Not Bad

Christmas was pretty darn good.

Hoping to get to Yankee Cross Stitch today or tomorrow. Got a little bit of shopping to do.

A favorite gift came in my stocking - a little book called "Bad Cat." Too funny. Way too funny. It's photos of cats with captions, names, ages, and hobbies.

No Can Do

Cannot get the Stitching Bloggers Question of the Week site to load.
A quick glance at a few other blogs and I don't see anyone who commented.

Time to decide what to bring home with me to NH to work on whilst visiting over the Christmas break. It would be nice to actually finish something so that I have something to share at show n tell at our January EGA meeting. Of course, I can't compete with these women in my chapter who spend bundles on finishing. Many of them mail their finished projects away and let someone else do it. The results are frequently stunning.

In Which I Acknowledge the Value of Lists

I totally agree with Anna's comment about making a packing list.

My problem right now is what I'm going to forget to put on the list.

Or worse. The other day I made a list, then forgot the list!

Ack.

My short term memory has taken a decided turn for the worse. Fortunately I haven't forgotton a child anywhere yet. But it could happen.

I am forgetting names of people. What movie I watched last night. Who was in the movie I watched last night. What I walked into the room to get. Why I opened the fridge while making dinner.

My current favorite saying is "I'm such an idiot."

Overtaken by Christmas Stress

yup
I've fallen victim to the too-much-to-do syndrome

Could it be that I get no help whatsoever?

Somehow it always makes me feel like scrooge this time of year when my burnout point approaches.

But this year I have the added bonus of faulty memory.
Some things are not making it out of my short term memory and into my longterm memory.

I just know I'm going to forget to pack something major next week for the trip home.

Enough.
Time to get cracking.

Someone Just Sucked All the Life Outta Me

On His Way Out The Door!

Now I just want to curl up and cry.

How I hate this.

I now I've managed to screw up a few things this year, and because of my willingness to admit it, I've lost all power in this relationship. Things that were once evenly balanced aren't any more. So if I go and take care of any of the things I just got criticized about, it just feels like handing him more power - you were right! I was wrong!

Horrible timing. Too much to do to have the luxury of wallowing.

Been Going to the Gym

Yes, I have recently become a gym rat. Been going with the teenagers and without the teenagers. At least 3 times a week.

I hate the local WW leader and stopped going.

But if I can continue to use the gym, things should improve bodywise.

stitching bloggers QOTW 12/13

Obligation Stitching: Yes? No? Maybe?

I gave up obligation stitching eight years ago and I am a much happier person for it.
Now I only stitch what I love. For a few years, I even only stitched for me. I still give the occasional gift, but not like how I used to be - where I would stitch something for someone under a deadline and end up hating what I was doing.

There was this Dimensions kit of a southwest scene done in pastel colors that matched my MIL's guest room. I ended up hating it. Even stopped stitching for 2 years. And now everytime I go home, I get to admire it in the bedroom. LOL

Yarn Fun

No stitching for me!

But I did crochet a scarf with Lion Brand's Fun Fur. It's long and pastelly and totally cute.

I wore it to my EGA meeting and garnered lots of compliments. Two other ladies were knitting their versions.

Then I wore it on Friday and even had total strangers commenting.

Thanks to Caryn for the inspiration to do this!

The World is Full of Crazy People

And I unfortunately had to spend an hour on the phone this morning with one of them. I think this lost hour is going to color my entire day.

Toddling off to find my equanimity.

A Quiet Weekend

Not much happening. We went to see the Incredibles on Saturday. Came home to watch our Alma Mater, UNH, lose big time to Montana. Like Army, UNH was only able to play one quarter of good football. Next year, boys. That was their first road game loss all season.

I did get all the house decorated and the boxes put away last week. So downstairs is looking pretty good. Upstairs, who cares? We may be eaten in our sleep by giant dust bunnies. If they can get organized...

I got simple directions from a friend on how to make a quick, quirky scarf with Lion Brand Fun Fur. Of course, these are knitting directions. As I started I knew this would not be quick for me. So out came the crochet hooks. After a little experimenting, I found something that worked for me. Didn't take long at all, but I think I need a second skein - actually need like half a skein - to get the length I want. To think I'm seeing these things for sale for $20!

Off to find a place online to purchase holders for photos negatives...I've got 20 years worth that need sorting.

stitching bloggers QOTW 12/6

What has been your most interesting stitching related injury?

That would have to be a sewing machine incident that involved sewing the material to my thumb. Didn't hurt. Didn't even know I did it till I tried to move my hand away from the material. I just kind of caught the dry skin right next to my nail.

Lovely, huh?

Holiday Season is so Manic/depressive

One minute I'm up. Next minute I'm not.
I know this mostly has to do with the disappearing sunlight, but then throw all the holiday guilt/pressure into it, and I'm a mess.

I was decorating our tree yesterday and pulled out an ornament that my DD made in 10 years ago in second grade. As I was admiring it, I started thinking about friends who lost their younger son last year when he was only nineteen. This will their families second holiday season without him. Then I started thinking about all those families who have lost a son or daughter in Iraq and Afghanistan. The thought of all those mothers unpacking old Christmas ornaments made by children long ago made me sit and cry for an hour.

Welcome to December

I am not ready for this.

Someone please turn back the clocks.

Major panic mode coming on.

Running out of money, too! Argh.

Still Stitching

WooHoo for me!
I turned on some music, turned on all the kitchen lights, made myself a cup of tea, sat at the kitchen table, and...got out my stitching!

Finished one flag. Decided to stitch down to the bottom on the right hand side of this piece (eagle exemplary - sheepish designs) because I'm stitching in hand. Today Rhodes stitch over 16 threads. I'm already looking forward to it.

But first.
Went to gym with darling son yesterday after school. I was doing just fine. I was already to leave, but he wasn't yet. So I decide just one more machine. Now I've got some muscle twingeing (sp?LOL) in my back. Today I was going to drag in the tree and the decorations from the garage across the street, but now I don't think so.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a super rainy stormy day and I'm chaperoning a bunch of high school students on a trip to a college conference on psychology anyway. Maybe I should just go Christmas shopping instead...

Stitching Again

If I had accomplished nothing else this weekend I would be happy just to be able to state I picked up my stitching on Saturday! About time. I had my Sheepish Designs exemplary 106(?) on the top of my pile and took it into the kitchen and turned on some music and happily stitched away for more than an hour.

I returned to this project yesterday morning only to get distracted by a movie. By the time the movie was over, I had come up with another plan. I want to attend a scrapbook crop in a few weeks, and needed to reorganize photos and plan ahead. I knew my negatives were organized spottily - some years I was great, others terrible. This whole thing took my nearly 7 hours. And I'm only halfway organized. I know I've got photos I need reprints for and I was trying to identify them.

On the down side, one of my nieces needs back surgery to correct her scoliosis. I'm imaging my SIL will be a wreck when the time comes.

stitching bloggers QOTW 11/29

Do you know it all or is there something out in the stitching world you still want to know how to do?

