Home for the Holidays 30 hours and more

So, last night it was a gathering of the minds. Crazy minds that is. Mary came over to visit Pam and I as she will do from time to time. It is always a blast. Never a moment not filled with laughter and good times. It was like old times that Pam and I used to share, but with the wonderful addition of Mary. We had Timmy's tea with chocolate vitamuffins for snack. Good times. Good food.

Last nights get together was for the sole purpose of getting Mary moving on her stitching. Well, Mary made progress alright. Look at what she did last night. Be proud, I am! LOL

This is what it will look like when it's finished. And, Mary, you will finish it. 100 stitches at a time. Okay, I know you are sitting at 29 stitches in this picture, but will get there eventually and look like this!


Below is the most recent installment in my stocking. This is at 30 hours. It's amazing how much more progress one can make when not ripping stitches out because one fails to count well beyond 5.

Syl, you had asked in my last stitching entry if I will show the final picture of when I've completed this piece. The answer is, "Yes, and every picture until then at 10 hour intervals'.

As always, thanks for looking and any kind comments you leave as proof you were here! MWAH

January in Review

January in review:

What a month it has been. I can hardly believe it's just over a month since Christmas. Normally in my world, January drags on and on. I think keeping myself busy has been helpful, both for my mental state and my emotional well being.

Here are some of the things I've been doing to pass the time.

Running - 50.32KM

I've logged 12 runs for the preparation of my half marathon in May. It's only MY half marathon! Ya right. There is an estimated 35,000 people over the course of the Ottawa Run weekend. When I'm not running I'm thinking about running. It has consumed me. I have a tendency to become obsessive about certain things. I see an obsession in the making. Apologies now to those that have to listen to me drone on and on about this run or that run.

Reading - 5 books

I've read 5 books this month! I'm blown away by this one. It's been so long I can't remember when I last read 5 books in a month.

Talk Me Down - Victoria Dahl
Last Gasp - Carly Cassidy
The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
I, Alex Cross - James Patterson
Too Close To Home - Linwood Barclay

I have another book that I'm almost finished, but it will be credited to February.

Weight Loss - 6 lbs lost

I've lost 6lbs over the course of the first month. I'm pretty happy with that. I'm still in the 140's and that part bothers me, a lot. I want to get in to the 130's again. I'm most comfortable at 125-123, so for me to be in the 140's it still seems like a long way to go. I know in reality I'm more than I number, but the mental games I play with myself and my thoughts of carrying around this extra weight weighs heavier than the weight itself. 6lbs for a month is a great start and I know this as well as anyone. I am focusing more on the running right now rather than the weight loss, but the weight is never far from the front of my thoughts. Over the course of my training I'm sure I'll lose a little bit more weight, but nothing like the 125 I want to be sitting at. One meal at a time and I'll get there eventually.

Stitching - 16h 10m

Well, I've once again discovered my desire to stitch. I'm not able to find the time at home and that is okay. I stitch at work every other week when I'm working evenings. I'm too busy at home when I'm on days getting ready for the following day to sit down and put needle to thread. I find my thoughts about my stitching have really changed. It isn't so task oriented now, it's just fun again. I don't have to push myself to get it done, just enjoy the process. I had a visit from the frogs (those non-stitchers, that is when you have rip out your work) and rather than become all stressed out it was just a matter of pulling it out and starting over. That is a wonderful place to be in regards to the love I have in stitching.

I've offered my services to Velda, but I'm not sure if she'll take me up on my offer. Time will tell. Seriously, V, if you're reading I will totally do this for you. Pam said she would do one too, and you could even start it the way you stitch - she's a lefty too! Think about it, my dear.


Personal Life

My home life is amazing. Cute Boy and I are just grooving along. Working and doing what we can when we can when we're together. He and I are great and that is no small wonder. It is wonderful.

Our children are in various states of life and that is tough. I think, tougher for me than for him, but that stands to reason I'm a more emotional critter than Cute Boy. I struggle with the place of my girls. I know things will eventually work themselves out and the girls will be stronger for it. Living through it is another story.

All in all it's been a busy month and a good month. If this doesn't prove the point that I missed my calling as a statistician, I don't know what will.

Have a great one!

Home for the Holidays

This would be the stocking I am stitching for myself. I have recently picked up a needle again and am excited to say I've hit a 10 hour block. This stitching Passion, Obsession or Insanity used to be the main focus of my blog, but as of late, not so much. I'm trying to remedy that and find some balance with all things I love.

Stitching is something I love, but don't do very often. I don't find there is much of a place for it in my home, in my life and thats tough. All the time away from it, I've missed and now would probably be classed as a slow stitcher, but thats okay. I'm stitching, and really, that feels amazing. I have stocking already done for Princess, yet to find one for Queenie and am making small progress on mine. I would love to do one for Cute Boy and each of his girls, but we'll see. First things first. Work on mine.

