Monday, May 30, 2011

What do you name a duck?

About a week ago we had inherited a duck. Don't know where 'she' came from but she's seems to be ours now. I've named her Quack. I mean what else do you name a duck? Daffy? Daisy? Donald?

Does anyone know what type of duck this is or anything about ducks? She seems to be happy cruising the yard and eating bug larvae. I'm thrilled with that!

Miss Alivia came over last week. She's a big girl now. She just got two bottom teeth and is vertical in a walker. Her favorite thing is backwards.


And because there is nothing cuter than baby feet!



Although I did ask DH if he was her father...see those crossed tootsies? Only his family does that -- maybe my BIL does too.

Happy Memorial Day to all. To those who have served our country - Thank-you! Because of your sacrifice I can be free.

Enjoy the day - Denise

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Give Away Time!!!

Under the advisement of a good friend I have cleared off the dining room table and decided to share my wealth!
There will be three different sets of items to be given away ~~

First up we have a bowl of 60 wooden spools. Now - I do want you to know the wooden bowl in this picture is NOT part of the give away. I don't want someone to be disappointed when the bowl does not arrive with your spools.

This is give away number 1

Up next are all the trims I know I will not ever get to use. There are 30 separate pieces. Some range from a few inches to a couple that have over a yard. I kept a dozen or so for my own use and these are the left overs. I've always liked leftovers and thought you might like some too!

This is give away 2

And finally, here are several other pieces (which I did not count). There are white and pink doilies, a few quilted needle keeps, appliques in both cream and blue, 2 yokes, and what seems to be a shoulder covering with short sleeves. There are a few other items that I have no idea what to call them.

This is give away 3
I kept the trims and doilies separate because I wasn't sure if one person would want both types of stitched items.

So here are the rules:
~ Be a follower.
~ Leave a comment on this post only.
~ Let me know which give away you are interested in. If you would like to have your name tossed in for all three - let me know that too.
~ Give away will begin today and will be drawn on June 19th.
~ I will ship internationally.

That's it and that's all. If you would like to post about this give away - please do so. If you would like to add a link to a side bar - that's great too. Are these things mandatory - no.

I just want someone who would appreciate these items to have them. The lady I bought them from had a degenerative eye disease and she had no choice but to give them up. I think she would be happy to know someone has them that loves them as much as she did.

And as a second entry chance - Tell me about your first finish and how long you've been stitching.

Here's my story - I was in home-ec class in 1981. I had attempted stamped cross stitch with my grandmother a year or so before this class. We had a new teacher - Mrs Brode. She brought an excitement to the class that I've never experienced since. She taught us to sew an apron and make a stuffed animal. But, the project that got me - counted cross stitch. It was the little owl. My mom still has it. I picked up stitching again '88 but I have had my moments - not until the late '90's did I let my love for this little craft take flight. So if we count that first project - I have been at this for 30 of my 42 years!

Ok - time to leave your comments and good luck!
Denise

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Is anyone else having this problem?

I've tried to leave comments today and I am getting the run around if I have to type a word verification. I type the word, and have to go to blogspot to reenter my name and password, back to the site, and redo another word, back to blogspot. Round and round. Madness, I say!

But, I am signed into my account because I can go to the dashboard. I can edit, post, and cruise my little spot of the blog but I can not comment at half the blogs.

Does anyone else have this problem? And could it be because DS has a google account and logs me off? Even after making him log out of his account - the same problem exists.

Help me please!
Denise

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Yard Sale Finds!

Can we all give a yell - Woohoo!

I saw an ad for a yard sale last night that stated, "Not your typical yard sale. No clothes, no toys, or furniture." And then it listed antique clothes, material, trims, laces, quilts, quilt patterns, and doll making items... This pile cost me $25 at half price. I filled an entire grocery sack with things to make you go --- OOOHHHH!!






I haven't even scratched the surface of what I bought! I was in nirvana. Once I managed to tear myself away Mom said, "Why don't we stop at the other sale we passed."

Yeah. So we went there and I got more things to make you swoon. I grabbed one of our wooden bowls and threw in my favorite spools.




Ok, the frame doesn't look like much but it is old - and it has a patent number on the back. Now, why in the world would it have that? The wooden spools - all of them cost a whopping $5. I started a new collection. ;0)

I also got 3 little wooden slat boxes - the computer ate the picture. But, I'm going to fill them with a little shredded paper and place my small pillows in them. Once I get them arranged I'll post something.

