Halloween and other projects!

Fall is in the air!! Finally cooler weather has moved its way South.

Yesterday I made a pot of chili and the crock pot was going all day with apple pie oatmeal (which by the way was super easy and came out super yummy).

I've also been working on a few crafty projects.

I took some left over remnants from a Halloween wreath and made a pretty centerpiece.

 

My friend Stacy saw the other wreaths I had recently made for myself and my sister and expressed an interest in one.  With her birthday being October 10, I "whipped" one up for her.  Her husband was in town this past weekend so I was able to send it back with him. 

 

I have been working on Life Force.  I almost finished with page 2.  In fact, I hope to finish page 2 this week.  Despite others trying to make plans for me.....Jenny....I think that I will be able to get some stitching done this weekend.  The LSU game is at 11 am on Saturday, not sure yet if I will be watching it live though.  I may have to record it and watch later since there are lots of festivals and such going on this weekend.

Weekend with my little man

This post is only a few weeks past due. It did occur in the month of September so it is only fitting that I get it posted on the last day of September! 

I was lucky enough to get my nephew for one night and day. So we packed it in! We watched the movie Hop. Cute movie but really didn't need to see that the Easter Bunny poops jelly beans. :/

We took a trip to New Orleans to the aquarium. I hadn't been there in forever. He had a choice between there and the zoo. So aquarium it was. He didn't appear to enjoy himself but from what his parents said, he had an awesome time. Sigh, 10 year old boys. We then went to Plum Street sno balls. Yummy! It comes in Chinese takeout boxes. Too cute! Then dinner at Izzo's followed by dessert at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. 

It is so rare that I get to have time with him alone. We usually have his two sisters or at least one of them with us. 

Small craft project I bought for him to do. Color Spider Man. 

Evacuation Vacation

Ok, so I am about a week late on posting this.  Story of my life these days.  I'm behind on most things. 

For Labor Day weekend I was to go to Austin to see my sister.  She is always complaining that I don't come out to see her and I had some extra vacation time so I thought this would be a good time.  Hurricane Isaac had other ideas so I ended up going a few days early and with Duke in tow. 

The original plan was to leave after work on Thursday evening and stay through Monday.  I ended up leaving mid-morning Tuesday and staying till Monday.  Which worked out great because it seemed that my place lost power for several days.  However, I did have to bring Duke with me, cause I was not going to leave him behind being boarded at the vet's.  Luckily though, he behaved very well with my sister's dog, Augie.

As my sister still had to work those first few days, I spent a lot of time cooking and cleaning my sister's apartment as she was still recovering from an emergency appendectomy she had had about two weeks prior.  I did her grocery shopping and picked up around the place.  I did go on a few walks, but not many because it is nothing but hills around there and well, I come from the flat lands of Louisiana.  A hill for us is an ant hill! One afternoon was spent at the fabulous pool her apartment complex  has.  And the rest of the time was spent shopping with my sister.  I got some great deals at the outlets and even managed to snag a new Coach purse and matching wallet. Love, love, love! 

I had made an LSU wreath for my sister but she also wanted a Halloween wreath.  So while there I managed to hit several  Hobby Lobby and Michaels stores to get the necessary materials to make her a Halloween wreath.  What Lisa wants, Lisa gets. This isn't a great picture but it was the best I could do with the lighting I had.

Upon my return home, I had to deal with all the food in the refrigerator that had spoiled.  Ugh!!  Who knew milk could have that many layers and get that lumpy.  Gross!  But this happens at least once a year so it was the annual cleaning of the refrigerator.  I just finished cleaning the freezer this weekend. 

 

 

I've been working on Life Force, when I have time.  Usually at night when I should be sleeping.  My  insomnia is kicking up something awful these days!  But at least I am being productive!  I am currently working on page 2.  I hope to finish it quickly but while there are some big blocks of colors, there is also a lot of confetti. This is actually an old update.  There is so much  more of it done than this.  I just haven't taken any  new photos! 

