As If I Didn't Know...

Fitness Band Wagon
As part of my Christmas present, my parents bought me the Zumba Fitness and the Wii Fit Plus.  They hope that this will help me in my goals to get back into shape.  According to my nephew Parker, the Wii Fit Plus is "super fun".  He was very excited when he found out I had gotten it. So this past week I tried them both out. 

The Zumba was fun??  Yeah, the jury is still out on that one.  I started with the 20 minute easy level.  I was dying pretty much by the end!  I've got the booty shaking (as I have quite a lot of booty to shake) part down quite well, but the other steps?  Well, let's just say it is more of my body just flaying around than actual dancing!!! 

Today I tried out the Wii Fit.  So, when you first start it you do some testing.  It is supposed to get your BMI, weight, center of balance, posture, etc.  Ok, well it told me what I already knew.  I'm fat.  When you start out, you pick an avatar.  Well I already had one from another game so it picked that one.  When it finds out how fat you are, it makes your avatar swell up!!!  I have to say that just adds insult to injury!!! But was kind of funny to watch!

Then the "game" proceeded to tell me that according to its calculations I am 43 years old.  I have to admit, I didn't think that was quite that bad considering I am 36 years old and well, exercising is not my friend!!!  I figured I would be in the 70s or 80s in age.  Then it told me that I had a pretty good center of balance and good posture!  Ha!!!  Any one who knows me that I can literally fall down by just standing up I am so clumsy! Also, my Dad is constantly telling me to sit up straight and stop slouching.  I'm not sure how accurate this thing is!!!  It can obviously be duped pretty easily!  Anyway, I did a few of the exercises and it was ok.  I like that you can set up goals and it has a calendar which marks your progress.  I hope to keep up with it and be able to see some progress!

Projects to be finished in 2012
Ok, so I thought I would pull out all the projects that I've started and see what I had.  Not such a good idea!  LOL  I obviously have a severe case of ADD when it comes to stitching!  But I hope to finish some if not most of these projects.  They are all in various degrees of incompleteness! (Sorry for the photos, for some reason I just couldn't get very clearn pictures of some of them)

HAED Dragon Knot 2.  This has been one I've been working on for ___ years.  I can't quite remember.  I have about 6 pages to complete, some of those are just 1/4 pages. 

HAED Queen of Hearts.  I started her last year I believe.  This is 2 pages completed.  I have a goal of completing another 2 pages this year.  So this is not one that I am necessarily looking to finish.

I started this one in 2011.  It is Thomas Kinkade's Tinker Bell/Peter Pan.  This one is for my sister because she saw this and just had to have.  What Sissy wants, Sissy usally gets.  (Yes, I am quite guilty of spoiling her!)

Mirabilia's The Kiss.  This has never been a "hard" stitch.  In fact it is quite easy.  I've been working on this one off and on for about 2 to 3 years.  I usually put it aside because I run out of a thread and forget to pick it back up when I get the threads in.  Hopefully this will be the year to finish!

Disney's Snow White.  This one is for my little niece Cassady Hope.  Also another easy one.  Don't know why it isn't finished.

HAED Emerald Hearts.  This was a freebie from HAED in 2011.  It is all kitted up and ready to go.  Just never started it.

A stocking for my sister.  I haven't consistently stitched on this one because it is Aida cloth and I don't like it.  But I need to finish it since I've gotten so far!

My niece Cassady Hope's baby blanket.  Well she isn't a baby anymore.  She'll be 3 this year.  I don't have much to go.  I just find stamped cross stitch tedious.  You would think it is easier than counted, but not really.

Another one for my sister.  I can't remember the name but it is the night fairy to match the day fairy I've already completed for her many years ago.

HAED's Mad Tea Party.  This one is for my niece Marly Grace.  My goal for the year is 2 pages.  This is a really big one!  This picture reflects about 2 1/2 pages completed.

This is 10 projects. I'm sure I hav more "hidden" under my bed in storage but I'll just go with this list for now!! 10 seems manageable, doesn't it? 

This week I've been working on Dragon Knot 2. Here's a close up of the section that I've been working on .  To see the last time I posted a progress pic click here. It seems that the last time I worked on Dragon Knot was back in June of 2011.



