Friday, April 29, 2011

Did the sun leave us forever?

It's another deary day in Ohio. The weathermen promise sometime soon the sun will return. I'm beginning to doubt them.

I can't remember such wicked weather. We have been getting clouds and rain. Nothing serious. My heart goes out to those in the south who keep getting pounded by storm after storm. And Texas is in a severe drought with fires. Is there something wrong with mid-70's and sun? That's all I'm asking for.

Keeping the clouds in mind - would you like to see some crappy pics? I've enlisted the add of the camera's flash, overhead lights, and an open curtain. And I still got nothing. ;0)

Last week I promised pics from Paula's give away. Well, unfortunately this is the best I could do.


 The white paper makes for a horrible photo. But, with my dark counters I couldn't think of any other way to get it to show up.

I did make progress on stitching while I've been off.


Lines - lots and lots of lines. Mindless stitching. But, exactly what one needs when watching/listening to every royal update and show. Couldn't loose my spot! 


Forgive Quickly
Lizzie Kate
28ct Country French Cashmere
CC Cupid
 Made great progress on this new start right up 'til I ran out of floss. After quickly calculating how much it would cost to run to the nearest LNS for another skein and checking shipping costs - ONS won out.

But, you can't JUST get one skein of floss. So I got two. And I thought, "That's it - that's all?" No - just can't get two measly little skeins of floss (Isn't justification wonderful?) So, I got a couple of patterns and a book. Shoot, just realized I should have gotten more 'Gloves in a Bottle'. 

Did you watch William and Kate get married? I was up at 4:30 this morning. Didn't see Prince Edward or was it Andrew? The youngest one and his family at all. I did see Beatrice and Eugenie - what hats! Kate's dress was very classic - thought she might have a little more umph with it though. Fell asleep during all the choir stuff. Woke long enough to see them return to Buckingham and back out I went. Completely missed the kiss. Dang it!

I will say the Royal family does know how to throw a wedding! What pageantry. Now it's Harry's turn. Will it be Chelsy Davy?

The weekend is here - have fun and be safe!
Denise


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Woe is Me!

Insert sad face here --

My computer ate my wish list!! I ordered some things from 123Stitch and then the computer went 'Bleck!'

I came back and wanted to add some other items to said wish list. Nothing there! :( Mind you - I feel that as long as you are wishing - wish big. We are not going to discuss my reaching SABLE a long time ago.

But, fate was with me and since I was just there plinking around I knew what was on that list - and I was able to find most of the items. Now there's more.

I'm still looking for a few things. Maybe I'll have to find them on another site or contact customer service at 123 - they usually can find anything.

Denise

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Check!

That's another thing off the ole' bucket list!

What did we do today?



Sorry about it being grainy but you get the picture! Scarlet and Gray Game Day.

That campus is HUGE - my feet are telling stories about how I REALLY need to get into a shape that isn't round.



He fell in love today. Let's see where this road goes. We both had a great time and I enjoyed spending the day with him.

btw - we didn't stay for the whole game. (Sorry MJ)

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!
Denise

Friday, April 22, 2011

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!

Nine blissful days without a boss, box, or co-worker! Sleeping beyond 2:45am. Not taking two showers before 11am. Taking a nap because I want to not because I need one. Bliss - pure bliss! Picture me sighing with a smile...mmm. And I won't describe the happy dance or the tune I'm humming.

Moving on - the weather today (and what the weatherman assures me will continue) is not conducive to taking photos. With that in mind - Paula please accept my apologies because I can not get your fob to show up correctly without sunlight!

Here's the story - a few weeks ago I entered Paula's birthday giveaway. And being the gracious blogger that she is - gave something to everyone who responded to her post! I got A Stoney Creek Cross Stitch magazine that has tons of patterns I want to do. Tons! The front cover has a pattern showing tree leaves in the fall - This one will be done - it's perfect for the tree hugger side of me! And I got a fob - it reminds me of a charm bracelet. Many danglies - I love the charms - an angel, apple, stork scissors, silk cord on a bobbin, spinner, stars, and the words Dream and Wish. She then wrote out what each charm means - the angel is my guardian angel watching over my stitching etc. Very cool - the next time the sun shines - I'll get a pic and show you!

With the aid of the daylight lamp and the camera's flash I did get some pics of my latest finish - number 15!

Snow White
Little House Needleworks
14ct Loch Aida
DMC - Ecru
 I won this pattern from Lyssa last year. CalamityJr and I both won something from Lyssa and I now have this one completed and have her Snowflake Santa partially done. Does that make sense?

