Weekends are too short!!!

I think we need to petition the "job gods" that the work week be 2 days and the weekend be 5 days!  This weekend was another weekend that I didn't want to end!

It was another gorgeous spring weekend!  Warm temps and lots of sun!  Spent as much time outside as possible.  Took Duke out to the new dog park where he proceeded to make new friends.  Or at least that's the story I am sticking to!!!  My perfect baby acted like a monster!  He seemed to be "attracted" to a cute little shih tzu and well, he let her know it.  Over and over and over again!  It was quite the embarrassment for me!  Thankfully the owner of the dog had a good sense of humor!  When we weren't at the dog park, Duke spent time out on the patio sunning himself.

I got to see Stacy and Marly Grace for a brief visit on their way home from their cruise.  We had a yummy lunch at Chimes and I got to open my souvenir from Mexico.  This pretty tile that my sweet pea Marly picked out for me.

I've also been steadily working on Cassady's baby quilt. I think I am making great progress. 

The entire quilt.  As you can see I have Jill, the spoon and the plate to finish along with the flowers in the border.

Jack is finished!

Almost finished with the Goose!

I may actually get the quilt done in time.  MAYBE

On the job front, well, it has taken a life of its own!  I have been praying for guidance.  What is the career path I should be on.  I went back for a 2nd interview with a really great company in the next town over.  They spoke of a possible 3rd interview, which I agreed to if necessary.  I've heard from 2 people on my reference list who said that the company has contacted them. Yay!  Shows they are interested in me!  BUT, then, today, I find out that an opening has come available at my old place of employment.  My old boss called me today to talk about it and if I'd be interested.  I said Yes.  Yep, I am crazy.  But I miss the work, I said I wanted more pay and well, who knows?  I can't turn away opportunities waiting on other opportunities.  I am confident (or at least pretending to be) that the right choice will become apparent to me!

Dancing with the Stars starts tonight.  There are many "stars" that I do not know but then there are some that I can't wait to see dance, particularly Kirstie Alley and Kendra.  I like my "reality" tv!!  :) 

Good bye Mardi Gras! Helloooo Lent!

Oh, it has been such a great Mardi Gras Holiday!  Yep, it is a holiday down here in the South!  I've been off of work since Friday and I am dreading going back to work because it has been so nice to have no stress or worries! 

It has been a busy six days!  At first I wondered what I would do with myself, but now, I'm wondering, "Where did the time go?"

Mardi Gras
I was able to get down to New Orleans on Sunday for parades.  I have to say that this was one of the easiest trips I've ever taken.  It only took 1 1/2 hours to get down to the Quarter and find a parking spot.  For Mardi Gras time, that was like "ZOOM".  That never happens.  Plus we were able to find a great parking spot in a really nice (clean, well lit) parking garage.  Not to mention pretty cheap, only $20 for the day. 

We hit 4 parades: Okeanos, Thoth, Bacchus, and Endymion.  Endymion is typically a Saturday parade but due to the torrential rains that our area had on Saturday, they moved the parade to Sunday.  We were on a great corner, Tchoupitoulas and Poydras, that was at the end of the parade routes and were surrounded by great people who were fun to talk to and were polite!

Captain of Okeanos

This is either Okeanos or Thoth.  Can't remember!

King of Bacchus, Andy Garcia!  He was a great king! 

His float was stuck in front of us for about 10 minutes and he really played it up for the crowds!

One of the Bacchus floats.  This year they were playing tribute to World War II vets. 



Crafting

I did get some stitching and scrapping done!  It wasn't all fun down in New Orleans, although a very good time was had down there! What happens in New Orleans, stays in New Orleans! :)

Baby Blanket

I have managed to finish the well and the bucket on the baby blanket.  When you look at it as a whole, I don't feel that I have very much more to do.  So, I hope I can keep it up and continue to work on it!

Butterfly Fairy - Night

On February 27, my sister's birthday, I started the latest project I am doing for her.  I've made some progress on it. 