Stopped by Jo-Ann's and got some fat quarters, more buttons, and wire. All in all - a beautiful successful day.

Now, I know what you will be getting when I finally get around to that one year anniversary that was over a month ago!

Smiles - Denise

Friday, May 20, 2011

Twenty-Four Stars Complete

Stop the presses - I've been stitching! ;0)
After what seems to be weeks of not picking up the needle - finally success. Ok, not quiet success but I have accomplished something. I'm halfway done (one off - hush) with the white stars in One Nation!


I went to my local Jo-Ann's today. They are moving across town and are liquidating their merchandise. Managed to pick up some floss bobbins, a piece of linen, some black 20 gauge wire (for the hangers on the Victoria Sampler ornies), small round buttons, and Mother of pearl/shell buttons also for the VS ornies. But, I thought you might like to see the ribbons - DD wanted to snag all the Halloween ones.


Not sure what I'll use them for - maybe hangers for some small pillow ornies.

Wait a minute - decided to get a quick shot of the buttons too.


Got a second day off this week - the boss and I had a slight misunderstanding and it went to my favor! I called it good. lol

The weatherman is teasing me - the sun is out and shining brightly on my clothes line. He says we should have a warm sunny day tomorrow too. I'm thinking we may have to break out the grill and do some hamburgers (or steaks) in celebration.

Hope the weather cooperates in your neighborhood.
Denise

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Would you do this?

Check out this link -
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/would-you-ever-let-your-guy-pick-out-your-clothes-i-did-for-a-week-2482587#photoViewer=7

In case the link doesn't work for you - let me clue you in to this dare. Let your man pick your clothing for a week!

I have to admit I don't think I'd let DH do this. I've seen what he wears. Oh, wait a minute how can I complain about what he wears when I'm the one who buys most of it. (I'm trying to figure out a way to slam those t-shirts and Henley - drawing a blank)

Anyway, I'm not into fancy at all. Accessories - I think that might mean the hair clip I wear. Because I don't do jewelry unless it's the wedding band I wear on my index finger*.

My biggest fear - he'd have me wearing my work clothes during the day. Granted they are comfy - but do I want to wear black tennis shoes and baggy t-shirts all day??

So, would you let your man pick your clothes? BTW - this guy did a pretty good job. Oh, there were a few things I wouldn't have matched up color wise - but he passed in my book.

Back to normal programming ---
Denise

* I work on a conveyor belt. I refused to wear my diamonds in that environment. We decided to get me a plain wedding band to wear to work. Changed positions and went to a data entry type job (same employer) and the ring bothered me when typing. I then took the diamonds from my wedding band had them reset into a thin band and put them on my index finger. Boom, I'm married with diamonds at work and no discomfort.

Have a great day!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

End of the School Busy

Going to have to rescue the clothing on the line soon. Storms are rolling through the area and there are flash flood warnings out. I don't need my jeans in the next county! ;0)

But, I wondered why I haven't been stitching or blogging. I'm not going to say much about blogger - we've all felt the pain of not being able to connect. Looking at the pictures on the camera and thinking back to the blur my life has become and I know why.

After hitting that stupid deer - I have been to the chiropractor several times. C2 was sitting lopsided in my neck. And the rest of the things screwed up in my back and hip are too numerous to list. Besides - do you really want to hear about my aches and pains? Nah, neither did I!

The boy is doing a service project collecting food and supplies for our local animal shelters. This involves collection canisters, begging for donations of cash and for goods to raffle, setting up at two car shows, and keeping it all in line. Guess who is managing this so far and the boy is clueless to how many hours I have put in on it. Soon - very soon - he will be up to the plate and he'll have to take over.

Between organizing this project, banquets at his school, his finals, his working, DH working, me trying to keep up with the yard, working myself, the doctor, running around, and the general other things - I have not been sitting in the stitching chair.

But, I did manage to finish this last week. It still is not mounted but I can show it.

Monthly Mania by HIH
Recommended floss
14 ct Country Cream Aida
I started this -


Portion of Katydid's Bunnies
Here's the banquet DS and I attended last Friday. It's an Honor Banquet for achieving a GPA of 3.5 for the whole year.

Isn't he handsome?

