Blue Ribbon Designs

Belinda at Blue Ribbon Designs is having a give away. One of the ways to put an entry in, is to post her blog on your blog. I'm doing just that. I LOVE, LOVE her designs. I can't tell you why - they just appeal to me. I also just took a class with her and it was great. I have the projects I want to stitch ready to go AFTER I get my Xmas stitching done.
So, go to her blog - www.blueribbondesings.blogspot.com and follow her.

Fall

Don't even ask where I have been. It is Oct 6th and time is just marching on.

Not much is new in my life. All I seem to do is work, go to the gym, do laundry and clean. Not a very exciting life. I am going to stitching retreat next week with my friend Tracey.

We are going up to Stitcher's Hideaway in Mystic, CT. We are taking a class with Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs. I love her designs and am very excited. I've never gone to a retreat when there is only 1 designer. Most of the ones I've gone to are with 3 - then you get 3 projects that you bearly get to start. I've stopped going to those. I'm kinda excited to see how this one is run. One of the things I definitely want to do up in Mystic is get pizza at Mystic Pizza. LOL That's right - the place that Julia Roberts worked in in the movie Mystic Pizza.

I'm going to try to be better about posting and maybe even getting some pictures up.

Month

Please tell me where the past month as gone? I can't believe how fast time has gone.

I finished the gifts for my sisters, framed them and they turned out cute. You'd think I would have remembered to take a picture - but no! Since I do most of my blogging from work - hard to post pictures. But they seemed to like them - even the sister whose I screwed up. I cut on the wrong line and had to frame hers in a 4x6 frame instead of a 5x7. It was a little tight but still cute. She just appreciated that I gave her something.

We had our family vacation. We invaded Sea Isle City, NJ and had a blast. There were 2 grandparents, 7 siblings, 4 spouses, 19 nieces/nephews, 2 niece/nephew in-laws, 5 significant others, 2 great grandchildren. Like I said, invade. Not all of us were there at the same time - but most of us were there. It such a good time - and we enjoy each others company. We only do it every 3 years but have been doing it since 1985 - 25 years. The first one was in Boston and we all stayed at my Mom & Dads. We did it over a 2 week period. Some came the week before and some stayed the week after - but we all there for a 4 day period. In the same house. No granted, there were not as many of us but we had a GREAT water fight that year. LOL

Started my 'summer' project. I thought since we went to the beach, I'm going to stitch Country Cottage summer scape. 5 'beach' themed pictures as one. It is so cute!! I have one section stitched and started on the second one last night. Also have to start thinking about Xmas gifts - but it'll sneak up on ya! LOL

Thursday

Yesterday was not a good day - and I don't know why. It was very hot and humid yesterday and I think that just zapped me. When I got in the car, I just did not want to go to they gym. I was just tired. But I did make myself go and i do feel better after I go. I just wish this process would go faster. I've been trying really hard to lose weight, get healthy and get in shape. For anyone who has tried losing weight, sometimes you don't see it. I know my clothes are fitting better and have a pile of clothes that are too big but it's just taking soooo long. Of course, it seemed last night that all the skinny girls were there - just hate them.

Did do some stitching last night. I finished my gifts for my sisters now just have to frame them. I started the Lizzie Kate spring scissor fob. I have so many scissor fobs - I just love them. Think it's a sickness. LOL I have about 3 or 4 to put together. Have to do that. Did take a bunch of stuff down to the shop and had them framed. Connie is going to come over and help me frame the birthday blessings I made for my sisters. Then I have about - I don't know how many - other pieces to get frames for and frame. I determined to get my stuff all the way finished.

More on London later.

Day 4

At this rate, it'll take me forever to talk about my trip. On Monday (day 4) we got up and Sarah was a little tired/sore. We decided on Monday to go to the Tower of London. We took the tube and went one more station than I did on Sunday for the Tower Bridge were I watched Sarah run.