Scrapping

I even managed to get one page done of scrapping.  Finally I did some pictures of my niece Cassady Hope.  In these pictures she was 7 months old.  So I've got some catching up to do and a pile of pictures to finish off!

Well, that's all I have for now!  I go back to work tomorrow.  Yuck!  I had an interview with a headhunter today that went very well, so now I am just waiting on a call back.  Friday brings Stacy and Marly Grace into town.  They are spending Friday night with me before they head off on a cruise.  I can't wait to have a night out with them! 

The 40 days of Lent started today.  For Lent I am giving up all fast food, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, and Sonic.  Which will really limit when I go out for lunch during the work week but will also  help with me saving money! :)

Till later!

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!

Oh My!!!

Where have I been?  I haven't posted a blog since April 6!!  Hmm, doesn't seem like that much has been going on, but maybe so.

I am well overdue with a posting about my trip to Houston.  Seems like it was such a quick, short trip, but of course, jamming as much as possible into it!

Houston
I left early on Saturday morning so that I could be in Houston before lunch time. Can't get up during the week in order to get to work on time but I can get up on a Saturday morning to be in the car before 7 am to get to Houston.  Priorities!!! Priorities!!!!

Made it to Houston right before lunch time and was immediately whisked off to lunch with Stacy and the kids.  Well, two of the kids.  Marly and Parker.  We went to Zaxby's.  It's a chicken place.  That's all they do.  Chicken.  Grilled, fried, nuggets, sandwiches.  Just chicken.  Yeah, I didn't pick it, the kids did.  Then off to the local needle store.  It was so much fun to just look!!!!  Of course, I always forget to make a list of things I may need before I get there.  I did buy a new pair of scissors, a needle minder, and this cool thing for your finger that helps you to pick up beads.  I also purchased a beginner's stitching kit for my nephew.  Yep, that's right, my nephew.  He asked me if he could have it so I didn't see a reason as to why he shouldn't learn. 

I wasn't the only one in town for the big weekend.  Stacy's mother and 2 aunts were also there.  That made for a very full house.  So I stayed at Jeff's parents house.  Best decision I could have made.  I had a bedroom to myself with a huge 4-poster bed that was so high I had to jump to get into it and a private spa bathroom.  Yep, I was living the high life for a few days.  I really didn't want to come home!!! Even harder when they said I could stay as long as I wanted!!!

So we celebrated a birthday and a baptism that weekend for Marly Grace.  She is now 9 years old.  I can't believe it.  One of her gifts was a cell phone.  So now I get texts from her all the time.  Morning, afternoon, and night.  It is sweet but I don't think I quite approve, but then she is not my child!!! Parker is also getting to be a big boy.  He'll be 8 in August.  Cassady just turned 1.  She isn't talking or walking yet but give her time.  She makes a lot of sounds and show her where her walker is and she can zoom off!!!  She is into everything!  Such an inquisitive little thing!

Parker and Marly

Cassady

Jeff baptizing Marly

Parker, Cassady and Marly

Marly, Cassady, me, and Parker.  Let it be noted that I was hurrying up Shug to take the picture because Cassady had kicked off her diaper. I just knew she was going to pee or poop on me!!!  Luckily she didn't!!

It was so much fun to see everyone.  I really didn't want to come back on Monday but I had to.  Needed to pick up Duke from the vet.  He was not a happy camper!!!

I Can't Make This Up

This past Friday I took off work a few hours early to get some things settled with my car.  I was in desperate need for an oil change and tire rotation plus I still haven't gotten a quote done on the damage so that I can start the process to get my car done.  So I went to the dealership and had my car's oil changed and the tires rotated.  Then off to the body shop.  That was a waste of time.  Having a check wasn't good enough for them.  They needed some other type of paper work that the insurance company hadn't given me.  Back home I head.  When I get in the apartment, I notice this buzzing noise.  I see a few wasps in my windows in the living room, but that's typical at times.  Sometimes when I open the patio door I get a few wasps in the apartment.  I knew I needed to walk Duke so I sprayed some wasp spray, killed them, and off I went to walk Duke.  Now upon my return to the apartment, I let Duke loose and head to the bedroom to get on my "comfy" clothes.  When I entered my bedroom, I heard a VERY LOUD buzzing noise.  I had a swarm of wasps in my bedroom. 