I have a small confession to make in regards to this piece though. I put the first stitch in this piece January 1, 2007. 3 years to get 10 hours completed. That is the insanity of the situation.

Happy stitching days to you.

Enchanted Fairy 55 Hours

Who would think to expect a stitching picture on a blog that started as a place to display my works of needle and floss.

Here is my latest bit of work on Enchanted Fairy. This piece has been in my so called rotation for 2 years now. How sad is that?!

Let's see if I can't find some time this month to work on another piece for a 5 hour block and come back even stronger with a progress pic. All I ask is you don't hold your breath. It may not happen.

Happy stitching day to you.

Enchanted Fairy 35 Hours

Can you imagine? Another entry pertaining to stitching. I know there are some or one (Krista) out there that wants more substance to this blog. Enough with the books, music and stitching! I know I know! This is all I have right now, and even this is from last week, not even current stitching.

I hope to find my way back to myself and my days filled with more than working and being sick. I've been not feeling myself since Thanksgiving, so much so to the point that I've called in sick 4x since then. I've worked where I work for 9 years before ever calling in sick and now that I'm full time and have sick days, I've called in 4x. Is that a coincidence or I am just really suffering something!

I miss you all bunches and bunches. I am reading, but not always posting replies. That is nasty of me and I'm sorry.

Love and hugs,

~T

Can't Do Condo!

It has been near to forever since I've been here.

Life has spun out of control in the last few days. I'm going to do an overview of it all. I know I'll miss some important parts of my wonderful, but exhausting life.

House/Condo:
I met with the lawyer today to sign the paperwork for the closing, which is tomorrow. Cute boy and I spent a bit of time at the house today trying to clean it up. He doesn't see the reasoning of my putting forth so much time and effort. This is the first home for the people moving in. I don't want to leave it a mess, nor would I want to move in to a mess. It doesn't seem proper.

The condo is a nightmare. I hate it hate it hate it. I've lived in my own home for 14 years and to now have to live in a shared dwelling is more than this mother princess can stand. Cute Boy and I are acquaintances of the person that rented this condo prior to us. In a word - YUCK! In all honesty, I want Cute Boy to sweep the condo for mini cameras! LOL No seriously, I do.

Daisy seems to be the one adapting the best. I find that downright hilarious since she is the one I was most worried about.

Is it bad that we've only been there for 2 days and I'm already counting down.

New House:
I can't remember if I mentioned it or not, but our original house plans were too big for the lot. Our lot was represented as 50' frontage but is really only 46'. We've had to rework the plans which had to then be surveyed again and then back to the permit office. Our plans were presented to the permit officer yesterday with explanation from our contractor. The officer feels for us and is going to try and fast track our plans and permit. We are hoping for next week to have a ground break. Imagine that! WOOOHOOO!!!

Princess:
She is not liking the condo living all that much, not that I can blame her. She has been spending the night at her best friend's a lot and I can completely understand her desire to do so. I'd be staying at her best friend's too if I could.

She started at her new high school on Tuesday and loves it. She is really happy in her new school. Happy Princess = easier time for mother.

Queenie:
She is in a very bad place. Her relationship of 2 years has ended and it is difficult for her. I knew it wouldn't last, but she believed it was forever. You know, the folly of youth. I hate to see her suffering a broken heart and the reasons for the split are many, as much as she may only see one reason. I had the vantage point of seeing the relationship from the view of a parent and an outsider. It was easy for me to see, from a mother's view and from my own experiences, this relationship was toxic. I'm at a loss as what to do to help. I would love for these changes to bring her home, back to school and on the path to a normal teenager. I do not foresee it happening, but a mother can hope, right?!

Stitching:
I've not been stitching much. As much as I'm sad about my lack of stitching time I understand it. I miss it though. When I do pick up my stitching again, hopefully this evening, it'll be like reuniting with a long lost friend.

All the stuff that I have going on, I have to say, I love my life. My life is not always easy, but I'm so happy. I'm blessed in more ways than I can count. I have a boyfriend that I adore and in him I find the strength of the likes of which I'm still amazed. My children are different from one another, but two young ladies I'm proud to have in my life. There is not a single thing I'd change that would take from anywhere but here!

My Life In A Nutshell

There is so much going on in my life right now that I find I'm scatter brained when it comes to trying to compose a blog entry. I've not been posting, but trust me it is not for lack of trying. I couldn't count the number of times I've started an entry to find myself with a mental block and hitting the delete button. Sorry!

Here goes. Now, that being said where do I begin.

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Things with the girls are interesting to say the least. I still never see Queenie. This life of hers is a major stresser for me, but I'm just letting her do her thing. Against my better judgement most days, but it's not for me to decide any longer.

