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!

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!

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!

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!!!!

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!