Yep, that's right.  Wasps were in my bedroom.  How?  Who knows?  It took 2 cans of wasp spray to kill them.  No, I didn't do it myself.  The apartment handy man came over and did it.  I packed up Duke and took him to my parents house.  I didn't want him around all the chemicals.  Well, my mom insisted I stay too as she wanted to make sure everything was dead and didn't want me around the chemicals later.  When my dad and I came back to the apartment to do a preliminary cleaning and pick up some clothes, we found between 70 and 100 dead wasps in the window sill. 

Saturday was spent cleaning up even more dead wasps and trying to get the chemical smell out of the apartment.  I had wanted to do some cleaning over the weekend but not that intensive!!!!  Duke was able to come home that afternoon and we slept in the bedroom that night.  No bugs since then!  Keep your fingers cross!!!

Stitching

I have been stitching.  Just no new photos to show you! But I hope to soon! I have been working on the Mary Engelbreight quilt and the Mill Hill Olive Oil projects.  I'm doing the beading right now on the Olive Oil one.  I like to do that when it is sunny outside as I can see better.  So I typically end up beading only on the weekends and when I am watching an LSU baseball game.  Well, then I get sucked into the game, get distracted and not much beading gets done but it is coming along!!!!

Well, I hope to have a stitchy blog soon!  Everyone continue to have a great week!

Stitchy Update

China Blue (or rather Purple)
This past week I've been working on China Purple.  It has been an easy stitch so far.  I am exactly halfway through with it. It should be an easy finish.

Mary Engelbreit Baby Quilt
I should have already had this baby quilt done.  My baby niece's birthday was this past Saturday.  She is one year old now.  How time flies!!!  But I must confess, I let the specialty stitches in it daunt me.  It has a ton of french knots, lazy daisy stitches, and satin stitches.  I am a straight cross stitcher.  I don't even like to back stitch, which is why I love HAEDs!!!  Anyway, I sat down on Sunday and decided to start working on it again.  I got the cow done!!!!  Yay!!!! The picture doesn't do it justice but in real life, the colors pop!!!!  I hope to keep working on this WIP this week!

As I mentioned, it was my baby niece's 1 year birthday this past Saturday.  It was also my BFF's birthday, I won't mention how old she is!  Thank goodness they are both on the same day!  Makes remembering the birthdays that much easier!!! Anyway, here's a pic of my niece on her special day!  I plan on visiting in a few weeks when it is her older sister's birthday!

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!!!!

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!!!!

Weekend in Houston

I tore myself away from work (while gleefully, it was still reluctantly), to travel to Houston this weekend for the finalization of the adoption of my friends' newest baby girl. 

On Thursday I headed off to Houston.  Now, it is only about a five hour drive but it feels like FOREVER!!!!  Anyway, I made it to town in time to see the kids get home from school!

While Thursday was basically a travel day, Friday was packed full!!!  We woke up early as we had to leave by 7 am to get to court by 8:30 am.  The actual adoption proceedings were a maximum of five minutes.  The judge actually did 4 adoptions totally in about 30 minutes.  My friends answered a few questions as did their two older children.  The judge then granted the adoption and then handed out stuffed animals to all 3 kids. We then all went out for a big breakfast and dinner later that night to celebrate. 

The rest of Friday was spent shopping with the kids.  Parker got his Darth Vader costume and Marly Grace got her Molly, American Girl, tap dance outfit.  Actually, Marly Grace's costume is Captain America's daughter but it looked like what she wanted so I bought it for her.  We also shopped for outfits for each of the kids.  So it was an afternoon of shopping, shopping, and shopping.

