I hope everyone had a wonderful day. I was blessed to have dinner and lunch with my family and SO's family. His niece called me "Aunt Rachel" for the first time yesterday. She was trying to show me how to do an Irish jig. She's really good at it; those little legs were just a-flyin'. Yours truly, although my gramma's grandfather was a Boylan from Dublin, not so good at it. I had to tell her I couldn't do it, I am Pennsylvania Dutch, and we are better cooks than dancers. But it was nice to get called that; I think it has a nice ring to it, don't you?
I came home from work on Wednesday to a wonderful treat for which I am blessedly thankful. I've told you that I have a sewing room at SO's. I've had it for a year and have yet to actually take a stitch in it. Mostly because it seems to function as a catch-all room; as of Monday, there was a growing collection of stufties, the telescope I bought SO for our anniversary, our Halloween decorations, and the middle leaf from the table. I have been buying the occasional decorate-y thing to hang up, but they've not made it up yet. And there were no curtains at the window. I didn't know what kind of rod would be best, and pricing sheers at Lowe's is depressing. Why so much for see-through fabric? SO said he was bringing the bookcase for me to put my binders on, but I wasn't thinking it was going to be ready any time soon.
Anyway, I pulled in the drive and noted that a) the window in the room had a curtain, b) the room was lit up. HRMMMM. Along with the office/shoe room (I like shoes, SO LOVES sneakers and could be a distributor for Timberland, yes, we have a room full of shoes). SO never leaves the lights on in both rooms. Ever. No, seriously, EVER. So I walked in, there's a pile of clothes in the living room, and cleaning music on. I walked into the catchall room, and IT WAS CLEAN. PERFECTLY clean. Large and lovely and clean. And my bookcase was up. And the curtain was up at the window (he took it off our bed to put up there--must replace that).
Him: Is the bookcase OK, there, cause I have to screw it into the wall if that's where you want it?
Me: Ummm, I think so but can we try it on the other wall, just to make sure it's OK?
Him: OK, move your stash (he must love me a great deal to try to learn the lingo, LOL).
So we moved it around. Moved the couch over to the other side, moved it all around the room, for me to decide, in the end, it was in the right place all along. I've always thought that, when I get married, I won't be the kind of woman who does things like that. Apparently, I'm starting to practice for that.
In addition to all that, he cleaned out the closet so I have that to hang my out of season clothes. I am not sure I know what to make of this richness of space. I'm being serious. For ten years I've had a tiny little messed up closet (whatever they were thinking in the 20s when they built that house, I don't know because it's not even wide enough for a coathanger), and my stuff was shoved whereever there was space. Now I have this lovely little peaceful space where I can light a candle, read, watch the sunset, or take a nap. I see Robbie and I spending some good quiet time in here, though he would be content if we lived in a box, as long as we were together.
28 November 2008
26 November 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
I almost forgot to post this.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. May our blessings abound in the coming year!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. May our blessings abound in the coming year!
Treaty fairy is finished, and I moved
In my never-ending saga of the camera and my WIP never being in the same house at the same time, I have a new chapter.
The last time I moved was 10 years ago, when I moved back to Maryland from Kentucky after I graduated from college. I had gotten pretty swift at it back then, not owning much anyway, and realizing that everything I owned absolutely, without a doubt, had to fit in the back of a van. It's not quite like that anymore. I seem to have, um, acquired things. Mom at one point asked if I was moving the collection of Garfield things I inherited from my grandmother up. I told her there's no room for that. At least not in this house. Likewise, the model horses. They can't come yet. The model horses need their own house. I've heard of collectors building additions onto their houses to hold their collections, but, um, yeah, that's not happening, at least not in this house. Perhaps this is why people buy McMansions? They need a whole floor to hold their stuff.
I took the first load of my things up to SO's last night. One huge duffel bag of clothes, my Christmas tree, and stitching stuff. And not a lot of stitching stuff. And yet, the car was pretty full. It amused the pitty bulls to watch me haul it all in. My floss is still at my mom's, as are my work clothes, my WIPs, my fabric, most of my charts, all my freebies, and my kit stash. Now that I think about it, what did I really bring up there? And why was it so hard to wrassle it out the car? Because I assure you, it was not so much moving in as a wrassling match.
I finished Treaty Fairy Monday night, though. I am glad to say she is done, and I will not be beading again any time soon. ANY TIME SOON. I swear it. I bow to those who do a lot of beaded projects. I just don't have the patience for it. I did bring both of my current afghan WIPs, Hummingbird Trellis and my Diane Graebner. I am hoping to have Diane Graebner done quickly and ready for the fair next summer. SO is bringing that bookcase home tonight for my binders, but I still have to move my big plastic drawered thing up to put my floss and fabric in.
The last time I moved was 10 years ago, when I moved back to Maryland from Kentucky after I graduated from college. I had gotten pretty swift at it back then, not owning much anyway, and realizing that everything I owned absolutely, without a doubt, had to fit in the back of a van. It's not quite like that anymore. I seem to have, um, acquired things. Mom at one point asked if I was moving the collection of Garfield things I inherited from my grandmother up. I told her there's no room for that. At least not in this house. Likewise, the model horses. They can't come yet. The model horses need their own house. I've heard of collectors building additions onto their houses to hold their collections, but, um, yeah, that's not happening, at least not in this house. Perhaps this is why people buy McMansions? They need a whole floor to hold their stuff.
I took the first load of my things up to SO's last night. One huge duffel bag of clothes, my Christmas tree, and stitching stuff. And not a lot of stitching stuff. And yet, the car was pretty full. It amused the pitty bulls to watch me haul it all in. My floss is still at my mom's, as are my work clothes, my WIPs, my fabric, most of my charts, all my freebies, and my kit stash. Now that I think about it, what did I really bring up there? And why was it so hard to wrassle it out the car? Because I assure you, it was not so much moving in as a wrassling match.
I finished Treaty Fairy Monday night, though. I am glad to say she is done, and I will not be beading again any time soon. ANY TIME SOON. I swear it. I bow to those who do a lot of beaded projects. I just don't have the patience for it. I did bring both of my current afghan WIPs, Hummingbird Trellis and my Diane Graebner. I am hoping to have Diane Graebner done quickly and ready for the fair next summer. SO is bringing that bookcase home tonight for my binders, but I still have to move my big plastic drawered thing up to put my floss and fabric in.
24 November 2008
I got the moving blues
Like Carrie in Sex and the City, I prefer to keep my wealth where I can see it, in stash and clothes. And now I have to move that stuff, and it's killin' me. And the pathetic thing is, I don't even have to move it all right now, and it's still killin' me. SO is bringing me home a large bookcase to put my charts on, but what about the fabric? What about the kits? What about my framed pieces? And my knickknacks? What will I do with those? I can't leave the little cat my grandmother had painted for me by the workers at Fenton. Or my kick ass print of a fantasy land that I bought two years ago at Thanksgiving at a junkshop. Or my teddy bears. Where will I put those. And I have misplaced my DYES. I NEED THOSE. I have plans for a Christmas gift with those. CRAP CRAP CRAP.
And lets not forget my clothes. I have gone through and sorted out a lot of clothes for charity. And yet, my clothes seem to be breeding. I found some perfectly lovely suits that I can wear, and totally zoned on. I don't want to give them up because they're classic suits, they fit,and I was whining about how I don't have the right clothes to wear to the theatre. I always did, they were just hidden. So those have to come. CRUD CRUD CRUD. I am not taking my formal gowns. Now is as good a time as any to give those to charity, probably there are plenty of girls who need a dress for a Christmas dance, and mine are pretty classic, if I do say so myself, and it's not like I attend many formal events.