I so don't know it all. I've done a tiny amount of expirementing with Brazil work. I'm just starting to master blackwork - I like it - it's like a puzzle, but occasionally frustrating to my non-linear brain. I would love to learn about Mountmellick work. There are tons of needlepoint stitches to try. All great reasons to belong to the EGA, where not only do I have opportunities to learn new things, I get to be inspired by the incredible things others create.

Holiday Thoughts

Not trying to be USA centric or anything, but facts are it's where I live, and it's time for the holiday known as Thanksgiving.

It will be my DD's last Thanksgiving dinner while living at home (unless something terribly strange happens. We are not planning on allowing our children back in after they move out for college. Get a life. Live it.) I'm happy that my in-laws are coming to share it with us.

Pressure is on me. I pick up that fresh turkey tomorrow morning and bring it home and will brine it. I'm known as a good cook, that means I have to come through with good food. There's a part me right now that's thinking - what if I don't make my own rolls? LOL

Ah fuggetaboudit.

I will survive. Always do.

Remember to take a moment (or several moments) to be thankful for what you have. Stay out the stores on Friday - the deals are not worth the stress. Take a walk outside.

Last year on Thanksgiving morning, bluebirds passed through eating the berries off a tree in our backyard. I'm hoping they come back this year. It was the only day we saw them.

stitching bloggers QOTW 11/22

I'll be 73 when I get to type today's date as 11/22/33....

Hand-dyed fabrics - love 'em or hate 'em? If you love them, what kind/colours do you have?

I can take 'em or leave 'em. Feel kind of neutral about them. I tend to not follow the fabric recommendation from patterns anyway. Usually just pick something I like.

I do have hand-dyeds in my stash and have used them. Usually just saw something I liked and bought it. Most of it is probably R & R.

Yesterday

It would have been a perfect stitching day yesterday. But when I sat down in the recliner to watch Crafters Coast to Coast, I fell asleep. LOL I hate when sunlight starts disappearing from my life. Makes me all depressed and tired. Need to get out walking more.

So when I woke up at the end of the program *heavy sigh* I decided to get out of the house. Drove down the mountain to Kohls, where amazingly I couldn't really find anything we needed in terms of Christmas presents. Did buy myself a bright (really bright) pair of isotoner gloves. Will look good with black jacket.

Couldn't find anything I needed in Linens and Things with a coupon. Wait. Not true. I found curtains that I liked hanging up on display but of course they didn't have any. I've been toying with redoing kitchen curtains on glass doors before in-laws arrive next week. Guess I should fabric shop instead.

Then ran over to TJMaxx - where I bought myself a turkey cookie jar. Yes, I'm the one who has been running all over buying the English china turkey plates. I've got 6 Spode ones, and 5 Churchill ones, 8 bowls and 5 salad plates. Don't know why I love them, but I do.

It's off to weigh in at WW this morning. Do you think I lost anything with my haircut that I got yesterday? LOL Not losing, but not gaining. I consider that a moral victory.

stitching blogger's QOTW 11/15

Do you find that having another distraction (music, movies, people totalk to) while stitching helps you make progress or make mistakes?

Movies, music, books on tape - I can do all those while stitching without a problem. I can usually talk, too.

I feel when I get distracted it is more of an inner thing. My fingers, eyes, and brain somehow seem to get out of sync. Sometimes I'm aware when it's happening and I can bring my attention back. Sometimes I can't seem to control it, and that is a good time to put my stitching down before I make too many mistakes.

Got My Catalog

I got my Fire Mt. catalog yesterday. A thousand pages of adventure. Wow. It's as big as the old Sears wish books. Color me impressed.

And a little bit lost. So many ideas. I don't know where to begin. Time to go back to those magazines I've been buying to search for recipes on how to use this catalog.

Beads, Beads, Beads

It's all about the beads.

That's it. Now I'm hooked.

Because of my success making my peyote stitch bracelet in less than 2 days, I've been inspired.

On Saturday went thru my various jewelry boxes. I'd been planning on doing this anyway, but now had added incentive. Pulled out earrings that I never wear and gave them to DD who has been saying she's lost so many she doesn't have many pairs left.
Pulled out some old stuff and set aside for next spring's yard sale. Emptied the largest, oldest, ugliest jewelry box which is now history. Then scavenged thru the rest for bits and pieces that might be of interest to me. I knew I would never wear this fresh water pearl necklace and bracelet set that someone gave me. But if I rework it, I might. I restrung a rose quartz, garnet, and hematite necklace that I haven't worn in the 10 years since it broke. I fixed a bracelet for my daughter. I need to buy some real gold findings to fix a necklace for son.

Ah the fun.
So I started peyote stitching a choker. For me.
And got sidetracked (ADD anyone?) by an old cheap beading loom. Decided to see how hard could it be? Turns out, not hard at all. I threaded the loom, went thru my supply of Mill Hill seed beads, and made some quick decisions. My goal was a beaded name tag. My accomplishment would be a beaded name, that I can apply to fabric and embellish with more beads and stitching to make a name tag. Was easy - the directions were terrible and will go off hunting more advice here on the 'net.

Beading

I worked on my EGA petit project peyote stitch bracelet and finished it on Friday. Looks lovely. Has 2 mistakes -both noticed after I had changed threads. I'll be a little more careful next time. But for a beginner, I think I did just fine.

Of course, this meant I had to drive to the beading store on Friday. And it started to snow. Was lovely to look at, but I'm driving the car that has the best gas mileage now, not the one with 4 wheel drive. Got a little bit dicey coming home at the the highest elevation point, but I made it.

So I bought more miyuki beads. Some for peyote stitching. Some triangle ones for a project in one of my mags, some cube ones cause I thought they looked neat. Some bicone swarovski crystals. Some more needles. Some more Nymo in different colors. Some more rose quartz and hematite to fix an old necklace. Ah the fun.

There is still a little snow on the ground which is kind of interfering with our neighborhood clean-up. Nothing like raking in the snow.

Not Dead Yet

contrary to the lack of posting, I'm not dead yet....

Just busy.

Learned peyote stitching last night at EGA meeting. Okay. Got a new thing to buy supplies for. But really - now I see the difference between the correct beads and trying to do this with round seed beads. Will be beading today. And tomorrow.

There Go the Leaves

the neighbors are once again
visible through the trees
the grass is still green
though no longer broccoli dropped in boiling water green
it is mottled with patches of dead yellow fuzz
and spotted with camel leather brown leaves
that are waiting for the wind to carry them down the hillside


Pathetic. I used to be good at this. Am forcing it. Off to search beading sites.

Off to Rummage

I'm off to rummage through my stitching bag. I've got one or two things that need finishing.

Time for some sunlight and stitching. And tea. Definitely tea. Typhoo here I come.

La Trav

So the opera singing was great. The orchestra was great. But I had issues with their costume choices, sets, lighting, and stage direction. Guess I didn't like the director. Oh well. Just makes me want to see it performed in a historical manner.

But Violetta's voice was a piece of heaven. I found myself closing my eyes and just listening.

