Sheer Abandon - Penny Vincenzi

One night in 1986 an abandoned baby girl is found in a cupboard at Heathrow airport. A year earlier Martha, Clio and Jocasta had met by chance, at the start of a backpacking adventure: they travelled together briefly and then went their own ways, swearing to meet again when they return home. But it would be a long time until they met again: not until Kate, the foundling, is a teenager, and all three are leading successful lives. Martha is a single, highly paid lawyer, Clio a doctor, locked in an unhappy marriage, and Jocasta a reporter, in love with a charming commitment-phobe. Which of them is Kate's mother? Why was she desperate enough to do such a thing, and how did she survive it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took me a very long time to read this book, but it had nothing to do with my enjoyment level. This book was very good, but reserved books kept coming in from the library that kept getting in the way.

Weigh Day Success

Well, whatdya know? I'm sooooo excited about this! I could do a wee happy dance right now. I'll not just yet, because today is a new day. A new day is a good thing, but could also be a bad thing, I could totally blow it, but I'm going to keep this positive and have faith that this is the beginning of a new trend for me. WOOHOO! I'm losing some weight!!!! Just imagine if I could actually find the desire and drive to my body in some physical capacity things might really start to come together.

Minor success and I'm happy with that today!

Go Yankees Go!

WOOHOO!!! The Yankees made the post season. I'm so happy I can't even tell you. It has been a summer of ups and downs as far as the Yankee go. I look forward to the next couple days to see if they can take the division from Boston or not.

It will be interesting to see if the Yankees can maintain the winning streak through the post season. There are a lot of youngsters on the team this year, this will be their first post season, under extreme pressure. How will it affect them? What will come of The Rocket? Will he be grounded or take flight in the magnificent way, only Roger can? I can't wait to see the dark eyed stare of Andy Pettitte because there is nothing sweeter to see than that menacing glare. Where do you begin when thinking of Joba Chamberlain and the impact he could have on the success of this year's post season? This kid is phenomenal.

I could go on and on about the players, but I'll stop there! My next concern is my work schedule. I always have to work 2p-10p when the post season starts and this year is no exception. Break a girls heart already! I will be checking with co-workers to see if I can't switch a couple shifts so I can catch a few games.

I live for this!

Whatever You Say - Martina McBride

Whatever You Say

You think I'm always makin'

Something out of nothin'you're sayin' everything's okay

You've always got an answer

Before I ask the question

Whatever you say

~*~

Now we can change the subject

Pretend I never brought it up

Same old story anyway

Later we can work it out

Right now you're talked out

Yeah, whatever you say

~*~

CHORUS

Oh I know you can hear me

But I'm not sure you're listening

I hear what you're sayin'

But there's somthing missin'

Whether I go whether I stay

Right now depends on

Whatever you say

~*~

You say yes you need me

And no you wouldn't leave me

And that should be enough to make me stay

And even though I want to

I don't hear I love you

In whatever you say

~*~

Oh whether I go whether I stay

Right now depends on

Whatever you say

Whatever you say

Whatever you say

~*~

It has been quite some time since I've had a lyric blog entry. This song came on the radio this morning and just got in my head for more reasons than I can explain. Not only is Martina the most beautiful woman in country music with the exception of Faith Hill, but she is one of the most talented gems in the industry. Her music is of the nature you walk away from listening to her feeling changed or moved, atleast I do anyway. I know country music isn't for everyone, but the reason I love it so much is the way it makes me think and moves me on a very personal and emotional level. This song is just that for me.... something that is moving and touching.

The Burnt House - Faye Kellerman

At 8:15 in the morning, a small commuter plane carrying forty-seven passengers crashes into an apartment building in Granada Hills, California. Shock waves ripple through Los Angeles, as L.A.P.D. Lieutenant Peter Decker works overtime to calm rampant fears of a 9/11-type terror attack. But a grisly mystery lives inside the plane's charred and twisted wreckage: the unidentified bodies of four extra travelers. And there is no sign of an airline employee who was supposedly on the catastrophic flight.

Decker and his wife, Rina, have personal reasons for being profoundly shaken by the tragedy, since the "accident" occurred frighteningly close to their daughter Hannah's school. Luckily, their child and her schoolmates escaped unscathed. But the fate of the unaccounted-for flight attendant—twenty-eight-year-old Roseanne Dresden—remains a question mark more than a month after the horrific event, when the young woman's irate stepfather calls, insisting that she was never onboard the doomed plane. Instead, he claims, she was most likely murdered by her abusive, unfaithful husband. But why, then, was Roseanne's name included on the passenger list?

