Wednesday, September 26, 2007

The Witching Hour Ball


It's not quite October yet but all the Halloween stuff is out already! I love Halloween. I like all the scary, spooky stuff, especially the movies! This year, my friends and I are attending the Witching Hour Ball in New Orleans, or better known as Anne Rice's Vampire Ball. I am so very excited. I have always wanted to attend. Costumes or evening wear can be worn so if I can't find a costume, I can wear my red ball gown and add some flourishes like vampire teeth. To top it off, one of my favorite authors, Sherrilyn Kenyon, is going to be the special guest! I can't wait to go and take tons of pictures to share!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Tuesday Blahs....

What a nasty day! It's all rainy and grey outside. And I had to work! LOL! Darn bills! And well, I guess I do need to eat! It was a semi-busy day at work. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as I started to get into a groove, the power went off! Messed everything up! The network and the phones. It took about 15-20 minutes for it all to come back up!

I did get a call from my honey this morning! He was on the ship doing whatever it is that he does. Ok, obviously not that busy as he called me! He's doing well. He said we needed to discuss my visit to see him but the only thing we accomplished was that we both are busy! If I am free, he is working. If he is free I am working or already have a trip planned. But I am positive that we will resolve that. The worst part is that we discovered we will both be in Alabama at the same time but still 5 hours apart and no way that we can meet in the middle any where! His daughter turned 13 this weekend. Wow! 13! What an exciting time. I'm not sure he is quite aware of what that means for a girl turning 13. He does know that she is now allowed to wear limited makeup. LOL! All I can do is laugh!

Getting there on Amore! Almost done! I can see that light at the end of the tunnel. I'm hoping by this weekend I will have a finished picture to post! And that will mean that I will start my next project! I haven't quite gotten myself up to start multiple projects at once. Maybe one day! Baby steps!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Weekend Fun

This weekend I was blessed with my niece and nephew. They are two very good kids who have TONS of energy. I kept my nephew over night on Friday while my niece stayed with my parents (her choice since she was originally supposed to stay with me). Parker and I spent Friday evening watching Chronicles of Narnia and playing video games. And although he was given the option of sleeping in my room with me, he opted for the couch! Hmmmm, could it be my snoring? LOL! Marly spent the evening with my parents reading books and watching Beauty and the Beast.

My mom and I took them on Saturday to get their Halloween costumes. A tradition I started when my niece Marly was just a baby. While Parker already had made his decision about his costume, Marly pondered many options! There was Alice in Wonderland, Mulan, Belle, etc. But she choose Jasmine. Parker will be Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribbean. Aren't they just too cute? We had so much fun! We did arts and crafts projects, colored pages from coloring books, played Pirates, watched the LSU game! They wore me out! When I was bringing them back to their parents, I thought I would feel relieved because I would be able to get some rest, but I wasn't. I miss them! It's too quiet around here without them!







I am posting this update on Amore. I was only able to get in a little bit of stitching on Friday evening and I've worked on it for a few hours today. I plan on doing some more tonight. I'm hoping to maybe finish it this week if it is not a busy week! I have no new books to distract me so it might get done!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Updates

This is my next project, The Kiss. It was a pattern I picked up on clearance at Michael's ages ago but had been too scared to start on because it is to be done on LINEN! But now that I almost have my first project done on linen, I feel up to the challenge. My friend Joy picked this one out of all my patterns and asked if I would do it so I said yes but she is well aware she may not get it years from now!




This is the fabric that I picked out to do The Kiss on. The original fabric color it called for was discontinued so I purchased this one, Cranberry Cobbler, from the Sugar Maple Fabrics website. It is a 28 count Lugana. The pattern calls for it to be stitched over two and that will be a new venture for me!







This is an update on my current project. This is being done on 25 count Jubilee. It's done over one. It's been tedious but I've enjoyed it. I was hoping to have it done this weekend but don't see it happening as I will have my niece and nephew visiting Friday and Saturday!







I know these pictures aren't the greatest but have you ever noticed how one day you can take the best pictures of your projects and then the next day you can't get any of the lighting right? Frustrating!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Weekend

It was a beautiful weekend! Sunny skies! Not a cloud around! Slight breeze! And of course, LSU won! Yeah!

I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time out on my balcony. Here are some pictures of my pretty plants and my dog Duke enjoying himself outside!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Best Description of LSU

If you are a LSU fan, check out this link!

http://media.putfile.com/What-is-LSU

Friday, September 14, 2007

Our Story....