Kids appreciated it for what it was. Though I don't think it turned them into total opera buffs.

stitching bloggers QOTW 11/8

What project has been a WIP/UFO the longest? Or what project tookyou the longest to complete?

Hmmm. I actually had a UFO from 1978 that I recently threw away. I finally bowed down to the fact that I was never going to do the finishing on this piece. It was a needlepoint wreath done with yarn. The finishing directions sucked. I do have at least 3 cross stitch pieces that date to circa 1988. One is a table runner that's mauve - no longer matches anything. One is way too country. And the last is a wedding piece that I modified as I was stitching to change the size. I mean to finish this one someday. But I'll have to count very carefully. The last two are both on Fiddlers cloth or Fiddlers Lite.

Weekend Blogging

I've noticed a lot of the blogs I read regularly aren't posted to on weekends. Probably like me, you're fighting for access with other family members.

Or like yesterday morning, when DH was sitting in the chair looking over my shoulder. I guess I should have written a nasty gram about people who do that while he was there. But I just gave up and let him have the 'puter.

Saw the movie, Ray, yesterday. We've always been Ray Charles fans at my house. This role should get an Oscar for Jamie Foxx. If it doesn't, there is definitely something wrong. I saw Ray once at Logan Airport in Boston, back in the early 90's when he was shilling for Diet Pepsi. Had on a great sequinned Diet Pepsi jacket. The man was an amazing talent.

Today we go to see La Traviata. Taking the teenagers too. Their first opera. Can't wait to see what they think of it.

Winds a Blowin

It's trying to blow us right off the hillside today. I fortunately had paid attention to the weather forecast and moved my swing and outdoor furniture on Wed. I've got toys in my yard (not mine) and I figure they are just passing through. My neighbor's beautiful patio awning is upturned - hope it's not broken.

But best of all - I spent this morning outdoors at the sectionals for cross country. And DS didn't even run. Stayed to suppport the team though. First 3/4 of a mile was running headlong into the wind that's blowing at 40-50 m.p.h. No one breaking any course records today. Temperature about 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Boys came in 4th. This was the race we won last year. But we had the state champ on our team last year. And due to injury and people deciding soccer is more fun, we're down to one female runner. Last year she qualified for states all by herself. She may have a shot to do it again today.

No Election comments except

I am totally amazed at the voter turnout.

WTG, America!

on a nicer note

From Sunday's NY Times Op-Ed page comes a wonderful article written by Susanna Clarke.

The New York Times > Opinion > A Work of Halloween Fiction: Antickes and Frets¹

A charming work of fiction about Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I.

Officially Creeped Out

Live on a military installation.
Just got a call from housing maintenance about a work order to fix a light.
Told the guy that today wasn't good for me.
And he said, "That's okay. You don't have to be home."

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry. Did I give up way more rights to privacy when we moved in here than I thought I did? Off to call housing customer service line...

Finally a Few Days

This morning I must type up a mailing list, but everything else is completed for my meeting today. Yeah!

This means that I have checked my calendar twice for this week and I actually have a few days without obligations. Finally a few days to myself. Wow. I'm sure something will pop up, like it always does. Children have no school tomorrow - election day. Maybe I can talk them into going Christmas shopping or something.

Next week, things get crazy again. But at least cross-country season will be over with for my son.

Looks like we're having guests for Thanksgiving. DH wants me to invite more. Okay, honey. Whatever you say. Sanity check here. Did I just say I've got nothing to do?

stitching blogger's QOTW 11/1

What would you do if stitching was banished by law? (...inspired by the movie Equilibrium)

First I would sell some stash on the black market. LOL Depending on prices and ease of selling without getting caught, I would probably sell the majority of it. I assume hiding a stash would be difficult (especially a large stash.) And it's not like I could just burn it. That would hurt too much.

A project or two or three would be carefully hidden away in order to preserve the art for future generations.

And I'd be doing a lot more scrapping and rubber stamping. LOL

Time for Tea

Yes. I did finish my wool tea cosy in time for our group's little tea party. Proud of myself too. We all agreed that the inserting the lining was a PITA.

That said. I did take pics. Spent an hour here yesterday trying to figure out how to post them here. I'm following all the directions on Hello. But somehow it's not working for me. I may just link to them on Webshots if I get frustrated enough.

This means that on the stitching front, my time is my own again. Except for one little project for the Christmas swap. I really really really should commence my gift for DH's army retirement. He threatened to go drop his paperwork last week. Whatever. I'll have to June/July to do this. My choice is to stitch for him is the Peace Eagle which I will frame with his medals. Peace Eagle: Cross stitch at selmasyarns.com
Though I like how they framed it better here ( browse down on right)
Scarlet Thread, Ltd. - Welcome! with the medals on the linen instead of on matboard. I picked up this pattern 2-3 years ago and wrote to the design team for permission to photo copy pattern so I'd have a working copy. Which they kindly gave me.

Now it's foggy and the woods out back seem to be glowing. All those yellows and oranges and russet browns. I think I'll get dressed and take a cup of tea outside to enjoy the cool, foggy air.

new phenomen

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If This Is a Dream, Then Don't Wake Me Up

There are not enough words to say how awesome it is that the Red Sox won.

I'm only 44. I know there are plenty of people out there who have been waiting much longer than I have for this moment.

But still. How great is a 4 game sweep under a lunar eclipse?

*happy sigh*

Enough Babbling

Spent a good part of yesterday working on my tea cosy. I finished adding the silk to the second side in a different way from the first side because I didn't really like how the first side looked. Of course, I liked the second way much better. This meant an hour of picking silk out of wool without cutting any of the wool threads and the colors are all ivory. That was fun. Only took me an hour to restitch it. Then I cut and assembled my lining. Cut the lining for the wool and attached it. This morning I've got to finish sewing the two sides together, then stitch the lining into place. Then decide, handle or no handle. Will post pic tomorrow if I can get camera battery to recharge.

Wicked Awesome!

Red Sox win the World Series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just Cross Stitch Mags

Last night I started going through my old JCS mags looking for stuff of interest. When I say old, I do mean 1984. Considering they commenced publishing in 1983, I think I've got quite a collection.

My impressions from the first 3 years: graphing was primitive. A lot of them done by hand and done badly. Subject matter was folk or country or meant to appeal to a specific audience, i.e. designs to be done as gifts for teachers. Not much realism except in the flora category. Some of the shops featured are still in business proving it can be done and done well. A few designers are still designing, but most have departed the biz.

I did find one really great article on needlework conservation that I'll keep. I think doing this little project is going to be like watching the evolution of the needlework industry in America.

And I found my project for our December swap at EGA. May need a tiny bit of tweaking, but it is definitely workable.

What I Found by Reading this Morning

I do find reading other needlework blogs to be highly satisfying.

This morning I felt like I hit the jackpot while reading In A Minute Ago.

inaminuteago - the blog

Go see SharonB's article from 10/24 and click the link to The Riches of Stitches.
I'm printing it the PDF right now. Great stuff!

stitching bloggers QOTW 10/25

What are you working on right now?

I really should compose a side piece on my blog for current projects. Maybe if I saw them listed everytime I come here, maybe I'd get to work on a few of them!