Under intense pressure from the department to come up with answers, Decker launches an investigation that carries him down a path of tragic history, dangerous secrets, and deadly lies—and leads him to the corpse of a three-decades-missing murder victim. And as the jagged pieces slowly fall into place, a frightening picture begins to form: a mind-searing portrait of unimaginable evil that will challenge Decker's and Rina's own beliefs about guilt and innocence and justice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I discover a new author, I will read the cover of the first book and if I like I won't read the cover of future books. I find the jacket gives away too much story line and in the end takes away from the experience. I will sometimes read the book then read the cover. I did that with this novel and I'm glad I read the book without the direction given from the cover information. The cover touted this novel as intense and indicates that Decker will be pressured from many angles to crack this case. I didn't find this to be the way of the novel at all. Decker was under pressure from one source it seemed, the father of one of the murder victims. Rina was pretty much a non-factor which was neither here nor there.

All in all the book was good, but if I were using the jacket description as my guide I would have been disappointed.

Random Ramblings

I make no promises about this post. It will be all over the place as is the thoughts in my head.

Part of what I need to do is update my stitching goals. I have finally pushed my dear friend Velda over the edge. She got her head into my stitching rotation (love ya) and rearranged things for me.... you freaking Virgo you -- me too, I know! Apparently all my starts (startitis) has been driving Velda crazy. Who knew? I had no clue! Okay, maybe a little bit I did. Anyway, I'm getting distracted picking on V.

With Velda's help I've fine tuned my WIP list in hopes of seeing some finishes before the new year. The following is how things are going to go. I option the right to change my mind! No, seriously I will change my mind.

• Love With a Capital L - until I'm sick of it. Is that possible? I want this hanging on my wall by Christmas if not sooner.
• Hydrangea Harvest - 30 hours should finish this up
• Job's Tears - 30 hours should also see this one complete
• Wildflower Rhapsody - just started, but is a gift and I should get plugging away on it.
• Summer Breeze - I need for this to hang above my front door. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be living in my house (for various reasons) and this is a very emotional piece for me, so I really want it completed sooner rather than later.
• Halloween Fairy - This is such a small piece. What has taken me so long to complete it? Oh ya, all these other pieces!
• Enchanted Fairy - This one will be started around Christmas but will not be finished for ages, I'm sure of that!

Thanks V, for your help. I'm very much a scatter brain right now and need this as a distraction to keep me focused. Strange comment, but you get it right?

I want to tip my hat to Krista and Velda. I posted a couple days ago about challenging myself to walk, run or bike the equivelant of a trip to Yankee Stadium. No surprise in the fact in who is there pushing me forward, encouraging me and offering to help in getting my butt in gear, but the two of you. I truly do not know what I would do without the two of you in my life. By the time this is all said and done you might want to do away with me and I will understand if you do!

My head is racing which seems to always be the way anymore. I'm exhausted. Physically, mentally and emotionally, I'm drained. I have nothing left to give. I've a headache from Hades or rather a stress knot across the top of my shoulders, so tender it's not to be believed. I'm really starting to neglect myself as of late and on every level. I seriously need to step back from the ledge before I jump!

Off to stitch or read or both since I'm at work.

Still The Same

Things are the same this week. I'm okay with things staying the same rather than the number raising. I ate garbage in the latter part of the week, so I'm glad to see no damage done.

My mini goals this week will be to get in some exercise and more vegetables. I'll report back on how well I do.

Yankee Stadium Bound

Relatively speaking, I'm heading to Yankee Stadium. I've been to the home of my beloved Yankees once in my life and probably will not get back again in time before they move to another stadium. I'm of two minds with this move of theirs, but that is for another time.

There was a time in my life when I was quite physically fit and extremely active. It was a passion and drive I had to be at the gym 5-6 days a week. I started out walking and then progressed to running during this time at the gym. I know some would call me a runner, but I question the title. I tried and I loved it. Life has changed a lot in the last couple years and with those changes my commitment to the gym, my body and my running has also undergone some restructuring. I am sad to report I haven't run in months. I've done a bit of walking and I'm happy for that, but I miss the push, drive, sweat and ache (not pain) of a good run.

I have been giving some thought to trying to re-evaluate my body and my lack of desire to run or better myself physically at this point in my life. Believe me, it's not that I'm at all content with my mini-tire around my midsection nor the fact I have pants in my closet that range between 4 sizes, and too many pants to count, but only have 4 that I'm comfortable wearing. There is something not right in that!

I will not make excuses, but let it be known I've suffered sciatic nerve problems in the past and they hurt like hades and scare me even more. I've recently developed a problem behind my right knee, but on the back side of my leg. It isn't a constant pain, but it's something. I've not been to the doctor about it because I'd just rather live with my head in the sand so to speak! Bad habit.

