99

No, my post isn't about Agent 99, which is the only thing I could think of looking at the number 99. No, 99 is what I got on my first test in accounting class I am taking!! I worked very hard on it. It's been 35 years since I've taken any type of test. Class is going well. I really like accounting - the fact that everything has to balance. Next test is Nov. 3

Not much new on the cross stitching front. Too much I want to get done and not enough time. I'm working right now on my granddaughters Xmas stocking. She is due on Oct 28 and the cut off for getting something finished is Nov 1. We are cutting it close. But I guess she'll come when she decides too. If it's after Nov 1, she'll just get her stocking a little late.
I also have 4 other things I want to stitch. One is for my Dad and my sister Mary - it says FAMILY and underneath it says 'always, forever, no matter what'. Which is how my family is. Then I want to make this piece for Mary's mom and me - 'what happens at Grandma's house, stays at Grandma's!!'. Thought it was a good one to make this year.

In School

Well, I went back to school. I'm taking a class at Immaculata University. Right now it's just 1 class and I don't know how many I'll take. I'd love to get by BA but we'll see. If I do, can I have a party for graduation!!
But it's hard. I'm taking accounting 1. I am enjoying the class. I have to make time for homework now and in the process my cross stitch is suffering. But it's not forever and I'll get better at this studying thing.

Only 6 weeks until my grand baby gets here. All is going well on that front. Mary feels good and I can't wait. I think I already said it was going to be a girl - how exciting. It's strange to think that my son is old enough to be a Daddy and I think he is going to be a very good one. I have picked out the birth sampler I want to make and also I have to get working on her xmas stocking. I'd like to get it done so all I have to do is add her name after she is born and then get to the finisher so I can give it to her xmas eve.

What to do

OK, In 7 days, I will be in my townhouse for a year. Can you believe it. And my goal is to be totally unpacked by then. Also, my Dad is coming September 6th, and I know if he sees boxes unpacked he'll say, 'if you haven't used it in a year - you don't need it. Throw it away'. Well, forget the argument that I should have been unpacked by now, I know that. But what I did unpack this weekend was mostly my 'collections' of stuff ~ ceramic teddy bears, baskets, cross stitch stuff, and did I mention teddy bears, stuffed and ceramic. LOL

I collect bells. Honestly, I haven't brought any lately because I didn't know where I was going to put the f.....ing things. LOL My first bell is from 1969, I don't remember where I got it. Yes, I did put a little sticker inside with the date on it and who gave it to me. I have bells from friends who traveled, my siblings, my Mom & Dad and of course all the bells I brought when I/we were somewhere. It was a good thing to collect. So, I thought it was a good time to go thru them. I should have done it when I packed them up a year ago but wasn't ready then. I'm not keeping any my ex in laws gave me or my ex brother in law (unless they were really cool. but lets face it, most are just white ceramic bells with the name of the place stamped on it) or my ex. I am keeping the ones my Mom and Dad gave me, ones we got on our family vacations and bring back happy memories. Lets face it - I was married for 28 years. But what do you do with bells you don't want. I don't think there is a big call for a bell from IOWA to try selling them on ebay. LOL. Do you give them to good will/salvation army? And then let them throw them away so you don't feel guilty doing it?

Happy Birthday to me

It was my birthday on Monday and I was 55!! I have no idea how this happened. It has been an interesting year. A year on my own, with my own house and doing all things you have to do. I found out I can do things for my self. I anchored my corner cabinet to the way, I put the knobs on my bathroom cabinets and I changed the handle on my toilet when the old one broke. ALL BY MYSELF!!

I also want to say I have wonderful friends who remembered me on my birthday. It is so much fun to open the mail box and have birthday cards from people. They made my day and I appreciate it more than I can say.

And for my birthday, I brought myself a new computer complete with a new printer and monitor. Now granted my son found it for me to buy - but hey, I ordered it!! LOL

CAN'T BELIEVE IT

Had a call from my son this afternoon. I had sent out the baby shower invites saying it was a girl and I asked him if he wanted to call his Grandmother and tell her. He said no, he had told his Dad.
Well, she didn't know and did she not say 'oh well, you'll have to try again to get a boy'!! I can't believe she said that too him. Not congratulations, not a healthy baby is what is important. No, she starts in on him how he has to have a boy to carry on the name. I could smack her. Sarah went thru her life knowing that Jimmy was the 'favorite' because he was a boy. She never learns.

