Memorial Day Weekend...

I copied this post from my other blog. So, if you subscribe/follow them both I apologize for copying. But, I thought it was a message I should share here too.

I always enjoy the 3 day weekend as much as anyone else. A few days ago I got an email from my SIL. It had numerous pictures all relating to Memorial Day.

I thought I might share one.



It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag.

So, this is to you, Veterans, thank-you!

Happy Memorial day to ALL. Please be careful this weekend and enjoy the time how ever you see fit.

And if you see some one from our military - stop, shake their hand and tell them, "Thank-you."

Smiles -Denise

My Sister's Baby Is ...

IT'S A GIRL!!!

She'll be named either Gabrielle Angelique or Angelique Gabrielle!

Yippee!! She still has a potential birthday of 10/10/2010!

I'm Done!

After spending hours this weekend stitching - another project complete! Now I am trying to add it to the slide show on the right and as of yet it isn't showing. But it is COMPLETE!

Here's the finished sampler -

And with the added charms -

The charms are for my husband, daughter, son, and our Bridget. Oh, and one in the center for moi.

But, now I can return to Grace. I am so happy! I have A LOT of blogging to do at the other site now.

Smiles - Denise

What I Have Been Doing Lately

I promised myself I wouldn't do this, but...

Here is a recent picture of my blessings project. I have only blogged about 26 squares but really I have 75 done. This is a snap from when I finished block 60.



The colors are turning out wonderful! I am pleased! Some of the blocks have been overwhelming. I never thought it could take an hour to fill a one inch block. There are over 190 upright cross stitches in that one block and I have 4 of them in this project! The block I am talking about is the 4th block from the left and next to last row.

So tell me -- what do you think of this sampler?

And to anyone who is watching both posts --- ssshhhhh!!! Don't tell on me!

Smiles - Denise

Playing with the Layout

Well, I'm bored today and decided I needed to jazz it up here. It has been neglected due to my other blog.

How are things on the home front? Quiet! Today is the first day to have sunshine in what feels like a week! I should be outside on the hammock stitching. Hmm, maybe that's where I'll head next.

But really folks - school will be out in 2 weeks! Already! Where has this year gone?!?! Logan and I will be going to Kent to schedule classes for his fall semester on Monday. My sister also finds out if it is a boy or girl Monday. Girl, girl, boy, boy --- choices choices. Ha! Already been decided. Dang!

I hope this finds you safe and happy.

Smiles - Denise

A Wonderful Visit

My daughter came for a visit yesterday. Usually she stops for a few minutes after work and is off to her own home. But yesterday, she came down for 3+ hours. It was TOTALLY unexpected and I was home alone. (Horrible as this sounds -- I didn't have to share her.) We were able to talk, laugh, and just be.

I know it doesn't sound like much. But, today's reality of our relationship and where it was 6 months ago are so vastly different that it isn't even recognizable as the same relationship.

Oh, the fights, tension, and DRAMA. I (we) were so against her moving out. Her boyfriend wasn't what we wanted for her. The college issues (and grades) were at the top of *our* priorities. Do you see the pattern here? What *WE* wanted was more important than what she wanted. BIG MISTAKE! I know we had her best interests at heart, but we were overlooking Courtney's interests.

She wanted to be with her boyfriend, go to work and college. And pretty much in that order.

I'm glad she stuck to her guns -- don't ANY of you EVER tell her I said that! She needed to grow up and we needed to let her. She wasn't our *little* girl anymore.

Today we talk, laugh, and are able to be around each other. We respect each other more and are becoming friends. And that is where we both need to be. I don't need to be her mommy. She needs me to be her friend now.

My husband though still thinks she is 9 and needs him to protect her. And this boyfriend just isn't going to do it right - don't ya know. Sometimes I think men have it even harder when their little girls grow up. They just don't want to let it go. They get along, but there is a distance they both feel and they don't know what to do with it.

Any suggestions?

Sorry about dropping this here -- I didn't tell you much about the visit -- but that is ok.

Thanks for listening - Smiles - Denise

Some good buys!

Well, the trip to Canton was a success! We were able to sell 2 pair of pants and bought 2 pr jeans, 1 cargo khaki pants, 2 cargo shorts, 3 long sleeve shirts, and 2 short sleeve shirts --- for $89! Not bad. The one pair of pants was American Eagle and they would have cost at least $50 retail. I'm happy and so is DS.