Princess on the other hand had me hopping a bit ago. She had herself a major lapse in judgement (I'm being overly kind) and didn't like that I took the hard line with her. She quickly decided she wanted to visit her dad for a while. She is leaving to go to her dad's on the 28th of July until sometime towards the middle to end of August. She has since decided she regrets this rash decision of running to her dad's but it is a learning experience for her, at least I think so anyway.

I'm going to miss her like nobody's business, but I think it is going to be good for her. As much as she was overwhelmed with her situation and mad at me when she made this decision, she sees now, her best place, and most appreciated place is with me. Even when I'm mad at her, or disappointed in her, as was the case, her best place of support is to be home. There are a whole plethora of emotions she is dealing with in regards to going to her dad's and for that, I feel for her. I try to look at this situation as a character builder for her. We'll see if I'm right or not. I know she's apprehensive now, because he sees a crack in her commitment to be home and he is going to put the full court press on her to move there with him.

I'll do my best to update her situation as it unfolds. You'd think I was giving you a play by play of a daytime drama!

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Things with work are the same. The full time position that will be/should be mine was posted last Wednesday, with a closing date of tomorrow at 1:30p. It's pretty much just the dotting the i's and crossing the t's and the position will be mine. I've been working in a full time capacity for the last 3 months and with the retirement of a full time co-worker, I'll be full time next.

As much as it is a good thing after being part time now for 9 years, I'm of mixed emotions about being full time full time. It is a cut in pay, but not really. Right now I'm paid in lieu of benefits and holidays, but if I don't work I don't get paid. When I'm officially full time I'll have 4 full weeks of holidays paid. It is what you work towards and to finally realize the end is near it is somewhat draining and scary. The loss of in lieu on my pay is equivalent to about 300-400 per pay at a full time work week. I don't always work full time, but since I have been for 3 months, it is similar to a pay cut.

I really am very happy and relieved to finally be at the of my part time career, as much as it may not sound that way. It is just a mental adjustment.

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I've not been stitching at all. I miss it greatly, I really do. As much as I miss it I can not for the life of me find the desire to pick up a needle! I could have stitched so much my last week of work 6p-2am, but I just had nothing in the tank as far as drive for dragging out my stash. So very sad. I'm hoping to at least make a more concerted effort tomorrow night. I' promise to try!

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Things with the house are just! I've been selling things in my home...my sectional couch, my lawn mower, barbecue. My kitchen table is currently for sale and a few other things. It is strange to see things go, but there is no need, nor room for things to be kept at this point in the game.

Cute Boy and I are trying to find temporary accommodations for 4 months for when my house closes and our house is built. We are looking at a 2 bedroom condo this coming weekend. It will be a tight fit when Cute Boy's girls come for the weekends, but things will get figured out. The rent on this place will be considerably cheaper than we are both paying in a mortgage payment, so the extra money will be helpful in cleaning up our debt or purchasing appliances for the new house. This house building is expensive business!

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My fitness and eating are atrocious at the moment. I'm at the point where I'm starting to obsess about my weight and poor eating habits. I'm annoyed as hell at myself that I've let myself go to the point that I'm now 10lbs over my comfortable weight. I hate looking in the mirror. I feet terrible beyond anything that I've ever felt before. I'm at a loss right now about what I should do!

I'm trying to get back to my running and I will eventually. I just want to hit the street and lose myself in my thoughts and not look at running as means to an end (losing weight and leaning down), but as a way to give myself a much deserved break from the everyday demands of my life. I think that is not too much to do for myself. Now doing it is a completely other story all together.
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I think that is all I have for today! It is a long one, I know. Sorry about that. I should know better than to be away for so long next time.

Thanks for getting through it all, if you did. You rock!

Freaking Foot Pain

I don't know how I did it, but I hurt my left foot really badly today when running. I had a terrible run, but nothing that indicated any kind of pain whatsoever. I mean, I had muscle pain, but most runs there will be some sort of muscle fatigue and what feels like pain. It wasn't until I was back at the house and stretching that I felt this incredible ache in my left foot. Pain is located on the outer bone that runs on the outside of my foot midway towards the back of my heel.

I'm unable to put pressure on my foot without wincing in pain and pulling up on the heel. I'm basically walking normal with my right foot and tip toeing on my left. Looking good, I am! Such a beautiful fluid gait. NOT! I've been taking pain meds and have it elevated while I was trying to sleep. 'Trying' is the imperative word there. I've not slept a wink all night. I'm too busy for an injury! Damn it!

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I've not been training all that much for my upcoming 10K run. With that being said, I'm not even sure I'll be able to run it now! I did run my longest run today. Very very exciting. It was a total mental run. I felt sluggish the whole time. No pain at all, but just as though it was my mind pushing me rather than my legs. I'll keep you posted on the eventual run or cancellation of said run. I really hope I can do this, one for myself and the other for Krista.