This and that

I went for the creative name. I'm trying to better about this posting to the blog stuff.
This week has been uneventful. I've been working on a baby sampler for Nola - isn't that a beautiful name. She as born in January to my girl friends daughter and I really need to get it done. I also have to finish a wedding gift and another baby thing.
I've started the wedding sampler. It's for Lauren, Evelyn's daughter. When I should her it to her at the reception, she got tears in her eyes and said' this is what my Mom would have done for me'. Which is why I did it. So, I need to get that done. I also want to do this little baby sampler for Tommy - a grandson of another friend. He was just born 2.5 weeks ago. It's only 6 x 6 and it's the alphabet done in 1 color with the baby's name on it. Should work up quickly.
I won't even start to list what I want to make for my grand baby. We are in the mist of planing Mary's shower. It's Sept. 6 and the invites are out. They are so cute. Now to plan the food.

Long time

Sorry it's been such a long time since I posted. We had the wedding for my niece last weekend and a good time was had by all. It was so much fun to see all the nieces and nephews - old and young - out on the dance floor. We were having a discussion about being on face book and how none of us 'aunts' can join it - or more to the point, none of our children, nieces, nephews will be our friends!! Then I told them I had a blog and I think I shocked them. They are like - you have a blog!! LOL Told them it was just about cross stitch, crochet and my life - yawn - boring.
I will try to put a picture up this weekend. My niece loved the Christmas stockings I did for them.
Now on to the next event - which is really 2. My sister Mary and her friend Laurie are coming labor day weekend. We are going to HAVE SO MUCH FUN. Then the next weekend I'm having a baby shower for my DIL. Ordered the invites not just have to plan the menu. I'm thinking a fruit tray, veggie tray, some finger sandwiches..etc.
I have to get busy and finish the baby bib I got - pink. Did I mention, they are having a girl.

Awhile

It's been awhile since I've been on - so a little catch up is in order. Been a couple of busy weeks for me. I've been to NYC twice, I've been to Chicago, Ocean City MD, 3 showers and 1 wedding and another shower coming up next weekend.
I went to a cross stitch retreat weekend the first weekend in May. My friend Tracey grab her ez-pass so we didn't have to stop and pay tolls. Well, news flash - you can't use someone else's ez-pass in your car - so the $4 in tolls we would have paid - could cost $104!! - that's $100 in fines. I received the first set of fines for the trip down first - I wrote a letter explaining what we did and to please accept my apology and my promise that I wouldn't do it again and just wrote the check for the tolls. I just noticed this morning that they cashed those checks - so keep your fingers crossed they won't be sending me a letter asking for the $50 in fines.
More later

End of April

Went out to dinner with my son and his wife last night. Only went to Red Robin - very good wings. But as I was sitting there, I saw a man walk in who looked so much like my cousin Paul, that I started to get up and my son was like - where are you going? And I said that guy over there looks like my cousin Pauly and I'm going over to say hi. My son proceeded then to say your cousin lives in Chicago and how could it be him. It really freaked me out - he looked so much like him. I think tonite when I get home, I'm going to look up his phone number and call him.

After dinner I came home and put my pj's on and sat down to stitch and watch Dancing with the Stars. I'm making progress on my project - I need it done by this weekend so I can drop at the framers. The wedding is May 11. I love Dancing - was sorry to Shannon go - but hey, someone had to. I really like Kristy but Marisa is doing such a fine job too. I just think it would be nice if a girl won this time.

I have my stitching weekend is this upcoming weekend. It is always so much fun to go away and be with people who as 'sick' as you are!! LOL

OLD

I was watching Good Morning America today and they wished Shirley Temple Happy Birthday. Now can anyone guess how old Shirley Temple is??? 80 - now don't we all feel old. I guess because she's in my memory as the little girl singing the 'good ship lollipop' that you don't think about hold she really is. She is such a part of my childhood along with Haley Mills - Parent Trap, Pollyanna - I love her movies too. Such a sweet innocent time. I think we need times like that again.

Do these sheos make my ankles look fat?

Since we are having some major spring days here, I decided to wear a pair of Capri's. I never know what to wear on my feet this early in the season because I can't do sandals yet, haven't gotten my summer pedicure yet. So I'm wearing a pair of slip on sketchers. But honest, they make my ankles look fat. How sad is that. Even though it is the first time I'm wearing them, they are comfortable.
Not a very productive week for stitching. Monday and Tuesday nights, I was so tired, I just sat there and watched TV. I hate when I do that. Wednesday night I forced myself to stitch and felt so much better. It kinda lifts the tiredness. So, my goal next week is to stitch at least 1 hour every night. I'll let you know how that goes.
Tomorrow I go to NYC to see Sarah :) We are going to take the 'sex in the city' movie tour. Should be alot of fun and I plan on taking pictures. So I'll try to post some next week. The only downside is that I have to get up at 6:30 and leave by 8:30. Now, it's not like I sleep really late on Saturdays - but I don't like to have to get out of the house early on Saturday. I like to lounge around. But to see my daughter - I'll get up early!!