 

Fall is turning into a very busy time!  I have 2 board meetings, a convention, birthday parties, visits with friends.  I'm so busy trying to make sure that everything gets done and that everyone else is happy, I am feeling very overwhelmed these days.  I really need to learn to step back and let go of somethings before my insomnia really gets too bad! Easier said than done!

 

My New Creative Outlet

So Jenny, my co-worker, got the great idea to have a girls night out of wreath making.  Of course, this is a Pinterest inspired event!!!  Football season is just around the corner (literally, it starts next weekend), so we gathered together to show our local hometown college support by making wreaths for our doors!  The first picture is a collage of the 4 wreaths we made.  They came out great, in my opinion!  The wine could have been an inspiration! LOL!

This second picture is the one that I made and have finally hung on my door!  I had to go purchase an actual wreath hanger as before I was just using random nails that had been left from previous tenants in the apartment. A nail wasn't quite long enough, nor did I think it could support it.  The wreath isn't really that heavy but, boy is it HUGE!!!

This wreath below is the one that I did for my younger sister.  She, of course, after seeing mine, wanted one for herself.  In fact, I've already been instructed that she wants a Halloween, Christmas and Mardi Gras wreaths.  :/  I guess I'll be busy!!!  I am visiting her next weekend so I told her that we are going to go shopping for some of those wreaths and get them made while I am there!  They are too big and fragile to think about shipping!

I think that my sister's came out better than mine.  But isn't that always the case?  The first is an experiment and as you make more, you get the execution and concepts refined.  I can't wait to work on another one.  Just not sure what the theme will be!

A Finish and a Start

 

Recently I started a new HAED project.  This is Life Force. This picture was taken last weekend and I already have made significant more progress on it since then!  In fact, I am almost done with page 1, off the top of my head I believe that there are over 30 pages in this pattern.  90 different colors. This time around I am putting grid lines on the fabric.  This is really helping me with the confetti stitching.  Typically I just wing it.  But the grid lines are making it go so much faster!

 

 Here is what the final product will look like:

Here is Dragon Knot 2 in all its glory!  Finally back from the LNS all framed and matted. I think it came out great.  I currently have it hanging in my bedroom till my friend comes to visit in October to claim it in person!

It was a long road to getting this project finished and framed. 

 

 I've also been working on some other projects that I have not yet taken pictures of.  My friends and I have been delving into the world of mesh wreaths.  I will upload our creations for my next post.  I've also been busy getting all of my stash in order. 

Life has just been really busy these days!

Brothers of the Sun Tour…

Friday night I wen to see the Brothers of the Sun Tour in New Orleans at the Super Dome. It was fantastic! The line up included Jake Owen, Grace Potter, Tm McGraw and Kenny Chesney. All of them were great, except Grace Potter, in my opinion. She just didn't fit in with the rest of the line up. We were initially leary of seeing Tim McGraw again because we saw him last year at the Bayou Country Superfest and he was rather, dull and boring. Ok, we will admit, it might have been us who were suffering from heat stroke by the time he came on, but we were in definite agreement, he was awesome this time around! He had a much better song selection! Kenny Chesney is like the freaking Energizer Bunny! He is all over the place. It is amazing that he can run around like that on the stage AND sing live at the same time.

Jenny and I

Jenny and her mom, Diane

Jenny was making the most of our girls night out!

After the concert I stayed at Jenny's mom's house on the couch.  That's always fun!  I have to admit, her couch is actually quite comfortable, whether sober or drunk!  The fun part is when the kids wake up in the morning at 6:30 am!!!  All I remember is that at one point early in the morning, the youngest managed to escape from his play pen and wonder into the living room to wake me up.  Then I recall every light in the living room coming on early, early because Jenny's husband forgot I was on the couch and was getting ready to head out to drill.  Then when the boys finally got up, I woke up to "Shhhh, don't wake her" being said over and over again!  Ahh kids!