This week's priority is a group correspondence course class by Dianne Lewandowski for a wool on wool tea cosy. Our group is meeting on Friday and it needs to be finished. I'm not quite ready to put it together. But should have no problem meeting this deadline. Here's a link to Dianne's online shop. Hand Embroidery - Welcome to the Heritage Shoppe

I am currently searching for my misplacedcrochetted lap rug. It's MIA. Anyone seen it? Multi-colored, gold be the predominant color. About 42" by 36". Last seen in the spring when I organized the living room.

One Last Cheer Before the Game Begins

Go, Red Sox!

Still Sick - Now Officially Sick of Being Sick

Day eleven.
Will this never end?
I woke up feeling slightly better yesterday.
Was getting stuff done and everything.
Then had to run to the P.O. and on the way had a coughing fit so bad that I nearly drove off the road. After that, could not stop coughing. Argh.

A Day With No Plans

I officially have nothing that I must do today. Which is probably a good thing. I've been running on fumes trying to keep up with the stuff that needs doing. A few things got deferred.
Like I still need to finish my tea cosy. Which must be finished by next Friday. And the membership list that should have been mailed this week, will be available on Nov 1st.

Last night I made the most delicious ham and broccoli quiche. Too bad it was so good, there's none left this morning. There is still leftover ham and of course a pea soup in the making. Yummy.

Things That Need Doing

clean out garage before first snow fall
mow lawn one last time and run mower out of gas
put away lawn furniture
decide what to do with swing - I really don't want it on the front porch again.
decide whether or not to lay those paving stones in backyard
clean up flower beds
Ack - this is just the stuff outside.
Please, I need a few nice fairly warm days. Please. Some sunshine at least...

Red Sox

Bring it on.
Cards or Astros.

It's all good.

It's October.

And the Red Sox are playing baseball.

Well That's It

The Red Sox rolled over the mercenary Yankees. And now it's on to the World Series.

I can remember sitting on the front porch with my grampa listening to the Sox. He'd have a couple of beers, and I'd play with my dolls at his feet. This was back in the early 1960s. When win or lose, it was just a pleasant way to pass a summer afternoon. We weren't the Red Sox Nation back then. Few people had any expectations for the Sox till the summer of '67 made us all believers. We've had a few chances between then and now. And now is looking pretty good.

Brain Hijack

Obviously my brain has been hijack by this cold virus and any medication that I have taken looking for a little relief.

I wrote a nice long post on Tuesday, did not copy it before attempting to publish, and got caught in publishing recycle hell. Just kept saying 50%, 50%, 50%. Went on for many minutes before I just shut it down.

So Anyway

Back to my topic. Which was an EGA lecture we had by Pat Moore, needlework artist extraordinaire.

This was not a lecture aimed at conservationists. This was aimed at people who love to expirement and have fun.

First she covered different ways to paint your background fabric. With things like Aquarelle crayons, acrylic paints, poster paint, watercolor pencils, set-a-color fabric paint, transfers, spray paint, blo-pens, bleach. So much for tea-dyeing. She went onto papers, plastics and metals that can be used as ground fabric.

Her projects on these backgrounds are mainly natural flora. Lots of minatures. Lots of French knots. Beautiful stuff. I wish I could some of her work on the web to share with you.

We were all amazed. And intrigued. So many possibilities.

And I found a book she recommended yesterday at Michael's.
Off the Shelf Fabric Painting by Sue Beevers.
You can see it here -
Amazon.com: Books: Off-The-Shelf Fabric Painting: 30 Simple Recipes for Gourmet Results

still sick

But how about those Red Sox?!!

I'll be crying if they win.
I'll be crying if they lose.

nothing needlework related done

Still suffering from aforementioned cold.
So absolutely no needlework accomplished.
Why not?
Because with headache and dizziness I'd have to rip out everything I stitched. Can not concentrate right now.

I did have to satisfy some creative urges and yesterday finished painting my scared black cat wooden figure.

Oh Nearly Forgot

In my brain fog, I nearly forgot that I dragged myself to my EGA meeting last Wednesday (I think I overdid it that day - woke up much much worse on Thursday.)

But I couldn't miss a lecture by Pat Moore, needlework artist. I wish I could find some of her work online to show you. She showed us some pretty inovative stuff. (This is not for people into conservation of needlework meant to last centuries.) About 20 different ways of coloring/dyeing fabrics. We're not talking tea dyeing here. We're talking bleach and watercolors and markers and pastels and acrylic paints and poster paints and transfer medium and blo-pens and spray paint. How about using paper as a ground fabric? Everything from silk paper to Tyvek. Not to mention metals and plastics. She definitely looks at things differently. With some amazing results. Much of her needlework is based on flora, so after getting a ground fabric she's happy with, it gets stitched with flowers and leaves with assorted embroidery techniques.

Each new thing she pulled out of her bag was a revelation. We were all impressed.

sick, sick, sick

No. I am not MIA.
I'm just sick.

Horrible, terrible cold has had a hold of me for the past week.

Things will hopefully return to normal soon.

I've Been Felled

by a nasty cold bug!

Got lots to write but brain is not functioning properly

maybe in a day or two

Losing my Mind

I swear my post with the link to Passione Ricamo was not there yesterday. *shaking head*

Starting 5th skein of yarn on DD's afghan poncho. Of course, I finally found a place with all kinds of patterns and will have to do more of these as soon as this one is finished. Also saw a pattern for a lovely felted purse that can be done either in knit or crochet. How tempting.

Here is where I found all kinds of stuff. I think I wasted a whole hour reading here on Friday.craftster.org projects forum - Index

Kids Home Today

And yes, they are still asleep at 9:30 a.m. Ah. To be a teenager again. DH has to work today so it's just us. Time to go wake them up and find something entertaining to do.

stitching bloggers QOTW 10/11

You've just been given a $100 gift certificate to buy anything cross stitch or needlework related - what would you spend it on right now?

Ah. A shopping spree.
I think right now I'd have to put my money on a new light with magnifier.

But what my heart really wants is more Italian linen...

Just In Case

If any scrappers have wandered over my way, welcome.

I started this blog in Sept 2003. It's mostly just ramblings about my life, my opinions, and my needlework.

Name of the blog comes from the fact that the area I currently live in is the worst place I've ever lived for needlework shopping. (Yes, I know. There is always the 'net. But I like to see and touch things before buying. Tactile shopper here.)

My site still isn't up to par after having to recreate things twice in the past few months. Just don't seem to have the time. I'm just a work in progress!

Apologies

Okay. I can see a post I wrote isn't here. Not happy with that.

That's throwing me off.

What was I going to say?

Now I've forgotten.

It's been a good weekend for sports at our house. DS ran strong yesterday at the Manhattan College Invitational at Van Cortland Park. Try to imagine over 10,000 young runners in one place. Boggles the mind.

Red Sox vs. Yankees. Enough said.

Army Football snaps long losing streak. Cadets bring down the goalposts after the game.

Army Hockey takes its first two games of the season in fine fashion.

