A tribute

Towards the end of the memorial service for Michael Jackson today, my husband and I left for a much smaller but just as meaningful memorial service for an acquaintance of ours who recently passed away from a sudden heart attack. It was held at the local YMCA where he had worked for 35 years. Jim was only 59. He died waiting in line for a Judy Collins concert which was a surprise gift to him from friends. The parking lot was full, cars were lining the curbs on bordering streets and we could tell that there was a large crowd. The Y had even closed early for this service. I'm not sure how many people were there, but there had to be at least 200 and there weren't enough chairs to seat everybody.

Jim was a very unique person and well known by many in our small town. The microphone was passed around to those who wanted to say something about Jim and we heard stories that had us laughing, crying, reflecting and for myself, wishing that I had seen Jim more. My husband and I hadn't seen Jim for awhile, in part because he wasn't walking around town as much and we didn't work out at the Y where most people saw him on a day to day basis. I know my husband had wanted to share hip replacement stories, since Jim had had both hips replaced which made him give up running, something he loved.

I barely knew Jim really, but one didn't have to know him for a long time to sense what a special person he was. He had no money, but there was an article about him in the newspaper. He didn't hold public office or own a large business, but there were people from many walks of life at his service today. He was kind of homely and very tall, a gentle giant many said today. Jim always had a wide smile, a caring word, but not the fake kind of caring...you knew that he genuinely wanted to talk to you and to get to know you. He had a fabulous sense of humor. He loved loved loved baseball and was a huge Indians fan and even had a room devoted to all things baseball.

Jim lived a simple life. I learned today that at one time he had given away most of his possessions. He gave often and readily, never expecting anything in return. He was the most popular house and pet sitter in town, which I'm sure he did for extra income but also because he loved animals. I had to laugh at a comment made by his roommate...Jim was a vegetarian who didn't eat vegetables unless they were cut up into tiny pieces on his favorite pizza!

Funerals and memorial services are always a time for reflection. I leave with a feeling that I will change my life, be a better person, figure out what is really important. Today I left with the feeling that it won't be hard to be a better person. What maybe doesn't come all to naturally to me could really be so easy. Reach out to someone every day, speak a kind word, be sincere, give just a little of one's self in some little way. I know for myself that sometimes this is harder with those closest to me and with my family. I just need to remember Jim Boyd, picture his funny smile, hear his voice, and maybe I can remember how to be a better person.

She's a goner

The sweet gum tree was taken down this morning and now the logs are waiting to be hauled off by a friend of ours. We'll have the stump ground out soon. It's amazing how much light there is in that area now. The tree man said that now our neighbor's trees will take the brunt of the wind so I'm hoping they don't have problems.

The area under the other tree in the photo has always been heavily shaded and it gets very weedy. I have tried to establish shade loving plants there. You can't see in this photo that there are ferns, Solomon's Seal, Lily of the Valley, Epimedium, bleeding heart and some other plantings. I'll continue to plant shade lovers there.

In front of where the tree was is a patch of grass that was supposed to be another part of the herb garden. I'll post pics as we progress with this. Right now everything looks to shabby to show!

I cleaned out the hard drive on our computer yesterday! I've been putting it off for ages! It took a long time to back up files and reinstall Windows, but it was very easy and went off without a hitch. Gone are all the kids games, ancient files, garbage from the internet, etc. I could barely use Photoshop without it crashing since the drive was so clogged up with debris.

A clean drive is a happy drive...

Karma or just good luck?

This is so weird. I mentioned our sweet gum tree in my last post. Last fall it lost a good chunk during a very bad windstorm we had here in Ohio. DH wasn't sure he wanted to take it down. I've wanted to take it down ever since we've lived here. It's just in a bad spot and those little prickly balls are all over the place!

I was at work last Thursday night and someone mentioned that it looked like a hurricane out there. Thanks Amy for saying that, because it prompted me to call DH and ask him to please park the new used Subaru in the garage. Naw, the wind isn't blowing hard DH said. He's always in denial about storms...grew up in New Hampshire and thinks everyone is just a baby about the weather.

A short time later I get a phone call at work. You won't believe this! The tree fell! OMG, where was the car I ask? I put it in the garage. Who was smiling down on us that day?