TAX DAY

Today is tax day - and I had to write the biggest check I've every had to write. Being that I owe so much, I really should be living better - LOL We (my accountant and I) filed an extension, so hopefully when it is all said and done, I won't owe to much more.
Hope Uncle Sam was nicer to you.

Long couple of days

I need to feel sorry for myself..... It was a long weekend and I don't feel like I got anything accomplished. First off, I worked downstairs in my 'craft room' for 2 hours and it doesn't look like I did anything. I swear - if I say I need a new chart, kit, project, please SLAMMED UPSIDE MY HEAD. I have so many projects but when I look at them, I love the all. I unpacked 6 boxes and it doesn't look like I did anything. I know - it looks worse before it looks better.
Then I ran some errands and ended at the grocery store. I finally got home, the was a message from my accountant. Called him at 6:45 figuring I'd get his voice message and he answered. He then proceeded to give me the BAD news that I owe BIG TIME!! I got all upset but then calmed down because I realized that I had the money to pay the taxes and hopefully this year would be better. Also to get the divorce done - I signed off on the house. Basically saying that he could claim all the interest because he was the one paying the mortgage. Now I'm mad that I did that - it was just as much my house. but what ever.
Then I go to bed and I have a red raw rash on my legs about where the top of my socks were. Doesn't itch or anything - just looking UGLY. I go to bed and pray Sunday will be better.
Get up Sunday and I have a bridal shower to go to. Pick up my girlfriend Eileen and as we are walking out of her house, my heel gets caught on the door jam - and you see where I'm going with this - I fall flat on my face on the garage floor. When I felt myself falling and realized I couldn't recover, I helped myself fall - so I didn't hit the floor hard. Of course, I start crying, my girlfriend is trying to see if I'm ok before she starts laughing - which I was. Then we have to go back in the house so she can clean me up and when I look in the mirror, I realize I forgot to put my blush/powder on and my eyebrows. I look very pale.
Had a lovely time at the shower - seriously I did. And my girlfriends and I picked out a date for us to get together. This group of friends are my first original stitching group. We started getting together when Sarah was in nursery school!! She was 4 then and now she's 25. 21 years. We've let it fall apart the last couple of years, but I think we need to get it back together. I miss them.

Sunny Today

It finally looks like it's spring out. I am so tired of wearing sweaters and winter stuff. I've been trying to wear just long sleeve stuff.
I have to go on a diet. OK, I've said it out loud. I've just let it slide during the winter - and now I have to pay the piper. Let's just hope I don't eat the piper. My first goal was to stop eating after dinner and so far I've been good about not eating after dinner. I was getting into a bad habit of snacking while watching TV. Now I'm trying not to. I need to push myself to get out and start walking. I have good intentions of doing it but then I get home and I'm just tired after working all day. I know I'll feel better if I do - maybe next week.
I also decided I'm packing away my flannel pj's. It's April for goodness sakes. Going to put them away this weekend. I'm also going to wash my sweaters and pack them away for the year. I'm going to will spring here whether it likes it or not.
I finished stitching my easter/spring eggs - to bad Easter was so early this year. I have most of the stuff to 'finish' them - just have to get some yellow fabric and ribbon. I've been putting off starting a birth sampler for a friends daughter. Don't know why - the baby was born in October. I have so many things I want to make right now for people.
I have a wedding in May - would like to make them the Lizzie Kate - 'and two shall be 1'.
I have to make 2 xmas stockings for my niece, she gets married in July.
I have the family graph I want to make for my Dad for his 80th birthday in June.
I still 'owe' my girlfriends son a wedding sampler. We didn't go to the wedding but I still want to make him something. I made something for his 2 siblings. His first wedding anniversary is in July - that's my goal.
I need to finish a baby sampler
And I'll need to do another one - but the baby isn't due until July and we don't know what it is. so, I either have to do a gender neutral one or wait.
At this time - waiting looks good.
I also have some stuff I'm trying to crochet - I have a baby blanket I need to finish. My friends daughter is having a baby - any day now - and I hope to give it to her. I just hope it's a girl because it really is more girly looking. I'm also starting one that is more boy looking. Better get working on it because since it's not done - she's definitely going to have a boy - LOL

I confess......

I love candles. I love to burn them all over my house. On Sunday, I had some friends over and I lit candles. I had one burning in the powder room. And I forgot about it. Not to make excuses, but the door was closed. OK, let me explain. In my old house, my powder room had a pocket door - so it was always open. Which was good because it was a tiny powder room. My new house has a regular door. I totally forgot I had a candle in there until I went in there MONDAY night. Of course by then the candle was out - it ran out of candle stuff. LOL I have no idea how long that candle burned....I guess I should be thankful I didn't burn my house down.