No plans for today. Kids have requested a day off to sleep in, etc. I think they deserve it. (While DS was running yesterday, DD was taking her SATIIs. What fun!)

I'm off to play with my graphing software. Have an idea for the Christmas exchange. Need to get it out of my head soon before I lose it.

Finally a Trip to a LNS

I was mostly into buying supplies. The only new chart I bought was the Winter Sampler by an Italian designer whose company name is Passione Ricamo.

The website does have an English translation available, though not all of it is translated.

Swing, battah, batttah

*clapping*
Red Sox won, 9-3, against the Angels yesterday.

I did manage to watch the first half of the vice-presidential debate. What were they trying to do - bore us to death? After two rounds of crochetting in the green poncho, I gave up and went to bed to read. Even hubby gave up after 70 minutes. But the kids stuck with to the end. Good for them.

I'll put the blame for this one squarely in the lap of the moderator. Why was she asking the same things that were covered in the first presidential debate? Where were the questions about real issues? Why cover all this ''he said, he said" bullshit. I want freaking substance here, people. This is an important election and I feel like tuning out.

(apologies to overseas readers for u.s. political bullshit - but we are the 500lb gorilla in the world and this does tend to affect everyone...)

To Do

Need to pick out a project for Christmas time EGA exchange. This year we've got free rein. Do anything you want - ornament, scissor fob, needlecase, etc.

Maybe I'll design something small of my own?
I'm in a red mood...


Yeserday and Today

Got my paper done. Got my paperwork done. Had my meeting and things went well. Met some new people, including a lady from Alaska who's going back there this week. Says she likes the winter. Good for her.

Went to library and picked up latest Sue Grafton book - R is for Ricochet. Just tried to look up ricochet in my American Heritage computer version and even though the word is listed it's asking me if I misspelled it. Duh. I know it's French, but come on people.

Just spent a large chunk of time reading the recap of ER on Television without Pity. That's enough to make me not watch it all year. How the mighty have fallen. Too bad.

I'm three skeins of yarn into DD's poncho and I've got two more. But may have to purchase one more in order to do fringe. Maybe on my way to DS's cross country meet. Michael's is just across the street.

I was So Right

See Patriots won yesterday.

I managed to write most of my paper yesterday. Then woke at 3:00 a.m. Read Stephen King's book, On Writing till about 4:30. I never knew he was such a serious alcoholic/drug addict. (Been clean for years. But doesn't really remember writing Cujo.)

Finally got up at 5:00 a.m. Finished writing the last paragraph of paper. Watched "My Geisha" with Shirley MacLaine and Yves Montabond. I'd never seen the entire movie before, only the last half. Was interesting. Mostly enjoyed watching Edward G. Robinson as the movie producer. What a voice he had.

Now I've got to go organize paper work. etc etc etc
Boring.

stitching bloggers qotw

plastic bobbins? yes or no
What's your thread organization?

Plastic bobbins. NO. NEVER. NOT ON YOUR LIFE.
First, it's a major waste of time transfering all your thread to bobbins. Then it develops kinks.

My first attempt at organization was:

unwrap floss from wrapper
wrap floss around cardboard
cut in two
put through plastic ring
braid
slip label back on over braid
put ring on larger metal ring

This worked initially. But soon outgrew this method.

Next. Tried LoRan system.
Wasn't happy with that either.
Had three binders worth of floss.

Current system is floss away (or similiar product) baggies.
It works for because I can have several skeins in the same bag and the cut pieces too.
All my baggies are on large metal rings organized by number.

My GAST and Weeks are in their own box.
My silks are all together in their own box.
My Flower Thread is altogether in its own box.

Okay
Sometimes I have to rummage to find what I'm looking for. It seems to me there should be a better way. But I'm not worrying about until DH retires from the Army and we settle somewhere more or else permanently.

Helter

Skelter.
We saw Ringo on CBS's Sunday Morning and now DH is downstairs blasting the Beatles.

I need to write a paper for tomorrow.
I'm going to watch the Patriots beat the Bills later. Sorry, Drew. Things just didn't quite work out for you, did they?

I did survive my 9 1/2 hours working a concession stand at the football stadium.
Whoever thinks teenagers are evil needs to hang out with me and all the teens I meet.
Yesterday's group was hardworking, non-whiny, pleasant, funny, and in general just a pleasure to associate with.

But still the day lasted forever and takes a physical toll on everyone. And yet, nobody was complaining. It's a tough way for volunteers to make money.

Did I mention that the customers were for the most part just terrific. Friendly, patient, and appreciative.

I got to end my day with a lobster, chowdah, beer, and great deserts. (WW took a vacation yesterday - especially as I didn't take a break to eat lunch)

All in all, my good deed for the month. And I would do it again if someone begged me. But I'm not volunteering...

tomorrow will be painful

Tomorrow will be more than painful.
I have volunteered to work a concession stand at the football game with a group of teenagers. This will coincide with the worst day of my period. Ah. Great.
Smiley faces now!

At least at the end of this, I can look forward to a lobster tailgate. Fresh from Maine. Arriving in the a.m. And plenty of beer please. Tomorrow will be a Weight Watchers day off for me.

Speaking of Weight Watchers

I did manage a loss in my first week.
Yes.
I can do this.

Speaking of Lost Arts

Does not anyone cook from scratch any more?
*sigh*

I attended a Tastefully Simple party last night (Tastefully Simple, Inc. - Small indulgences for busy lives!) where many women did not hesitate to spend $4.99 plus shipping and tax to purchase a beer bread mix. I admit the stuff tasted good, but not 5 bucks a loaf worth of good.

5 dollars gets me 10# worth of King Arthur flour which makes how many loaves of bread?
Just boggles the mind.

Likewise I wouldn't dream of serving my family a soup that was made by adding water and heating.
Tastes like chemicals, not like soup.

I admit that it is a step better than Mickey D's. But not by a lot.

Some of these soups take 30 minutes to fully reconstitute. I can make a from scratch soup in that amount of time.

Color me not impressed by the "gourmet" label...

PMSing Political RANT

Okay. I love my family. I really do.
But one more family discussion of politics may send me over the edge.
I am so burned out on the politic climate of hate and vindictiveness that I can no longer even bare to think about the November election.

Where is the rational man in all this? Where is the love? Where is the spirit of cooperation that will let unite us as a country instead of divide? I am so fucking tired of Cheney's implications that Kerry will be unable to protect us from terrorism, that we "deserve" every terrorist act aimed at us if we elect him. I'm tired of W.'s unintelligence. I'm tired of Kerry's ability to pull his act together. He's imitating a loser with a capital L. The only person I like in all this is Elizabeth Edwards. I say let's elect her.

Why are there so many "undecided" voters? It's because they're as disgusted as I am with the choices.

I'm sick of smears, insinuations, and stupid accusations about things that happened 30+ years ago.

What about what's happening now?
What about what's happening next year?
Or in the next four years?
What about a fucking plan people to get us out of Iraq?
What about health care?
What about education?
What about social security?
What about our environment?
How about some real issues?