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Princess is back from her dad's by now, obviously. I have yet to post about it only because I've been blog blah! Sorry. Her time was good she tells me. She was due home on Sunday afternoon, but without fail she texts me on Saturday afternoon that she wont be home until Monday now because he dad wants to take her to the MuchMusic Video Awards. I don't begrudge the child the opportunity to do something really cool like that, but it is typical that he not follow through with bringing her home or picking her up at pre-determined time.

I got a text message from her on Sunday night stating they were home earlier than expected and she'd tell what happened when she sees me. 'What happened' is always a comment used when describing something involving her dad. Oh, how glad I am that I don't live his life anymore! Apparently throughout the day standing watching the shows be rehearsed, his girlfriend got in to a fight with some woman. Lo and behold he was shoving someone around too at one point... auuuughhhh!

Other than the fighting incident she didn't talk too much about her time up there. She mentioned all the animals they have: cat, dog, 4 birds, if not more, iguana and whatever else I'm not sure. It is always a problem when she comes back she wants to go on an animal buying/adopting spree. I find multiple animal ownership representative to a certain lifestyle. Not my cup of tea.

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On the animal front: Princess bought her sister and sister's boyfriend a joint birthday present. A kitten. I'm so frustrated and disappointed I can't even tell you. My aforementioned multiple animal lifestyle type of thing, I feel Queenie falls in this category I'm so sorry to say. This is a male kitten that is going to 'squirt' and really stink at one point. With little money, how is it these kids are going to be able to pay to get him fixed?

Why is it those that can least afford things such as animals and appropriate health care for these animals are the ones that own multiple pets? I just don't get it. I have Daisy and love her to bits and I struggle with the cost of vet appointments and grooming upkeep. I still have yet to get her fixed because of the cost. I couldn't imagine the cost of owning more than 1 pet and the responsibility of that care and expense. I don't know. Maybe it's just me.

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I've not been stitching at all. I'm working 2p-10p this coming week, so that is good for approximately an 1 hour per night. I can maybe get more in if I'm diligent, but usually I putter the night away and only accomplish an hour. That should be good to another update pic though. That would make me happy.

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I'm working on getting my house ready to list. I have a few minor jobs to do and then it is major cleaning time. I'm hoping to have my place on the market mid-week. It is a lot of work, but work I'm really enjoying. I'm not sure with this foot injury how productive I'm going to be tomorrow, but I'll persevere. I always do.

I look at every day right now, as one day closer to living one life and not 2 or 3. That is very exciting for me. I'm run ragged most of the time and it is because of all the pressure I put on myself to do this, do that, be here, be there. I don't know that anyone really understands or cares to understand that amount of pressure I feel most every day keeping things going in my life. The balls are many, from the house, to my finances (I'm freaking about them), to my personal time, running, trying to eat healthy, just trying to fit it all in. I'm exhausted

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Cute Boy and I met with our real estate agent Thursday night to go over the contract agreement for the building of our house. It is a lot of information, but we are learning lots. I can't wait to start looking at samples and stuff. I thought the sample looking and choosing would be quite some time yet, but apparently not. I'll keep you updated on that situation as it plays out.

I'm really looking forward to the excitement of building. I think it is going to be lots of fun. So far, the company we're dealing with has been really good. I hope that is something that continues. They will stay in contact with us throughout the process and tell us what we need to decide and when. We will book appointments to look at brick front, schedule with electricians, painters, cable installers all that. It sounds like a lot of work, but a ton of fun too.

I think I'm most looking forward to the kitchen cabinetry and flooring selection. They are the big ones for me. Cute Boy seems more about multiple outlets and wiring for the audio in the basement/rec room. I know he's more involved than that, but he mentions them alot. Such a guy thing. Gotta love 'em!

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Well, seeing it is 2:30 am and I should be sleeping, I'm going to try and do just that. I don't hold out much hope. Just thinking of laying down again, I can feel a throbbing in my foot! AUUUGGGHHH Oh well, shit happens.

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One very exciting thing I forgot to mention, K-Pow, Lisa, Isabelle (2 girls from ball) and myself are going to do a girl's camping weekend. We are just in the early stages of talking and planning. I can hardly wait. It will be a blast. I can already imagine the sore stomach muscles from laughing so much, not to mention the killer headache from a massive hangover. This will go a long way towards recharging my exhausted personal battery. This is something I really need and hope that we can pull it together! Such fun to be had.

Now, I'm finally off to bed.

As I say to Cute Boy, I shall say to you:

Sweet dreams,

~T xoxoxo

Wild Flower and Wild Stitching Shake Up

The time has come once again when I'm going to fine tune my rotation.