Receiving his 3rd year gold pin.
Yep, he's attended this every year of his high school career. Smart kid - he now has 32 hours at Kent State at the end of his first year. Next semester - 18 hours in two days. Someone is going to be busy studying. Also, he has made it through the training period working at KSU's Performing Arts Center. So, next year he can be scheduled to work all the shows.

Courtney is moving by the first of the month. Back to town and about 1/4 mile from ours. The fiance is not pleased with the new place but it's for a year. They can move again if they want. I think he will be pleasantly surprised at how much he'll like the place. He thinks it is too small. The garage and breezeway with two porches will be a great addition to the two bedroom place.


I had to stick this pic in just because it proves my point - no matter how old they get - they're always kids! My red heads!

The storm is starting to boom in the distance. I wonder if lightening will strike the oil rig in the field. The neighbor has some one drilling. Nice humming sound now fills the valley.

Well, it seems time to wrap this up and pay attention to the storm.
May the weather be fair where ever you are!
Denise

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

Just a quick note before making breakfast.
Mother's Day is so different than it once was at my home. Several years ago we had a nursery nearby. Each Mother's Day they had an event where they gave away hot dogs, soda, and popcorn. Their plants were on sale and everyone came out. Mom, Keri, my kids, and I would load up and head out by 9-10am. Had to make sure the trunk was empty or someone would be holding flowers.

Yes, even I bought flowers at that time. The kids were little and loved riding in the wagons. Keri always picked something out for Mom and I got her a hanging basket most years. After circling the place at least twice and wearing ourselves out - we headed to eat. Then got in line to check out. This always took at least 30 minutes. Loading the car was an experience not soon to be forgotten. Children here, plants being held there, be careful not too fast, bounce, bounce, bounce (through the field they parked you) and then home.

Forgetting who got what and having to trade a half hour later. Either Keri bringing something to me or Courtney running something to Grandma. Normally, home by noon and planting flowers by 1.

But, they've closed. The kids have grown. And we have no destination. Most years now it is a series of visits. As for another nursery - none around that we 'have' to go to. And I no longer do flowers. lol

So, as soon as I get my butt moving - I'll (yes, me) make breakfast and call Mom over. We'll be having bacon and eggs with biscuits and fried potatoes. Love the potatoes but baking them, cutting, and then frying them are a pain.

Hope your Mother's Day is what you want it to be and with your kids preferably. Don't forget to take that nap today and stitch tonight while the family makes you dinner!

Denise

Friday, May 6, 2011

A Re-Post from Tina's Blog

Tina over at "The World According to Me" posted this earlier. There are no words - I flat out cried. She said we could repost this if we would like. She mentioned Craig's List - but I've never done Craig's List. So, I am posting it here.

You Can't Keep your Pet? Really??
-by a shelter director.