The dentist visit went well. No cavities. Hard to have them when his teeth are coated in plastic. Braces come off in September. Wisdom teeth are already gone - so, he is doing well.

Thinking about this weekend -- I don't have anything planned. How nice. The weather is going to be in the mid 60's to lower 70's. Partly sunny. Well, that was the last I heard. This is Ohio and that could change in 10 minutes.

Hoping this finds you all well. Have a good weekend. Smiles - Denise

Something to write about

Finally I am doing something that warrants a post!

Lately it seems I have been doing next to nothing, but I am always busy. So, today DS has to go to the dentist and then we are going to Plato's Closet to see what might come home with us.

Plato's Closet is a really cool resale shop. Name brand like new clothes. We went there for school shopping last fall and got 4-5 jeans and 6-7 shirts out the door for $78! We then went to Target and spent that amount on a sweatshirt, underware, and notebooks.

We might start shopping for next fall now depending on the clothes available. But, do you buy "school" clothes for a kid doing post-secondary? I guess - why not?

I have been doing stitching. The Blessings project is moving right along. I almost have half of it done, but my postings about it are lagging behind. For fear I have cross readers I won't show a current picture of it.

But my other stitching - Grace - is suffering! I have not picked it up in 2 weeks! And I have a Noah's Ark that needs started and completed before October. Some how I doubt very highly that it will be done in time for Gabrielle/Hayden's birth! Opps!

So, I'm off to post, pick up DS, and shop! Smiles - Denise

Happy Mother's Day to all

Well, today is one of two days that I get to do nothing but what I want! Hmm, was that really the reason to have children?

My parents, sister and her husband, and Garin came for breakfast today. I had the bright idea that I would make them breakfast. But, Rob ended up doing it while I relaxed and talked. But, I was to make the fried potatoes. Mom showed up and we got to talking and opps - no potatoes for anyone. Everyone made it but DD.

She showed up around 3 after work. I feel sorry for her. She has classes Mon-Thur. Then she works every weekend at 4am. She never gets to sleep in. Class finals are this week. Here's to good grades! (Fingers crossed and breath held)

Here's what I have been doing for the last week.



It is the blessing stitch along I mentioned earlier. I haven't blogged about it on my other blog yet. I stitched ALL day yesterday and managed to do at least 10 blocks. I will be posting there one picture at a time. I just can't throw them all up there at once. Too much!

As you can see I have made it into a stitch sampler kind of thingy. Not sure if it has a proper name or not.

There is a Sandra Bullock marathon on and I really like watching her movies. So to all the mother's out there ---enjoy your day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Busy with "Blessings Stitch Along"

I have been busy stitching on 100 squares. I look at other's work and wish I had the drawing/imagination to do what they are doing. Alicia is doing a fabulous job. I just looked at her blog and have to drool.

My designs are graphic and don't literally represent the blessings I have been given. I like what I am doing, but... Maybe I like theirs better.

Okay, I will just admit -- I am jealous. I have no drawing ability at all. Maybe there are art classes I can take. Hmmm -- something to look into.

I'm back from my busy weekend!

The retreat was such a gift! What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Meeting new people who enjoy the same things as you do and getting to shop for more stash that you really DON'T need!

Here is s picture of the participants - I'm the one taking the picture. (smile)


We a had wonderful time. Blueberry Hill supplied lunch and drinks. I think I was a bit of a show-off. I hope no one was offended that I took my photo album of all my completed projects, three things I am working on, my embroidery guide, and slippers. You have to understand about the slippers though. They are 'Donkey' from 'Shrek' and are not understated to say the least.

Here are two pictures of stash I bought - Heart in Hand's - What Makes It Spring - Summer - Fall - Winter. And Bent Creek's Easter Bunny Row and Shamrock Row.



These are patterns from the bargain bin - Just Cross Stitch - Noah's Ark, Stitchworld's Babies and Bears, Cricket Collection's Sweet Greetings, and Something in Common's Warm Hearts. I got these for $1 per!!! A Bargain for me!



I also went to Crafty Ewe in Broadview Heights. I got stretcher bars, fabric, some floss, and tacks. No pictures of boring things - sorry!

I came home and started my counting my blessings project. I managed to stitch 2200 cross stitches in 25 hours. a personal best! Although, my thumb was KILLING me by bedtime.

Until later - smiles and winks!