I think most people in the so-called press are idiots who worry only about making money on sleaze and rumor. Real issues that affect real people aren't stories that sell so they ignore them and run with trumped up allegations and forged documents.

I am so tired of all this.
There must be a better way.
How about making all the elected men in gov't stay home and let the women run the joint for a while? How about someone taking the high road? Where's the honor? Where's the concept of service?

*starting to foam at the mouth now*
rant over

Catching UP

I did say I was going to spend yesterday working on GCC tea cosy and I did. I still have some white flowers to do and then I begin the interesting process of putting it all together. It feels good to have made some definite progress on something.

On Saturday afternoon I took the kiddos to play putt-putt and visit the bookstore. Where my only purchase was a beading book. Has a couple lovely beaded choker patterns. Which would look lovely on my darling daughter.

Then just by coincidence, on Sunday we went to Playland amusement park in Rye, Ny. Playland Yes, this is where the Zoltar machine ends up in the movie, Big. We got there before the park opened at noon, and played another game of putt-putt. (I won on Sat. Lost on Sunday.) Turned out they were having a blues music fest. So in addition to riding some classic old rides, the coaster, the whip, and the wonderful derby racers, we got to hear some great music.

On the way home I suggested a stop at the Westchester Mall for DD and me. We wanted to visit Sephora Sephora.com: Cosmetics, Fragrance, Skincare and Gifts . Much money later, I finally have my With Love perfume, some new lipsticks, and an orangy eye shadow. DD did the lipstitck/eyeshadow thing too. I'm not a girly girl, but there's something about these stores that just makes me want to squeal with delight.

Finally Found my Ornie Issue

After exhausting my usual purchasing spots for the JCS Christmas ornament issue, I finally found it at the grocery store. Now I'm guaranteed to see at the the PX, Wal-Mart, and Barnes and Noble next time I visit these places.

I see why everyone was talking about the Monsterbubble ornament. I love it.

Finally picked up my tea cosy this weekend. Need to finish the embroidery on it so I can put it together. Ah the joys of procrastination.

stitching blogger's QOTW

Would you or have you designed your own cross stitch design? If you have can we see it?

Of course I have. Samplers, perforated paper mats for pics, bread clothes, etc.
Got pics? Nope. Everything I've done has been given as gifts.

Oh

Except one mini-sampler I finished last year. I need to get going on posting pics. Will try to get to this in a week or two...

welcoming my self back to weight watchers

It's kind of funny. After joining up again yesterday, I went and found my old materials. And there in black and white and red was documentation of the fact that WW was working for me.

My last successful weigh-in was Sept. 10th, 2001 at which point I had lost 18 lbs.

After that I yo-yo'd up and down for a little while, then stopped attending meetings and following the program.

Not that I'm blaming what happened on 9/11 for my problems, but I know my perspective on things changed.

Back to reality.
If I want to have knees that work in my old age, I'd better change things now.

I know I can lose weight.
It's just - can I keep it off?

Baubles and Beads and Buttons, Oh My

Oh Oh.

I feel a problem coming on.

I lucked into a beaded woven bracelet (that someone made for someone else but was too big) by giving a donation to my EGA. It's a lovely color.

But it seems to have made me unearth my beads and beading supplies and beading books.

It made me start a new folder for favorite beading sites on the web.

And even led me into the beading sections of my local craft stores.

Oh the humanity.

Where will it end?

Okay. I did make a beaded watch.
Took about 10 minutes. Gotta love quick results.

And yesh.
I bought more beads.
And yesh even more bead storage.

*sigh* but at least it's a happy one

crack monkies

I tried posting here twice yesterday (4 hoursapart) and both times the connection timed out.
I hate that...

second try - hours later

Ah. It's so frustrating when your blog doesn't publish. Makes your blood boil.

I don't even remember what I wrote about...LOL


next link

Blackwork Embroidery Archives

Great site. Lots of info. Makes me want to stitch some artichokes.

Looking Around

I swear I'm the only stitchy person on the 'net who hasn't yet found their JCS ornament issue yet. Hasn't shown up at my normal sources. But I'll be patient. Otherwise I've got to drive a hour to find one. I know it'll appear soon, but everyone's talking about what they like the best. Waaaa!

Next Link

a link to the Tristan Brooks website and the Pineapple Pleasures blackwork piece done in red - actually designed by Barbara Jackson and meant to be stitched with Pearsall's silk.
Tristan Brooks Designs Pineapple Pleasures
But hey, if you can't fudge the thread choices on blackwork, then maybe you need another hobby???

Last Day of Summer

This info brought to you just in case you forgot!
Enjoy your last day of summer.


Disappointing Yard Sale Day

Normally I have good luck at yard sales. Kids and I walked all around the community yard sale and didn't see anything worth my buying. This would be because I had money...if I was broke, there would have been tons of stuff.

Did not see a lick of craft stuff that interested me. No books, no rubber stamps, nada. Rats. I was hoping for a bargain. *Le sigh*

Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch

Gotta love Elaine Stritch at the Emmy Awards last night. Okay, I know some people out there were shaking their heads saying who is this crazy broad. Well, educate yourself! Watch Elaine Stritch: At Liberty.

And just for kicks, I had lunch out today with the ladies lunch bunch. Great meal. I had salmon that was wonderful and a lovely little piece of chocolate tart for desert. Now if only these ladies carried on a slightly more educated conversation instead of just hair, nails, and kids...

site of the day

For those looking for a cross stitch mag database

xsmagdb.com

Done by Taneya (Taneya's Weblog)and friends. Lots of work going into this project and I think the results are invaluable.

stitching bloggers question of the week

If you could design your dream needlework/cross stitch shop, what would it be like?

Large. Light. Airy. Full of a variety of things, but sorry, no yarn. Staffed by friendly and knowledgable people. Have a frame shop next door. And on the other side a wonderful little cafe with good coffee.

Yesterday

Remnants of Ivan gave us an extra long dose of rain.
DH decides he needs to go to Tower Records and buy new music.
(If this store ever goes belly-up, which it is threatening to do, my whole family will suffer a major depressive event.)

So it was Iggy Pop for DS
Jeff Buckley for DD
Scissor Sisters, and the soundtrack for the future of america for me
Al Green, Otis Redding, Green Day, Kenny Loggins, and Oscar Peterson for DH

That's an impressively varied haul...

And then we moved on to the nearest Fuddruckers for burgers.
I did get inside Chef Central while DH was buying cigars, but didn't find anything yelling for me to purchase.

By the time we came home, I was suffering from the onset of a cold. This morning I seem to be winning. But sleep last night was a difficult commodity to find.

New Project

Of course I'm not letting deadlines on current projects interfere with starting something new.
So it's a heather green granny square poncho for DD. I've already used two skeins of wool-ease and had to go buy more because I didn't read the instructions before buying the original yarn. Course not. Why bother?

Here's the directions:
Poncho Free Patterns

Things We Want at my House

The Star Wars DVD's.
George, what took you so long?
Can't be the extras included because there's not that much new included from what I've read...

Green Day's "American Idiot" CD

a weekend without rain!