Ok, it is time to get ready for the week!  Lunches to be planned.  Laundry to do.  And of course, the most important thing to get ready for: the National Championship game between LSU and Alabama.  I've already go the corn, black bean salsa made for tomorrow night's party!  Geaux Tigers!!!  Beat Bama AGAIN!

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!

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has hit the South!  Everything is green with pollen and thus allergies have kicked into high gear!  The weather has been gorgeous but I can only venture out for a few minutes at a time before I start sneezing.  Breathing through my nose is non-existent at this point and my new best friend is my box of Kleenex!!!  But I'm not complaining!  I am loving the warm weather!  I was even able to get out and plant some new flowers this past weekend!  Got the hanging baskets out on the balcony again!  Yay!

I've been working on several projects!  I love making progess and letting people see it!  I look forward to the finished products!

Baby Quilt
I've been working on Cassady Hope's baby quilt.  She turns 2 at the end of March and I really hope to have it finished by then!  By making sure that I work on it a little bit every day, I've made great progress!

I've finished all the satin stitches in the border!

I was home sick (allergy related) one day last week and finished the puppy dog and two small flowers:

This weekend, while listening to LSU whoop up on Holy Cross, I started working on the bucket.  I didn't finish because I was pretty restless but I came close.  Just a few more crosses and then the back stitching and it will be over.

Dragon Knot 2
I've also been working on Dragon Knot 2 (HAED).  It is coming right along!  I've finished another page (it wasn't a full page of stitching).  I hope to finish this project this year (yes, I've been saying that for the last 2 years!).

The Butterfly Fairy
Yesterday was my sister's birthday so I started on her next present.  The Night Butterfly Fairy.  I took a picture but it came out extremely dark so I am going to pass posting a progress picture at this point.  It wasn't much of a start anyway, just a teeny bit of the upper left corner!  I'm hoping to finish this for Christmas! 

LSU Baseball
Woo hoo!  The Tigers are starting the season off undefeated!  Yay!  They are crushing their opponents!  I'm hoping that this continues on into SEC play!  They have played 7 games so far and have reached double digits in each game except 1.  Pretty impressive! 

Weekend Great! Monday Crap!

After a beautiful spring weekend, one would think that Monday would be full of promise of nothing but good things!  Nope!  That would be a great big, fat, NOPE!!!  I don't know why but Monday is really getting on my nerves today!  I wasn't the only one.  This was also confirmed by my friend, Jill!

But before we go on more with how crappy Monday (or all Mondays) is, let us talk about the weekend!

Weather
The weather was absolutely beautiful.  Temperatures were in the 70s, blue skies, breezy, sun shining all over the place!  It was absolutely a glorious weekend after the crappy winter weather we have been having.  (I am so sorry for all those who are still suffering with the snow storms!) Even today, Monday, even though crappy, is a nice day.  A tad bit on the windy side but still temperatures in the 70s and mostly sunny skies!

I was able to get out on my patio and start some cleaning.  I cleaned off my patio chairs (they were extremely green!) and was able to cut off the dead parts of plants and start assessing what is dead and what may come back.

Baseball
Let's talk baseball!  Yep, it is officially college baseball season!  And as you can tell, we had perfect weather for it!  The LSU Tigers started off by sweeping Wake Forest this weekend!  I'm hoping that this is a good sign for the season!  The goal, the only goal, is to make it to Omaha.  To play in the new stadium!  Mikie Mahtook had a great weekend starting the season off with 4 homeruns after they said that probably wouldn't happen as there are new bats in play now that aren't conducive to "gorilla ball". I didn't get to attend any of the games as they were all sold out but the first game was on TV and all the games are broadcasted over the radio. 

Parades
This weekend the first parades of Mardi Gras rolled.  There was one here in town on Saturday night.  Jill and I went with our daiquiris and watched it.  It was a great night weatherwise.  I've been to this parade before and it just seemed really short this year.  It is always highly entertaining to see the dance troupes that participate in the parades and the high school bands can be entertaining too!  And of course, people watching!

I am really hoping that the nice weather hangs on through Mardi Gras and that I get the chance to go to New Orleans for at least a day/night!