We had just had an estimate to take the tree down and were in the process of getting more when this happened. Needless to say, this will happen very soon! There is one large branch hanging over a very beautiful purple beech tree and I don't want any harm to come to that tree.

It was quite a week for emptying our wallets. Our 4 year old Fisher Paykel washing machine went a little nuts and started to behave $240 later. We bought another car (son's money, but insurance to be paid by us). Then the tree. Keeping the fingers crossed for more good karma!

An ending and a beginning

Prairie Schooler "Spring Has Come"
32 count Wichelt lambswool
DMC threads

I finally sat down to put the last "few" stitches in Spring Has Come. It seemed everytime I thought I had stitched the last stitch I noticed another one that I had missed. It's those dreaded single stitches that get to me so it takes a little discipline to get them in.

But it's done and now I have to figure out how I want to display it. I have the rest of the season charts, but don't think I'll get to another one anytime soon.

I started BOAF Bitter Flower which I want to give to my mother. I haven't given her any needlework since I did a bargello pillow in the 70's. I hope she still has that pillow up in the attic somewhere. Think I will rescue it on my next visit.

Birds of a Feather "Bitter Flower"
32 count BOAF Barn Owl
WDW threads

Sorry about the yellow cast to my photos. It is bright and sunny outside, but I took these inside on our sun porch, which is not really a sun porch because of all of the trees surrounding our house. DH wants to remove a few trees ($$$) but the tree guy that came over the other day said that would be a mistake. There is one broken sweet gum that really needs to go and a lot of deadwood to be taken out of the elms and maples.

I have gotten back into gardening after neglecting our yard for the past couple of years. I just feel so totally overwhelmed by our yard sometimes and there are so many projects to be done that are costly. I realized yesterday as I pulled weeds that I have probably lost a fair number of perennials because they were crowded out by the asters and black eyed Susan's. I am trying to revive the herb garden as well and when the sweet gum goes, I'll be able to expand it.

We also need to paint and repair trim on this old house, so we are never lacking for things to do! I know I am lucky to live where I live, on such a nice large lot with a lovely brick home, but it really gets to me sometimes that we are always so behind. At least that's how it feels to me. I need a million bucks so someone else can do the work! We tried renovating our kitchen and ran into a number of problems, now it is half finished and I'm ready to call in the troops. Yikes! If it's not one thing, it's another...

How are you?

Tense me

Not much stitching going on these days but I sure do think about it a lot! My to do list(s) just keep getting longer and I'm just not crossing stuff off fast enough. The stitching is always on the list, but it just ain't happening!

I just have to talk about something that we got into at work today. When someone asks you how you are, is it OK to just say "fine" or "good" or must we always answer with "GREAT!" or "TERRIFIC!" even though we really feel just OK? If something is bothering us, and it is because a parent is sick or has passed away, or another loved one is having problems, or we are sick ourselves or having money problems, should we always put on the game face and say that we are terrific?

One of my co-workers, who I really like, is on a mission to change me and my attitude, and I think my attitude is really just fine, thank-you. I know he was just kidding about this (I think) but it kind of got to me. I don't go around saying how depressed I am or how sick or tired I feel so I'm not sure where this is coming from. Maybe it's just my crabby looking face! I'll go on the defensive if he keeps bugging me about this. Or maybe I'll just tell him what he wants to hear...

Loving, sweet me

Though I haven't been stitching myself, I have enjoyed seeing everyone's beautiful works. I will get back into it shortly. I've been shopping for a car for DS, college shopping for DD, gardening, had a yard sale, and now we need to start painting the trim on our house as well as find someone to take down some trees and maybe put in a patio (I hope, I hope!).

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think about the "how are you" thing.

A donation and some mojo

I sold one of these bobble heads at our yard sale the other day for $2 and I found a guy selling them on his website for $64.95! Wish I had kept that little guy.

I did something today I have always been nervous about doing and it was a piece of cake. I gave blood! DD wanted to donate so I tagged along. If she can do it so can I! Her donation didn't go so well though. Her blood must have clotted and little and it stopped flowing, causing some discomfort. Her lips turned a lovely shade of white. Poor baby. They removed the needle, gave her some juice and all was well. I hope this doesn't stop her from donating. I was so proud of her for giving. Her first donation went well, so hopefully this was just a bad stick.