I did tell my mom I was taking the charts she had bought for me to stitch. I certainly can't stitch them when they are at her house, LOL.
I did stitch last night, after I got so disgusted with packing. I started Mom's Miss Penny doll, which does not look too difficult. It's just stitching her apron, and a needlebook and making her a hat. I worked on that, then pushed myself this morning to finish Treaty. I am almost there, I just have that bunch of fairy dust in her left hand to do and she's done. DONE! DONE, I tell you. Pumpkin, I think we both need a break from beaded designs after this one. I am so paranoid my beads will come out that I am weaving the thread through several lines of threads, plus crossing my x's, and still I am afraid. Perhaps putting her on that sticky back would be best, at least the beading thread wouldn't come loose. Just kidding . . . I know someone has just shrieked in dismay over that comment, LOL.
And lets not forget my clothes. I have gone through and sorted out a lot of clothes for charity. And yet, my clothes seem to be breeding. I found some perfectly lovely suits that I can wear, and totally zoned on. I don't want to give them up because they're classic suits, they fit,and I was whining about how I don't have the right clothes to wear to the theatre. I always did, they were just hidden. So those have to come. CRUD CRUD CRUD. I am not taking my formal gowns. Now is as good a time as any to give those to charity, probably there are plenty of girls who need a dress for a Christmas dance, and mine are pretty classic, if I do say so myself, and it's not like I attend many formal events.
I did tell my mom I was taking the charts she had bought for me to stitch. I certainly can't stitch them when they are at her house, LOL.
I did stitch last night, after I got so disgusted with packing. I started Mom's Miss Penny doll, which does not look too difficult. It's just stitching her apron, and a needlebook and making her a hat. I worked on that, then pushed myself this morning to finish Treaty. I am almost there, I just have that bunch of fairy dust in her left hand to do and she's done. DONE! DONE, I tell you. Pumpkin, I think we both need a break from beaded designs after this one. I am so paranoid my beads will come out that I am weaving the thread through several lines of threads, plus crossing my x's, and still I am afraid. Perhaps putting her on that sticky back would be best, at least the beading thread wouldn't come loose. Just kidding . . . I know someone has just shrieked in dismay over that comment, LOL.
22 November 2008
Slogging through
I'm on day 4 of a 5 day slog through opening weekend at the theatre. Last night was the first night I got to bed before midnight, and I have to admit, I fell asleep on the couch. This morning I slept in til 9 and felt so decadent. To just get through the rest of today and tomorrow, then I am off Tuesday and just have to start moving stuff to my new place, and go shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.
There has not been much stitching occurring. I will be honest. I've poked at Autumn Leaves, but I've been doing so much running around at lunch the last couple days. I had to get a new outfit for the play opening tonight, as everything I have at SOs is either too fancy or summer clothes, and the shoes I have there didn't match any of it. Good thing Sears was having a good sale or I would have been sporting some brown checked Bermuda shorts with denim blue espadrilles, and it snowed last night. Not much down where I live now, but the snow was lying (laying?) at his place. The dogs were not pleased, but it is getting on winter now.
Speaking of which, my Baltimore station has started their Christmas music schedule. If you don't have the luxury of a local station playing music, I'll share with you:
http://www.1019litefm.com/
It's nice to listen to.
There has not been much stitching occurring. I will be honest. I've poked at Autumn Leaves, but I've been doing so much running around at lunch the last couple days. I had to get a new outfit for the play opening tonight, as everything I have at SOs is either too fancy or summer clothes, and the shoes I have there didn't match any of it. Good thing Sears was having a good sale or I would have been sporting some brown checked Bermuda shorts with denim blue espadrilles, and it snowed last night. Not much down where I live now, but the snow was lying (laying?) at his place. The dogs were not pleased, but it is getting on winter now.
Speaking of which, my Baltimore station has started their Christmas music schedule. If you don't have the luxury of a local station playing music, I'll share with you:
http://www.1019litefm.com/
It's nice to listen to.
20 November 2008
A finished finish, and an elegant one at that.
I can't post photos, because this has to go to my exchange partner and I want it to be a pleasure for her to open, but I finished the finishing of my ornament for my partner. I am so pleased with this ornament, how it turned out. I try to be careful and neat in my finishing, but sometimes I can't be as neat as I would like. This time, I far exceeded my expectations. It's a pillow ornament, but it feels elegant. And icy. And wintry.
All my co-workers want me to make these ornaments for them. People in Hell want icewater too, but that don't mean it's going to happen. I'm serious about that. I need to get ornies for me finished! I did contact someone about finishing a round ornie for me. I'm so excited about having that little tree to put them on, I want them done!
Oh, speaking of ornaments, this is the year when all those hours of trudging up and down the rows of Target looking for ways to finish ornaments is paying off. Someone on 123 posted little wooden words that I bought, to put a tiny little stitchery on. I also picked up some plastic snowflakes that could be used the same way--they were 3 for 99 cents, you can't beat that. But the treasure was a gold metallic lacy leaf. I thought it would be so pretty to stitch a little thing and put it there. Now I'm trying to find a small bird to attach, otherwise, it'll be a fall motif.
All my co-workers want me to make these ornaments for them. People in Hell want icewater too, but that don't mean it's going to happen. I'm serious about that. I need to get ornies for me finished! I did contact someone about finishing a round ornie for me. I'm so excited about having that little tree to put them on, I want them done!
Oh, speaking of ornaments, this is the year when all those hours of trudging up and down the rows of Target looking for ways to finish ornaments is paying off. Someone on 123 posted little wooden words that I bought, to put a tiny little stitchery on. I also picked up some plastic snowflakes that could be used the same way--they were 3 for 99 cents, you can't beat that. But the treasure was a gold metallic lacy leaf. I thought it would be so pretty to stitch a little thing and put it there. Now I'm trying to find a small bird to attach, otherwise, it'll be a fall motif.
19 November 2008
I've been tagged by Natasha (http://craftyt.blogspot.com/) to share some information about myself. Here are the rules ...
Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.
1) I'm imfamous with my former University's police department.
2)When I was in high school, I was bi-lingual. I'm very rusty now, but I thought in French at one point.
3)I love to bake, but I hate eating things I made.
4)Ever since I was a little girl, I only ever wanted a black car. I don't want red, I don't want blue, I can't stand white. Just black. Preferably with a sunroof.
5)It occasionally bothers me that when you put in Robbie's registered name, then mine, Robbie gets more Google hits than me.
6)I have an irrational fear of subway grates.
Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.
1) I'm imfamous with my former University's police department.
2)When I was in high school, I was bi-lingual. I'm very rusty now, but I thought in French at one point.
3)I love to bake, but I hate eating things I made.
4)Ever since I was a little girl, I only ever wanted a black car. I don't want red, I don't want blue, I can't stand white. Just black. Preferably with a sunroof.
5)It occasionally bothers me that when you put in Robbie's registered name, then mine, Robbie gets more Google hits than me.
6)I have an irrational fear of subway grates.
Finishing an ornament by hand
I have to get that ornament for my exchange partner finished and in the mail by this weekend. I messed around and forgot to get it to my LNS to get it finished in time to get it mailed, and, even with SO's assistance, I just don't have mad flat ornament finishing skills in supply enough to try to do a circular finish. So I decided on a pillow ornament finish. That way, I can use up some of the scads of fiberfill I have, and do it myself.