TGIF

Had a great Easter last weekend. Sarah came home Friday night and on Saturday we got up and went up to Reading PA so Sarah could run in the Mt. Penn 15K Trail Run. These runs are alot of fun and I always meet the most interesting people. As we are leaving we 'kinda' saw white stuff falling from the sky and we are like - it can't be snowing!! Well, the closer we got to Reading - the more 'white' stuff came out of the sky!! It didn't snow long - but the ground was all white. She had a fun run - if you could call it that. It was thru the woods, thru the water, over the the hill - to grandmothers house we go - but you had to run looking down so you didn't trip over roots. But she did it.

Then we had lunch with Sandi. Sandi was my neighbor when I was in high school and has stayed close to the family. She is the one I go to when I need a 'mom' and she is my kids adopted grandma. It was nice. She is also very excited to be a great grandma.

Then we went to BIG LOTS - I love BIG LOTS. I got a table, 4 chairs, umbrella/stand for my deck. They are so cute (well as cute as a table and chairs can be!!). I also got 2 patio chairs - all for $217!! I'd been looking and everything I found was like $400 and that was at target. I figure even if I only get 5 year out of this set - it was worth the money.

First day of Spring

Hard to imagine today is the first day of Spring. I don't feel like we really had a Winter.
Been cleaning and organizing the house. I think the pink and green rooms are done. Except for getting the desk and chair for the pink room and putting the computer in there. But I have to get up to IKEA and get the desk and chair. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks. I think the rooms look nice. Been also working in the basement trying to get that organized. It seems the more I unpack - the more unorganized it gets!! I was looking for Easter decorations last night and can't find 2 bunnies I know I wouldn't have gotten rid of. Must have been packed in a different box - I'll try looking tonite again.
Sarah comes homes this weekend for Easter!! I can't wait to spend some time with her. On Saturday we are going up to Reading so she can run in the Mt. Penn 15K Mudfest. Should be fun. Then we are going to visit Sandi (family friend) and have lunch with her. There is also a BIG LOTS up there and I want to go look and see what kine of outside furniture they have. I need a table/chairs for the deck. Also want to show Sarah a chair in Macy's I'm thinking of ordering for the living room. I so miss my recliner...I need to get one.
We are having Easter dinner over at Jim's and Mary's house. I'm bringing the ham and I don't know what else. Guess I should talk to him and find out. Should be a nice day.

Why should it hurt

I talked to a girlfriend today. I'm going to her daughters baby shower on Sunday. Andwhile we were talking I asked her how her nephews wedding was because I couldn't go. It was February 23 and I had made plans with my girlfriends way back in September to have a stitching day.
They were inviting me and not Ed (the grooms mom has her own issues with Ed) and I couldn't handle being some place where he was. Sitting at the same table with our friends - or they'd have to split the group and some sit here with me and some over there with him. I sent in my regrets and when I did that my friends husband felt guilty and invited Ed.
Now my girlfriend this morning told me he came with a DATE. She said they all sat at the same table and she was on the other side so she didn't really talk to her but said she felt like she was betraying me if she did talk to her. Now, I have no interest in him - so why should it hurt. Honestly - I can't f...ing believe he took a date to something with all our friends. But then he is nothing if not selfish - he actually said to one of them that he couldn't think of the grooms siblings names!! He's known them since they were born and he can't f...ing remember their names.
I guess it just hurts because I'm afraid they are going to forget me and not be my friends any more. There is another wedding in September and I won't go if he is there.

Working Thru

This past weekend I spent in the basement. Organizing, going through stuff...I'm making progress. Since I'm not down the basement alot - it's a mess - you know that old saying 'out of sight - out of mind'. But I want to get it done and organized. And I know I keep talking about this. But in the basement is 28 years of stuff - and it's alot.
I have the storage area swept out and shelves up. I've been putting things in there. The one wall I think I'm going to call 'the wall of Sarah'. I have all her boxes there - school stuff, purses, Greece stuff, purses, memories and did I mention purses and totes. Some of the boxes have stuff in it that I am saving - baby books and memories.
And another reason it's taking so long is - it's just me doing it and I get tired.

House on Bristol

I've lived in my new house 6 months - can you believe it. I like my new house - it's all me. I don't have to please anyone and I'm decorating any way I want.