I'll keep giving now as long as they keep accepting my blood. DH started to do apheresis donations (platelets) when his brother had leukemia and was faithful about making donations long after his brother passed away. Unfortunately his blood tested positive for some factor and they wouldn't take his blood any longer. The tests may have been giving false positives, but they take no chances.

I'm getting my stitching mojo back and should have a finish tonight or tomorrow. I have been feeling so dispirited about life in general, but I'm coming out of it. Bad news had been bringing me down. It is always one thing after another as you all know! Where's the bus stop on the road of life where you can just get off and rest for awhile???

Prom and life's ups and downs

A proud mom always has to show off pictures of her children and this weekend I was very proud of Claire, my 17 year old daughter. She went to her first prom with boyfriend (of 1 year!) on Saturday. They went out of town with 3 other couples for dinner, back to town for the "grand march", the prom and then the after prom party. They arrived home around 3 am. I was only worried about the drive out of town, but all went well. It was a little windy out and DD's hair became a little wind blown, but she was lovely none the less. Most of the girls had their hair up, but she decided to keep it down and lightly curled. Her dress was actually purple but showed up blue in all of our photos!

This picture is "so Wayne County". Various vehicles dropped the kids off in front of the auditorium where the prom was held. There was even valet parking for them. Some kids came by fire truck, some by convertible, but I didn't see any limos this year (and no Amish buggies!).

Aside from this fine weekend, I have been distracted and disturbed by some family issues. It has me reevaluating my life and my choices, the good and the bad. It is so hard being a parent and I wonder if I ever should have taken this on. I find myself wondering what the heck life is about and how to make it meaningful. Anyone out there have the answer? Please pass it on...

Hopefully stitchy pics will follow soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Learning about cystic fibrosis

Nothing stitching related tonight. After finishing the little Blackbird Designs sampler, I needed to take a little break from stitching and get some stuff done around the house.

I just wanted to post a link here to a website about the disease cystic fibrosis and the son of one of my co-workers. I have been trying to help out when I can with a little fund raising through our company.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

A Cure 4 Lil' Chris

Lil' Chris was diagnosed very early, making it possible for his mom and dad to do as much as possible to keep him healthy. In Ohio, genetic testing for this disease is offered to the parents and Michele and Chris (the dad) knew they were carriers, so they were able to determine that their son had CF very soon after his birth. Their 3 month old daughter does not have CF.

Michele's blog is a wealth of information about the day to day stuff that goes on in family that has a CF child. I can only imagine what it is like to have a child that has any congenital disease or developmental problems.

My Blackbird sampler

stitched 1 over 1 on Belfast platinum linen
Thread Gatherer silk, color In the Burgundy

Last Friday, I got the urge to stitch up the little Blackbird Designs sampler. Instead of working in the yard like I was supposed to this past weekend, I used most of my free time bent over my stitching.

And I was also in the mood for a little 1 over 1. I made a few mistakes along the way, but left them. I think that was the original character of this pattern anyway. Claire is my soon to be 18 year old daughter. The bird is kind of wonky, but I didn't plan this chart very well and was left with little room to work with.

This tiny piece is only 2 x 3 1/2" and I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet. I was determined to get this stitched by the April 27th deadline, so at 11:30pm I had put the last stitch in and emailed my photo off to Blackbird shortly before midnight. That meant only getting about 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night, so I know for sure that I am certifiable.

Having a deadline for stitching is exactly why I don't do exchanges. I know myself well enough that it would only cause stress and I would be burning the midnight oil to get things ready to send. I also haven't done well getting gifts stitched on time. Shoot, my SIL was divorced by the time I finished her wedding gift!

The attic beckoned

A lovely 60 degrees here today and where was I? In the attic! My friend and I are having a garage sale in a month and I wanted to work up there before it starts to get too hot to be up there. Bit by bit I am able to weed out stuff. Sometimes it takes years to decide to get rid of something.