Of course I did not have appropriate fabric to back it. As a matter of fact, I don't have much Christmas fabric at all. What I do have seems to center itself around an animal theme, and I figured my poor exchange partner deserves better than a wintry ornament backed with dogs in Santa hats and carolling cats (you'll understand when I post a photo). My artistic side rebelled against that! So I thought I'd get some nubbly velvet in a royal blue or a navy blue. I liked how that felt when I backed SO's Stocking with the wine color, and I work right near one of the loveliest, most addictive fabric stores in the area, G Street Fabrics.
So I headed up there after work, in the cold. It snowed here yesterday afternoon. Not hard, there's none laying on the ground, but it snowed. And it was cold last night. And they had no nubbly, short nap velvet. Not even in the couturier section. So, after I consoled myself by walking around and looking at all the delicious fabrics they had (my kingdom for hips that would allow me to wear a wrap dress, so I could justify buying jersey!), I headed to the quilting section to look and see what they had there.
What they had was not much in the way of Christmas fabrics. This is surprising, no? Don't quilters do Christmas projects? I guess they are supposed to go to the quilt store if they want a better selection. And console themselves by fondling the bolts of jersey. But I did find a lovely piece of fabric that works perfectly. And they had cording that matches! And of course, I bought another half yard of fabric that showed animals carolling. I might need that.
I am hand-sewing this all together today. I am hopeful I can get it mostly finished while I am at work tonight. We're opening a new show at the theatre, and I'm seeing it tonight, so going to be a late night, but it will help get this finished, I am all for it.
I am almost done with Treaty fairy. I just have the last little bits of beading to finish and she's complete. She was a little bit tricky to work on, but I think she's pretty. Mom thinks she's pretty, SO thinks she's pretty. She's just a sparkly, cobwebby, wingless beauty queen. I did have a scare last night. Somehow, and I have no flipping clue how this happened, a dot of spaghetti sauce got on her! AAAAAAAACKKKKK. But I have a Tide to Go pen, truly an essential in one's stitching box, and that took it pretty much out, at least that I can feel comfortable when I handwash it, it will come out. Cause that would have stunk!
Of course I did not have appropriate fabric to back it. As a matter of fact, I don't have much Christmas fabric at all. What I do have seems to center itself around an animal theme, and I figured my poor exchange partner deserves better than a wintry ornament backed with dogs in Santa hats and carolling cats (you'll understand when I post a photo). My artistic side rebelled against that! So I thought I'd get some nubbly velvet in a royal blue or a navy blue. I liked how that felt when I backed SO's Stocking with the wine color, and I work right near one of the loveliest, most addictive fabric stores in the area, G Street Fabrics.
So I headed up there after work, in the cold. It snowed here yesterday afternoon. Not hard, there's none laying on the ground, but it snowed. And it was cold last night. And they had no nubbly, short nap velvet. Not even in the couturier section. So, after I consoled myself by walking around and looking at all the delicious fabrics they had (my kingdom for hips that would allow me to wear a wrap dress, so I could justify buying jersey!), I headed to the quilting section to look and see what they had there.
What they had was not much in the way of Christmas fabrics. This is surprising, no? Don't quilters do Christmas projects? I guess they are supposed to go to the quilt store if they want a better selection. And console themselves by fondling the bolts of jersey. But I did find a lovely piece of fabric that works perfectly. And they had cording that matches! And of course, I bought another half yard of fabric that showed animals carolling. I might need that.
I am hand-sewing this all together today. I am hopeful I can get it mostly finished while I am at work tonight. We're opening a new show at the theatre, and I'm seeing it tonight, so going to be a late night, but it will help get this finished, I am all for it.
I am almost done with Treaty fairy. I just have the last little bits of beading to finish and she's complete. She was a little bit tricky to work on, but I think she's pretty. Mom thinks she's pretty, SO thinks she's pretty. She's just a sparkly, cobwebby, wingless beauty queen. I did have a scare last night. Somehow, and I have no flipping clue how this happened, a dot of spaghetti sauce got on her! AAAAAAAACKKKKK. But I have a Tide to Go pen, truly an essential in one's stitching box, and that took it pretty much out, at least that I can feel comfortable when I handwash it, it will come out. Cause that would have stunk!
18 November 2008
On the sleigh and off to a good start
I've been on this kick now for 4 days and so far, I've managed to put aside 4.69 for charity. I'm keeping a list up at the top now, just to keep me honest.
It must be a sickness. I pulled out Autumn Winds to work on at lunch yesterday, and realized I did not have two skeins of silks I needed. I kitted this up so long ago, how did I miss out on those two skeins? I was kinda in a fluster, because I can't stitch around those areas for 6 weeks, I'm not that talented. And I have all those Oops Packs and threads I bought from Vikki Clayton over the years. Surely I have a rust brown, and a gold in there. I mean, I am a floss hoarder. But, as soon as my little hoarding soul heard that I was planning to open the boxes of hand-dyeds and look, it rebelled. "You CANNA DOOO THATTTTT! We MIGHT NEED IT for SOMETHING BETTER LATER! What if you have the PERFECT PROJECT and you USED THE FLOSS? Buy some more. Forget the children. Forget your promise. Leave my floss alone! I mean it!" Have I told you my hoarding soul is greedy and unpleasant? I ignored it and went through the boxes and found two skeins I can use, but I have to say, it killed me to cut the first length off one of them. Hoarding soul was not pleased, but I don't care, I am using that floss! I am saving $3.40, plus shipping. I have that to give to charity. It's not much, but it's more than I would have had to give had I bought floss.
I got a lovely package from Jennifer of Sweetpea Stitches yesterday. 2 skeins of her gorgeous floss. She really is wonderfully talented! I see bright things for her future as a floss dyer! Let us know when you open your Etsy store, girl!
It must be a sickness. I pulled out Autumn Winds to work on at lunch yesterday, and realized I did not have two skeins of silks I needed. I kitted this up so long ago, how did I miss out on those two skeins? I was kinda in a fluster, because I can't stitch around those areas for 6 weeks, I'm not that talented. And I have all those Oops Packs and threads I bought from Vikki Clayton over the years. Surely I have a rust brown, and a gold in there. I mean, I am a floss hoarder. But, as soon as my little hoarding soul heard that I was planning to open the boxes of hand-dyeds and look, it rebelled. "You CANNA DOOO THATTTTT! We MIGHT NEED IT for SOMETHING BETTER LATER! What if you have the PERFECT PROJECT and you USED THE FLOSS? Buy some more. Forget the children. Forget your promise. Leave my floss alone! I mean it!" Have I told you my hoarding soul is greedy and unpleasant? I ignored it and went through the boxes and found two skeins I can use, but I have to say, it killed me to cut the first length off one of them. Hoarding soul was not pleased, but I don't care, I am using that floss! I am saving $3.40, plus shipping. I have that to give to charity. It's not much, but it's more than I would have had to give had I bought floss.
I got a lovely package from Jennifer of Sweetpea Stitches yesterday. 2 skeins of her gorgeous floss. She really is wonderfully talented! I see bright things for her future as a floss dyer! Let us know when you open your Etsy store, girl!
17 November 2008
Why there are no pictures on my blog yet
Let me tell you about my weekend.
We partied this weekend. I had Friday off--I haven't worked a Friday afternoon in three weeks now, how am I going to get through this week?. I took my mom to my LNS for their model sale and to get some things for my secret sisters and my friend Kathy. (It's pretty fun to shop for two people who have divergent tastes, along with your mom, and your penpal). If you are in the Catonsville, MD, area, or can get there (and gas is $1.97, a level we have not seen since I purchased the Neon, bless her poor murdered soul, in 2004), all proceeds from the model sale go to help a battered woman's shelter in the Catonsville area, and there were some great bargains to be had. Mom spent $120 and got a finished Christmas tray, 3 framed Waxing Moons, and a small thingy to put in the wall. I ended up buying the newest issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework and Bent Creek Littles Christmas Trio for myself.