We brought our tickets and you can either walk around by yourself or they have 'guides' to take you on a tour. You just met by the front gate every hour. The Rick Steve's book tells you to go see the jewels first, because that line can get very long. that is the only place there you CAN NOT TAKE PICTURES!! They were absolutely beautiful. I don't know how they did not get headaches with all those jewels on their heads. We saw fancy dishes, silver stuff - bowls, platters, candlestick holders. Very nice. Then we went and took the tour and they tell you interesting stuff - about the falcons- they are there because the 'myth' is that if there are not falcons - the monarchy will fall. They don't want to take any chances.
That place is sooooo old. We don't have anything that old here in the States. We saw traders gate - which is were they brought you in there - where Anne Bolelyn was beheaded (and others). Then we walked around and saw everything else. Saw the torture room - where the rack was. Interesting device!!
Then we walked down to Tower Bridge - coming at if from the opposite direction that I approached it on Sunday. Walked up and stood on it. We didn't take the tower. My daughter has a little fear of heights - and didn't want to go up. Plus off course - there was a charge to do it. We went to the shops and to get our 'souvenirs'. We decided to started a book series for Josephine - Paddington Bear - and to also buy her the bear. I brought myself on too. I love bears - but that's another subject. We got her Paddinton Bear at the Tower of London. I brought a little cross stitch kit for me and my sister Mary. They also have 'shopping' bags for a dollar. So we were 'green' and got one of those.
We ended up eating lunch at a subway - I know, not very local. But it was good.
We did go back to the Tower of London for the ceremony of the keys - it was kinda of scarey - all dark and everything. We didn't see any ghosts but we were looking. They have traditions for everything and they still lock up the tower the way they did 100's of years ago.
Before we went back - we had dinner at a pub. It was different. They don't take your order. You go up to the bar and order it. I had 'fish and chips'. Thought I should try them. It's fried fish - how could it not be good. LOL
Then we walked to the Tower of London and didn't get LOST!! I was very proud of up - we found our way around pretty good. Between our map, and google maps. We were walking down this street and found ruins of a building. Right there in the middle of the block.
We also met up with my son's best friend - Chris. He happened to be in London. So we met him and we were going to have a drink - but couldn't find anything open. Pubs close at like 11. But we walked around and visited. Use to see him all the time when they were going up - I called him 'my other son'. LOL Now I see him in London. True strange.

Day 3

Can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted. Don't know where the time goes - oh yeah - work. LOL

It's hard to remember day by day now, but Day 3 was the marathon. Sarah got up and left the hotel about 7:30. I'm sure very worried about me. See, I was going to get on the tube myself, get myself to Tower Bridge and wait for her to run by. Did I do it, you are thinking to yourself. Yes, I found my own way over to the Tower Bridge - made my way to the fencing and waited for my daughter to come. It was very crowded and lots of people running. It was about mile 12. Finally - she came running by. Blew me a kiss - and kept running. I did take her picture and if you enlarge it enough - you can see the back of her head heading over the Tower Bridge. Made my way back to the tube, stopped by the hotel to go to the bathroom. You have to pay to use the public bathrooms in London. Now it only cost 30 pence - but it was only the 3rd day and wasn't quite sure of my money yet. And the next place I was waiting to see Sarah was right by the hotel - so I just stopped there.
It was mile 24 - and I thought I had missed her but all of a sudden - there she was. There were still ALOT of people on the course. Usually by mile 24, it's thinned out but no, it was still pretty crowded. Didn't think fast enough to take her picture though.
Then I headed over to Buckingham Palace because that is were they finished. I'm sure the Queen was looking out her window thinking - why are thousands of people on my lawn!! LOL We had a plan were to meet and I found her. She was tired and wet and not happy with her time - but she finished. I was so proud of her.
The rest of the day was pretty much a resting day. We went back to the hotel and she rested. We went to dinner at a place called - Slug in the lettuce - yes that was the name. We had a relaxing dinner - lots a marathoners in there. Then we rode the London Eye and saw London by night.

Day 2

Day 2 - since it was the day before the marathon, Sarah didn't want to do anything to tiring. So we decided to take a ride on a double decker sightseeing bus. We walk to the place to buy tickets because it wasn't that far and bought out tickets. Of course, we rode on the top of the bus, in the sunshine enjoying the day. It really was quite interesting. You get to see all the 'big' spots of London, you can jump off and visit any you want and then get back on the next bus. There is also a 'tour guide' we points out things, tell stories and answers any questions you might have. We rode the bus for about an hour and got off and had some lunch and walked around a little. Then we got back on another bus. This on had a different tour guide and he was much better than the one on the first bus. We consider staying on the bus and hearing the first hour again but decided not too.

After the bus ride, we decided to go to Harrods. Of course, we had to shop. LOL If you've never been to Harrods - it is huge. They give you a store map and directory when you walk in. LOL We didn't spend much time there, just checked it out and made plans to go back later in the week.

Since it was the night before the marathon, Sarah wanted to eat pasta. In her marathon welcome package, she received a coupon for a restaurant called Bella Italian. We decided to go there. We found a location, found which tube spot we needed to get off at, and away we went. We found the restaurant pretty easily, but it was closed. LOL Nice giving out coupons and then closing the place. But there were other locations and Sarah looked on line - yes we had a phone with us with internet access - found the directions to another one and off we went. This one was open and we were seated right away. A tiny place but the food was delicious. We both had the special on the coupon - spaghetti & meatballs with garlic bread. and we both ordered a side salad. Now the place was very nice but the service was slow. But we weren't in a rush. It was very good pasta and I think we got like 7 meatballs! I don't think we got out of the place until after 8.