I wish it was totally clean up there but I just can't bear to get rid of the Legos, K'nex, American Girl and Barbie dolls (and all the associated paraphernalia). If I have any advice for new parents, it is to not buy so much stuff!

We also have a lot of old stuff from my husband's parent's home. Lots of old Tonka trucks that are too precious to even think about selling. Every time DH comes back from out east, he has old army stuff, snowshoes and backpacks. I can only imagine how hard it is for his aunt who is trying to move and for his brother, who had to clear out the attic and basement of his mother's home. They never threw away anything!

DH doesn't like to throw stuff out either...I don't like clutter and I certainly don't want anyone else to have to deal with my detritus after I am gone.

No stitchy pictures today, but I am making good progress on Spring Has Come and will spend a couple of hours tonight working on it. I've been thinking about the BBD contest and may stitch that up next if I think I can get it done in time.

I'm off to another great place to be on a perfect day. The gym (yuck).

Spring is here

I had the day off today and started the day my favorite way. Lots of coffee and some free stitching time! The problem is tearing myself away to get some chores done.

I was a good girl and did make some phone calls I had been putting off...calling the gas company, playing with numbers to see if we should refinance our home, calling a landscape company about some much needed work, financial aid stuff for college. I made no progress on any of this, but at least I got some information.

Prairie Schooler "Spring Has Come"

As you can see, I hop around a lot when I'm stitching. I hope I can get this done within a week because I need to make my April ornie and I want to get started on a gift for my mom. I've had a few problems with the frogs and I just noticed that the larger bird is off by one stitch and that his beak will hit the border if I don't redo him. Drat and double drat! I always tell myself that I will count twice and stitch once, but it never fails that I will add or miss a stitch and set the whole thing off.

I know you all can relate to this!

a LNS visit

It's a very gray and rainy day here in OH. I don't feel inspired to do much of anything except to stitch but I will get going on some housework and other need to be done things.

I was very happy to visit a needlework shop yesterday. It's been years since I actually set foot in a bricks and mortar store and as soon as I stepped inside, it felt like home. The shop is Blueberry Hill Stitchery in Akron, OH. DD and I had gone out of town to drop off her prom dress to be altered at the place of purchase and this shop was nearby. She was pretty patient with me while I went through all the charts and admired the needlework. They had a lovely exhibit of Primitive Traditions needlework including these items. I was in awe.

Fortunately I didn't have time to buy much (thank you DD!) but I have plenty of stash to suit me right now. I did pick up some nice remnants of linen and 1 little BBD chart and a Quaker Medallion chart by Carriage House Samplings.

I hope I'll be able to visit this nice shop on a regular basis. It was a real treat.

another ornament finish

I've been MIA from this blog lately, but I've been blogging in my mind. I was trying to get some stitching done so I would have something to show, and I finally have something!

Thanks so much for putting up with my rant in my last post. I really really appreciate all of your kind comments. I was wishing I had stuck with my old career job mainly because of money, but in truth, that job was often not satisfying and there was a lot of pressure. When I wanted to go part time, my boss still wanted me to do all the work I had been doing full time! I have never had a lot of confidence when it comes to working and often settle for the easy way out. At the tender age of 56, I don't see that changing :)

Here's my new ornament finish! I tell ya, this thing gave me fits! It called for using Wisper for the white cuff on the hat, but I could not and would not use this stuff. The thread kept breaking or knotting and I couldn't see where I was stitching. Then I decided to make a pillow ornament out of it, but mind me, working with the the lugana was a pain. By the time I was done sewing it up, the fabric was so unraveled that it unraveled me! So I sewed the little bands of the backing fabric around the edges. I really like the metallic lugana for ornaments, but I'll have to think of a better way to finish it next time.

A Merry Kitty Klaus by Val's Stuff
2007 JCS ornament issue
20 ct. metallic lugana
Crescent Colors floss

I used the Crescent Colors because I had never used it before and wanted to try it. The colors are nice and vibrant, but really not necessary for this little piece. DMC would have been just as good.

Congratulations to Lee's daughter who just decided to attend the College of Wooster, here in the town where I live. It is so exciting (and a tad bit scary) to see one's child get ready to go off to college. There's just a feeling of promise in the air and a hope for a good future for them. I was reading Lee's blog and saw that COW was one of the schools they were looking at and we chatted about the town and the school. Now we have a chance to meet IRL!