Then we headed up to Needlecraft Corner in Baltimore to get my birthday month discount from Drema. I ordered Bent Creek red threads from her, because Mom likes them a lot. And she had the 2009 CS& N calendar, which had a couple really lovely charts in it, so I picked that up. I also got Goode Huswife's E is for Eggs, because Iloved the colors, so bright and cheery. And I got the Dickens mittens for my ornie tree. I figure this will be the last stash I am going to purchase for a while, so I wanted to enjoy it.
Friday commenced my "on the sleigh for charity" event. No more stash purchases until at least January, not even threads and needles. I'm a little antsy, because 6 weeks is a long time to be stash-less, but I have plenty of stuff to work on, in the grand scheme of things, 6 weeks is NOTHING, and it's for charity. I can give up stash so kids can eat. Although, I did realize on the way to my part-time job yesterday, I had no needles in my stitching bag, and I couldn't stop at Michael's to get a pack. So, I just didn't stitch. I didn't die. There was plenty of stuff to look at online between customers. It's worth it.
So I guess you are wondering why I have no photos?
My birthday party was on Saturday. We got tied up in my hometown with the annual Odd Fellows fruit sale, and I was running short on time, so I forgot to grab my tote with the camera in it on the way to SOs. Not to mention he had no power when I got there, so I had to do the best I could do to get ready while there was still light to see. Tights and I have a love/hate relationship at best in the light, and it was not something I want to tackle in the dark.
We have a rule that no party is good til someone has thrown up, someone is running around with no pants, and we've eaten cake. Usually the kids take care of the sick and pantsless. We are adding "someone has caught something on fire." I brought my jewelry box into the living room to get something out of it and see it, and leaned over some candles. I had my hair up in a pony tail on top of my head, because I couldn't curl it, and I guess I need a haircut as I had no idea it was so long. I leaned over, and just as SO said, "Watch your hair," to which I gave him a look and leaned over, I heard a whoosh and realized the tip of my ponytail was a light. AAAAAAAAH. I put it out really quick, but it was a little disconcerting and stinky, and I realized later I had a lot of alcohol-based product in there. I know, it could have been much worse, but the smell disappated, and I guess I don't need a haircut anymore. LOL. (And note I am only laughing because it could have been worse and wasn't. Why are bad things only funny when you don't get hurt?)
We did try a new dish from this website:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/recipe-file/
We tried the Circa 1980 Bacon Holiday Appetizers. They were good. SO was a little concerned because they took two hours to bake. He seemed to think we could turn the heat up and cook it shorter, but I told him "Patience." So we had them during the Cowboys-Redskins game. I realize eating a club cracker wrapped in bacon is not on anyone's list of appropriate diet food, and I should be more careful with what I eat, since I have lost 10 pounds since the middle of September, but it was football. It was good. And we rationalized it by stating we were using reduced sodium bacon, and cooking it on a rack so the fat dripped down (although one fell down into the bacon fat, but it was still YUMMY).
We partied this weekend. I had Friday off--I haven't worked a Friday afternoon in three weeks now, how am I going to get through this week?. I took my mom to my LNS for their model sale and to get some things for my secret sisters and my friend Kathy. (It's pretty fun to shop for two people who have divergent tastes, along with your mom, and your penpal). If you are in the Catonsville, MD, area, or can get there (and gas is $1.97, a level we have not seen since I purchased the Neon, bless her poor murdered soul, in 2004), all proceeds from the model sale go to help a battered woman's shelter in the Catonsville area, and there were some great bargains to be had. Mom spent $120 and got a finished Christmas tray, 3 framed Waxing Moons, and a small thingy to put in the wall. I ended up buying the newest issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework and Bent Creek Littles Christmas Trio for myself.
Then we headed up to Needlecraft Corner in Baltimore to get my birthday month discount from Drema. I ordered Bent Creek red threads from her, because Mom likes them a lot. And she had the 2009 CS& N calendar, which had a couple really lovely charts in it, so I picked that up. I also got Goode Huswife's E is for Eggs, because Iloved the colors, so bright and cheery. And I got the Dickens mittens for my ornie tree. I figure this will be the last stash I am going to purchase for a while, so I wanted to enjoy it.
Friday commenced my "on the sleigh for charity" event. No more stash purchases until at least January, not even threads and needles. I'm a little antsy, because 6 weeks is a long time to be stash-less, but I have plenty of stuff to work on, in the grand scheme of things, 6 weeks is NOTHING, and it's for charity. I can give up stash so kids can eat. Although, I did realize on the way to my part-time job yesterday, I had no needles in my stitching bag, and I couldn't stop at Michael's to get a pack. So, I just didn't stitch. I didn't die. There was plenty of stuff to look at online between customers. It's worth it.
So I guess you are wondering why I have no photos?
My birthday party was on Saturday. We got tied up in my hometown with the annual Odd Fellows fruit sale, and I was running short on time, so I forgot to grab my tote with the camera in it on the way to SOs. Not to mention he had no power when I got there, so I had to do the best I could do to get ready while there was still light to see. Tights and I have a love/hate relationship at best in the light, and it was not something I want to tackle in the dark.
We have a rule that no party is good til someone has thrown up, someone is running around with no pants, and we've eaten cake. Usually the kids take care of the sick and pantsless. We are adding "someone has caught something on fire." I brought my jewelry box into the living room to get something out of it and see it, and leaned over some candles. I had my hair up in a pony tail on top of my head, because I couldn't curl it, and I guess I need a haircut as I had no idea it was so long. I leaned over, and just as SO said, "Watch your hair," to which I gave him a look and leaned over, I heard a whoosh and realized the tip of my ponytail was a light. AAAAAAAAH. I put it out really quick, but it was a little disconcerting and stinky, and I realized later I had a lot of alcohol-based product in there. I know, it could have been much worse, but the smell disappated, and I guess I don't need a haircut anymore. LOL. (And note I am only laughing because it could have been worse and wasn't. Why are bad things only funny when you don't get hurt?)
We did try a new dish from this website:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/recipe-file/
We tried the Circa 1980 Bacon Holiday Appetizers. They were good. SO was a little concerned because they took two hours to bake. He seemed to think we could turn the heat up and cook it shorter, but I told him "Patience." So we had them during the Cowboys-Redskins game. I realize eating a club cracker wrapped in bacon is not on anyone's list of appropriate diet food, and I should be more careful with what I eat, since I have lost 10 pounds since the middle of September, but it was football. It was good. And we rationalized it by stating we were using reduced sodium bacon, and cooking it on a rack so the fat dripped down (although one fell down into the bacon fat, but it was still YUMMY).
12 November 2008
Christmas SAL
Just found out about this today. For $5US, you get a bunch of charts! And they're cute! You just go to her website and then sign up. I've stitched her charts before. They're sweet. They're colorful. They would look fabulous on my ornie tree.
http://free-pu.t-com.hr/hmdesigns/index.html
http://free-pu.t-com.hr/hmdesigns/index.html
Major milestone
After almost 8 years, geisha has a full body. I finished her skirt last night. Woo hoo! And I am almost done the grass around her feet. I'm looking forward to the backstitch on her, because it means she will be done.