Remnants of Ivan Arriving

Flood warnings again. This year has made me glad to be living on top of the hill.

Guess that means I should spend the day cooking.
I had originally planned on a trip to a LNS, but just don't feel like driving today.
Lasagne, French bread, maybe some oatmeal choco chip cookies?
Do some laundry
finally pick up my tea cosy again as the deadline is approaching

Oh but I did buy some yarn after finally finding a pattern for a granny square poncho
This should work up fast

Oh Wait

The pirates have a blog too

The Ship's Log O' the Festerin' Boil

Nice name, eh?

I Remembered!

Avast, ye maties!
Sept 19 is Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Talk Like A Pirate Day - September 19

I celebrated this last year in my blog. Don't remember where I got it from originally, but I'm proud of myself for remembering!

just trying

was trying to add to my template but can't get blogspot to publish
again

so this is just an expirement...

site of the day

From the Heritage Shop - directions for the Romanian Stitch.

Couching - Romananian Stitch - Heritage Shoppe - Oconto, WI

I haven't actually tried this one myself, but it looks so much like painting with thread that I' m terribly intrigued. Will definitely experiment with this one of these days.

Burning Issues

I've got a friend with a fire burning. She's hot to organize a group of various women to discuss feminism. Especially interested in having some older women perspectives as she's a young mom herself. I'm looking forward to participating in any way I can.

But today I was taken by something on In a Minute Ago's blog.

" I started to think about how feminists represented the domestic and framed many attitudes towards 'women's work'. A generation of women were raised with the impression that if you wanted to achieve a good life you left your domestic skills behind.
Although feminism wanted to lift the level of satisfaction many women had in their lives it did demean the domestic work of women. The skill involved in creating and maintaining a home was not acknowledged enough."

I once had a 15 year old babysitter for my daughter who did not know how to cook anything. Couldn't make grilled cheese, cook a hot dog, heat soup, fry an egg, make Kraft mac n cheese, etc. (Pre-microwave era.) When I asked her mom about this, she said that she didn't want her daughter to learn any cooking skills. She said her daughter was going to college and was going to get educated, get a good job, and hire people to do the domestic stuff for her. I was appalled. Her daughter was going to starve. How could anyone not arm their child with basic cooking knowledge.

This is an example of someone who had taken the feminist thing to what to her seemed like a logical conclusion. I couldn't help but feel that there was a mental disconnect there.

Why did being "domestic," (i.e. knowing how to take care of yourself!) equate with not being feminist?

Just because you can cook, sew, and clean does not mean you don't have a brain! And if you enjoy any of these activities, good for you.

stitching bloggers QOTW

Do you stitch small projects one at a time that you can finish quickly, have numerous large projects going at once that you rotate,or both? How does your current system work for you and have you thought about changing it?

System. What system?

I stitch what I feel like stitching.

I do like alternating a large piece with smaller things, that way I get to seem something through to fruition. But if I sat down and counted, I probably have at least twenty projects going at one time. And I pick which one I feel like stitching strictly by feeling...

Is it working for me?
Well, a qualified yes.
Currently, the eyesight thing is taking pleasure out of stitching. It's not so much that my lack of system is keeping me from accomplishing projects. I don't think a strict rotation system with defined goals would help at all.

Late, but Not Forgotten

A September 11th musing.

On September 11, 2001, I was on my computer 10 miles from the Pentagon. When I signed off, my phone rang. It was my niece calling from Georgetown wanting to make sure my husband was okay. By the time I turned on the television, both Towers and the Pentagon had already been hit.

I immediately picked up the phone to call DH who is active duty Army, but worked in downtown D.C. After many tries, I finally got through on cell phone. Most D.C. offices had evacuted their personnel, but DH's building was not evacuting. They were staying to deal with this crisis. I spent lots of time trying to reach family to let them know he was okay.

Neighbors and I met in the street to try and make sense of what we were seeing and hearing. Everyone was glad to know DH hadn't been at the Pentagon that day. I walked to my daughter's high school and met her after school. They had watched the footage all day in their classrooms. Then met son's bus from the middle school, where the children were essentially kept in the dark about what was happening.

Thanks to the Pentagon renovation, we did not personally lose any friends that day. Things could have been much worse there.

My heart aches for all who lost loved ones that day.

Next Link

I have the red linen to stitch this on. I was thinking of making for my MIL whose heritage is Norwegian.

freechart The Norwegian Souvenir Sampler

Things I'm Happy About

1)I took a mental health day on Wednesday and went shopping.

Added two new OPI colors to my nail polish collection - Nice Color, Eh? and At Your Quebec and Call (which is an interesting shade of green/gold which I'm officially passing on to DD.)

Found a new denim jacket - longer than the traditional Levi's jacket and totally cool.

And lucked into a huge sale at Filene's where a mere $85 netted me 3 jackets, 2 long sleeve shirts, 1 sleeveless blouse, and a sweater. Now if only I could have found a pair of pants that I liked.

2) Patriots won last night!

3) Army football starts tomorrow! Go, Black Knights!

4) Sun is shining after the remnants of Frances tried to drown us.

5) Many more things - good health, good marriage, good children

'SWorking!

As this seems to be in working order this morning, on with the regularly scheduled programming...

Next link.

This is a half-doll silhouette alphabet. Very charming. But I know my teenage bowie-lovin', goth-appreciating free spirt would not go for it. So I'll pass it on. Someone may have little girls...

Half Doll Alphabet Chart Introduction - AABBCCDD.com

Yesterday

Blogger would not let me post.
Just kept cycling through again and again. With 0%.
Trying now.

trouble posting - test

just trying to get something to publish....

Next Link

Half Doll Alphabet Chart Introduction - AABBCCDD.com

This is a charming half doll silhouette alphabet pattern freebie.

Enjoy!

I do my DD's initials, but I don't think the love-bowie-goth's-good-free spirit that is my teenage daughter would be appreciative...LOL

Next Link

I don't even remember where I got this one from. It's a half doll silhouette alphabet freebie.

Half Doll Alphabet Chart Introduction - AABBCCDD.com

Quite charming, actually. And if I had a "little" girl still, I would be doing her initials.
Some how I think the goth-wanna-be free spirit that is my teenage daughter would not appreciate this at all right now. LOL

New Idea

I'm currently checking links. So I think I'll start to share.
Who knows? You may find something you haven't seen yet...

I originally bookmarked this site in order to have the "how-to-finish-a-needleroll" directions. But there are other interesting things here.

Learn to Finish a Needleroll

I see no one has really updated this site in a while. But the instructional articles are a great aid.

Uneventful

It was an uneventful weekend, but I did get in some stitching while watching parts of the Monk marathon. What a great show!

I took off from the eagle in the middle of the exemplary and started working towards the upper right hand corner, which is where I normally start working on a piece. But now I need to get a question answered by the designer.

Anyone familiar with the Eagle Exemplary by Sheepish Designs? I already e-mailed this question and got an automatic reply back.