I've been talking with Pam again about some of my obligation stitching - another retirement piece for a girl at work. I started this particular piece, Wildflower Rhapsody not too long ago. I say not too long ago, which is probably more like 6-8 months ago. Not years though, so that is a vast improvement over the most recent retirement gift finish.

I'm currently acting in a full time position at work for a girl that is off from shoulder surgery. Along with previously diagnosed ailments, she has just recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Knowing the pain my mother suffered at the hands of this merciless disease and other diseases, I know the road for my co-worker is not going to be an easy one. The job we do, is one that demands full flexibility of shoulder, arms and hands, so to say this job will be a long term challenge is nothing if not an understatement.

I'm getting side tracked. So easy for me to do, I know. I thought I would have more time to plug away at this particular retirement piece, but I now see that may not necessarily be the case. In light of this recent development, I've decided to move Wildflower Rhapsody in to the focus piece slot. I will work on it in 10 hour blocks, with a UFO piece worked 1 hour per week. I'm running out of floss for 2 sections on Halloween Fairy, so I may move another piece to the UFO slot as well. I'm considering Summer Breeze or Enchanted Fairy. The logical choice would and should be Summer Breeze. Still thinking on that one.

You'd think there was some science to how I do what I do. It is my own foolish fault I'm in this particular predicament. If I'd shown some restraint at any time during the past couple years I would not be currently sitting with 10 WIP. 10! That is even after weeding through the list and eliminating pieces for people I no longer want to stitch for, at least not right now anyway.

I'm off to round up the supplies for WR and then head to bed. It has been a long exhausting day. I'm off tomorrow (Tues) so all is good. I have some cleaning and laundry, as well as an 8K run to do. If I can get up and get moving (read stay off the computer), I should hopefully be able to stitch some in the afternoon.

Thanks, as always, for letting me prattle on and figure all this stitching out. I'm sure in the near future I'll be back with an update of some sort.

Happy stitching days to you!

I'm A Big Girl Now

I'm in the midst of a fabulous day.

Some days you just plug away and pretty much go through the motions of living. Today I'm really living and having a great time doing so.

My day was supposed to be about hanging out with Pam, stitching and watching a movie. The day would not play out as planned, but we were able to hang and have a blast just the same.

Our travels were filled with laughter and fun, first stop Starbucks. I know that may surprise some, but I'm nothing if not predictable. I have to admit for the first time, I forgot to read my cup message. Digging in the public garbage can of Rona for a cup message is just not conducive to looking cool and dignified, so this one got away! LOL At Rona, and the plethora of other store's Pam and I stopped in to today, I spent thousands of dollars. Thankfully it was all in my head. I found some beautiful hardwood at Rona, that would be wonderful for the house that Cute Boy and I will hopefully be building.

I had a grown up moment today. It really started yesterday, but grew to it's full potential today. I think I'm growing up some. I want to learn about wine and become a wine drinker. Real wine, not pop-like wine, if you know what I mean. Wine drinking, socially, I mean seems sophisticated and neat to me. I have no clue, but I love the liquor store and shopping there is one of my favorite places to spend money. I'm not much of a drinker, more a tea totaller really, but I'm off to attempt something new. Any advise you have is greatly appreciated.

Pam and I did a little sneaky today. We bought Velda a birthday present. Pam vetoed the idea of giving it to her earlier. Party pooper! :) We did buy her a little journal book that we dropped off to her this afternoon. We got to visit her for about 5 minutes. Not long enough, but a short time is better than no time at all.

The grown up is signing off now. Happy days to you all.

I Miss Me

I've been doing a bit of thinking that last day or so and I write this with a bit of heavy heart.

I had an e-mail from Krista yesterday and it was good to just chatter about things and then.... there is a question and a statement. The statement - I miss you! It was a simple statement but something that really hit home for me. I miss her too and I told her so. As my fingers flew over the keys in response to her e-mail, I found I was telling her I miss me too!

I miss the me that use to laugh more than not. I miss being able to sit in front of the television with my stitching or curling up on the couch with my book and a tea. I miss hanging out with my friends and the ability to just let go. I miss the free flow to my days, that are now consumed with renovations and thoughts of what must be done, how to do it and how to pay for it. I know this is a temporary thing, but it seems to be never ending. Princess is house exhausted and sick of listening to the non-stop chatter about what needs to be done and how. Poor kid. That is not the fun of a 14 y.o. princess life. She is a princess and would like to be treated as such.

I miss the gym. Okay, maybe I only miss the thought of the gym, not so much the work that I have to put forth. I am going to make an effort to get there 3x in the coming week. I really want to be healthier, leaner and I want to get back in to those smaller jeans! I want to run and feel the burn of muscles working and pulsing. I will do this! I want it, but do I want it enough?