I have worked on another project and the progress is not stunning, but I did put stitches thru cloth!


I just added some sweet potato on October last night. This picture looks creepy - like blood dripping down - eek!

And One Nation - This project is H-U-G-E! I can't get it into one picture for the life on me -


It's fun but those long straight lines are boring. I stitch a line, do a star, work on lettering and repeat. I think that's why I worked on a pumpkin in April last night. lol

Tomorrow I am checking something off my bucket list - if the weather cooperates I should have some neat pics for the next post. There will be a story without a doubt.

Sunday - I'm taking the kids out to lunch and then a movie. My sister had Easter dinner last weekend. Easter is a hard holiday for me - my Grandpa died 27 years ago. Today is the actual anniversary but I've always associated the two events. And tomorrow is 3 months for Dad.

I think he would be happy with my plans for tomorrow though - I hope so.

Might not post before Sunday. May you have a blessed Easter holiday.
Denise

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Could you give some advice to my son?

The boy has decided to do a service project and he needs some advice on his approach, hints or tips on how to make a fund drive profitable, and things that make people want to contribute.

His project is a fund drive for the local cat shelter and dog sanctuary. Our local Rotary will be backing him. They encouraged him to set his drop off site to coincide with their local projects in June and July. His project will be mentioned on their advertising.

We were thinking of making more flyers and pass them out at local stores in an effort to gain corporate sponsorship, set out change canisters at local stores, place Wanted ads in the two local papers, and possibly Wanted ads at sites like Craig's List.

If anyone has experience in fund raising or has any ideas that would make this a success - please comment or email me. I will pass all comments/encouragement/advise along to him.

Thank you in advance!
Denise

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Upgrade!

My new wheels...for 11days!


A brand new 2011 Toyota Camry - sweet ride. It is going to be hard to go back to the 2004 paid for Elantra. I feel spoiled every time I sit down! lol And here I thought I was going to get stuck in a 1980's Yugo.

Again no stitchy pics, but there has been a few stitches put into Snow White. Just nothing worth showing yet. And work on One Nation - haha. The others - nada. I must be feeling some spring fever because sitting and stitching just isn't cutting it. (Sorry, Jayne - I know you have no idea of what I speak!)

Vacation starts Friday at 9am - let the stitching commence then (I hope!)

Is every one else dealing with constant wind for the last 3 days? Egad, it's a blustery day.

TTFN - Denise

Friday, April 15, 2011

Look What I Did This Morning!

My Poor Car...


Bambi really did a number on it didn't she? About $2500 damage to be exact! Off to get a rental tomorrow morning and I should have the car back by the 27th. And no, I do not have rental car coverage on my insurance - dang it.

I'm fine - banged up a bit. By tomorrow morning I'm sure to be stiff. It's amazing though - I had the cruise control on, my legs bent, right hand under my thigh, driving with the left hand low on the wheel - by the time I came to a stop my hands were at 10 and 2, left leg braced and right foot solidly on brake. Picture a cat hanging from the ceiling.

I had planned to show progress pics today - nah, this is way more exciting!

((Edited to add - Bambi did not survive - but she did take my mirror and windshield wiper with her))

Do as I say not as I do this weekend - Go out there and make memories!
Denise

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Oops!

My blond hair strikes again. Sitting here reading blogs this afternoon and I thought, "When did I start doing this last year?" The answer - 1 year and 11 days ago. I missed my own blogversary - no party hats, balloons, and nary a give away!

DH has gone back to work and that means I can fund another give away. What I need are ideas! I've given away loads of fabric, a few patterns, magazines, misc stitchy things, and money. Should I have one large give away or several smaller ones? Let you choose or pull a name? Do something with an online retailer? More Money? Hmmm...

I will admit shopping for a give away is terrific fun, but I always worry that I am sending something the other person will tuck away never to use. So, please leave me a comment and tell me what you want! As Disney would say, "Dreams can come true."

Later Buckeye (should say Gator but who roots for Florida?)
Denise

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Impingement Syndrome

Have you heard of that one? Here's a link in case you are interested. Basically, my shoulders hurt - duh! Oh, and my neck was out. That's it and that's all. So much for my grand idea that I would get a few days off work! Guess I'm going to have to wait until that next vacation.

But, he did say I have torn ligaments in my right hand. That means I need to find a hand surgeon and go from there. Because we all know we need our hands in tip top shape!