I love looking out the windows and seeing how my neighbors houses look. In my old house, Ann lived across the street and I took great comfort in looking at the window and seeing their outside lights on. It was my night light outside!! LOL But it was what I became use too. I still miss it.
In my new house, I don't have anyone living directly across the street. The units are both on an angle, but I look at the one to the left more often. I know people live there, I see a car in the driveway every once in a while. But I NEVER SEE ANY LIGHTS ON. Seriously - never. It's like a game I play now. I keep looking to see. Now, I guess they can be in the part of the house I don't see, but the side I see has 6 windows. Don't you think at some point I'd see a light on in one of them. I'll keep watch and keep you posted.

So, my 'outside night light' is the street lamp right across the street to the left of my house. Not as comforting as Ann's outside light - but it will do.

No Control

So, on Saturday I went down to my cross stitch store to pick up some charts and stuff I had ordered at the Superbowl party. That was all I was going to do...but in the morning my sister Mary told me to look at this chart for a Whitman Candy tin - too cute. I had to look for that. That was it. On Friday night, my friend Teri showed me the chart for the Quaker Turtles - BEYOND CUTE and I had to have it. Now, it's 2 things. Then in looking for that, I saw a cute scissor fob and scissor holder that I just had to have. The bottom line is, I have no control. I'm a stash-a-holic and I need help. LOL
Made progress on my 2 things I'm trying to get done. Will start the back stitching on the 1 tonite. I hope to have it done by Wednesday so I can give to my friend to take the framer. He is the best - Patrick I love you. You give something to him to get framed, and it is done in 1 week. I'm hoping to go one Saturday here soon to have something - re-framed. I have a pictures from my Dad. When ever he was transferred for his job, they game him pictures of the city. I gave Sarah the 2 I had for NYC - since she lives there. But I also have 2 for Boston in nice frames. I going to re-use one of the frames for a print I have. I just have to get down to Patricks and give it to him. Also have a picture/frame that was my Mom's that over the years has gotten kinda beat up. I'm hoping he can fix the frame - color the dings and put a new hanger on it.
Made progress in the house this weekend. Finally have the TV in the living room on it's new stand - thanks to my son Jimmy who came over and helped me re-connect everything. Brought a new TV for my bedroom with a sleep timer which I hooked up all by my self!! Pat me on the back. Then I'll put the TV that was there in the basement with the VCR. Slowly but surely things are getting done.

FINALLY DONE

I know I had said awhile ago that 'christmas was done' but I lied. Not really lied - just ommission - was out of my living and upstairs -the bad news I just dropped in down the basement. But - now it all packed away and I have a shit load of christmas stuff. Excuse my langauge. How do you decide what to get rid off? Maybe this summer I'll go thru the stuff.
Got up this morning and went to Wegmans and met the girls. Had a nice time just sitting and crocheting for about 1 1/2 hours.
Now - back to cleaning.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT

OK, my daughters birthday was Janaury 25 and being the good mother that I am, I sent her 2 birthday cards and a padded envelope. Only one of the cards had a check in it and in the padded envelope I had birthday candles - spelling her name and skinny post it notes (she loved post its). I mailed them 4 days before her birthday even though I was seeing her the day after her birthday I thought if something happened and I didn't go up. Well they didn't get there. THEY NEVER ARRIVED. Of course, I blame the post office - who else. I mailed them in time.
So, this past week I decide to send her something for Valentines and send it to her work address, not going to chance sending it to her aparment again. And being the lazy person I am, I have labels for everyone and I was getting a label for the card I got my Dad and I notice that on Sarah's address label it says aparment 6C. OH NO, I think, her apartment number is 2C. That explains alot but they haven't been returned to me yet. So, I tell her to go upstairs to 6C and put a note on the door saying that your Mom had a brain cramp and put the wrong apartment number on ALL 3 ENVELOPES. She does that and finds out that yes, they got them. They had moved in on February 1, and they were in the mail box. Now instead of writing 'return to sender' on the envelopes and dropping them in the mail box, they THREW THEM AWAY!!!!!!! I can't believe they were that - ok I'll say it - STUPID ~ RUDE ~ UNTHNKING. I don't know what. They weren't junk mail. Now, 2 had labels on them but hey, they were hallmark cards - you could tell they were cards. And the padded envelope was HAND ADDRESSED. And all 3 had the SAME return address label on them. And they THREW THEM AWAY!! I don't understand people.