I am going to try to get some pictures posted this weekend. It's just been a time matter. I spend a great deal of time running around lately. But I have the photos from camping, and some WIPs, and that adorable kitty box I did for the Halloween exchange. I need to make that a priority, especially since we are opening a new show at the theatre next Wednesday, and I am going to be pretty busy, at least next week. I work 5 days in a row. I am OK with that, it's money I need for the holidays. It's just a daunting task. I hope that things run a little smoother for this year's show than last year's production, which got a little out of hand due to the short staff and sheer amount of people in the area who wanted to see the show, on top of that we were doing several shows at once, plus having parties--I think every person in the county showed up to at least one event at the theatre by the time January rolled around, LOL. I asked to not work the weekend between Christmas and New Years, just because I need to recover.
I am going to try to get some pictures posted this weekend. It's just been a time matter. I spend a great deal of time running around lately. But I have the photos from camping, and some WIPs, and that adorable kitty box I did for the Halloween exchange. I need to make that a priority, especially since we are opening a new show at the theatre next Wednesday, and I am going to be pretty busy, at least next week. I work 5 days in a row. I am OK with that, it's money I need for the holidays. It's just a daunting task. I hope that things run a little smoother for this year's show than last year's production, which got a little out of hand due to the short staff and sheer amount of people in the area who wanted to see the show, on top of that we were doing several shows at once, plus having parties--I think every person in the county showed up to at least one event at the theatre by the time January rolled around, LOL. I asked to not work the weekend between Christmas and New Years, just because I need to recover.
11 November 2008
My buy of the week
I went to AC Moore up on "the Pike" today at lunch to get my stuff for my exchange partner. I think I did a good job. 4 skeins of floss as a mea culpa, plus a doggie ornament, and a Mary Engelbreit tiny Scotty dog kit, plus some doggie fabric. And then I got her a musical card from CVS. I hope she likes it.
But I got the best buy! I have wanted an ornament tree to hang my hand-stitched ornaments--all three of them--on, since I plan on stitching ornaments for a tree. I never liked the tiny ones. I don't know why, but I didn't.
We were in AC Moore the other day, just passing time, and letting my friend, Gloria Jean Anne, look at silk flowers. We've decided and accepted that between the Michaels on the pike and the AC Moore, if you want stitchy stuff, go to Michaels, but for silk flowers, AC Moore is better.
Anyway, we wandered over to look at the ornaments, and right next to them were these small artificial trees. They weren't lifelike, but I thought there was a good amount of space to put stitched ornaments on the trees. And they were small: 3 foot or 4 foot. I can't set something like that up at my mom's house--the cats would climb that sucker in a heartbeat and swing from the top like a little yowling star--but at SO's, it would work.
But they were $19.99 and $29.99. Which is too much for my budget. Not for a little tree. Not when I have to make the first payment on Trouble. So, instead, I decided that I would buy it on Friday, when I get paid!
Today I braved the Veterans' Day crowds--one of the joys of being here in the DC area is that on these federal holidays, traffic is good, but once you are in the office, you keep your butt at your desk because all the federal employees shop the pike on their days off. I wanted to make sure the trees were still there. I went over, and they were marked $3.99.
I brought mine home. The cashier said she was buying one too, with her discount.
But I got the best buy! I have wanted an ornament tree to hang my hand-stitched ornaments--all three of them--on, since I plan on stitching ornaments for a tree. I never liked the tiny ones. I don't know why, but I didn't.
We were in AC Moore the other day, just passing time, and letting my friend, Gloria Jean Anne, look at silk flowers. We've decided and accepted that between the Michaels on the pike and the AC Moore, if you want stitchy stuff, go to Michaels, but for silk flowers, AC Moore is better.
Anyway, we wandered over to look at the ornaments, and right next to them were these small artificial trees. They weren't lifelike, but I thought there was a good amount of space to put stitched ornaments on the trees. And they were small: 3 foot or 4 foot. I can't set something like that up at my mom's house--the cats would climb that sucker in a heartbeat and swing from the top like a little yowling star--but at SO's, it would work.
But they were $19.99 and $29.99. Which is too much for my budget. Not for a little tree. Not when I have to make the first payment on Trouble. So, instead, I decided that I would buy it on Friday, when I get paid!
Today I braved the Veterans' Day crowds--one of the joys of being here in the DC area is that on these federal holidays, traffic is good, but once you are in the office, you keep your butt at your desk because all the federal employees shop the pike on their days off. I wanted to make sure the trees were still there. I went over, and they were marked $3.99.
I brought mine home. The cashier said she was buying one too, with her discount.
Drama, drama, it's all drama
I've been a little frazzled the past couple of days. SO and I came down to his shop on Sunday to get his work van so he doesn't have to drive his Tahoe all week, so on the way back, I stopped in at my/Mom's house (I don't know what to call it now that I am moving in with SO, but if my mom doesn't stop asking me when I am gonna get my boxes of stash out of the dining room, I'm not moving) to see if my VC silks I ordered for my birthday were there.
They were!
And SO's Marcus Deware jersey, which he has been saying he wanted for a year, and it was a little spendy, so when I found it on Ebay for half the cost of the Cowboys store, I bought that sucker.I thought about trying to get him a Deware autograph to go with it, but they were rather expensive, like a week's takehome pay. Not happening. But he'll like the jersey.
And there was a box labelled from my secret sister. HUNH? Secret Sister. Not the one from a little board I go to, cause she doesn't live in Indiana, where this lady lives. It slowly dawned on me that this was another round of Secret Sister on a Yahoo group. I thought I had to sign up for each round, and apparently not. She sent me this lovely Pine Mountain pillow kit, a dog picture frame, perfect to put pix of mummy's main man in, some beads and some needles. So I had this lovely box of stash from someone, and somewhere my Secret Sister was waiting for her box of stash.
Y'all, I could have thrown up. I felt so horrible. So I ran around, trying to get a hold of the moderator, so I can get my partner info and get her up to date. I was so upset. I try not to be a flake, if I can help it, and this was just awful.
I got her today. I like my partner! She likes dogs. She likes Halloween. She just seemed kinda sad the last time she posted as she thought her partner didn't want her. So I fully intend on spoiling her. Seriously.
So I am off to AC Moore at lunch to get her two skeins of floss and some goodies for a small intro package. They have really nice little Bucilla ornament kits, and one is a dog, so I'll get her one of them, plus their Christmas ornaments have gone up in quality, and I think I saw some dogs there. I can't be sure, but I think they are trying to copy the Hobby Lobby model in that, as HL has AWESOME ornaments.
Then, on Friday, I'll get her her big treats. I hope my LNS has them. We're going by there, because they're having a model sale to benefit a battered women's shelter in Catonsville, and my mom likes to go. I should be able to pick up some nice things.
They were!
And SO's Marcus Deware jersey, which he has been saying he wanted for a year, and it was a little spendy, so when I found it on Ebay for half the cost of the Cowboys store, I bought that sucker.I thought about trying to get him a Deware autograph to go with it, but they were rather expensive, like a week's takehome pay. Not happening. But he'll like the jersey.
And there was a box labelled from my secret sister. HUNH? Secret Sister. Not the one from a little board I go to, cause she doesn't live in Indiana, where this lady lives. It slowly dawned on me that this was another round of Secret Sister on a Yahoo group. I thought I had to sign up for each round, and apparently not. She sent me this lovely Pine Mountain pillow kit, a dog picture frame, perfect to put pix of mummy's main man in, some beads and some needles. So I had this lovely box of stash from someone, and somewhere my Secret Sister was waiting for her box of stash.
Y'all, I could have thrown up. I felt so horrible. So I ran around, trying to get a hold of the moderator, so I can get my partner info and get her up to date. I was so upset. I try not to be a flake, if I can help it, and this was just awful.
I got her today. I like my partner! She likes dogs. She likes Halloween. She just seemed kinda sad the last time she posted as she thought her partner didn't want her. So I fully intend on spoiling her. Seriously.