In my comments to the last post - Shelly asked if I ever played the game of trying to cast actors into roles from a book. I haven't done it for Lightning, but I have with Janet Evanovich's number series. I always thought Duane 'The Rock' Johnson would be a wonderful Ranger. I had cast Sandra Bullock for Steph. Although, the real casting director chose Katherine Heigl. And I love that choice even more. But, I never did get a Morelli.

What about you? Have you played casting director before?

Monday, April 11, 2011

Is this Eavesdropping?

You're sitting in your living room on a Sunday afternoon reading a book. The windows are open and a gentle breeze wafts through the house. And a female voice shrilly starts yelling outside your window. Pause. Again with the shrill voice. Pause. A deeper masculine voice is heard. Hmm, time to look out those open windows and find out what's happening.

I went to the kitchen window and the young female is waving her arms as she yells some more. Now I can hear clearly that she is angry about something. And this bit of wisdom is thrown at the young man - "Shut up and talk to me!"

Really?!? Which part is this poor boy supposed to do? I felt confused for him. I have no idea what he said because you never heard him say anything. By her reactions he must have been saying plenty.

This continued for quite awhile until I went out on the porch and parked myself on the hammock. I finally made my presence known and they moved on.

I did get a few stitches in this weekend. The desire to sit there and stitch seems to have moved on for now. But, I'm reading as if my pants are on fire!

Has any one else ever read Lightning by Dean Koontz? A bit scifi, love story, mystery, and drama. I've read it probably 5 times now. It's still good.

Could some one kick me? I have a RAK completely ready to go and I know where it's going - so why does it continue to sit on my dining room table??

This is going to be a rip roaring week - I just have a feeling! Hope this week finds you well!
Denise

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Promised Pictures

Here are the pictures I should have taken on Thursday. Age of Stream Rail Road Roundhouse Museum - it'll be a year or so until it's open for business.

Approaching from the north

Getting closer - this is what I would call the front side of the building.
 
When looking at this billboard - we are sitting at the lower right of the drawing.
 
The backside - love those doors!

Some of the rail cars awaiting their new home.
I did have a link to this museum in the previous post - it has aerial photos. Much better than these will ever aspire to be!

Otherwise today - DH got me some new tires and checked out DD's car. We've done nothing else - getting lazy because I haven't even stitched.

Smiles - Denise


Friday, April 8, 2011

What was I thinking?

I wasn't - simple as that! I left my camera at home...

Yesterday I went out to lunch with a friend. Duh, in Amish country and never know what you may see. We had lunch at Miller's Restaurant and then stopped at the Baltic Mill. Angie decided she wanted to go to Farmerstown. Yep, that is the name of the town. Mind you we are DEEP into Amish country - there were no power lines. None as far as the eye can see.

We eventually came out at Keim Lumber. This place is so much more than a man's lumber store. I (very proud of myself) refrained from buying anything. Ang got a wind chime, bird house, and gloves.

Off we went again - this time we came across a railroad roundhouse. And it's not round?!??!! It's partially built and is going to be a stunner. We're not sure if it is a tourist attraction (it got our attention) or is really going to be used by Ohio Central Railroad.

The round house is why I'm going back out this weekend and get some pictures. I think you might enjoy seeing this thing. Never mind - I found a link! Go here. It will be a museum - are there any train aficionados out there?? You might want to head to Sugarcreek Ohio!

Waiting on DH to get home from work - and then it's dinner time. The boy is tying up the tv - him and some others on the xbox are trying for achievements.

Have an appointment next Wednesday - the orthopedist will be looking at my shoulders and back. Hope to get things straightened out. Tired of the pain. Has anyone had shoulder issues? Maybe you can email me and let me know what you went through so I have a clue. I know knees (not replacement) but nothing about shoulders.

It's the weekend - made it!
Denise

Monday, April 4, 2011

One Nation and an Engagement

I've not been around much lately. Life has gotten in the way again. Nothing serious - just stress. I'm sure you've all been there!

Thought I might show a quick update on One Nation -


It's kinda hard to show the whole thing! As soon as I get those red lines in above and below the states done - I will finally have one whole stripe complete! lol It's easy stitching, but man, oh man, there's a lot of it! ;0)

And on another front - this is what happened here at home Saturday!


Yep, that's a diamond ring and a man on one knee. DD got her ring. In case you are wondering when the wedding is - don't hold your breath! She still has health insurance through my employer and until she/they have good insurance - no wedding. She's got another 5 years on my insurance. This wedding could be far far away.

It's time for a nap - have been up since 2:30am and I'm ready -
TTFN -
Denise