Saturday was once again packed. Marly Grace had her own football games to cheer at and Parker had his first flag football game.  I went to Parker's game.  I know I am biased, but he is a great football player.  He played quarterback, receiver, and linebacker.  He is so versatile.

The LSU game was Saturday afternoon.  I won't comment on the game.  It was nerve wracking enough the first time!!!  All I will say is that we did win.

My new niece, Cassady Hope, is a happy, happy baby who loves to laugh.  I was so happy to be able to join them in the finalization of the adoption. She is a welcome addition to the family!

Trip to Houston

This weekend I "ran away" to Houston. I need some rest and relaxation. It was great spending the weekend with my friends!!! It was just what I needed. Too bad I had to come back!!!!

Since I had a half day on Friday, I didn't want to waste it so I decided a road trip was just what I needed! So Duke and I loaded up in the car and headed out to Houston. That first night we went out to dinner at La Parmigiana. Little italian place. It was quite good! Of course, Parker ordered the chicken fingers!!! LOL



On Saturday, we didn't do too much. Or at least nothing was planned. I took off with Marly and we went to 3 Stitches in Spring. I love that store! I did buy a Passion Ricome design that I will post later as it is going to be a gift for someone. Marly also requested that I teach her to cross stitch so that one day she could make pictures as pretty as I do! Awww, my heart melted. So off to Michaels to get her a beginning kit. I do believe she has picked it up fairly quickly. I've instructed her to finish the cross stitch and when I come back I will show her how to do backstitches!

We then spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool! Which was then topped off by a dinner of hot dogs, homemade potato salad, and homemade ice cream!!!!

It was such a great weekend! I didn't want to come back!!! I also got to spend some time with Cassady who is now 3 months, almost 4 months old. With the exception of a few spit ups, she is developing quite a personality that just makes you smile!!!!

Pooh and Fairy - Finished!

I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning because I had to return the rental car from this weekend's trip. Yeah, my dad rented a car for me because he is just not confident in my car anymore. Had myself a Mazda 3. It was ok. Handled terrible in the wet weather though. That car is definitely off my list of possible vehicle purchases in the future!

Anyway, I had time today to finally sit down and do some stitching! Of course, it's finally completed only a day too late! That's ok, I'll get it framed and mail it off! This is what I did for Cassady Hope's room:

Full view:

Close up of bear and fairy:

My Heart & Soul

Here's a picture of one of the pieces to my heart & soul. This is my little man, Parker. He is feeding his new baby sister, Cassady Hope. I can't wait till I get to Houston this week to see him, Marly Grace and Cassady. These kids are my life. And with all the confusion in my life right now, I need some time with just my kids and the simplicity of their lives!

I watched Casablanca last night for the first time. I'll admit it, I'm very behind on watching some of the top classic movies. I just watched Godfather within the past year! Anyway, the movie was interesting. I'm not going to say it's my favorite but it did bring up some interesting questions that apply to my life! Are there really people out there that are so selfless that they would let the person they love go knowing that it is the right thing to do? I honestly don't know if I, or anyone I know, is that strong that they could let the one person in the world who completes them to just walk away. Or not even walk away, Humphrey Bogart's character sent the love of his life away!

I need to get some stitching done today! I am behind on a few projects that I am so close to wrapping up! Off I go!

New Addition/Project

There is a new addition to my friends' family. Welcome Cassady Hope Elizabeth who joins her siblings, Marly Grace and Parker! She was born Friday around 9:30 am. She is 19 1/2 inches long and 7 lbs. 13 oz. Cassady is a special addition to the family as she is being adopted. My trip to Houston will be very special now. I will get to meet my newest niece.

In honor of her birth, I am going to do a Winnie the Pooh picture that was in issue 210 of Cross Stitcher. I think it is just too cute and can't wait to see it! She will eventually get her baby blanket too. Once I get around to doing it! LOL! So many projects, so little time!