Pity party for one

Wish I could quite working! As you may have surmised, I work customer service at a large retail chain. It was all kind of by accident, I needed a job, they were hiring, I applied, and about 3 1/2 years later, I'm still at it.

Today I had a run in with a credit services manager over the phone and he called our store manager about it. The credit guy was rude and wouldn't talk to the customer I was trying to assist. I was stunned. So I was rude right back. Therefore the call to my manager. Then my manager called me into his office so I could explain myself. Fortunately he believed me my explanation. I know I should have handled it differently, but many times we do things without thinking them through, and I was just trying to make the customer happy.

I don't think I will call credit services again unless absolutely forced to. I will make the customer call so he/she can wait forever to speak to a real person.

So it's not rocket science or brain surgery and who really cares? No one really, I just hate feeling like I made a mistake and hate feeling like crap for the rest of the day and for however long it takes for me to forget about it.

Sometimes I so regret leaving my career job. Why the heck did I bother to get that MS degree anyway? By now I could be almost ready to retire with a good pension and solid pay, but instead, working 6-7 days in a row for measly pay and tedious, unrewarding work.

It was becoming a mom that changed things for me, so I always need to remember that is why I made the choices I did.

And...I give great customer service!

DH has a birthday and I make a mistake

Here's my progress on PS Spring Has Come. I had wanted to get this finished by the end of March, but I don't think that is going to happen! Not with my slow stitching it won't!

Don't know if I'll get back to it today. DH IS 57 YEARS OLD TODAY!!! Of course he is in complete denial about his age and and will be skiing and biking until the bitter end, that is, if the new hip holds up! I can hardly believe that we're both so old!

Somedays I don't get to spend too much time stitching. If I set aside time in the evening, I can be just too darned tired to get going. Mornings are my best stitching time for sure and I usually work mornings.

I started a little simple stitch ornament (Bluebird of Christmas Happiness) for my March ornie, but I have had to set it aside before I decide to throw it in the trash. I am using a piece of Silkweaver linen and blue DMC that I chose. I had a bunch of blue flosses in a pile and somehow got mixed up with which one I had started to use. So I picked the likeliest suspect and continued stitching. See how I stitched 1/2 of the bird on the right and then began working the other side? I didn't notice right away that there was a difference in the color. It may not be very noticeable but IRL it is quite easily noticed. I think I started the other side with the wrong color (grrr...).

My stitches seem to be coming out really dense on this fabric. I've never used this before...is there a slight difference in the thread count after dyeing?

Thanks for stopping by!

Volunteering

No new pictures of stitching, though I am working on Spring Has Come and my next ornament. There's no doubt about it...I AM A SLOW STITCHER!

I just was thinking about what a good week we are having at work (major retailer where you can expect great things). We have volunteer opportunities throughout the year, but for some reason have several in the space of 1 week and some larger events happening soon. If we have 5 volunteers work for 3 hours each, the retailer will donate $500 to the cause, provided they are approved by the corporate office.

Our events this week and in the near future:

• MDA lockup
• local elementary school after school nutrition program
• Helping our local parks department with their Easter egg hunt (we painted an outdoor kiddie city for them last year
  
• Relay for Life team
• Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk
• Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides walk

We are able to wear jeans to work by donating $3 each time and our money goes towards the cancer events. Everyone wants to wear jeans and it is such an easy way to donate money. It kind of unites us as a team to know we are helping others.

Thanks for visiting and have a fine day!

2 posts in 1 night!

Since I am in a posting mood, I decided to upload pics of 2 ornaments that I actually sewed up into something that I can display. I never have been good about the finishing part, so I must say that I am proud!

Yule Rejoice by Primrose Needleworks

2008 JCS ornament issue
32 ct. platinum Belfast linen
Gentle Arts and DMC
background fabric used for reverse side of ornament

Woodland Snowfall, Little House Needleworks

2004 JCS ornament issue
30 count unknown linen and DMC
background fabric used for reverse side of ornament

I'm making slow progress on PS Spring Has Come. Won't bore you with details on that but I will say that I'm enjoying it very much.