My morning wake up call, Connor

For breakfast we headed to the brand new Panera.  Yay!  We finally have one in the area!  Ok, while this was in New Orleans, we will be getting one sometime soon in Baton Rouge!  So, till then, we can go to the Metairie store!  

Jenny and I at Panera enjoying our iced coffees

Huge Finish!!

Oh my gosh!! After 4 years and 5 months, Dragon Knot 2 is finally finished!!

Pattern purchased February 2008. Finished July 29, 2012.

1 over 1 on 25 count lugana fabric. 50 different colors. Final size 12 inches by 12 inches.

Next weekend I will take it to a LNS in New Orleans to have it framed.

Summer fun

I have been enjoying summer so much already!! I've been spending time at the lakes by the university every chance I can when it is sunny to get in a walk. It is a total of 4 miles around the lake.



One of the veiws along my walk.



One of the roads along my walk that is bordered by large trees providing plenty of shade!



I've spent so much time outside so far that I have actually been asked if I've been going to the tanning bed because I actually look tan!! That made me laugh. I am so white I glow in the dark!!

I was thinking this morning, as I was walking around the lake, how I had so far managed to stay on my two feet. See, I have been known to trip over air. I thought it and it happened. Tripped over air!! Or my own 2 feet, depending on how you view it. I was lucky. Nothing, once again, was hurt. Just bruising. Even managed to not bust open my knees! But it hurt!!

It was a steamy hot weekend! I did go to the pool on Saturday. It was so hot that my knees were sweating!!

My sister sent me this the other day. Normally it is so right on but I have to admit now that Jo-Ann's is open I have an alternative place to shop on Sundays!!

I have finished another page on Dragon Knot. I contemplated taking another progress picture but decided to wait til it is done as I only have less than a page to complete! I am very excited to complete this project!

I can't wait for the next 4 days to pass!! In 4 days, barring any hurricanes, I will be on a plane headed to see my family! I've already started to pack. I'm already overwhelmed with the packing! I haven't taken a vacation for more than a weekend in a long time!! Not sure what to pack! I'm sure I'll overpack!

Turning that frown upside down

Wasn't feeling particularly up beat the last few days and took it out on my hair on Saturday. I chopped it to above my shoulders. Although it'll be much easier to take care of, I'm feeling a little naked!

Did a little shopping, which I typically can not stand to do. But this time, it gave me a thrill. Everything I bought was one dress size smaller!!! I was so happy!! I've been working on this weight loss for just over 5 months now. 25 pounds, one dress size down.

Hung out with one of my favorite people, Jenny, and her family at Bass Pro. It was family fun day so we rode the carousel, painted a snake and went fishing. Somehow I pulled fishing duty. Jenny didn't want to be near the grubs they were using as bait plus she said it smelled. :/



Carousel at Bass Pro





Teaching them young to shoot! Little marines in training!



No pool time. Busy busy busy. Plus the rain factor. Getting a little bit tired of all the rain. The only good thing from the rain is I haven't had to water the plants.

Cooked a broccoli cheese quiche over the weekend. It had a brown rice crust. It was yummy!! It was my first time making it so of course I would add some things to spice it up. But for a first attempt, 2 thumbs up!!

Got to talk to my big brother this weekend. It has been over 6 months. We had a falling out but are now making our way back to each other. It made my entire weekend.

I started this post this past weekend.  It really was a good weekend.  Unfortunately the week has not been so kind to me.  Unexpectedly last night my Aunt Vera passed away.  Well, unexpected to me as I wasn't aware of the severity of her condition.  She had surgery over a week ago and had ben in ICU.  I was told that her recovery was just going slow.  But her condition rapidly deterioated yesterday.  My mother and father are home with the family to support them in this sad time.  I unfortunately will not be able to make the funeral that is scheduled for this Friday as I already had a vacation scheduled to start next Thursday.  But I'll be there soon enough with my family. 