It wasn't a late night because Sarah was running 26.2 miles the next day. We just went back to the hotel. Since Sarah had to leave the hotel at 7 the next morning.

We Went

We went to London!! And had a wonderful time. I can't tell you how much fun we had. I'll write about it over the next couple of posts because so much happened that if I did it in 1 post - you'd get tired of reading.

We find out on Wednesday that flights were starting to fly. Our flight wasn't until Thursday night at 10 pm. After all the scare about the volcano settled down - I realized I then could start panicking about what to pack. I ALWAYS bring too much. Got pack, the house closed up and off we went to the airport. Sarah and I were meeting at the Philadelphia airport.

Sarah got to airport just as we were and meet me. Jimmy dropped me off, so she got to see her brother for a minute. We went in, checked our bags, went thru security and then had 3+ hours to wait. We went to find some place to get a drink & eat.

Finally we got on the plane - which was filled. Alot people going back to London who spent a couple of extra days here because they couldn't fly. My daughter kept telling me that I had to sleep on the way over. I don't like sleeping when people can watch me - LOL. They served us dinner - which we passed on - and just got something to drink. Should have brought a bottle of water to bring on with me. The seat in front of you had a TV screen in it, so you could watch TV all night if you wanted to - which I did. No, I did sleep some but not really well. I watched High School musical 3, Couples Retreat and a couple of TV shows. I dozed threw most of them.

Since it is a 5 hour time difference - all of a sudden it is 8 in the morning and they are handing out coffee and danish. Our plane landed 9:35 London time and we were off and running. We made it thru customs, brought out tickets for the 'tube express', got to Paddington station, brought our 'oyster' cards, took the tube to Waterloo and found our hotel by 1. We couldn't check in until 2, so they held our luggage and we went in search of food. Honestly, I was exhausted because my body only thought it was 8 in the morning! LOL

Went back and checked into our hotel, went up to our room and the first shock - it only had 'full' size bed in it. Now Sarah double checked with them when it said it was 1 bed and they said it was a 'king' size one. Well, let me tell you - a king size in England is different than here. It was a little bit bigger than a full size - but not as big as a queen. But then we didn't go there to spend time in our hotel room. We unpacked a little, washed our faces/brush our teeth, changed clothes and were off to find the expo so Sarah could get her number for the marathon.

Let me say, I'm pretty proud of us because we rode the tube all over London - and never once got lost. Found out way out to the expo and we are getting excited because we are in London. Got her number and walked around the expo and she brought her marathon gear she wanted (t-shirt, shorts, sweatshirt). I brought myself the cutest marathon teddy bear. On our way to expo, we met a guy on the tube who was also running the marathon. Well, we ran into him walking around the marathon and he was very excited to see us. Being we were the only people he 'knew' he should us an ad he was in. He told us at another race he was in, someone asked if they could take his picture 'stretching'. Well, they turned the picture into an ad for a sport drink! He was very excited to see himself. Told us they only gave him a bag of 'jelly bellies'. We took his picture with the ad and he gave us his card so we could send them to him.

We finished up at the expo, made our way back to the hotel and relaxed only a bit because we were tired but had to stay up until at least 9. We found a place for dinner - the Texas Embassy. I know, we go all the way to London and we had tex-mex for dinner. LOL Had a nice dinner and walked back to our hotel. I think we were sleeping by 9:30.

Well, that was our first day - more to follow.

FINALLY

I can't believe that it's finally here - the week we are going to London - maybe! Last Thursday a volcano erupted in Iceland - Iceland for goodness sakes and it has thrown air travel to all of Europe in a tizzy. Because of the ash/smoke from the volcano, there has been no travel to London or anywhere in Europe for the last 5 days. Some places are finally flying but Heathrow is still closed. We leave in 2 days.

I talked to US Air this morning and if they cancel our flight, we can get a refund. Sarah read on the marathon page that she can defer her entry until 2011. Our hotel we have to cancel by 9 pm on the 23rd. So we are playing a waiting game. If our flight doesn't get cancelled - we are going. We can't thing about 'what if' something happens and we have trouble getting back home. If we think that way, we'll never go. So, we will go and we will have a GREAT time. Maybe the queen will even have tea with us - LOL. I'm excited, I'm scared and I'm worried. But I'm most of those things before a trip.

So, we are playing 'chicken' with the airlines - to see who blinks first!