All this being said, I think my housing jobs are starting to come together and I might be getting closer to discovering me again. I hope, anyways. I'm down to 12 jobs that need to be completed and then I will be listing the house. As soon as the house is clean and listed I'm taking myself to the spa for a much needed massage. I have a gift card given to me by Cute Boy for Christmas. It is worth $150.00 and I'm thinking I might plan a day for both Princess and I to unwind after the turmoil of our turned upside down house.

I'm taking a little 'me' time today too, visiting Velda. I should be there in about an hour and I'm really looking forward to just hanging out and catching up!

February - March Goals

February has come to a close. It is a small miracle I survived the month. Okay, a flare for the dramatic, but I'm really happy it's over. I'm hoping March is a better month for me. Nothing major happened in February, just me being me. Stress out extraordinaire is what I am!

I didn't stitch as much as I had hoped, nor did I see the finish of Love With A Capital L. It wasn't in the cards for me to have it finished by the end of last month. That was my major goal for February. So much for setting goals. Ya, me without a goal to reach. I'm not kidding anyone am I? The frog paid more visits than I cared to host. I don't know what it is about him that makes him want to hang out with me lately. I'm not that nice a person!

February Totals
Love With A Capital L - 23 hours 30 minutes
Halloween Fairy - 1 hour

March Goals
Love With A Capital L - finish it!
Special Square - find one the right size, start and finish it!

I can't look much beyond those 2 goals right now. I've so much going on that my ability to stitch at home will be a challenge to say the least. I'm hoping to have things at a point in my home that I can enjoy it in a couple weeks. We'll see if I can't find some time at home to sit relax and just lose myself in my favorite hobby.

I'm off to stitch and read while it's quiet here at work.

Happy stitching to you!

Life As I Know It

The MIA contractor has been found. I feel like such a heel I can't even tell you. I called last week and left a message with no reply. I'd had about enough and called again today and was going to leave a snippy message. He picked up and explained he'd been out of town because his mother was sick. I understand that, I really do, but is my expecting a call too much to ask? I don't do bitchy well, but I was about ready to lose it. All things said and done the work will continue and I'm hoping it won't take too much longer and I can list my house.

Scott came by today, totally unexpected and packed up the garage filled garbage and carted it off to the dump. WOOHOO! I can see the garage floor. I could get really ingenious and probably get my car parked in there. I've owned my new car now for over a year and it has never been over the garage threshold. Poor wee car.

Cute Boy, the lucky bum, listed his house today. I'm so beyond jealous! It is really happening and I couldn't be happier than I am in this very minute. Even surrounded with all the uncertainty with my own renovations and listing of my own house I'm just ecstatic with the path my life is taking right now! It's amazing how life can seem so bleak one day and so full of hope and promise the next. It's my life, I'm living it and I sometimes can believe my luck and good fortune. I still look at him some days and ask myself, 'Wow, this is really you and him'. Who'd a thunk it? Definitely not me. Life has a funny way of working out sometimes!

Things, as usual, have been crazy busy. I've still not been to the gym. That will change as of tomorrow morning. I got a new work out journal tonight, so I want to christen it with Krista! I've given her my word and I've broken it so much as of late so I must hold true to this one! 5am and the alarm will be ringing. I must answer the call. I will probably die at the gym, but I must be there.

That being said, I'm not going to work overly hard. I've been having issues with some sort of funky sensation in my chest lately. I get this sensation in my torso, that feels like I'm touching a 9volt battery. Very strange and unsettling. I have a doctor's appointment on Friday and I'm a little concerned and a lot curious. It happens at various times and with no frequency or common contributing factor that I can see. It opens up a whole lot of emotional issues with my mother dying at such a young age (that would be another post entirely). I'm trying not to stress about it which I know will help nothing, but it is in the back of my mind constantly causing me to wonder.

I went to visit my in-laws last night. I haven't seen them in so long that it borders abuse. I have to tell you. I love these two people like no other. They are so good to me. They are sooo happy for Cute Boy, and I, so supportive of my life, my parenting, my decisions. It means more to me than they could ever realize. Simple words can't do justice to my affection for them. It took the end of my marriage and that toxic environment to realize what gems these two people really are!

Mike (my FIL) has such a love for his grand kids it's out of this world. Brenda (my MIL) does too, but when you see Mike's face beaming with pride just looking at Lily, it's enough to bring a tear to your eye. Okay, so maybe it did bring tears to my eyes. Lily was saying tonight how incredible it is to know you're loved so much by another person. It's really very special.