Happy Valentines Day

There are some days you just hate. And Valentines Day is one of them. It never lives up to it's expectations and you are always disappointed - or I always was. I never had anyone send me flowers or buy me jewerly or surprise me and take me out to dinner. Of course, I got the heart shaped box of chocolate but you can buy that in the drug store.
It's been a messy week - snow, ice, rain. But today is nice and sunny - a little chilly (only supposed to get up to 40) but nice and bright. I guess I have to remember it is February. I'm still hoping for lots of snow. I just like one snow fall that you look out the window and you know you are not going any where.
I started the wedding sampler and the stitching is going pretty quick. The wedding is next weekend and I'm hoping to have it done to get to the framers in 2 weeks. Have to buy the frame first. Also need to work on my 2 baby samplers.
Haven't crochet much lately. I usually just do that when I'm with everyone. Not enough time in the day to do all the stuff I want to do.
This weekend I'm bound and determined to make head way in my basement. Even I can't stand it any more. I'm also thinking of selling my dining room set and getting a new one. Thought I should go looking at some to make sure I can afford to do it. I just HATE my dining room set. It was picked out before I got married and even at the time it wasn't my taste in furniture but I compromised and agreed to this one. Now since it's just me - I want a new one.

BAD WEEKEND/GOOD WEEKEND

The weekend started out bad. Usually on Friday nights I got to my friends house for stitching but this week she had something to do. So another friend said 'join us at Old Country Buffet for dinner' because we had just gotten a coupon in the paper. Now, the coupon said in BOLD letters 'One Adult meal for $6.99' but then in unbold little letters it said 'with the purchase of a regular priced adult meal' with the young man at the cash register was quick to point to me. He said since I was 'alone' he'd have to charge me full price. I'm like you're kidding - no other options and he said NO. I don't know why it bothered me so much but I could feel the tears starting so I said ' no thank you' and left. Called my friends and said I wasn't coming. Then I went home and cried all night. It was really stupid but it bothered me. I'm alone. It just set the tone for a weepy weekend.
So, I got up Saturday morning and decided to email Old Country Buffet because I just joined there 'eclub' for coupons and discounts. I told them since they obviously didn't want single people eating there - that I wanted out of the club. To take my name off their list. Haven't heard from them yet, but I figured it was the weekend and no one was in the office. But then again they might not care what I think.

So, Saturday I was still a lttile weepy but went out with my friends Ann and Fred (who I ditched the night before - but they understood) and went with them to their daughter Alicia's house for her 32nd birthday party. First off, I can't believe she's 32 - where has the time gone. Secondly, I got to see her (and Evan's) new house. It is beautiful. And I love the colors she picked for the rooms. Had a good time. Who would have thought I'd meet to girls and we'd bond.

Then on Sunday I decided to go shopping. I wanted a pair of sketchers that kinda look like Mary Jane's and Fashion but was having them on sale. Usually when they have them on sale, by the time I get there, they don't have my size. Since the sale started Sunday, I went Sunday. I got 2 pairs and off white pair and a black pair. They both have a lace insert on top. The sale was - buy one get one at 50%. But when I was checking out, I asked if I could use the 40% coupon and they said I could. So I got the 2 pairs for $63.78!! Should have been $116.58 - I think it was a pretty good deal. Then I went to the mall because Penneys sent me a $15 coupon for my birthday. Now, they missed my birthday by 6 months - but they said they were sorry. I needed underware - I know what a thing to spend your birthday money one - but hey, I needed it. They were also have the final clearance of winter stuff. I did very well. I got 2 cardigan sweaters, 1 v-neck swearter, 2 zipper sweartshirts, 1 shirt, 1 pair sweatpant and 3 pairs of underware for ...$23.86. What a deal. Between my $15 coupon and the friends/family 20% coupon - I made out good.

I did get some stitching done and some stuff around the house. So, I guess the weekend ended better than it started. I think sometimes you just need to feel sorry for yourself because no one else does.

Wednesday

I hate trying to come up with cleaver title names - today's is just the day.

Had a good weekend, stayed home and FINALLY got all my christmas stuff away. OK, maybe away isn't exactly the right word - down the basement. The living room is almost back to being normal. I bought a new TV stand and book case. I have the book case up - it was a folding one so you just had to stand it up and pull out the sides, the shelfs fell down - ta dah - done. Now I have to put the TV cabinet together. I should be able to do that but I won't be able to move the TV and then reconnect all the wires. SUPER SON to the rescue. Hopefully he will be able to stop by on Sunday. Maybe when he re-does the connections, my VCR will work.

I had mixed emotions about the super bowl. I very happy the Eli Manning won and 2 brothers won back to back championships, yada, yada yada. But then I felt bad for the Patriots not winning it all. Wished I had bet on the giants - would have made some money.

Been working on the birth sampler and now I have to make a wedding one. Brought a small one to dy. The wedding is Feb 23 - what do you think? Will it be done? Check back to find out what progress I'm making.