Wednesda

It's hard to believe that today is going to be 90!! The last couple of days have been absolutely beautiful but it's getting to hot to soon. Who is ready for 90 degree temperatures when a week ago we're wearing our fleece jackets. It's supposed to get down to more seasonal temperatures by the weekend.

I'm not going to get the scissor fob done for Loretta's birthday this week. I'll give it to her partially done and then take it back. Then I have to make another one for Marianne's birthday next week. Then a break until Muffi's birthday at the beginning of June. I have to get working on my birthday pictures for my sisters.

We leave for London 2 weeks from tomorrow. I can't believe it's almost hear and I'm starting to panic. I've never flown over the ocean before or gone that far from home? I still can't believe we are doing this. I really can't wait. Been looking at my LONDON 2010 book and there really is so much to do. I really want to plan everyday - but Sarah's being more relaxed about it. What happened to my normally type A daughter? We are going to follow Rich Steve's itinerary that he has in his book - so i guess we are a little planned. I know one thing I want for myself - a real Padddington Bear. I love teddy bears, as anyone knows who has been in my house.

Hope everyone has a great day.

April Fools

Well, I always mean to post but never seem to find time. Not much new in my neck of the woods. I did finish the stitching for the needle tins I'm making for my stitching group when we go on our stitching retreat in May. I need to put them together now since I get home the weekend before we go. Don't want to wait for all the gluing and putting together until then.

I think spring has finally sprung in my neck of the woods. It's supposed to be beautiful out the next couple of days. I'm done wearing sweaters - at least my winter ones. I'm going to start washing them next week to pack away for next year. If I continue to lose weight - some of them will be too big by then. I can hope. I'm still not a perfect healthy eater - I'm much better. I don't eat bad all the time. Instead of 7 days a week, I only have chips 1 day a week now and it's just the 99 cent size bag. I used to buy the next size up and eat the whole thing in one sitting. Plus cookies and candy.....I feel much better and have more energy. As the saying goes, it's not a diet - it's a life style.

I have start on my next scissor fob for Loretta for her birthday - which is this week. But since I'm not going stitching, I'll give it to her next week. Hopefully tonite I'll start.

Getting my nails done after work, then stop at Wegmans then home. Eat dinner and take out some Easter decorations. I'm have to pick Sarah up from the train at 8:47 - but I'm going to leave early and go the the library. I have some books to pick up. Can't wait to spend the next 3 days with my daughter. We are going to work on the itinerary for our London trip - which is in 21 days.

Random Trivia

1. I am the oldest of 7 children.

2. There are 5 girls & 2 boys.

3. I went to 4 grade schools & 2 high schools.

4. My siblings live in 3 different states

5. We moved 7 times before I graduated from high school.

6. I have 17 nieces/nephews.

7. We had a dog named Pretzel.

8. All 7 of us went to college and graduated.

9. My Dad never made any of us girls cut the grass.

10. I had a car accident senior year and missed the group picture of the class.

Is it just me?

Is it just me or do people just don't dress appropriately? I saw this lady yesterday - and she was at least in her 40's. In shorts so short that they barely showed below her t-shirt! I don't think anyone should wear shorts that short - but not someone who is more mature. I don't want to say old! LOL OK, maybe I'm just an old fuddy duddy.

LONDON

I'm going to London!! I am so excited. I'm going at the end of April with my daughter. We made a plane reservation last night and since we did non-refundable - we are going. She is running the London Marathon and then we are going to spend a week there. It should be alot of fun. I have never been out of the country - well, I've been to Canada and Bermuda - but I don't really consider them 'foreign' countries!! LOL I brought Rick Steves' London 2010 book to read and also one from Frommers (sp?). They give day to day tour ideas so you can see all you want to see.

Started on my gifts for my sisters for our vacation. I started years ago making my sisters something that involved their birthdays or birthday month and giving it to them on our family vacation. It's only every 3 years. This year I'm making Lizzie Kate's snippet 'Birthday Blessings'. And since I have to make 6 by July 3, I thought I should start on them.

Also making needle cases for my friends that go on our spring retreat down at Ocean City, MD. These I have to get started on because our spring retreat is the weekend after I get home from London, so I really need to have them done before I leave. It started as a joke a couple of years ago that we called ourselves the 'fun girls' so last year I made those of us who went, a scissor fob that said 'I'm a Fun Girl' on Charles Crafts fabric in the color grasshopper. It turned out really cute. This year I am making a needle case using an Altoids gum tin. I'm going to try using the same fabric. Will try to remember to take a picture and post. I always forget to do that because usually I post at work during lunch and by the time I get home I forget.