I've been busy tonight too. I went to Kurt and Krista's to check out their new place. In a word - sweet! They did good. I popped in at dinner time (bad girl) and they had me stay. Krista the wonderful host she is cooked up scrumptious pork chops and funky mashed potatoes... they were really good! I felt like I ate and ran, but they have things to do and I would have just been in the way. Not to mention I should be doing stuff at my own house right now.... not blogging. Oh well, what to do. Cute Boy and I are going to look at our schedules so we can try and get over and visit together. As always, it promises to be fun!

Not much going on on the stitching front. I have a little pattern I have to whip up in short order. It is for a very special woman going through a hellish time. I'll post all about it when I finish my piece. I tip my hat to the organizers of this wonderful gesture of friendship and support. I'm honoured to be a part of your lives! Thank you.

I'm off to do what needs to be done on many fronts.

As always, happy stitching days to you!

Snow Everywhere

Even the inside of my house is covered with snow. If it's not enough that I have snowbanks taller than me, outside at the end of my driveway, I'm surrounded by white crap in the house too.

This would be my basement yesterday after Cute Boy had finished the sanding. Is there a more annoying substance to clean than that of drywall dust? This fine particle dust is in everything I own. It has been tracked upstairs compliments of the dog, on wet fur. Oh what a lovely mess that created. I washed the front room floor which will in the end, be fruitless.

I feel so very negative about these house renovations and it is very upsetting. I feel as though I'm always ragging on someone about something and I hate it! The frustrating thing, as much as Scott has said I can pay him when the house sells, I think he's become complacent with getting things finished. I don't think I'll hire him as a contractor again, as matter of fact, I know I wont. When he did work for me before it was through another company that contracts Scott out, but this time it was me contacting Scott directly. I've not seen him since last Saturday. I've talked with him numerous times about my expectations, the hopeful listing date, everything. I've explained to him, my agent's views on the importance of timing in the housing market and I don't think he's getting it. As a matter of fact, I know he's not getting it. My agent said mid-February, I'know I'm very anal, but mid February was Thursday or Friday, depending how you look at it. Military postings are going out soon and my agent wants to hit that market. I've no time for an MIA contractor.

There is progress being made though, so as much as I'm hating the mess I have to live with it - for now. Cute Boy came over this morning again to do a coat of mud on some spots he couldn't do yesterday because I ran out of compound. I'm extremely greatful since he is doing this work for me after a midnight shift, before he heads to bed. Cute Boy will be back in the morning to do another sanding. Oh joy, more drywall dust. He is hoping to only have to do two coats, then its on to the primer, paint, flooring and trim.

Princess and I are heading out to open houses today which I'm looking forward to doing with her. Just being able to hang out with her is always fun and to do so while looking at houses, all the better.

I will be coming home after the looking and plunking myself in front of the television with my stitching and watching the boys of Nascar tearing it up. Go Jimmie Go!

Off to get showered and get rid of the layer of drywall dust covering me. If only cleaning the house were as easy as a shower is for me!

Until next time, happy stitching days to you!

January Comes To A Close

January saw a month of many changes. It is hard to imagine the first month of this new has drawn to a close. Time flies and I know this to be true more now than ever.

January started off with a bang. I did my Resolution Run, which seems like ages ago. I started out strong at the gym, that has since faltered. I didn't start off because of New Year's Resolution, but because I want to slim down again, but more importantly I want muscle definition back and to feel healthy! Krista is a great support, but I've rebuffed her invites to the gym that a few days ago, she didn't even ask me along. Poor thing! Hugs, hon!

Todd and I looked at a house, loved it, looked at it again, bid on it and lost it! Damn it! It was THE house. Now we're in the process of figuring out what to do next. Do we buy, do we build? Oh, the decisions of a woman on the go! Since the whole house thing has begun, I've barely slept which is part and parcel why I'm struggling at the gym. No excuses, just what I see to be a cause for my lackluster drive for life right now.

This first month of the new year has seen the start of renovations on my house. I ALMOST have a completely renovated bathroom. It won't be too much longer and it will be finished. I have new doors on all the rooms with new knobs. Looking very spiffy, if I do say so myself. The basement now has a drywall ceiling.

January stitching progress was amazing considering how much I worked and how much work has been done around my house. I was able to stitch 41 hours 40 minutes on 3 pieces. I worked on Job's Tears, Love with a Capital L and Halloween Fairy. I eliminated 3 pieces from my list of current WIP. I just don't think the one gift will be well received, and the other 2, I don't see the person/people enough to commit this kind of time into a gift for them. I feel a little bad for that, but maybe in the future if the relationship changes with the last 2 pieces, I can pick them back up. All three pieces, I love they are, Paula Vaughan's Here Comes the Bride, Hydrangea Harvest, and Mirabilia's Middy. It made me a bit sad to scratch them from my list, but the flip side is I also felt a tremendous weight lift off my shoulders.