Stitching
I have been working on Cassady Hope's baby blanket a little bit each day.  I am almost done with all the satin stitching of the border!  It isn't hard, just tedious.  I can't tell you how many times I have poked myself with the needle!  I've actually drawn blood at times!  I'm not normally that clumsy when stitching!

I've also picked up HAED's Dragon Knot 2!  It is slow going but I feel confident that I just might finally finish this one this year.  That would be so nice!

I finished kitting up the "Night" Butterfly fairy that I am going to do for my sister this year.  Or well, I started the kit part.  There are some threads that I just didn't have in my stash so off to Michael's for those!  Works out too because there was a 20% off your entire purchase coupon in Sunday's paper for Michael's!

No pictures this post!  I waited too long and it got dark before I took the pictures.  Hopefully next post I'll have some good progress pics and a picture of the new start!

Monday
First off, I did not want to get out of bed this morning!  Had a hard time going to sleep last night after such a great weekend.  I didn't want it to end!  Then I was dealing with vendors at work and a broken copier/printer amongst other things! (Yes, I am still looking for another job.  I read an interesting "fact" or "opinion", that for every $10,000 in salary you are seeking, you will have to search that many months for a job.  So if you are looking for $50,000 job then you will have to search for 5 months!)  I was just overall cranky!  The trip to Michaels helped lift my spirits a bit as I picked up the remaining materials for the next project that I want to do for my sister and some scrapbook materials to scrap some pictures of my nieces and nephew!  I'm looking forward to working on that next weekend.  Came home and worked out which also helped with my frustration levels and then I worked on the baby quilt and Dragon Knot.  So I am ending the day on a high even though a majority of the day was quite low! Here's to hoping that the next 4 days of work go by quickly and smoothly! (Hopefully I didn't jinx myself!)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day
Hope that everyone had a nice day!  Whether you celebrated/recognized the day as Valentine's Day or not.  It was a pretty spring day here in South Louisiana, although I didn't really get to enjoy it as I had to work.  But I did get some Valentine's goodies!  My parents gave me flowers and my favorite, chocolate covered cherries.  Then my boss gave me some chocolate covered cherries and some chocolate liqueurs.  So, it turned out to be an ok day.  LOL Today is also my parents' 36th wedding anniversary.  Can't believe they have been married that long (my mom says it surprises her too! lol)!!

Busy Weekend
It was a beautiful spring weekend.  The sun was shining all weekend and the temperatures warmed up!  I'm just hoping it stays like this through next weekend when the Mardi Gras parades start!  I even pulled up some of the dead plants out on my patio and started re-planting.  My dad gave me a bulb that will grown into an elephant ear.  We'll see if I kill that one or not!!

Lots of projects
I guess the beautiful weather had me feeling so good that I worked on a bunch of projects! 


I FINALLY scrapped the photos from my vacation in August with Jill.  Two pages worth!  It came out cute. I am a very amateur scrapbooker.  My layouts are very simple but I like them none the less! I hope that with Mardi Gras I will have a few more pages to scrap!  Those are the most fun!

I pulled out a couple of different cross stitch projects to work on and even kitted up and started a new one!

I worked on Cassady Hope's baby quilt.  I'm just working at the satin stitches in the border.  I should be done with this project but I've avoided it.  As I've avoided Brendan's baby quilt too.  So I am determined to work on this project a teeny tiny bit each day!

I worked on Dragon Knot 2 (not a lot, but I did pick it up again). The 3rd vertical black line is what I worked on last night for a tiny bit.

I worked, and have spent the majority of my time on, Mirabilia's The Kiss:

I kitted up and started a new one for Cassady Hope, Snow White!  The first one I ever did for her older sister was a portrait of Snow White so now I am doing this one for her.  You can see the basket and part of her skirt forming:

Today, as a treat for myself, I bought some new fabric (had a 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby) to start another new project for my sister (How is this a treat for myself if I am buying it for a project for my sister?).  This is from a booklet containing two patterns for Butterfly Fairies.  One is day and one is night.  I 've completed the day one for her MANY MANY years ago and I'm going to do the night one for her to match.  I hope to have it completed for Christmas or her birthday next year.