Wednesday

Not a very catchy title - but that's it. I'm so happy it's March because that means the spring is just around the corner. And I can't wait for spring this year. I am sick of wearing winter clothes plus we had sooooo much snow this winter. I saw on the news that in February alone we got 51 inches! Unbelievable. It's been in the 40's the last 3 days and it's amazing how much snow has melted. Which is good because it's ugly looking snow.

Started a new project, it's Happy Birthday but SamSarah. I'm making it into a scissor fob for my friend Connie. We are going on a road trip to a cross stitch store this Saturday. Up to Stitch n' Stuff in Reading and it is her birthday this week. It is a quick stitch and I hope she loves it. I personally love scissor fobs! They go with all the scissors I have too. LOL

Watched LOST last night and have no idea how they are going to tie everything up. But I'm sure they have it all planned out.

It's March

I can't believe I forgot to post on the last day in February. Well, I had 19 posts for the month - out of 28 days - pretty good I think. I think I'll try to continue posting every day in March too. I have enjoyed it.

Sunday was a lazy day. Went to the gym and worked out. As much as I hate getting up and going, I do feel better when I get home. I didn't go as early as usually but got home from the gym about 10:30.

In my cleaning out of my stuff in the basement I found 3 framed pieces of my cross stitch - all it needed was the hanger on the back. I picked up some saw tooth picture hangers on Saturday and hung them up in my bedroom. My one wall in my bedroom has a collage of pictures. It's nice to see my finished stuff up on the wall. I'll try taking a picture of it and post.

My daughter Sarah ran the New Orleans half marathon on Sunday. She did it in her best time ever - 1 hr 51 min. She is such an inspiration to me. I can't wait to go to London with her.

1 day left

Only 1 day left in February. I've enjoyed trying to blog every day. I did pretty well. Almost didn't make it today. Came down to sign on and no Internet. Had to call verizion and he got it working but how does it just stop?

Had a nice morning at the gym and them meet Ann, Sunny & Lynn at Wegmans for coffee. It was an enjoyable morning.

Having fun going thru all my cross stitch stash - so much stash. LOL

It's a sickness

OK, it's a sickness. I have a craft room in my house. Which since I moved in 2.5 years ago, I've just been tossing stuff in there. It is a mess. Since I came home from work early today - it was supposed to snow and be bad - it it didn't. But I had an unexpected afternoon home. So I decided to work in there. I have so much stuff - don't tell anyone. I can not tell you how many:

1) projects I have stitched that just need to be finished, either frames, made into a pillow, etc.

2) charts I've found that I want to stitch.

3) how many floss away bags I have. I found 500 so far. So when the disaster comes - I'm ready with bags to put our floss in.

4) plastic containers to store stuff in. LOL

I'm bound and determined to get this room organized. At least so I can find stuff I knew I brought but right now have no idea where it is. I'm going to try and work in there again this weekend.

Wednesday

Hump day - middle of the week. This week seems to be going fairly fast.

I wrapped up the gifts for my niece and something for my sister and took them to the post office this morning. They are off. I was going to do it tomorrow but since they are calling for more white stuff (snow) I decided to do it today.

Yes, more snow. The stuff we got 2 weeks ago is still hanging around but I have to say the rain we got yesterday did melt alot of it. Depending on who you listen to it could be any where from 6 inches to 18 inches. Of course, I have a doctors appointment tomorrow, this one is in the morning, so we'll wait and see. Since they have my home number, I won't know until I get home if they cancelled it.

Didn't stitch at all last night because I was watching LOST. First you watch last weeks episode with captions and then you watch this weeks. I can't stitch and watch LOST because if I'm looking down, I miss something.

Also watch some of the Olympics. Watched ice skating and it broke my heart watching the girl skate who's mom just died. You know her mom would have wanted her to compete and she is looking down. She did so well.

Rainy Tuesday

I think that about sums up the day. Rain. Only bright spot is that LOST is on tonite but then are so are the Olympics! Think I'll watch LOST and catch the highlights of the Olympics in the morning on the Today show.

I did finally finish the little heart for my nieces daughter. Turned out ok - I don't do curves to well. but it is cute.

Monday

Not a very creative title for a blog but then it is Monday and I'm finding it hard to be creative.

Had a good weekend - not blogging - can't seem to remember to do it over the weekend. My granddaughter Josephine had a sleep over with me on Friday night. She did very well. We had fun. On Saturday morning we got up and meet some friends at Wegmans for coffee. She was adorable. I have a picture of her Ann - I'll have to try and post that later. Then we went down to my cross stitch shop - and she charmed them too. She is such a little cutie.