A Weekend at Home

Well, this was a first in a very  long time! I had no plans.  No activities.  No visits from friends.  No visits with friends.  It was kind of nice.  :)

My original plans for the weekend were to hang out at the lakes and the pool.  Well, I only got to go to the lakes on Saturday morning before the rain came through.  I managed to get in a 5 mile walk on Saturday morning around the lakes.  The rest of the day was all rainy. 

The rest of the weekend was also rainy.  But it allowed me to get a few things done around the house and a few movies watched.  Although a good part of this weekend has been spent under a geat amount of anxiety!

What is causing me this great anxiety? The LSU Tigers are playing in the Super Regional.  We won the first game.  Lost the second game.  And the 3rd game is just starting now.  I can only hope that they win tonight and move on to Omaha!!!  I guess we'll see if they do in the next 3 hours!

When I wasn't watching the baseball games, I was able to clean out my bathroom closet.  It was so needed it.  I didn't really throw anything away but I pulled everything out and put it in its rightful place.  What a huge difference that can make! Now I know what I have and what I don't have.  Novel idea, right?  lol

Watched a few movies this weekend.  Two were on HBO.  One was Jane Eyre, based upon the novel.  It was pretty true to the story.  Then I watched the Hangover 2.  Nope, hadn't watched it yet.  I have to be honest, it was a great way to spend the evening stitching while it played in the background.  I enjoyed it but didn't love it. 

The last movie I saw this weekend was Snow White and the Huntsman.  Now, to be honest, I haven't heard very good reviews on this movie but I've been wanting to see it.  And with it being rainy, that was a perfect time to see it without feeling guilty that I was wasting a sunny day!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was dark.  All the things that everyone was complaining about, the darkness, the lack of dialogue, were all the things that I really enjoyed about it.  I will have to add it to my dvd collection when it comes out.  Charlze Theron of course was an amazing evil queen.

This weekend I managed to finish another page of Dragon Knot!  I've moved on to the last full page.  So that leaves me with the one full page and a 1/4 page left to do.  After over 5 years of working on this project, I am so close to getting it done!  I cannot wait so I can go and get it framed. 

I am back to a normal work schedule this week.  I cannot wait!!!  Maybe I can get some things accomplished. I have only 18 more days until my vacation and I plan on leaving as clean of a desk as I possibly can!  This week I will also get back to a normal work out and diet schedule.  The past two weeks have been very disruptive to that process! I've already made my salad for lunch this week.  Have my yogurts ready for breakfast.  Dinner will be probably grilled chicken most nights.  I also hope to get out to the lakes at least twice this week to walk.  But it seems that the summertime pattern of raining in the afternoons/evenings has begun!!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Another one done!

Another convention over!  Yay!  No more conventions until late September.  Now a whole summer to catch up on work and lots of fun stuff!

I spent the last 3 days in Lafayette for a convention.  It went well.  Or at least that is what I was told.  It seems that the boss man was going around to the board members asking them about my work.  How did I find out?  Several of them came up to tell me how well run the convention was and that they told my boss that when he asked them.  Hmmm, I know he wasn't fishing for anyting in particular about me.  There has been issues with some other workers in the office and I am sure that he is feeling out of touch with some of our clients.  In fact, at the end of the convention, he told me how well I had done and that the Board was quite satisfied.  He and I tend to butt heads a LOT on issues but there's one thing he can't say about me, I get my work done!

Good news about Duke.  While I was in Lafayette, he was boarded at the vet and getting his annual exam done.  While he is not any better, the heart murmur has not gotten any worse and the tumor on his heart has not grown any bigger!  He does have cataracts in both eyes (knew that already).  His knees are shot (been like that since he was a puppy).  So no change is good news to me! The vet said he could go a couple of more years this way, possibly.  Yay!  Although my baby is really an old man as he is 12 years old already.  He will be 13 in December. 