February is going to be another busy month. I'm hoping to have the renovations completed on my house and have it on the market by mid February. Todd and I will then have no choice but to make a decision about what we're gonig to do.

February stitching is going to be a good month too, I can tell already. I have 3 pieces that are so close to finished. I should see 2, if not 3 pieces finished. It will be the 3 of the 4 pieces I worked on in January. I think the closest to finished would be Love with a Capital L, followed by Halloween Fairy, then Job's Tears. To say I'm excited is an understatement!

Happy stitching days to you all.

The Statistician In Me

Those that know me well will not be surprised by this post I'm about to do. I think I missed my calling and I should have been a statistician. I love tracking numbers and charting things, making lists and stuff of that nature. In that I shall list a few of the things I've tracked this year.

Stitching - I stitched a total of 278 hours for the year. I probably stitched more than that, but there were 2 months that I no stitching totals. Thinking back they were pretty busy months for me, so I could have NOT stitched. I have a hard believing that, but that is what the numbers say. 278 hours works out to 11.5 days of stitching - 24 hours a day. I'm unsure of how I feel about that number. Sometimes I think it should be higher and others, I think it's not too bad.

Stitching Starts and Finishes - Imagine. I finished 4 things and started 4 things. I draw even there. Why is it I feel overwhelmed with how many pieces I've on the go right now? I'm really hoping to mark more off the list than I put on this year. Only time will tell. My best intentions sometimes get lost in the excitement of a new start, a new piece of fabric, fondling and sorting new floss. Oh, the wonders of new starts. Long gone are the days of 1 piece worked until it's finished. Maybe I can back there some day. Who am I kidding?

Books Read - I read 38 books this past year. I would have thought I could get many more read than that, but again, the numbers don't lie. I'm currently in the process of reading 3 books. I don't usually read more than one at a time, although as of late the multiple book reading has gotten worse. It stems from reading books I own, along with getting books from the library. I will set aside a book I own to read those from the library since they're on a dead line.

The three books I'm reading

• Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants - this book is at Todd's for the times I'm doing nothing and he's doing something. I'm half way finished.
• The Fiery Cross - this book is at work and I read it when I happen to forget my main novel at home
• Derailed - My focus novel. I'm about 1/3 of the way through it will hopefully finish it this weekend. A girl can hope right? I'm really wanting to finish this so I can rent the movie.

Concerts - In the past year I attended 5 major concerts. I love concerts which I guess is pretty much stating the obvious. In my attempt to cut back on extra expenses, I'm not going to be attending as many, if any concerts in 2008. Okay, maybe if I can see Keith Urban again, I will.

1. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
2. The Police - For Todd - Loved them!
3. Rush - For Todd - Becoming a Fan -- goodness
4. Fall Out Boy - with Todd's oldest daughter - better than I expected
5. Keith Urban - with Lily - still flying high from this one

I think all in all, looking back 2007 was an amazing year for me. I had some wonderful things come in to my life, along with some trials and difficult times. The balance between the good and bad was pretty much in my favour. There were definitely more good happenings than bad. The more difficult things I had to face just made the good things all the sweeter.

Life is good. On second thought - Life is awesome!

Enchanted Fairy - 10 hours

Here is my colourful blob of nothing, really. My goal for starting this piece was to get 10 hours done and then go back to my other pieces. Well, here is my first installment. Doesn't look like much of anything yet, but I think for 10 hours it's a pretty good amount of stitching. This piece is going to be a lot of fun, at least that's the way I feel right now. There are blocks of colour that move quickly and enough other colours to keep my interest.

My next goal with this piece is to work on it on Sundays. Sunday is usually the day of the week I choose to work on my 1 hr per week UFO commitment piece. Since most of that will done at work, I will work 1 hour on my UFO and the remainder of my shift I'll work on Enchanted Fairy.

Thanks so much for any and all compliments. You're awesome support!

November Stitching Ramblings

November didn't see me with as much stitching time as I would have liked. The reasons for this is many; the gym, work, Christmas shopping and decorating.

I was able to get in a measly total of 20 hours 10 minutes.

I logged time on 3 pieces and finished nothing! LOL I did have a little setback though, I started something new, a piece for a girl at work. It is a little piece and one that won't take me very long to finish up.

I'm really pleased with a new development in my stitching life. I've started working on a UFO piece for 1 hour per week. I've said it already, but I'm amazed at how much you can accomplish on a piece in only one hour. Maybe this new approach will help me get some things finished and stave off the desire to always be starting something new. Ya right! LOL

December Goals
Finish the Lizzie Kate piece for my co-worker (friend) - done
Finish Love with a Capital L
Add another 5 hours on Halloween Fairy - 1 hour completed

Doable??? Sure it is!

Happy stitching days to you.

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.

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.