Karen, per your request!

Ron and I met in January of 2005. Well, actually we didn’t physically meet until February of 2005. Sometime in January we met over the internet. I don’t know how or where but I know it was over the internet. We talked for a while on there and then it moved to phone calls and then he finally wore me down to meet in person.

It’s been a while and I haven’t really thought about it but I know that the first time we met, we just clicked. There was no shyness, there were no awkward feelings. It was just fun and comfortable. He had just gotten divorced recently. So one of the things we discussed was that he was not looking for a relationship nor did he want to ever be married again. I wanted to get married and wanted a relationship. So we agreed to be just friends.

We continued to talk, email and have an occasional visit (he was stationed in Mississippi and I am in Louisiana) from the time we met till the time he was moved to Virginia in August 2006. The last time I saw him before he moved was early August. I definitely didn’t want to see him go but I promised him that I would still keep in touch.

I kept my promise. We talked on the phone and emailed. I never felt uncomfortable telling him anything. He would listen to me and he wouldn’t pass judgment. It was the same for him. He would tell me something and I would try to help him with it or laugh or whatever the situation called for.

He shipped out on his 6 month tour around Halloween of 2006. He’s on a submarine so communication is difficult. I sent him emails and goody boxes (I have to say, I do some really GOOD boxes!). I would get an occasional email from him and a phone call when he was in port. Everyone kept telling me that it had to be more than friendship. No guy calls a girl in the states when he is over in China (he wasn’t really in China, I just can’t remember the different places he was in!). Then I got my first box of presents! He bought me this beautiful handmade journal from Guam. I also got this pretty sea green sarong. They were both wonderful.

He finally got home at the end of May 2007. He was coming home to Mississippi to visit his family at the end of June. That just happened to be the time I was going to be in Mississippi for a convention with the association that I work with. I had free time on Friday so he came down to spend some time with me. He brought me more presents! They were for my birthday which was at the end of May. He bought me a beautiful hand-painted ceramic sunflower, a St.Michael/Navy medallion keychain, and a white crystal rosary bracelet. I was stunned. Sunflowers are my favorite flower (no I had never told him that) and the rosary bracelet matched my rosary that I own (no he had never seen it). He said that he just thought the flower was pretty and he bought the bracelet because he remembered that I was Catholic. We spent about 3 -4 hours together. I was nervous! I hadn’t seen him since last August. But it was like we were never apart! We talked and talked. Funny that we even had anything to say to each other because we email and talk on the phone!

After that visit things didn’t go so well. His ex-wife wanted to get back with him and he was going to give it a try. We both weren’t handling that situation very well so it resulted in us not speaking for about 1 1/2 months. I still emailed him and in early August I got an email saying that he missed me and that he had been stupid about this whole situation.

Then the infamous email from last week. Asking why hadn’t we ever considered pursuing a relationship. We’ve talked briefly since then, exchanged a few emails. We both have our reservations. We don’t want to ruin what we have currently but it might be worth seeing if there is more. We both know we love and care deeply for each other. We have a great time together. We tell each other everything. We’ll just see how it goes! He is over 1,000 miles away and I am not ready to move out there. So we are both scared out of our minds and we are going to move very slllooowwwwwlllly. We are hoping to see each other soon but if not, we will see each other at Christmas. Until then it will be phone calls and emails as usual.

Sorry the story wasn’t very exciting. The feelings just kind of happened. There wasn’t any really one thing that jumps out.



A little cross stitch note: I finally got my fabric in from Sugar Maple Fabrics. I purchased 28 count Lugana colored Cranberry Cobbler to use on The Kiss! I can't wait to finish my current project so I can start The Kiss!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Better Late Than Never!

I know that I said I would post earlier this week but I have literally been in the land of confusion! But thankfully, I have returned from that trip! LOL!

Last week my best friend, who is currently living in Virginia (he's in the military and currently stationed there), decided to ask me a question that, while it had crossed my mind, was not one that I expected from him. He asked "Why hadn't we ever taken our relationship to the next level?" That caused me to have to stop and do a lot of thinking. The end result? We have decided to take things very slowly and explore our options. But whatever happens, I know that we are going to always be friends. So wish me luck as I now try to find my way from "single" land to the land of "the committed relationship" - long distance!!!!

Monday was Celestine's 33rd birthday! Joy and I took her to IHOP for pancakes. While that sounds like we are cheap, we really aren't. The restaurant was completely Celestine's choice! Below are some pictures from that night!