So I am off to AC Moore at lunch to get her two skeins of floss and some goodies for a small intro package. They have really nice little Bucilla ornament kits, and one is a dog, so I'll get her one of them, plus their Christmas ornaments have gone up in quality, and I think I saw some dogs there. I can't be sure, but I think they are trying to copy the Hobby Lobby model in that, as HL has AWESOME ornaments.
Then, on Friday, I'll get her her big treats. I hope my LNS has them. We're going by there, because they're having a model sale to benefit a battered women's shelter in Catonsville, and my mom likes to go. I should be able to pick up some nice things.
10 November 2008
I must have this
I can not explain why, but I must. I wonder how the fair people would judge a piece like this?
It's by Xs and Ohs:
It's by Xs and Ohs:
Halfway better
He got his drain out on Friday. A drain. He didn't even yelp when she took it out. I guess he got the one that hurt the worst out himself and so the rest was cake. He still has his stitches in. Those are in for 10-14 days. My mom was more upset about them staying that either him or I were. And the doctor said to keep his cone on, unless we were watching him. I couldn't get her to understand that, as happy as he was to see his feet for the first time in a week, he wasn't gonna mess with his stitches. Poor little man, I gave him a cookie on Friday before I got to thinking. It was a big one, the kind you need a leg to hold down so as to properly chew, and he couldn't eat it. He got so frustrated. I think my mom is taking him back today to get the stitches out. I left that up to her, because I can't take time off work to run him out to the vet's and I don't like scheduling her without her input. But we're getting closer. You bet I'm gonna watch that tiny hiney like a hawk.
My birthday went great. SO doesn't have my present yet, but it's our anniversary tomorrow, so I think it will probably be a combo gift, and he's having a party on Saturday for me. He did take me out for steaks, which is AWESOME! My parents gave me the Carriage House Samplings Fragments necklace I picked out in July. It's pretty, a small Quaker motif from an old Goode Huswife (I think) model on the back, a small portrait on the front, with an antique key and two chocolate beads attached on the bottom. I think it will go so nice with a sweater dress I bought last fall and I like that it's not the everyday. This is her website and link to Etsy store: http://carriagehousesamplings.com/fragments.htm . I think Whiter Shades of Pale would be lovely for a wedding day. My aunt is donating money in my name to a horse charity--with the economy so bad, people just can't keep their horses, and are turning them in to rescues, or, and I think this is horrible, letting them go in areas like Corolla on the Outer Banks, I guess because there are wild horses there? I am praying for those poor horses; there is a huge difference between a wild pony used to wintering on a barrier island and a domestic horse who has known warmth and constant food through the winter. That makes me sick. So I would hope my birthday present goes to provide a homeless horse with some comfort this winter.
I did pull out my geisha and stitched hardcore on her yesterday. I almost have her skirt done. After that, it's just half stitching and back stitching, piece of cake! I will be celebrating when it is done, I assure you. This will be a huge happy dance. But I do have to say, for as much crap as people give kits for the quality of the floss and fabric, other than having a small margin (which a good framer can mask, this is why we pay them the big bucks), the fabric has held together astonishingly well. Especially since it's been a UFO for so long. The floss might be a little ratty looking, but again, it's been a UFO for 8 years, these things happen. SO asked if I reused the leftover floss from the kits. I told him not usually, I don't throw it away, but that I usually just send it to one of the charities that asks for floss, especially if it's not DMC. Maybe I could start using it for ornaments or small designs like they have in WOXS.
OH, and I got the most awesome thing. SO is moving his family's business out of the shop they rent, because it's too much space, and too much rent. He had some cabinets in their kitchen/breakroom area that he brought home yesterday. I figured he would have some use for them and didn't want to ask, but he said, "You can use this for your floss dyeing. So I have a real workplace, with real drawers, and I can put my dyes away! And feel professional! I asked him if he knew an artist to do the logo for my little enterprise, he said he would ask his tattoo artist friend. I have faith in his work, it would be pretty awesome to have an award-winning tattoo artist do my logo, right? I just have to make sure he knows I don't want anything too wierd, just a line drawing of a happy cat.
I have gotten a couple comments on the floss dying. I think the link should be in the post. "my tutorial" links to my original post, and "Jennifer" goes to her blog. The posts are recent. I know Rit will work to dye fabric, although I haven't tried it with the dishsoap. It does take it pretty well with just the dye, and, knock on wood, I have never had a piece where the color ran or faded, even with laundering. Without the vinegar, it just takes a lot of rinsing with hot water until that water is CLEAR. And then you can iron to set as well.
My birthday went great. SO doesn't have my present yet, but it's our anniversary tomorrow, so I think it will probably be a combo gift, and he's having a party on Saturday for me. He did take me out for steaks, which is AWESOME! My parents gave me the Carriage House Samplings Fragments necklace I picked out in July. It's pretty, a small Quaker motif from an old Goode Huswife (I think) model on the back, a small portrait on the front, with an antique key and two chocolate beads attached on the bottom. I think it will go so nice with a sweater dress I bought last fall and I like that it's not the everyday. This is her website and link to Etsy store: http://carriagehousesamplings.com/fragments.htm . I think Whiter Shades of Pale would be lovely for a wedding day. My aunt is donating money in my name to a horse charity--with the economy so bad, people just can't keep their horses, and are turning them in to rescues, or, and I think this is horrible, letting them go in areas like Corolla on the Outer Banks, I guess because there are wild horses there? I am praying for those poor horses; there is a huge difference between a wild pony used to wintering on a barrier island and a domestic horse who has known warmth and constant food through the winter. That makes me sick. So I would hope my birthday present goes to provide a homeless horse with some comfort this winter.
I did pull out my geisha and stitched hardcore on her yesterday. I almost have her skirt done. After that, it's just half stitching and back stitching, piece of cake! I will be celebrating when it is done, I assure you. This will be a huge happy dance. But I do have to say, for as much crap as people give kits for the quality of the floss and fabric, other than having a small margin (which a good framer can mask, this is why we pay them the big bucks), the fabric has held together astonishingly well. Especially since it's been a UFO for so long. The floss might be a little ratty looking, but again, it's been a UFO for 8 years, these things happen. SO asked if I reused the leftover floss from the kits. I told him not usually, I don't throw it away, but that I usually just send it to one of the charities that asks for floss, especially if it's not DMC. Maybe I could start using it for ornaments or small designs like they have in WOXS.
OH, and I got the most awesome thing. SO is moving his family's business out of the shop they rent, because it's too much space, and too much rent. He had some cabinets in their kitchen/breakroom area that he brought home yesterday. I figured he would have some use for them and didn't want to ask, but he said, "You can use this for your floss dyeing. So I have a real workplace, with real drawers, and I can put my dyes away! And feel professional! I asked him if he knew an artist to do the logo for my little enterprise, he said he would ask his tattoo artist friend. I have faith in his work, it would be pretty awesome to have an award-winning tattoo artist do my logo, right? I just have to make sure he knows I don't want anything too wierd, just a line drawing of a happy cat.
I have gotten a couple comments on the floss dying. I think the link should be in the post. "my tutorial" links to my original post, and "Jennifer" goes to her blog. The posts are recent. I know Rit will work to dye fabric, although I haven't tried it with the dishsoap. It does take it pretty well with just the dye, and, knock on wood, I have never had a piece where the color ran or faded, even with laundering. Without the vinegar, it just takes a lot of rinsing with hot water until that water is CLEAR. And then you can iron to set as well.
06 November 2008
Check this out!
