken on those "good" days! Duke and I like to sit on the balcony and read.  Ok, I read and he watches all the many, many, many black feral cats that hang out in the courtyard.






Some stitching updates.  Below is the latest update on Dragon Knot 2.  I spent a good portion of the past week working on it. 

This is the full picture:

This is a close up of the section I've been working on:

I've also started a new project on Sunday. The Passione Ricamo design that I had mentioned in a previous post that I was going to do for my friend Stacy.  I finally started it on Sunday evening.  I have to admit it is a very easy stitch and I'm thinking that it may not take me "years" to finish!!




Ok, I have a big week ahead of me.  There are tons of work to be done and today started off with a 4 hour meeting.  Tomorrow is going to start with another 4 hour meeting and Wednesday is starting with a 2 hour meeting.  That's 10 hours of time I am not at my desk.  While I enjoy being away from my desk, my to do list is getting longer and longer!!!!  Which may be a good thing though as I do need some OT!!!!

Hope everyone has a great week!!!