Now, here is an update on my current WIP. I haven't been able to do much stitching lately. As I previously mentioned, I have been quite distracted and not motivated. But I am determined to get more done this weekend so that I can show significant progress by Sunday!

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Short Post

I know I haven't posted since Monday. Bad, bad, bad me! I've had some "upheaval" in my life recently. Nothing bad. At least not yet! LOL! I hope I will be able to post an update on WIP tomorrow and also have some good news about tonight's LSU - Virginia Tech game!

I hope everyone has had a good week and will have a better weekend!

Monday, September 03, 2007

WIP Update


I promised this update so here it is. I really wanted to finish the bottom portion before posting but I just didn't think it was going to happen today! But it will hopefully be by the end of this week!

Friday, August 31, 2007

Friday Updates!

FOOTBALL:
Let's just start it off with saying :GEAUX TIGERS! Although it wasn't a very pretty game last night and we didn't exactly look like the #2 team in the country, we did shut out Mississippi State. Considering that the opener was a conference game, it's a pretty good way to start. But there is a lot of room for improvement and that is of course going to be the case when you have lost 4 major players, gained 3 new offensive coaches and a new quarterback.

CROSS STITCH PATTERN SALE:
If you love to cross stitch, like I do, you may want to check out www.heavenandearthdesigns.com. They are having a Labor Day sale thru Monday, 25% off all patterns. I have already indulged in purchasing some patterns myself. I did try to be good though realizing that Christmas is coming and I have presents to purchase!

HODGE PODGE:
Ok, so not much more to report. I will be posting another update on my current project, Amore, this weekend. I have actually gotten quite a bit done!

This weekned is going to be about resting, rejuvenating, and completing projects around the apartment. If I can't be where I want to be this weekend (Virginia) then I will do whatever I want, which is NOTHING! LOL!

Plus there is plenty of football to be watched and I need to keep an eye on the scores. All the girls from work, well, I guess that should be co-workers as we now have a male working with us, have set up a little football pool. No money was involved but the prize at the end is a lunch. Every one pays for the winner's lunch! That should be fun!

Look for the updates on my cross stitch projects coming this weekend!

Monday, August 27, 2007

First Tooth


I just had to share this picture. This is my cute niece Marly Grace, today, on her first day of First Grade. She lost her very first tooth today.

Oh, yeah, that's Parker, her brother, giving her "horns"! LOL!

Monday Hodge Podge

Summer TV:
Ok, I have to admit the selection of television shows worth watching this summer was sorely lacking! However, there was one show that I genuinely enjoyed watching every Sunday night. No, it wasn't the Girls Next Door! It was Army Wives. I don't know what it was about the show but I looked forward to it each and every week. Last night was the season finale. Of course, like any season finale it left you with a cliff hanger. But instead of the literal "big bang", it went out with you wondering if there was a "bang!" If you haven't watched the show, I highly suggest that you catch it on re-runs.

Cross Stitch:
Multi-projects. I've been noticing on more and more boards and forums that stitchers seem to have more than one project going at a time. I'm not quite sure how that would work. If I don't focus on one project at a time and finish it before starting a new one, I would think that it would never get done. It takes me long enough to do one, let alone two or three. If you have any thoughts or suggestions on how to handle this, please feel free to comment!


Another WIP:

This one is called In the Blue. It's a project I am working on for myself but have put to the side so that I can finish my Christmas presents up. If and when I finish it, it will the first project I have ever kept for myself!


Saturday, August 25, 2007

Amore Storykeep




This is my first project from Heaven and Earth Designs! It is going to eventually be a bookmark for my friend Joy for Christmas. (No she doesn't read my blog! LOL) As soon as I am finished with this one I will start the second one for my other friend Celestine! Hopefully I will get them both done in time for Christmas!


Friday, August 24, 2007

BEAUTIFUL!

Or rather: HANDSOME!


Isn't my baby just so pretty? He spent the day at the groomer getting all spruced up! He's not too happy with me for sending him there as you can tell by his "pity me" look.


Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Christmas

I know. I'm insane. I've already started thinking about Christmas presents. Luckily it coincides with my hobby of cross stitching. I've become very involved in my cross stitching. I've discovered a very excellent source of patterns at Heaven and Earth Designs and I have recently discovered the world of hand dyed fabrics. I just purchased a fabric for a project that a friend asked me to do for her.