I am out of the office 3 days this week due to training of a new software and I have so much to do!!  I thought my overtime would end with this conventon but I think I may have one more week of it!!  Which is great because I have a vacation and a concert to pay for!!!

I am heading for a whole week to see family 4th of July week!  I cannot wait.  I have my little countdown app on my phone already going! Only 25 more days till I get on the plane!  I am very excited!

Then we got tickets to the Brothers of the Sun tour, Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, in August in New Orleans.  That is going to be so much fun! I'm going to have to get me a cowboy hat!!

Following that, the weekend of September 1st, if all works out, my cousin Jessica is going to come visit.  I'm trying to get tickets to the opening game of LSU football and I would love to take her!  I can't wait for her to visit.  It has been ages since I've seen her!

And that is only the things I know at this moment for the summer.  I am sure there is so much more to come!

Happy Dance!!!  I finished another page on Dragon Knot!!!  That leaves only 1 full page and 2 partial pages left to go.   I just might finish this one this year!  I hope so because I haven't gotten anything else done!  And I have pictures I need to do for my nieces and nephews!!

I'm continuing on with the exercise and weight loss!  I am currently down almost 23 pounds.  I can't believe it!  This morning, before it got too hot, I went to the lakes for a walk.  I walked 4.2 miles.  I never imagine that I would be doing that or could do that!  It is so exciting.  And even better is that I want to keep doing it!!!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Memorial Day Weekend

It was my birthday weekend and it was full! 

Friday was my actual birthday.  It didn't go exactly the way I wanted it to go, but it was a fairly ok day.  I did go to Biloxi to the outlets.  Got some new jammies from the Disney Store, Eeyore ones (my favorite character).  And enjoyed a ride in my car, with the windows down and the music cranked.  That's always a good time and I actually did that a few times over the weekend as I shuttled back and forth from my friend Jenny's house.  I did get to speak to most of my favorite people on that day.  There were a few that were late and then there are some that are now on my naughty list because I didn't hear from them. 

But with my birthday not being exactly how I wanted, the rest of the weekend was pretty fun. In addition, I made some goals for myself for this summer. I want 37 to be a great year. I've already started that off by having already lost 21 pounds. I am headed toward my first goal of 35 pounds. I hope that by the end of the fall to actually reach that number. I am also going to get out more. I don't mean to like bars and such. That is just not my scene, any more. But out to the Lakes and parks, coffee houses, etc. Time to meet some new people!


Saturday was a full day!  After a very restless night where the insomnia was kicking it up badly, I started the day off pretty early going to Sam's with Jenny and her mom to get stuff for our BBQ later that day.  The highlight of the trip was Jenny and I looking over the steaks and asking each other which cut of meat was the best to grill but still cheap enough so Phil, her husband, wouldn't be upset that we bought too expensive of meat.  Yeah, the guy next to us was laughing so hard, he could barely choke out that anyting in that section woudl be fine for grilling. 

Then we went to the pool for a few hours with the kids.  I love, love, love, being in the water and sun.  It is the most relaxing thing ever!!! We also went to get sno balls afterwards.  Now that is always fun!!!

Sunday was a little calmer. Ok, not really. We left super early for a quick trip to New Orleans for a birthday party. It was at City Park's amusement park area at the Carousel. Jenny gets dizzy really easily so I was the lucky one who rode the carousel with lil Phil. I think I went around 7 straight times. I didn't walk too straight once I got off that Carousel!!



This was me after about the 5th time around.



I love this face!

After the birthday party we went to a local mexican restaurant in Metairie. I made the big mistake of going to the restroom at one point in the meal and ended up with the sombrero and a birthday flan. So of course Jenny had to take pictures and then proceeded to post them on facebook. Oh yay me!!! I had managed to go 37 years without ever having to be embarrassed in this way. I figure the picture is already up on facebook, why not my blog too?