The challenge I put forth in an effort to reclaim my desire and success in working out and being healthier, I'm going to log my kilometres travelled to get myself to Yankee Stadium, where if I could be anywhere in the world right now, that would be the place.... okay there may be one other place I'd rather be, but again - another time.

The distance from my door to Yankee Stadium is 386.82 miles or 662 KM. I will log my time when running, walking or biking to get to a total of 662KM. I will not set a completion date, but just add the totals as they come. This exercise will be specific exercise set aside for this purpose only, not distance spent walking around doing everyday things, but actual activity walks. I'm a little apprehensive with my minor aches and pains, but I look forward to, actually crave the challenge. I really hope this is my way of overcoming this obstacle.

662 KM to go!

Love with a Capital L 60 hours

This piece is taking on a life of it's own! It is huge. I knew it would be since I've seen a few finished pieces, but I didn't understand just how huge. I really would like to show more than the main part I worked but it would be too much, so here, for the most part is what I focused on this past 10 hour rotation.

Curly status: I did a fair amount this rotation. I'm currently at 21/45 ompleted. Pretty bad when I'm doing stats on this particular element. I'm soooo funny!

As can always be expected from me, I've changed my rotation up a small bit. I'm going to work on this piece until I'm tired of it. I'm really 'feeling' this piece right now so I want to ride it out and see how much I can accomplish before I tire of it.

I will be quite a bit of time before I'm back with another update. I'm not working a lot right now and that is where I log most of my stitching time. Todd is on holidays for the next little bit and I will be spending time with him rather time home alone - lovin it! I also have a Finish It piece in my possession that I would like to make a dent in before I have to send it on to another stitcher. I was a bit late in receiving this month's piece so I have to try and find the time to dedicate to it.

Did some cross stitch site perusing tonight. That is a bad thing, a very bad thing. I want to get things finished so rather than stitching, I spend time oogling over pieces I want to stitch in the future. Apparently the 14 pieces I have on the go right now aren't enough. I was over at Passione Ricamo and fell in love with Enchanted Fairy. There are others, but she is probably going to be my NEXT start. Now I know I'm not supposed to be starting new pieces and here I am already rambling on about a new piece. Pam and I will probably be starting her on Boxing Day. Anyone else up for a SAL? The more the merrier!

Happy stitching days to you.

Get Out Of My Head

Your Horoscope for SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
You're not exactly someone who follows all the latest fads, but you may realize that recently you let yourself get taken for a ride. In fact, even though you're not necessarily an impulsive person, that doesn't stop you from buying things on the spur of the moment that just sit there in your closet or somewhere else in your house. What do you do with all those clothes anyway? Be more careful with your money!

There isn't much more to add to this other than: GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!!!!!! This so bang on it's scary.

This really does give me moments of concern. I know I've been spending and doing things around the house lately. I'm of two minds with this spending. I've not been spending as much on clothing as I once was although I do have the closet full of clothing indicated.

The money I have been spending is mostly centered on fixing my house up. I want to fix my house so badly especially since I've lived here for so long I can't even remember. There are things I've done since I've been the sole owner, but there is still so much to be done. When I look back to only a couple short years ago, I have to be impresseed with what I've been able to accomplish. With that being said, I will still continue to move forward with renovations and repairs, but be a little more cautious of the money I'm spending.

Friday Morning Weigh In

My WI for today! I'm really happy with this result. I have moments of trepidation every Friday morning just before stepping on the scale, so I'm really pleased with this week's outcome.

I didn't eat as well as I could have, but I never do. I'm not a perfect eater I just know I try to eat better than when I'm just shoveling it in. I consumed more pop this week than I normally do although I did also drink more water than I have in a very long time. My fruit and vegetable intake can always be better. All in all though it was a good week!
______________________________________________________________
September 7th - Start Weight: 134
September 14 - Current Weight 132.2
Loss - 1.8
Total Loss - 1.8

Chocolate, Coke, Chai Tea and Friends

I had the most wonderful afternoon with my stitching and a most wonderful woman. I had so many things I could have been doing today, but instead of all the things I should be doing I did something I wanted to do, not saying I don't want to do the things around the house. Both things bring me joy and satisfaction, but one thing can be done at another time. I don't always get to spend time with Velda. So, today on a whim I ended up on her couch with chocolate, coke and my stitching. The Starbucks Chai tea came later.