Sarah also came home for the weekend - so it wasn't so lonely this weekend. The house is so quiet when I'm there alone.

Going to finish my 'great' nieces gift tonite. I don't know what my problem is. I made this little heart with her name on it and I'm just so scared to actually finish it. The stitching has been done for MONTHS and I'm just scared. I'm going to finish it tonite since she is going to be 1 next week. I'm so bad. I also have an afghan for her and i brought 2 little summer outfits - guilt gifts since I'm so late in sending something to her.

TGIF

It's Friday!! Yay. Sarah come home last night and we stayed up watching the men's ice skating. Didn't get to bed until after midnight - boy was it hard getting out of bed this morning.

My little sweetie Josephine is going to spend the night with Grandma. I can't wait. We are going out to dinner and then in the morning we are going to get up, not that I think she'll sleep late, and we are going to run down to my cross stitch store. I have something to return and I need some fabric - I can always use fabric - and I want to show her off. She is such a little doll baby.

Hope to get some stitching down this weekend....

TISSUES THAT KEEP GIVING

Well, a couple of weeks ago I did 2 loads of wash - both with a tissue left in a pocket. I keep finding shirts from loads. I did put them in the dryer some hoping that would take the tissue off - but no. I pull a shirt out and it's on the inside! I keep having to pick up bits and pieces of tissue off my carpet! Serves me right.

Went out to dinner last night with my nephew Michael who is in town visiting Jim and Mary. We all went to Victory Brewing in Downingtown and had a good meal. Josephine was so good and entertaining to everyone around. She said hi to everyone who walked by and smiled at them. She was beyond cute. I can't wait for her to spend the night tomorrow.

No stitching again last night - too busy watching the Olympics. I can't believe these athletics. The women had the downhill last night and I can't believe these women get up after tumbling down the mountain. And the snowboarders - how do you decide you are going to turn yourself upside down? They are all champions in my opinion.

ASH Wednesday

Missed getting ashes today. Oh well. Today is the start of lent. Remember when you were little you always had to give up something. Candy, fighting with your sister...you were supposed to give up something that would be a hardship. I usually still do try to give up something, or to do something. I think I'll give up salty things - chips, pretzels etc & candy. I know, I'm not supposed to be eating that stuff anyway. But I've become a little lax and need to get stricter. I don't eat chips like I use to, I use to get the size above the 99 cent size, and eat the whole thing at lunch. Then have chips again at dinner. I might only have chips once maybe twice a week now. But I still have 40 lbs I want to lose - and it's not just going to fall off. But won't that be nice.

No stitching again last night - to busy watching LOST and I can't stitch and watch LOST at the same time - I can't look down! LOL
Only half of my scissor fob to stitch and then the whitman sampler tin is done.

Half Way

Well, we are half way thru the month of February, and I think I've done pretty well with posting. I'm trying to post every day and I think I've only missed 3 or 4 days so far. Much better than my monthly average. I might continue to see if I can blog every day. It's kinda fun.

We had some snow this morning - just enough to make the roads wet and to make a mess. Nothing much accumulated. But it's supposed to stay cold - mid 30's for the week, so don't think much will melt. I was over at Joanne Fabrics in Downingtown and I swear those mounds of snow will take to May to melt. They have to be 12 feet high.

Haven't stitched much. Busy cleaning. I hate cleaning. If I clean every weekend - then I don't get to go out and play. I should try to do it every other weekend. But lets face it, it's only me. How much dirt can I bring in. But since Sarah is coming home this weekend (yay!) I thought I'd clean top to bottom. Just need to finish up in the bathrooms and dust some.

Missed

Totally missed posting on the weekend. Didn't even check my email over the weekend.

Uneventful weekend. Went to the gym, cleaned and watched the Olympics. How exciting is it to watch these wonderful athletics compete. They are so happy when the win - not matter which country it is - it brings tears to my eyes. They train so hard and 30 seconds on the slope. And it breaks your heart if they fall. These are true athletics.

Did do some stitching over the weekend. Have only half of my scissor fob left to stitch for my whitman tin and then it is done. I'm trying to find stuff in my stash that is 'almost' done and finishing them up.

I have another goal, I need to finish organizing my craft room. I know, I've been in my house 2.5 years, and it's still not done. It is so overwhelming. But I'm determined to get it done. Whenever I have to look for something - I just make a bigger mess - LOL. If I just get it organized - that would stop.