Monday was a day of rest for me. Well, sort of. I did manage to stay around the house. I folded 2 weeks worth of laundry. Washed the dishes in the sink. Finished my laundry. Spent time with Duke (poor man, he's been so neglected and I am traveling at the end of the week. He is not going to be a happy camper). Made a quick trip to Walmart because Duke literally killed his monkey toy. He split the butt open for a 2nd time (I'd already sewed it up once) and there was stuffing all over the living room. I had to throw it away. So off to Walmart for a new one and a spare. I also stopped at Jo-Ann's. Did any one else go and hit the sale? DMC threads were on sale 3 for 99 cents. I now own all the colors through the 300s. Yay!!! Now to just put them all away! I went out to the Lakes for a walk in the middle of the afternoon because I thought it would be a great idea to go walking in the blazing sun, 93 degrees outside. I was restless and needed to do something! A late lunch with Dad and my day is over. Ok, yes, it is only 5:30 but I plan on vegging for the rest of the evening. I have a busy week ahead of me with lots to get done.


Happy Memorial Day!!! Thank you so much to those who are serving and who have served! You are much appreciated!

And the good times keep coming…

This birthday week has just been full of surprises!!

Today my co-worker and dear friend Jenny planned a little surprise cake for me. Plus decorations and a hat.

I'm not working on my birthday, Friday, and today most of the office was there. So she planned it all.

The cake was so good. A pile of whipped cream surrounded by brownie bites, drizzled with caramel sauce and then pieces of pretzels on top.

Tonight was an early birthday dinner with my Dad at my favorites seafood restaurant. I have no idea what this weekend is going to bring so tonight it was!!

One more day of work and then I'm off for 4 days!!! This week has been full of surprises! I cannot wait to see what the next 2 days will bring!!

What a start!

I've been so down lately that I can't believe how quickly everything has turned around for me! It all started last Tuesday when I had a pre-birthday dinner with my parents.  My mom was leaving on Wednesday to go home for my two cousins high school graduations.  So we got together for take out from one of my favorite restaurants and to open presents.  My parents were beyond generous!  I received two Madame Alexander dolls, Snow White and Cinderella, an Eeyore plant decoration and the biggest surprise of all, I received a plane ticket to visit my grandparent and family for 4th of July week.  I am so excited! It has been so long since I've been there to visit. I've already contacted my cousins. 

Thursday night I went to get my eye brows waxed.  Doesn't sound very exciting , does it?  Well, let me tell you, it was the most relaxing experience I've ever had!!!  I had a gift certificate for a spa, so I booked an appointment.  They take you to a room where they have you lay down on a cushy bed with your neck supported and your legs elevated.  Soft classical music is playing.  Not once did I flinch or tear up.  And my eye brows looked awesome afterwards.  If it didn't cost so much, I would so do this every month!!!

Friday night was time for a pedicure.  Woo hoo!  Nothing like getting your feet and toes pampered!  It takes a good hour, but so worth the time!  I love to have my feet massaged. And to pick out a cute color to paint my toes!!!

Saturday was spent at the pool.  It was a great day!  A little sun.  Some swimming.  I forget how much I love to be in the water until I get back into it.  I could, if I had the time, swim every single day!!!  Then I watched LSU shut down South Carolina in this weekend's baseball series to take the regular season SEC champtionship!!  Woo hoo!  My boys are hot right now!



Beautiful day at the pool!

Later on Saturday, an old friend came by for a visit.  We had a great time.  Talking, catching up, a little sight seeing.  He had never been to LSU.  Like really?  That astonishes me! So I took him down to the campus and drove through it.  Went by Death Valley (football field), PMac (basketball arena), Mike the Tiger's cage, the basketball practice facility to see the Shaquille Oneal statue.  All the typical touristy spots. I LOVE showing off my alma mater!





Ron and I (I was having a really bad hair day!)