Good night all!

Pride goeth before a fall...

I've been alternately boasting about not getting sick this year but also wondering what is wrong with me that I haven't gotten sick or wondering when it will hit me. Well, it hit me today, but I am not really that sick. Just a scratchy throat and feeling a little stiff and fatigued. Of course, the feeling fatigued part could be because I have had to take on all of my husband's chores since he is still on crutches and will be for the next few weeks.

He's doing great though. I can give info to anyone that is interested in this type of hip replacement surgery if you are curious. It's relatively new in the US and is a good option for "younger" people (under the age of 60) who are active.

I was so happy to receive the special friends award from Lee at Lake Stitcher. We have found that we sometimes seem to be doing the same things at the same time. Our kids are about the same age so I think we may be having some similar challenges. Lee, thanks so much! You crack me up and I love your stitching!

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines."

Here are a few blogs that are new and not so new. I have so much fun sitting with a good cup of joe and reading through everyone's blogs, sometimes commenting and sometimes not, though I may be thinking wonderful things. I think I am going to make it a habit to comment more often, even if it is just to say hi.

Merry Stitching - Merry just started her blog and has 3 beautiful children

Stitch 'N Time - I think Teri has been blogging for awhile but has been through some rough times lately

Joanie's World - Joanie just started the Blackbird Designs exchange that I so tempted to join.

Spinster Stitcher - Coni alternately has me laughing out loud or has me teary eyed. Always a joy to read and she really should write a book or a column.

Oh my, there are so many people that I have met vicariously through blogging. Impossible to name everyone that has had an influence on me over the past 9 months since I discovered the blogs! Love you all!

I'm pretty shy in real life and not very gregarious, though I do love a good party once in awhile. I find that I am shy in the blogging world also, sometimes feeling that I'm not worthy enough. Isn't that ridiculous???

Thanks for stopping by!

A little of this and that

Wow...haven't gotten much stitching done this week.

I have to give my husband lots of credit. He really does a lot of stuff around the house and now I am doing most of it! Not that's it so much work, but just a pain in the you know what. Hope he can be doing yard work in a month or so. We still have leaves on the lawn that didn't get raked up last fall! I'll have to describe his yard work methodology later. It's quite different from the norm.

DH is doing great. Off the pain killers except at night and against my wishes, went to work today. He works in a corn genetics lab but I think he'll be in his office and not at the bench today.

Today I am going to sew up this ornament, but first I need to find some twine for the hanger. I think this one calls for a rustic finish.

And last night I decided to start this so I pulled the floss and I'm trying to decide which linen to use.

I have all 4 charts now for this series. Hope I can get them all done this year! I really do love Prairie Schooler.

The stitches are on the hip and not on my linen!

I managed to get only a little stitching done while my husband was in surgery last Friday. I am really way behind! Didn't get my February ornament done for the 2009 Christmas Challenge, but I'm just a few stitches shy of finishing and then I'll do a simple finish.

Speaking of surgery, DH did just great! After only being in the hospital for a total of 3 days, he is now back home, on crutches (and lots of pain meds) and getting around pretty well. It will really be different having him home all the time...I'm sure you all can relate! He had a nice room with a view of Lake Erie, which was still full of ice, especially after this last cold snap.

I've been a little tired because of the stress, not only because of the surgery, but because my son in college far away from us, has been dealing with a lot of problems. I worry about him so much. I can see now that being a parent will never get easier! It isn't easy being 20 and trying to decide what you want out of life. I still haven't figured it out yet myself...

but I know that I want to start and complete all my new projects! Got my order in from Wasatch Needle Craft the other day. A good bargain on charts at 25% off! No more charts for me for awhile. I don't like having too many things lined up to do. It will make me feel overwhelmed. One thing at a time is my motto.

New stash:

• Prairie Schooler - Spring Has Come
• Prairie Schooler - Winter Wind
• Birds of a Feather - Bitter Flower Sampler
• La-D-Da - Leaping Cat
• Birds of a Feather - No Bees No Honey
• Carriage House Samplings - Flirt of a Feather

A happy stitchy day to all you wonderful stitching blogging companions!