SUM IT UP

The weeks just fly by at this point. On Wednesday, I went up to NYC (again) to see THE VIEW. We had such a good time. I don't even know how long ago I ordered tickets and they were even forwarded from my old address but the came for January 30. I asked Mary (my DIL) and Ann (GFF) and I had asked Sarah but she couldn't take the time off work. Was going to ask Jimmy but decided as much as I love my son and he loves me - he would not have had fun. So, just the 3 of us went up. We had SO MUCH FUN. We got the 3rd season of LOST - my favorite show and a CD of Sarah Brightan - I think I spelt that wrong. We did meet Sarah for lunch.
Today is a rainy cold day but I guess it's better than snow? Just talked to my sister Sue and they have 10" of snow. She lives in the Chicago area. But it would be nice to have 1 snow day. Oh well
Been trying to cross stitch or crochet every night. Stated a pink afghan/throw on the train on Saturday. Making progress on that. I'm also working on my baby sampler that I gave as a gift last weekend. I'll take pictures soon and try to post.

MONDAY MORNING

Had a good weekend. Got up Saturday and went up to NYC to see Sarah. All I really wanted to do is stay in bed. She said I could have called her and said I was to tired to come up. I couldn't do that not after the week she had. The guy she had been dating decided he didn't want to anymore - right out of left field. And right before her birthday - good timing on his part. What is wrong with him - does he not know he will not meet anyone better than my daughter!! But we had a good day and I always love spending time with my favorite daughter. She looks a little skinny to me but that might be a Mom thing.

Then on Sunday went to a baby shower and then met some friends. Ended up not getting home until after 7. But had a good day. Did some stuff around the house and then stitched. Made myself go to bed at 11:30 because 6:30 comes early in the morning. I just feel so relaxed when I stitch, I lose track of time. Plus I have to finish the birth sampler I doing which is for the baby shower I went on Sunday. Couldn't start early, because she didn't find out what it was before hand.

WHO KNEW

As most people know, I bought my house at the end of August. And being that I had been married for the past 20+ years, I think I've done pretty good getting everything done and taking care of things. I got car insurance, signed up for cable/phone/tv, electric, trash....but who knew they actually want you to pay for water - LOL.

I've had a well for the past 21 years and septic. And what I got for AQUA (the water company) looked like junk mail. Come on now, it's addressed to OCCUPANT. Well, I decided to open the one I got this week and it's a 10 shut off notice!! LOL So, now I have to send the my settlement papers, drivers license and phone number TODAY to get this straightened out.

How much water does one person use????

2008

Haven't blogged in a while - over a month. Here's the highlights:
had a great Christmas.
Jim and Mary got me a CD player
Sarah got me a digital frame
had a great new years
made resolutions.
OK, that's it. Still working on taking my tree down - I don't light it up any more but it's still sitting in my living room. This weekend is pretty well shot - going up to NYC to see Sarah on Saturday. She is 25 on the 25th this year and we are going to spend the day together. Then on Sunday I have a baby shower. But I should be able to start taking the ornaments off.

I've brought some yarn and I've started a baby afghan. I brought yarn for another baby afghan and one for an afghan for my bed. Not enough time in the day to do all I want to do.

I'm still cross stitching and have enough of that stuff to last a life time. And I keep buying more. I see something and I have to have it. I'm working on a baby birth sampler now. Which is for the shower on Sunday. She's definitely getting it with needle and thread in it - I'm not even close to being done.

Jim and Mary brought a house and moved in over new years weekend. It is a cute little twin and I'm so happy and proud of them. They are working at growing their photography business.

Sarah is still in NYC and I'm sure she'll be taking over the town one day. She is a beautiful, smart girl. She loves her job - I'm not sure what she does - but she's good at it. LOL She's also training for her first triathlon - I'm so proud of her too. I have great kids.

Overwhlemed

I'm working a little in my basement today and I'm totally overwhelmed. Everything I didn't know what to do with when I moved - went in the basement. I also have a 'craft' room that is filled with boxes too. I don't even know where to start. I can't believe I still have all this stuff even with all that I tossed.
I washed down the cabinets that are in my craft room and sprayed them with febreze. My son said the other night it has a musty smell. I'm thinking it's because this is how my old basement smelled. And the boxes I packed up when we were showing the house were down the basement. I figure if I come down every day and unpack 1 box - it should get down evidently. I want to get it done soon - my Dad and Jean are maybe coming in February, and I want to be done by then. He wants to see my new house and I'm like I only have 2 extra beds and he was like 'that's OK, we only need 1' but I'm like 'they are in 2 different rooms' LOL. I'm hoping after the 1st of the year to get an IKEA double bed for the 1 room. They have a nice white head board I liked. Might have to measure it out on the floor to make sure it will fit!! LOL