I need to know what color to do the rhodes stitch with. The photo of the design makes it look like a white thread was used on the inside of the stars for the rhodes stitch. But the directions don't this clear. It seems like the inside of the stars should be the same color as the cross stitched part on the outside of the stars according to the directions. Clear as mud, right?

Labor Day Redux

I guess it was no coincidence that Norma Rae was showing last night. As I watched this movie about the unionizing of a southern textile mill, I kept thinking - great, they got the union they wanted and less than 20 years later the factory closed down and moved to Mexico/China/Vietnam/etc.

I also was thinking about my grandparents, both of whom worked in textile mills in New England. My gram tells this great story about how while she was walking the picket the line, my grandfather was a scab crossing the picket line. I'm sure for my grandfather this was simply a practical consideration - one had to have money for food and shelter. The other thing this movie highlights is why my grandmother at 95 has major hearing problems. Back in the day no one knew a thing about protecting your hearing and that machinery was loud!

Labor Day

Okay. I thought the weatherpeople promised us 3 gorgeous days in a row.
Saturday was great. Sunday was wet and a lot cooler. Today, Mr. Sunshine is having a difficult time finding his way to earth, and again I'm forced to wear pants for warmth. *Heavy sigh.*

Now I know the origins of this holiday, yada, yada. (From the Dept. of Labor - " All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation.
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

Sounds noble. But how well does this fit the nation? Seems to me most American workers aren't thinking that they have something to celebrate today. (insert the ususal - it's just a reason to have or attend a party/picnic/bbq) I think most American laborers today are pissed off. Job security is disappearing. Company loyalty is shot. Pay plus benefits is dwindling. And a living wage is not guaranteed. Major corporations have moved their manufacturing to cheaper labor markets. And moved their corporate headquarters offshore to avoid paying taxes.

Anyone care to comment?

stitching bloggers' question

of the week.

How do you explain cross stitch to non-cross stitching people? Do they get it or do they say “Oh, right.. you do knitting then (or sewing, or needlepoint)"?

It isn't easy, is it?
I always say that I do needlework. Usually they either nod (like they understand, but really they don't want me to explain any further) or they say the dumb stuff like "oh you knit. My grandmother does/did that." Very seldom do I run into the random person who understands...

Frankly, the most fun discussions are the ones that happen while you are actually doing needlework in a public space. An amazing number of people seem genuinely interested in the process. But I guess they wouldn't say anything to begin with if they weren't interested.

My Neighbor and I Were Talking

She's got company arriving today. And she meant to spend all week preparing for her friends arrival.
She had her list of things to do - normal things - like cleaning the bathrooms and washing the kitchen floor. So yesterday afternoon we got to talking about how we end up adding stupid things to our to-do lists when preparing for something like this.

Like she was washing all the bedding on her daughter's bed. LOL

And we spent an hour recovering her kitchen chairs.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

I knew I was having more than 40 people over for a cook out last month - and what do I decide to do? Two days before I'm going through all my cooking mags and taking out the recipes I want. (Sounds like a small project - wasn't. Took hours to organize everything.) Did I have my shopping complete? Was my house clean? No. And no. Did I even have my menu finalized? Uh, nope.

Know I realize I'm an expert procrastinator. Is this all this is? Do I just like to sabotage myself? or can I only do my best work under pressure? Iknow I'm not the only one...

School's Started

My high schoolers are finally back to school today. The cat ran around like a possessed animal all morning, and he's finally collapsed in the chair beside me. It's hard for a 17 lb cat to look dainty, but he's trying. LOL

So I'm off to vacuum downstairs, pack up some things that need to go to the P.O., do a mailing that should have gone out yesterday, but I was unsure of the correct info. No more ignoring things that need to get done.

I'm planning on finding time to stitch around 2:00 p.m. outside where the light is wonderful. Supposed to a lovely sunny day with a high around 76. Perfect.

I can see the quality of the light changing and I hate that autumn is coming. Summer was very screwy, lacking heat and too much rain. But my grass looks great!

Need: Motivation

What a lazy bum I am!

I've got a long list of to-dos and all I can think of don't-want-tos.

Reason to Celebrate:

Yankees biggest loss ever 22-0 against the Cleveland Indians. We actually stopped to watch the Indians score 3 runs because it was too good to miss this drubbing.

And the Red Sox won! Just 3 1/2 games back now. I love this sport.

Finally Stitching

I did get to work on my Eagle Exemplary last night. DD had to attend a meeting for groups whose volunteers work the concession stands at football games. (And that would be because she was chosen as women's crew team captain - yeah!)

I just sat in the back of the room and finished stitching my eagle. Now to decide whether it's on to the flags or up to the alphabet?

A side note of the issue of patience and stitching.
Those of us adults who love to start things and rarely finish things, might look at whether they have signs of ADD or ADHD. I'm not saying everyone who starts but doesn't finish their projects has a problem. I just know I do. And I've compensated all my life for it without being aware of it.

Live From New York

Peachy. Now to be subjected to four days worth of the Republican National Convention. And its accompanying protestors.

Yes. We should just turn the idiot box off. That would probably lower my blood pressure.

Last night we watched Bowling For Columbine. Did not try to plan this ironic juxtaposition. It was just up in our queu on Netflix. (I see Michael Moore was inside the convention center last night gathering much attention to himself.)

But watching this film brought back some memories for me. We lived in Colorado Springs in 1999. And though Michael Moore makes it seem like Rocky Flats Arsenal, the Air Force Academy, and NORAD are all within minutes of each other, I know better. I used to be able to sit in my backyard and watch the sun set over Cheyenne Mt (home of NORAD.) I was fortunate to be able to take a tour of this amazingly unique facility. It took me 20-30 minutes to travel north to the Air Force Academy, and another hour from there to Rocky Flats.

Today I read on message boards pleas from mothers whose children are being bullied in their and remember - "We Are Columbine." I guess we are a long way from being a "kinder, gentler nation." (note - check out what Nancy Reagen thought of that line http://www.patriotist.com/jaarch/ja20030728.htm)

Why do we insist on torturing each other as children? and even as adults? Why can't we all just get along?

Was Going to Stitch

I was going to sit in the living room and stitch, but I turned the room over to the teenagers. They only have a few days of "freedom" remaining, then the house will belong to me and cats again during the day. Yeah!

Stitching Bloggers QOTW

Do you feel cross stitching requires patience?

No.

But I feel it teaches patience.

It doesn't take any patience at all for me to pick out a new project, gather up the required supplies, and begin to stitch. And it doesn't take patience to keep stitching on that piece. It takes perseverance.

When someone looks at your work and says you must have a lot of patience, I think they're trying to say you have an ability to stick with something to the end.

Depressing

I just followed a link to forbes.com that was supposed to be a list of affordable places to live.

If affordable includes median house prices over $300,000, I would like to know how we are ever going to be able to buy a house once hubby retires from the Army.

On a side note, their "front porch" communities included Punta Gorda, FL. I guess once people post stuff on the 'net, they never think that maybe they should update things after major natural disasters...

But anyway, now I'm majorly depressed. I know where we'd like to live. And I know where we can't possibly afford to live. And those lists overlap by quite a bit.