I don't get to spend the kind of time with Velda as I once did which is very sad for me. I thought she's at home alone, not really alone, but without adult interaction for the most part. What better way to get away from all that needs to be done here than to be with a friend sharing life experiences and all the wonderful things girlfriends will talk about and cry about! It is a refreshing moment to be in the company of one you love and trust explicitly! I know you read my blog, but it is not with that in mind I write this (okay right now, maybe), but I love you like you have no idea! Thank you for a great afternoon! You rock.

Stitching progress while at Velda's today. I worked on the curly cues on my Love piece. It was mindless stitching so I could listen and pay attention to Velda, even though we didn't look at each other while we stitched! I always feel so rude when this happens, but from one stitcher to another we both understand it's not rude, just stitching time when we're together! I'm happy to report I made some good progress on the curly cues. I think at last count it was 7 completed of the 20 - woohoo! 5 hours of the required 10 complete. Should have an updated photo by Sunday!

What Was I Thinking?

As you know from my previous entry I've painted the spare room. It looks (looked) very pretty. I should have left well enough alone! GRRRR

I decided to try and trim the window on my own. I'm not a carpenter in any way, shape or form. I'm a dork at the best of times, but I wanted to try and do this on my own. I get sick and tired of asking for help on what appears to be a simple job. To heck with that! Next time a window needs to be trimmed I'm calling in the troops (AKA Todd)! I've been puttering with this freaking trim for my second day now. I'm sporting a band-aid on my left index finger from whacking it with the hammer, not once but about 10 times. I do not exaggerate - honest. I do believe if the wall were in better shape I wouldn't be struggling so much, but the wall is so compromised it just won't pull in the trim so it fits tight. What should have been a 2 hour job has turned in to at least a 2 day job!!!! What was I thinking?

I would much rather be stitching and leaving the grunt work to someone else.

When I'm finished making my mess I will post pics and you'll see the problems and the end result however it turns out.

Oh, and did I mention, I'd rather be stitching!

Pale Daffodil Paint Pretty

This is the room prior to any work being done. It was orginally done in these colours for Lily. When she was really little she loved frogs, so this is the colours she chose with a frog border running along the top of the paint. Looked cute for a time, but it needed a change.

In all her primed splendor.


This is the colour I decided upon. It is Behr's Pale Daffodil. I really like it. Hopefully I'm as happy with the finished product. Crossing my fingers.


Here is the final coat of paint. I had a hard time getting the accurate colour with the camera. I find looking at the pic it appears to have a bit of a greenish hue to it, but not when in the room.

All done with the paint now except for the cleaning of supplies and getting it out of my hair. I make painting a full body sport. Now to find the time and funds to get it decorated and cleaned out of all the stuff stored in there. The work will end eventually. If I keep telling myself that, I'm sure at one point it will come true.

WIP Parade

Started August 8, 2005 95 hours ~ Summer Breeze





Started Dec 23, 2004 60 hours ~ Job's Tears










Started Oct 1, 2005 30 hours ~ Angel Proclamation








Started Nov. 1, 2005 25 hours ~Hydrangea Harvest









Started Jan 25, 2006 15 hours ~ The Bride



Unsure of start date (gasp) 5 hours ~Halloween Fairy









Started July 28, 2006 5 hours ~Be Warm Be Welcome











Started Sept. 4, 2006 3 hours ~ Bubbles (HAED)













Started Sept. 30, 2006 10 hours ~Middy







Started Oct. 2006 10 hours ~Treetop Sampler









Started Dec 26, 2006 2.5 hours ~Giggles Girl






Started Jan 1, 2007 5 hours ~ Home for the Holidays stocking







Started Sept. 9, 2007 5 hours ~Wildflower Rhapsody






Started Feb. 25, 2007 50 hours ~Love with a Capital L








The title of my blog pretty much says it all - Passion, Obsession or Insanity! I think I had better just quit everything else in life, become a recluse and stitch my days away. That would just about finish up my current starts and to heck with anything else I've ever wanted to stitch. Someone, anyone please help me stop the insanity! I beg of you, please.

Wildflower Rhapsody - Paula Vaughan

I started this today, for WIP # 14. I'm not supposed to be starting anything new however I think some rules are made for the sole purpose of breaking them, and that is definitely the case in this situation.

I didn't want to be bothered with counting up and over to start in the top left corner, which is my preference, so I'm smack dab in the middle. AUUUUUGH Those flowers. Those colour changes. Why is it I have to love Paula Vaughan like I do? Her pieces are incredible and the finished product is worth every minute and every floss change, but sometimes.....

I've so far logged about 4+ hours, so a few more minutes and I'll be back to Love for another 10 hours.

Love with a Capital L 50 hours

Obviously, this is the full shot. This piece is so large it is difficult at best to get a picture that shows the full scope of the piece.