FRIDAY

You'd think I'd remember to blog on days on off work. But I think it's because my routine is so different. Didn't work on Thursday because the roads were so bad from all the recent snow. It was nice to off during the week and to get out of the house. Went to the gym and then the grocery store.
Then I went home and stitched. I am making some progress. I've been working on my whitman tin piece. I have the inside done, now I have to just do the scissor fob. Of course, then I have to assemble it. I think when this is done, I'm going to pull out a basket piece we brought from a shop in Williamsburg. We brought it so we could all stitch it together...but then something comes up and you have to stitch something else to get it done.
I think once that is done, I'm going to work on my Jeannette Douglas 'stitching treasure box' piece. I think I'm a little scared to work on that one - it's so overwhelming - but I need to just be brave and do it.

SNOWY WEDNESDAY

It's snowing again. This our 3rd major storm in 3 months. Now you're probably thinking that's not to bad..but we are getting 20+ inches of snow each time. We just had 26" on Saturday and now we are getting another 20+. We never, ever get snow like this. In fact, we broke the all time record for the most snow in a season, which had been at 65.2".
I did get my hair dyed - it looks really nice, but no one will see me today.
I am getting some stitching done.
I did take a nap....you know stitching can tire you out.
I am sick and tired of watching about the snow. All 3 major channels had it on all day. No soaps!! At least if I get a day off of work during the week, I should be able to watch my soaps.

LUCKY

You know sometimes you are just lucky? I had to walk over to the bank for work today. A whole 1/2 block away. Walk over, make deposit, walk back. Take off my coat, go to reach in my pocket for my glasses...and they are not there. Look on desk, look on floor - search all pockets in coat. Put coat back on, walk back to bank looking on the ground to make sure I didn't drop them, go into bank, no glasses there. On my way back, I'm thinking 'where the hell did they go' and I look down and right there in front of the door next to ours, lay my glasses. I swear they were not there when I walked by the firs time. How lucky am I that someone didn't step on them?

More Snow

We've gone years with hardly any snow. In December we got 26 inches or so. We've had some snows that were just a couple of inches. This past weekend we had another 28+ inches. And now they are calling for another 12+ inches for Tuesday night/Wednesday. All other 2 big snows came on the weekend - this one is coming in the middle of the week. Can you say nightmare? Where I park my car is already a disaster - I have no idea where they will put another 12+ inches of snow.

SNOW

You would think I could have remembered to blog yesterday - all I did was stay home and watch it snow. And snow it did. We got 28" plus yesterday. There is snow EVERYWHERE. Now, I stayed all day yesterday which made me really want to go out today....but I didn't. We were supposed to have a get together with my knitting group but we moved that to March 7th. I mostly was afraid we'd get up to Pottstown and the parking lot would be a mess. I'm sure street parking is a mess.

Then I could have gone to the super bowl sale at my cross stitch shop, but I really don't need anything. I'm trying to watch what I spend since I'm going to London at the end of April. And trust me, if you saw the size of my stash - I could not shop all year and be fine.

Then I thought, 'I could go to the grocery store' but I really didn't need anything since I went Friday night.

So, I just stayed home. Changed my sheets, vacuumed some, finally finished putting all the Xmas stuff away and cross stitched. I am almost finished the piece I'm working on. It by My Big Toe and it says - 'Stitching is cheaper than therapy...but not if you do it right'. So true.

Snow

Snow is coming, snow is coming. Everyone is rushing to the grocery store because you know we won't get out for days!!!!!!! LOL
I actually hope they are right, and I get up tomorrow morning and look at and just know to stay home. Love days like that.

checking

How many times do you go back and re-check something? The last thing I try to do in the morning before I go downstairs to leave for work is to check that I unplugged my curling iron. And then before I leave to get in the car to go to work - I try to check that the coffee pot is unplugged. I can't tell you how many times I am sitting in the car and thought 'did I unplug the coffee pot' and get out of the car, unlock the door to check again. Most of the time it is unplugged - but in the rush to get out the door I don't remember checking it.
I always feel it is better to take another 2 minutes to check - than to burn my house down.

LOST

The TV show LOST premiered last night. It's finally season. And in true LOST fashion had more questions than answers. But it was riveting and held my interest. Can't wait to see how they sum up all the story lines that are out there.
Some observations - Desmond was on the flight - since they 'sunk' the island in 1977 - it wasn't there for his boat to crash into in 2000 and something.
Sayid dies - but then comes back to life and doesn't know what is going on.
Juliet - dies in Sawyers arms. He forces Miles to communicate with her (he can talk to the dead) and he says she was trying to tell him 'it worked'
Kate is still on the run.
Can't wait for next week.

February

My friend Susan is going to try and do a blog post every day in February. I don't know if I have that much to say - but it is a goal to try and do it.