Back to Christmas. I am currently working on a bookmarker, or storykeep, from HAED for my friend Joy. The pattern design is Amore. I purchased this past weekend my 2nd storykeep of Iris Keeper. This one will be for Celestine. I am very confident that I will be able to get them completed in time for Christmas. That would be two Christmas presents completed!

Monday, August 20, 2007

Monday Blues

Today was definitely a Monday. It was not the way that one would want to start the beginning of one's work week. Hopefully things were so bad today that it can only get better.

Started the morning off by getting an email from a managing partner that there was a company meeting at 8:30 am. Quite early in the morning. Most people aren't even there. Those who are in the office file into the traning room to find out that the HR Manager had passed away this weekend. She was quite young, only 46 or 47, so this was extremely sad.

I was supposed to be getting 18 binders ready to be shipped in the afternoon for a board meeting in Texas on Thursday. Of course my boss had not yet given me final approval for the contents because he hadn't looked at it. Even though he had had a sample binder since last Wednesday. Stressful? Just a little bit.

Around 10:15 this morning the power went out in the office. Followed by the fire alarm going off. So we all grabbed our purses (yes, I work with all women in my department, we just left our boss, the man)and headed down the stairs. See, we work on the 9th floor. There are 10 in the building. Needless to say it was a long way down and we got stopped at the 5th floor. Come to find out, a transformer had blown and caught on fire. For some reason, this had triggered the fire alarm even though it wasn't anywhere near our building. So after wasting between 30 to 45 minutes, we were allowed back in.

The rest of my afternoon was spent making copies, putting binders together and packing the boxes to be shipped. In between that, two co-workers, who are sisters, found out that a cousin had passed away. It seemed as though the bad news just didn't stop coming!

Because I am so paranoid about whether or not the packages will get to the board meeting in time, I took the boxes my self to the shipping company. Come to find out, that the boxes we had used aren't suggested and that the tape we used isn't either. The customer service rep was nice enough though to say that she would tape it up herself in the back and took them. Thank goodness I had taken them myself!

I'm just hoping that the rest of the day is quiet. Hopefully the week can only get better!

Monday, August 06, 2007

What Book Got You Hooked?

I got this from Blog Happy, who got this from Dear Author.

Like Blog Happy, I've bolded the one's that I've read:

Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey
Go, Dog, Go! by P. D. Eastman
Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman
Curious George by Margret and H. A. Rey
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper and Loren Long
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Dick and Jane by William H. Elson
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
The Bobbsey Twins by Laura Lee Hope
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
The Baby-sitters Club by Ann M. Martin
Horton Hears A Who by Dr. Seuss
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss
Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes and Nursery Songs
Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
The Bible
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Houston and new family

This weekend I took off for Houston. I hadn't been there since New Year's. It was a good visit. I brought Parker his birthday gifts. He will be five in a week and a half. I spent Friday afternoon playing Legos with him. He said he would have preferred we watch Nascar but since it wasn't on, playing Legos was the next best thing. LOL! My little man! How fast he is growing up!

Saturday we spent the day at Splashtown. We rode the waterslides, took a trip around the Lazy River, played in the wave pool and then went over to the kiddie area and played some more. It was a good day for water and sun! It actually did not rain! As can be seen by my very red face and back! But it felt good to be out there!

I came home Sunday. That was rough. The kids asked me to stay. To move over to Houston so that I could be closer. Their dad, my best friend, offered me a place to live and some assistance with bills while I tried to find a job. It is definitely something that I will have to consider!

My sister bought a new hamster today! My nephew, Louis. Why a hamster? I have no clue. She had one as a child but wasn't that attached to it. When I asked her why she got a pet, she said it was so she had something to look at and take care of. I told her I could have gotten her a video game for the computer that did the same thing! Anyway, here are some pictures of my new newphew and his comfy home:









Sunday, July 29, 2007

Nine 1/2 Weeks


Have you ever seen the movie Nine 1/2 Weeks? It stars Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. It's about an art dealer who dates a commodities broker. Ok, it's mostly about sex. It is the strangest movie that I have seen in a very long time. The things that these two did together!

It seems he got a kick out of being controlling and she gets a kick out of being submissive. He would blind fold her at times and feed her different types of food, including jalapenos! Or he would blind fold her and have a hooker come in and feel up Kimm Basinger's character while he watches. Just sick!

I know most people have heard of it. Give it a try. You never know, it might spark the imagination or at least show you what a relationship should not be!