He brough me presents! Who doesn't love presents! He always manages to get me things that I adore.  I am a huge lover of sunflowers so the napkin holder that he got for me, is perfect! And now I just need some pictures for the photo album he gave me!  And as a Mexican girl, of course I need another set of maracas!  LOL

Sunflower napkin/note holder, handmade photo album, maracas

Friday is my birthday.  I have the day scheduled off but I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to take the day because I have a convention coming up next week.  But I think that I managed to get most of the work done on Monday so I can take off Friday!  Woo hoo!  A 4 day weekend.  Do I have plans?  :/ Nope!  No plans.  I may go over to Jenny's house for a BBQ on Sunday and/or Monday but other than that, I have no plans.  Everyone is either working or going out of town for the weekend.  It is the curse of having a Memorial Day birthday.  So I'm tossing around some options.  Maybe a shopping trip to Biloxi?  There's a cute little cross stitch store in Ocean Springs that I like to go to.  Or maybe go to the beach for the day?  Or go to New Orleans?  I have options and luckily, most times I enjoy my own company! :)

I've had birthday cards in the mail the past two days.  Yippee!  Love getting mail, that isn't bills! So now I have thank you notes to write!

I hope that the rest of the week goes as well as it has begun!!!  I can only hope!

Fingers crossed!!



Long Week!!!

Started the week off with a trip 2 hours down I-10. Worked a convention for 2 days at a casino. It was fun. The co-worker I was with is a very good friend and we hung out at the bar and casino afterwards and had some drinks and laughs!!!



At the Jack Daniels Bar enjoying some nachos after a long day!



First, Jenny lost her money.



Then I lost my money.



Then my 2 hour drive home turned into a 4 1/2 hour detour through little town Louisiana! An 18 wheeler overturned on the interstate, closing it in both directions! What did people do before cell phones? I got off at the first exit I could, pulled up google maps and began driving. I had a detour route to take, the problem was the traffic wasn't moving towards that detour. So I made my own detour to get to the detour. At least I kept moving! Even saw a rainbow.

Then it was 3 days in the office playing catch up. I have a convention in 3 weeks and I am so far behind!!! I spent those 3 days glued to the computer, barely coming up for air!!

Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows opened this weekend. Yes, I just had to go see it!!! Love Johnny Depp! And I think he and Tim Burton make great movies. The movie was good. Not as corny as I thought it would be. Definitely not dark enough for my taste. And to be honest, I didn't like the ending. But I didn't feel like I wasted my time or money!!!

50 Shades of Grey

I've been getting questions about the book 50 Shades of Grey. Yes, I have read it. Read the entire trilogy. I was curious about it after seeing an article in People magazine about the book and then several other news sites. I wanted to know what the big deal was. There was no big deal. At least I didn't think so. In a nutshell, it is about sex. A dominant and his subordinate. I didn't really care for it. I read it, I'll probably never read it again. But if you are interested in that kinky sex stuff, let me recommend the Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice. It is much better written and an actual story. Or Exit to Eden is a good choice too. Also written by Anne Rice.

Other Stuff

I am still in the hunt for the 20 pounds lost. I hope to obtain that goal by the end of the month. That one wish is within my control. I hope by working hard I can accomplish it because honestly my birthday is not turning out the way I wanted it.

I've been doing some spring cleaning, finally, around the apartment. Finally feeling like I'm in control at home!!! The mess was out of control!! Duke's toys were absolutely spread out everywhere!! But I feel that now I can finally have friends over again without being embarrassed! And now, I have more free time to have fun!

Because I was so industrious with my cleaning, I have been able to sit down and do some stitching.  I've made great progress on Dragon Knot.  I cannot wait to get this one done!!! It has been around for almost 5 years!  Time to be completed.

I am looking forward to the coming week.  Lots of work to be completed at work but also lots to be looking forward to starting next weekend! I hope everyone has a great week!