Jennifer showed off her wonderful beautiful thread dyeing finishes she did using my tuturial
from over the summer. Didn't she do a fantastic job? Way better than I did! I am so proud of her! (And a little pleased with myself for writing directions people can understand and get such pretty results from). I hope she does start an Etsy store!
from over the summer. Didn't she do a fantastic job? Way better than I did! I am so proud of her! (And a little pleased with myself for writing directions people can understand and get such pretty results from). I hope she does start an Etsy store!
Whoda thunk
that if I used #8 braid instead of #4 braid, it would be just different enough to irritate me, and yet, strangely out of place on my Treaty Fairy? And, most intriguing, course enough to leave a gouge mark on the surface of my freshly-painted fingernail last night. Not I!
I had to go get another reel of braid, since I used up all my emerald following the directions for her. I confess, I didn't pay that close attention to the kind of braid it was when we were at my LNS, I just needed 009, not 009HL, which was up high on the rack. So I grabbed 009, and didn't look to see it was #8, not #4, and took it home. Sat down last night to stitch, and, realized it didn't feel right. Unfortunately, that was not before I got a dink in my nail polish because I ran the braid over it. CRUD. Looked and it was #8. Bugger bugger bugger. So I had to order another reel today. Kinda annoyed with myself.
As is my wont on Wednesday nights, I watched Ghosthunters. It was the recap of the live show, which I have to admit, I didn't watch because I was handing out Halloween candy and watching the Davinci code on Halloween. The Miz was a guest ghosthunter. I had to laugh. Does anyone else realize that the Miz was Mike from the Real World New York in 2001, back when I used to watch that show religiously? He's come a long way from being a dumb frat boy, but he was kinda aggravating in the brief clip he was on. He called the ghosts wusses. My immediate thought was, "If they are from the Civil War, is it really a threat to call them a wuss? Do they know that word is an insult?" I don't know--I imagine they are not up on the current lingo, beings as they may not even be totally convinced they're dead. And then with the voices that said, "You don't belong here" or whatever, that seemed a little hinky to me. For something to just come out and say it, it sounded like a recording. I don't know if someone got in there and was messing with them. It was wierd. But there was some stuff I don't know how to explain, like tugging on Grant's coat--that was cool!
We are almost finished with Robbie's treatments. We have one more night with the drains, hopefully. I have a 5:00 appointment tomorrow with him at the vet's, not the best way to celebrate my birthday, but not having to give him that hydrotherapy is a good gift. He is no longer even willing to come in the bathroom with me, LOL. This morning, he laid in the livingroom door while I was getting ready, just so he could make sure I got out safely, whereas normally, he would get in the shower with me if he could. He's funny. I think he'll do better once the therapy is finished, because all he knows about the antibiotic is that he gets cream cheese, and ain't nothing wrong with that. He was dancing on his hind legs for Mom last night while she was fixing it. I let her do the fun stuff for him, I get stuck with the hard work, cause he'll get over it. As soon as we get that cone off, he's just going bye-byes with Mummy, and he loves having me all to himself, especially in the car.
I had to go get another reel of braid, since I used up all my emerald following the directions for her. I confess, I didn't pay that close attention to the kind of braid it was when we were at my LNS, I just needed 009, not 009HL, which was up high on the rack. So I grabbed 009, and didn't look to see it was #8, not #4, and took it home. Sat down last night to stitch, and, realized it didn't feel right. Unfortunately, that was not before I got a dink in my nail polish because I ran the braid over it. CRUD. Looked and it was #8. Bugger bugger bugger. So I had to order another reel today. Kinda annoyed with myself.
As is my wont on Wednesday nights, I watched Ghosthunters. It was the recap of the live show, which I have to admit, I didn't watch because I was handing out Halloween candy and watching the Davinci code on Halloween. The Miz was a guest ghosthunter. I had to laugh. Does anyone else realize that the Miz was Mike from the Real World New York in 2001, back when I used to watch that show religiously? He's come a long way from being a dumb frat boy, but he was kinda aggravating in the brief clip he was on. He called the ghosts wusses. My immediate thought was, "If they are from the Civil War, is it really a threat to call them a wuss? Do they know that word is an insult?" I don't know--I imagine they are not up on the current lingo, beings as they may not even be totally convinced they're dead. And then with the voices that said, "You don't belong here" or whatever, that seemed a little hinky to me. For something to just come out and say it, it sounded like a recording. I don't know if someone got in there and was messing with them. It was wierd. But there was some stuff I don't know how to explain, like tugging on Grant's coat--that was cool!
We are almost finished with Robbie's treatments. We have one more night with the drains, hopefully. I have a 5:00 appointment tomorrow with him at the vet's, not the best way to celebrate my birthday, but not having to give him that hydrotherapy is a good gift. He is no longer even willing to come in the bathroom with me, LOL. This morning, he laid in the livingroom door while I was getting ready, just so he could make sure I got out safely, whereas normally, he would get in the shower with me if he could. He's funny. I think he'll do better once the therapy is finished, because all he knows about the antibiotic is that he gets cream cheese, and ain't nothing wrong with that. He was dancing on his hind legs for Mom last night while she was fixing it. I let her do the fun stuff for him, I get stuck with the hard work, cause he'll get over it. As soon as we get that cone off, he's just going bye-byes with Mummy, and he loves having me all to himself, especially in the car.
05 November 2008
Another day . . .
Robbie managed to get his cone off last night. While I was asleep. I don't think I have ever had a cardio workout that quite jazzed my heart like that moment when I reached down to find out who was pushing me while they were supposed to be sleeping, felt the nose, the silky fur that means Robbie, and didn't feel the cone. I was horrified that he had gotten it off and was working on his drains and sutures, so I raced across the room and flipped on the light. Thank God he either hadn't had time or access to his but get them pulled out and they were still in place. so I just shoved the cone back on and admonished him. He looked at me like, "Whatever. Talk to me when you have to wear this stupid thing."
I did figure out if I moved his drains when he was in the tub in the warm water, it doesn't seem to be as uncomfortable for him. It's still uncomfortable, but not as bad. He still doesn't like having the Neosporin put on. I can't do anything about that. But I take it, from his reaction, that the "pain relief" part of the Neosporin isn't working too hard. Or else my son is just a bawly baby.
I finished my primitive stitching piece last night. It was so easy to do and pretty fun. Mom couldn't believe I had it done in a day. Neither could I. But it was fun to outline and backstitch and stem stitch. Made a really pleasant change from messing with infintesimal beads. I picked Treaty fairy back up this morning and wanted to work on her. I found this site with really cute free primitive stitchery designs:
http://www.freecraftz.com/twigsnsprigs.html
I did figure out if I moved his drains when he was in the tub in the warm water, it doesn't seem to be as uncomfortable for him. It's still uncomfortable, but not as bad. He still doesn't like having the Neosporin put on. I can't do anything about that. But I take it, from his reaction, that the "pain relief" part of the Neosporin isn't working too hard. Or else my son is just a bawly baby.
I finished my primitive stitching piece last night. It was so easy to do and pretty fun. Mom couldn't believe I had it done in a day. Neither could I. But it was fun to outline and backstitch and stem stitch. Made a really pleasant change from messing with infintesimal beads. I picked Treaty fairy back up this morning and wanted to work on her. I found this site with really cute free primitive stitchery designs:
http://www.freecraftz.com/twigsnsprigs.html
04 November 2008
A pic
This was the square I did for Laurie in British Columbia as part of a quilt from 123. She sent me the most beautiful email thanking me. All I can say is Thank you to her for being a person in my life.
There comes a day . . .
When you realize, you just don't got it in you to make little x's. At least not that day. For me, that day . . . is today.