Our society needs a huge "Wake-up" call.
As a shelter manager, I am going to share
a little insight with you all...
a "view from the inside" - if you will.
First off, any of you whom have surrendered a pet
to a shelter or humane society should be made to work
in the "back" of an animal shelter - for just ONE DAY.
Maybe if you saw the life drain from those sad,
lost, confused eyes, you'd stop flagging the ads on here
and help these animals find homes.
That puppy you just dropped off will most-likely end up
in my shelter when it's no longer a cute little puppy anymore.
Just so you know, there's a 90% chance that your dog will never
walk out back out, once entered in to the shelter system...
Purebred or not!
About 25% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays"
that come into a shelter are purebred dogs.
The most common excuses:
"We're moving and can't take our dog (or cat)."
Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets?
Or they say "The dog got bigger than we thought it would".
How big did you think a German Shepherd would get?
"We don't have time for her".
Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs!
"She's tearing up our yard".
How about making her a part of your family?
"We just don't want to have to stress about finding
a place for her & we know she'll get adopted,
she's a good dog".
Odds are, your pet won't get adopted
& how stressful do you think it is for your pet?
Did you know...
Your pet has 72 hours to find a new family
from the moment you drop it off?
Sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full
and your dog/cat manages to stay completely healthy.
If it sniffles, it is euthanized.
Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room
with other barking & crying animals.
It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps.
It will be depressed and will cry constantly for you.
If your pet is lucky, there will be enough volunteers in that day
to take him/her for a walk.
If not, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food
slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of it's pen
with a high-powered hose.
If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully" breeds
(pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when
you walked it through the front door.
If your cat is scared and doesn't act friendly enough,
or if it catches a cold (which most of them 'do'),
it will be put to sleep.
Those dogs & cats just don't get adopted.
In most cases, it doesn't matter how 'sweet' or 'well behaved' they are.
If your pet doesn't get adopted within it's 72 hours
and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed.
If the shelter isn't full and your pet is good enough,
and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of execution,
but not for long.
Most dogs get very kennel protective after about a week and are
destroyed for showing aggression.
Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment.
If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles chances are it
will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be
destroyed because the shelter gets paid a fee to euthanize each animal and
making money is better than spending money to take this animal to the vet.
Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a
perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down".
First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash.
They always look like they think they are going for a walk...
happy, wagging their tails...
until they get to "The Room",
every one of them freaks out and puts on the brakes when they get to the door.
It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there.
It's strange, but it happens with every one of them.
Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 shelter workers,
depending on the size and how freaked out they are.
Then a shelter worker who we call a "euthanasia tech (not a vet)"
finds a vein in the front leg and injects a lethal dose of the "pink stuff".
Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerks.
I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood...
the yelps and screams are deafening.
They all don't just "go to sleep", sometimes they spasm for a while,
gasp for air and defecate on themselves.
You see, shelters are trying to make money to pay employee pay checks
and then, there's the board of directors...
who need to be paid too!
Consequently, corners are cut, & we don't spend our funds to
tranquilize the animal before injecting them with the lethal drug,
we just put the burning lethal drug in their vein and let them suffer until dead.
If it were not a business for profit, we'd do it humanely and hire a
licensed vet do this procedure.
That way, the animal would be sedated or tranquilized and THEN euthanized.
But to do this procedure correctly would only cost more money...
so we don't necessarily do what is right for the animal,
we do what's expedient so we can continue to make a buck!
Shelters do not have to have a vet perform their euthanasia procedures.
Oftentimes, they are untrained personnel administering lethal injections.
So... that employee may take 50 pokes with a needle and 3 hours to get inside the vein.
In the end, your pet's corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer,
usually in the back of the building with all of the other animals that were killed.
There they will sit until being picked up like garbage.
What happens next? Cremated?
Taken to the dump?
Rendered into pet food?
Or used for schools to dissect and experiment on?
You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind.
After all, it was just an animal and you can always buy another one, right?!
I hope that those of you who still have a beating heart and have read this
are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head.
I deal with this everyday.
I hate my job, I hate that it exists &
I hate that it will always be there unless you people make changes
and start educating yourselves, your children, the public.
Do the research, do your homework, and know exactly
what you are getting into before getting a pet.
These shelters and humane societies exist because people just do not care about animals anymore.
And PLEASE stop breeding!
Animals were not intended to be disposable but somehow that is what they've become.

For those of you that care---
please repost this to at least one other Craigslist in another City/State.
 
Animals don't understand a bad economy.
Something to think about.
Denise

Monday, May 2, 2011

For those who need enablers...

Made that second stash order the other day - it's here.

(Hey, Parsley - here are a few other things you might be interested in - lol)


See the bunny pattern on the left? I thought some of my bunny loving bloggers might like a 'bunny season' pin cushion. Just a thought for another RAK. Speaking of which - March has not been sent out (shame on me) and April is ready to go --- and it's only May! ;0)


 Hey, only one bird pattern in this batch! But, look at this --


Now did I need both? They are so close to each other. But, I do love them. Should they be down in companion colors? Things to ponder.

Back to work again - trying to remember to be happy that I have a job - kind of hard sometimes.

Take care and be happy -
Denise

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sweet 16 and Stash

It must be a slow day today. I have watched Dirty Dancing, Grease and now Grease 2. That would explain why I have number 16 done! I mean seriously how many times can you actually watch these?

I got my package yesterday ~ which means I got my CC Cupid.

Would you like to see what else I got?



The bird theme seems to have continued - 3 here and another one Bird in Hand by BBD is coming next week.

And the Hare's -- I've fallen in love and keep picking up patterns. Yesterday, I found Hare's Easter freebie to add to the collection.

This morning was May Day - how in the world is it already May? Somebody needs to explain to Mother Nature that these winds belonged in March and the rain can now stop!

Time to prepare for the upcoming week - whee - back to work.
Talk soon - Denise