This is a portion of the words I started.







I'm jumping all over the place with this piece and I'm not sure why. It drives me crazy, truth be told, but eventually every stitch needs to be crossed. I'm really no more liking the outer border this time around than I was last time. My next rotation I will try and stay disciplined and stay with it. My goodness, I'm funny! LOL

Happy Stitching Days to you

August Stitching Totals

\

These are the pieces, minus 1 that I worked during the month of August. I logged a total 49 hours 5 minutes. I'm so happy with the amount of time I was able to dedicate to my stitching. I think it all comes back to the fact I'm back working weekends. I don't find as much time to stitch at home anymore, so it's all about the amount of weekend hours I work.

I've changed up my rotation AGAIN! I have decided to work Love With a Capital L as my focus piece - 10 hours on it and then 5 hours on the other pieces listed above. I will be starting a new piece in a couple days. I'm really looking forward to starting this new piece, as much as I'm not suppose to be starting anything new until I complete my Finish Challenge. Now that is hilarious, don't ya think???

Public Enemy #1

Or should that be public humiliation 101? I've hit the point that I'm back on my WW plan. Why I ever stopped or got lazy in the first place is a question for the ages. I love this time of year, a time of year for new beginnings. What better time to begin a new and soon to be successful journey to a new and improved me. I no longer have gym membership so the results will be harder fought, but no less appreciated this time around.

There are many that know of my weight battle, but few truly understand. I've heard it more times than not, "You look great", it's not about looking great, okay maybe a little bit it is, but it's really more about how I feel and how I feel about myself. I'm only 5' 2" and I find 5lbs on me is huge, not to mention the actual 10lbs I've gained. I don't have the hiding spots that someone with a few more inches has to disguise weight gain. It has been said to me, "Why don't you just give up". Seriously??? I'm not a quitter. Good bad or otherwise, I am not a quitter. Becoming complacent with weight gain to me is one of the saddest things. I will not go down on this one without a fight!

Blogger Game

1.You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2.Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name.

3.If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

4.When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.

5.Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

I must say I have finally gotten around to this entry. I've been tagged a couple times. I will fail my mission since most everyone that reads my blog will have already played the game - phew. LOL

My middle name is Lynn. Thankfully, not a long name.

L-Love I love the idea of love. Loving someone is the greatest gift to give.

Y-Yankees as in the New York Yankees. Would there be anything better to fit here? I love the Yankeess and am a diehard fan.

N- No Something I don't say very often

N- Naughty Something I aspire to be.

Spoiled Much?

This wreath was made for me by Velda with things I gave her. I had these things sitting in my house for years hoping to create something such as what you see here. It never happened until everything ended up her capable hands. Thanks sweetie. I love it.


Another present from Velda. This is a Mill Hill Snowman leaflet. Very very cute designs. There are sunflower towels to hang over the stove handle. They are a perfect fit for my kitchen, and the gift of all gifts would be the stitching journal. It is so very me. A place for me to log my stitching piece stats. Oh, Velda you don't know me too well, do you???


Gotta love these! They rock in only the way a Yankee fan could understand, truly understand. They come to me from Robin (NHstitcher) via Velda. I love them sweetie. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Gotta love those Yankees!


Awwww! Bath and Body Works Body Butter. Could there be anything better than this to lather on your skin after a shower? I love this stuff, but sadly am unable to purchase it in Canada. A very sweet amazing friend gave me this, the sneaky girl she, is bought this last month while on a trip to the States. Karen, I love you sweetie!


What would a birthday be without a Turtle? Pam, you're too cute. Thank you so much. I can't wait to get this little guy into a bucket of water so I can watch him grow. Thanks again!

The following 3 pics are of the cake Alyssa decorated for me. I love it and that it came from Alyssa makes all the more special. Notice the yellow flower centers they are to represent Corona yellow - too cute. Thanks honey!




This would be my presents from Todd. I love my Jimmie bear! Isn't he cute? Yes, I know Todd is cute, but this time around I was asking about the bear?

I tell people every year I don't need presents, but no one ever listens! So, for someone saying no need for presents, I cleaned up! Thank you everyone for all the thought you put into presents for me. I love each and every present.

So, you say it's Your Birthday

If Today is Your Birthday
Forecast for 2007-2008

Born September 5
Freedom is more important to you than usual this year, which can stir up some restlessness if you feel tied down. Getting your finances and your love life in order plays a big role. Although ups and downs and a few disappointments in these areas of life are likely, the year is positive for personal relationships and creativity overall. In fact, creativity soars. Acting on your intuition will serve you well as long as you can discern between impulses that are intuitive and those that are purely rebellious.