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!

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.

Stitching, a Birth and an Accident

It's been a while since I've blogged.  Blame it on life.  Or more simply, blame it on my sister!!!  I'll get into that later.  First let me start with some stitching updates.  I haven't been stitching a lot lately.  I guess the hot Louisiana summer has me feeling very lazy!!!  But I have made some progress on two WIPs.

The first WIP is the Mary Engelbreit Mother Goose baby quilt I'm working on for Cassady.  I've moved on to Mother Goose!

This first picture is all that I've currently completed on the quilt:

The second picture is a close up of Mother Goose, herself, who I am currently working on. That feather actually took 2 nights of stitching to finish.  TEDIOUS!!!

The second WIP I've been working on is Dragon Knot.  I haven't worked on it for a while as I was working on other projects that were gifts for people, but this is one that I really want to finish this year.  I'm once again not sure who will receive this work or if I will keep it for myself, but I am going to finish it!! I've put to much work into it and would love to finish a "big" HAED!

The first pictures is a close up of the area I am currently working on:

This second picture is of all that I have completed.  I am so close to finishing but yet so far away!

Now on to what has kept me from blogging since my birthday!  The good news first!  I am an Aunt again! The day after my birthday, one of my very dear friends from college, Jason, and his wife welcomed a baby boy!  He is absolutely adorable - looks nothing like his father! Sorry Jason!  Love ya!!!  Unfortunately I have no picture to post, I'll have to figure out a way to pull it off of Facebook.  But Brendan Julian is absolutely stunning!!! I can't wait to meet him!

The bad news.  Also the day after my birthday, I was notified, late at night, that my sister was in the hospital with a broken ankle.  Llllooooonnnngggg story.  But anyway, she was told she was probably going to have to have surgery that night.  So I had to do what I never wanted to do which was call our parents at 12:30 am to tell them that their baby daughter (ok, she is 30 but still the baby) was in the hospital looking at surgery.  Ended up that they weren't able to do the surgery that night because of all the swelling.  But regardless, Mom and I both rushed to be with my sister, who lives in Texas.  Mom left early Thursday morning and I left Thursday at noon.  I was working on absolutely no sleep and was amazed that I was able to make the 7 1/2 hours drive with no problem.  I think I was working on pure adrenaline. 

My sister had an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon that Friday.  They assessed that her ankle was completely broken and would require plates and screws.  They scheduled the surgery for the following Friday and placed her back into a splint with a fiberglass cast.  I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday just helping my mother out with cleaning my sister's apartment, shopping for groceries and supplies, and helping to maneuver my sister as she cannot walk or drive. 

My sister had the surgery.  2 plates and 10 screws later, she is on the way to mending.  Below is a picture of one of her incisions.  Don't look if you get queasy easily!  My mother has moved in with her indefinitely (wonder who is going to come out of that one alive!) and my father is there for this week to help out.  At the moment my sister has too many doctors appointments to come back home, which is what my father would like her to do to mend.  Her spirits are good.  She is frustrated as she is a very active person but she is definitely learning a lesson in patience and compromise. 

I hope to go back to see her at 4th of July if she is unable to come home.  Give my mom a chance to take a break and give my sister a break from my mom.

Picture of one of her incisions.  She has another one on the other side too.  But see how pretty her toe nails are?  I did that for her!!!

So that is what has been going on.  I've been worried to death over my sister.  But now that she is mending, I am feeling much better.  Which is good because work is keeping me super busy!!  I am working a convention this Thursday thru Saturday and then another one next Thursday thru Sunday.  This week's convention is a local one and it is rumored that Patrick Dempsey is staying at the hotel it is being held at as he is in town filming a movie!!!  I am very excited!!!  I hope I get to see him!!!  Next week's convention is in Orange Beach, Alabama.  Unfortunately the oil spill will make it impossible to get to the beach, but luckily the resort we are staying at has 3 pools and a lazy river!  I only work half days so I am looking forward to some sun!!!  (Cross fingers it doesn't rain!)

I'll try to post some more updates on stitching as I really hope to get some more done.  It's June already and I am no where close to finishing any of my goals from the beginning of the year!!!