Today I did a load of laundry before I left for work and hung the t-shirts up on the drying rack. Guess what else I washed? A tissue!! Now I'm sure everyone has washed a tissue or 2 - I think there might have been 2 or 3 in the pocket of my sweatshirt. As I was hanging the shirts - as I was shaking them out - pieces of tissue where flying everywhere. Now I have little pieces of tissue all over the rug in my bedroom.

I guess I'm vacuuming tonite.

It's done

I can't believe I didn't post at all in December. Was a busy month with getting ready for Christmas and the marathon.

It's been 2 weeks since my 1/2 marathon. And I still can't believe I did it. I still can't think about it without getting all choked up.

We arrived in Florida on January 8th, me from Philly and Sarah, Jenny and her mom Karen coming in from Newark NJ. We meet at Disney's magical express - the we were off and running. We deposited our suitcases in the room and headed over to get our timing chips and our packets. We went to the expo where I purchased a shirt that said ' I did the 1/2 marathon'. Now, I was worried I was jinxing myself - to be honest I was scared to death. We had a dinner - the most delicious pasta at our hotel and were in bed by 9 pm. Since we had to get up at 3 am....

We got up on Saturday morning and were out to catch the bus to the race start at 4 am. It's odd when there are thousands of people milling around at that time in the morning. It was about 30 degrees and sleeting - which turned into rain. We walked to the start line where Sarah and Jenny left Karen and I and the went to their place to start - further up than us. You're standing around with a bunch of strangers - making small talk. FINALLY - our group got ready to go. Karen decided she was going run at the start - so off she went and I was by myself. My the time I crossed the start line - 52 minutes had elapsed since the first person went over.

Now, I was use to walking by myself - I just listened to my music - looked around. I was cold and it was sleeting and I'm thinking to myself - what the hell am I doing out here!! I am never going to finish. I kept going - 1 mile down....we are walking to the magic kingdom. We walk thru the park and as I'm coming out of the castle, it's mile 6 and there is a guy there saying, pick up the pace - you have to get to mile 8. That's the first cut off. Now, I'm thinking...what? As I go my mile 7 and I ask someone and I'm informed that you have to get to mile 8 by 2 hrs and 15 minutes or your done. You're put on a bus and taken back to the start/finish line. What - did I know that? I push myself because I have 16 minutes to get to mile 8 - running more than walking and I make it to mile 8 - barely. I'm thinking to myself - I'm never going to be able to do this and I start crying. That's when I met Renee - I say to her 'I can't do this' and she says yes you can - we'll walk together. She reminds me to keep my arms up and to pump them and off we go. She is from Medford NJ and I walked with her for 2 miles - I honestly don't think I would have done it if I hadn't walked with her. She kept up the pace and when we passed mile 10 we had 40 seconds to spare. I got a little ahead of her because she was talking to someone else and about at 10.5 miles I hear - 'hey Mom' and I look up and there is my daughter Sarah. She had finished and walked back to find me! Do I not have the best daughter in the world. Of course, I start crying and she is afraid I am hurt but no, I tell her I'm just cold, wet, tired and scared that I can't finish this. She says ' Mom, you are more than half way done - you can do this'. She always had confidence in me that I could do this.

Sarah keeps me going. Mile 11. She has me run some, then walk, then run again. Always keeping it positive. Mile 12 - the pace people are there and say keep going. Honestly people - do you think we can sweep someone off the course at 12 miles - we've worked so hard to get here. I had never walked more that 11.5 miles. We can see Epcot up ahead. I start crying again - I can't believe I'm actually doing this. Mile 13 is coming up and Sarah is like - we are almost done. Mile 13 now we just have .1 to go. The finish line is right ahead and everyone is starting to cry. I cross the finish line with my daughter at my side - I'm crying, she's crying and saying how proud she is of me. I can't not believe I've done it. They wrap you in a Mylar blanket and then you go and get your medal. Sarah directs me towards a lady who is putting it around your neck as opposed to just handing to you. The lady puts the medal around my neck, puts her hands and my cheeks and says' Patricia (your name is on your number) I am so proud of you and then gives me a hug. Of course, I'm crying. We go and get our pictures taken and Sarah wants me to go alone - she already had her picture taken - but I say no, I want you in it with me. So we have out picture taken - soaking wet, wrapped in a Mylar blanket but with the biggest grins on our faces. She tells me again how proud she is of me. She calls her brother and hands the phone to me so I can talk to him. He tells me he is proud of me too!! I know I'm their mom - but I have the greatest kids. And all this takes place before 10 in the morning.

We then got in line for the bus and got back to the hotel and warmed up. We had a great 3 more days in Disney. I still can't believe I did it - I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and realize that I still have to do it - that I dreamed it. But I did it.