I don't know whether it's the fact it's Election Day and I am so fed up with politics in general. This could be, especially because I live a few miles from the nation's capital. So when the rest of you aren't having to have the political stuff jammed down your throat, we still gotta deal with it. Because of the inauguration and the changing of offices. I was at the polls at 7:30 this morning. They're in my hometown, in the elementary school I went to. It's funny; I go in every other year, and yet I still find it amusing that everything is so tiny. And of course the line stopped right in front of my 6th grade class' photo from 1988. Let's just say, the 20years between then and now were years of great positive change I can believe in, at least now that my eyebrows and cheekbones grew in, LOL. Anyway . . . I voted.
But it's probably not just that. We're 4 days into Robbie's hydrotherapy and wound care, and it's taking a lot out of me. It's not that the care is difficult, but my boy is difficult, and strong as anything. I realize that it hurts to have the care done, but he keeps wiggling, and my mother does not help me anymore than she absolutely has to. It is incredibly frustrating to have to hold his back legs, and a tube of Neosporin, to have to twist the drains, and to keep him from tucking his butt, and then hear, "You are going to pull those out if you aren't careful", while she's barely holding him. It takes a lot out of me, to the point where I am starting to hate doing it. At least I only have til Friday to deal with it. And I had to do it last night at 11 and this morning at 6. 2 times in 7 hours is draining.
So I started a small primitive stitching piece I bought on E-bay last week. It's fun. It's kinda relaxing. It was a little hard to draw on the muslin, but I figure if it's reasonably close, my brain will help me fill in and make it look nice.
I don't know whether it's the fact it's Election Day and I am so fed up with politics in general. This could be, especially because I live a few miles from the nation's capital. So when the rest of you aren't having to have the political stuff jammed down your throat, we still gotta deal with it. Because of the inauguration and the changing of offices. I was at the polls at 7:30 this morning. They're in my hometown, in the elementary school I went to. It's funny; I go in every other year, and yet I still find it amusing that everything is so tiny. And of course the line stopped right in front of my 6th grade class' photo from 1988. Let's just say, the 20years between then and now were years of great positive change I can believe in, at least now that my eyebrows and cheekbones grew in, LOL. Anyway . . . I voted.
But it's probably not just that. We're 4 days into Robbie's hydrotherapy and wound care, and it's taking a lot out of me. It's not that the care is difficult, but my boy is difficult, and strong as anything. I realize that it hurts to have the care done, but he keeps wiggling, and my mother does not help me anymore than she absolutely has to. It is incredibly frustrating to have to hold his back legs, and a tube of Neosporin, to have to twist the drains, and to keep him from tucking his butt, and then hear, "You are going to pull those out if you aren't careful", while she's barely holding him. It takes a lot out of me, to the point where I am starting to hate doing it. At least I only have til Friday to deal with it. And I had to do it last night at 11 and this morning at 6. 2 times in 7 hours is draining.
So I started a small primitive stitching piece I bought on E-bay last week. It's fun. It's kinda relaxing. It was a little hard to draw on the muslin, but I figure if it's reasonably close, my brain will help me fill in and make it look nice.
03 November 2008
Getting back to normal
Robbie ended up in the vet through Saturday. His gland ruptured, so when I went to get him on Friday, they told me he had to stay. I did get some visiting time. I tried not to stay too long, so he wouldn't get too upset, but I was in tears when I left. He came home on Saturday morning, but felt the need to tell the vet staff exactly what he felt about their abusive ways. Apparently, it was insulting to his dignity to have his tiny hiney shaved, and then to have to wear a lampshade, while there are drains hanging out of his buttcheek (I guess I would be insulted too). Unlike the cat, he was smart enough to do his smack-talking sitting by the front door of the vet office, and insisted that, if I had to pay for him to be abused in such a manner, I was not as smart a woman as he thought I was, LOL.
He's starting to do better. The lampshade is not working too hot, but that's more a function of him not being able to comprehend that it's longer than his nose and wider than his body. We have to do hydrotherapy twice a day which he hates, but when I get the warm water in the tub, he doesn't mind sitting in it. He really loathes when I have to move the drains, and that hurts me, but SO said I had to keep doing it, because I have to do it to help him. He is being so good about his antibiotics (god bless the inventor of cream cheese), but I think he must realize cream cheese isn't supposed to be chunky, because he watches when I am sticking the Clavomox in the cheese. But he's taking it.
Stitching wise, I didn't do very much this weekend. I wound the threads from my Ooops packs on Friday night while waiting for the trick or treaters to come to the door. The pitty bulls were in the garage for the duration, and one of them decided to add to the Halloween atmosphere by sending up the most un-earthly howls whenever a child stepped onto the front steps, and it was kinda funny to watch the kids reacting to him. And for some reason, they seemed to think that the lockbox for the spare key was a bomb. They kept yelling, "Don't touch it." I had to stop myself from laughing.
Saturday was pretty much filled up with taking care of Robbie and working. Came home and SO informed me that he had eaten candy for lunch. It was pretty late, so I didn't get my stitching out.Even though I was annoyed at myself for not having Treaty fairy done.
I did pull her out yesterday and commenced beading her. I hate beading. Not when it's two or three or four, but this was some long runs of beading, and I was so afraid it would start to fall out, like SO's stocking did . . . at the fair, waiting in line to enter. So I was very slow. And my hoops aren't big enough to hold the whole piece, and I am not good at beading in hand, so I had to go today and found a large set of Q-snaps to use so I can bead.
Oh, and I did find that Michael's is having a sale on their fall baskets. I thought it would be pretty cool to have a fall basket with a piece mounted on it, and they had such pretty baskets 70% off. So I found an adorable tiny pumpkin shaped one that I can probably find a small design to go into. It was 60 cents--I couldn't pass that up.
He's starting to do better. The lampshade is not working too hot, but that's more a function of him not being able to comprehend that it's longer than his nose and wider than his body. We have to do hydrotherapy twice a day which he hates, but when I get the warm water in the tub, he doesn't mind sitting in it. He really loathes when I have to move the drains, and that hurts me, but SO said I had to keep doing it, because I have to do it to help him. He is being so good about his antibiotics (god bless the inventor of cream cheese), but I think he must realize cream cheese isn't supposed to be chunky, because he watches when I am sticking the Clavomox in the cheese. But he's taking it.
Stitching wise, I didn't do very much this weekend. I wound the threads from my Ooops packs on Friday night while waiting for the trick or treaters to come to the door. The pitty bulls were in the garage for the duration, and one of them decided to add to the Halloween atmosphere by sending up the most un-earthly howls whenever a child stepped onto the front steps, and it was kinda funny to watch the kids reacting to him. And for some reason, they seemed to think that the lockbox for the spare key was a bomb. They kept yelling, "Don't touch it." I had to stop myself from laughing.
Saturday was pretty much filled up with taking care of Robbie and working. Came home and SO informed me that he had eaten candy for lunch. It was pretty late, so I didn't get my stitching out.Even though I was annoyed at myself for not having Treaty fairy done.
I did pull her out yesterday and commenced beading her. I hate beading. Not when it's two or three or four, but this was some long runs of beading, and I was so afraid it would start to fall out, like SO's stocking did . . . at the fair, waiting in line to enter. So I was very slow. And my hoops aren't big enough to hold the whole piece, and I am not good at beading in hand, so I had to go today and found a large set of Q-snaps to use so I can bead.
Oh, and I did find that Michael's is having a sale on their fall baskets. I thought it would be pretty cool to have a fall basket with a piece mounted on it, and they had such pretty baskets 70% off. So I found an adorable tiny pumpkin shaped one that I can probably find a small design to go into. It was 60 cents--I couldn't pass that up.
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