1 year

It's been 1 year since the divorce stuff started and my life changed. Who would have thought I'd be on my own, own a townhouse and be making all the decisions by myself. At times I can't believe how much my life has changed and wish I wasn't alone. But then I think back and honestly, I'd been 'alone' for years. I just feel bad because my kids don't have their childhood home anymore or parents that are still together. But then, we both are miserable - so I guess it's a trade off.
Had Thanksgiving at my sons house and he did the cooking. He smoked the turkey this year and it was very good. We had all the usually dishes - turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, turnip, cranberry sauce and baked ziti. We all ate too much - but it was a nice day. Sarah brought home her boyfriend Dave for us all to met. Hopefully we didn't scare him off. He is a very nice young man - can't say 'boy' because he's almost 26 and he says he had a good time. I know we all liked him.
Brought a Christmas tree this weekend. Hopefully it will fit into my rotating tree stand - please. If not, I'll have to sell it - the tree stand not the tree. My goal is this week to get it up. It's pre-lit so that should be easy. And there is already nails around my window - so I can put lights outside. Notice some of the people in the development did it this past weekend - but next weekend is the first weekend in December - that's when I'll do it.

OH NO - THANKSGIVING

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is this week. How did it get here so soon. It feels like just last week I was moving into my house - which was over 2 months ago.
I finally got the green bedroom organized. I'm going to turn that room into the 'bear den' and put alot of my bears in there. I did unload 1 box but have more in the basement. Might wait until after Thanksgiving because Sarah's boyfriend is sleeping in there. Don't want to scare the poor boy off.
Then I worked in the pink bedroom which is where Sarah is sleeping. I got her stuff down from 20 boxes to about 6. (that's not counting what is in the basement). If there is a 'pack rat' gene - she got it. Which isn't surprising, since I have it too.
The dining room is all organized. It looks so nice. Just have organize my cross stitch stuff which is all over the living room and I'm pretty much done. If you don't count the basement...LOL

TRAVEL

I was in Arizona last weekend. It was beautiful. I went out on a cross stitch weekend. I was supposed to take a class by Merry Cox but due to circumstances, I decided I couldn't afford it and then decided I couldn't really even afford to go to Arizona. But then at the beginning of October, I had some unexpected good news, and decided I could go. The class was ran thru the shop called Attic Needleworks.
I didn't take the class because you got the kits in February and pre-stitched it but still had a wonderful time. I met my sister Mary and her 2 friends Deanne and Laurie. All we did for 3 1/2 days was stitch!! It was wonderful and relaxing. We also shopped and I brought some cross stitch - which I probably didn't need. But then need has nothing to do with it. I wanted the kits/charts I brought.

I'M AN IDIOT

The title says it all. I have been looking for the last 2 months for my extra checks and have not been able to find them since I moved. I use to keep them in my under ware drawer - under the socks. Lets be honest, everyone hides things in their under ware drawer. I guess we thing thieve won't go looking in that drawer! LOL But I have not been able to find them since I moved. I couldn't not remember what box I might have packed them in because honestly - the last week or so, if there was room in a box, I shoved something in it. I actually order more check - starting with the number 5000 because I needed checks.
So, last night as I was getting ready to go to bed, I had to get out a pair of socks to sleep in (my feet were cold). Now I have special socks I sleep in mostly socks that are older and a little stretched out. I was looking in the drawer I have them in and it was jumbled so I was strengthening it out and there under all the socks was the box of checks!! Sitting there all safe and sound and not knowing it was causing me worry. Now to be honest, I don't even remember unpacking them or putting them there. I'm sure the thought process at the time was a good one and I had a good reason for why I put them there but for the life of me, I can't think of one good reason I would put them there. That might be why I never looked there.
So, one mystery solved. No, if I could just figure out where I put the container and stuff from under my bathroom sink - life will be good.

FINALLY A HOME

I had a Pampered Chef party last night. It was so good to have friends over - it finally feels like it's my house. We had such a good time. I love Pampered Chef - you go to one of these parties and you wonder how you could have been cooking all this time without all these gadgets!! LOL

I also have maybe 90% of my dining room unpacked. I only have 5 boxes to go - hopefully this weekend. I was hoping to do it last weekend but my Uncle John passed away and I had to go to Chicago for the funeral. It was my Dad's youngest sibling and it really upset him. It was so quick - he was diagnosed with cancer the week before I moved into my new house and died on Oct 15 - less than 2 months. My Dad is 79 and is showing his age. He never looked 'old' to me - and now he does.

FOUND

Last week I dropped an earning back which disappeared. Last night I was walking in my room and looked down and there was the earning back, right on the carpet next to the bed leg.
Now what probably happened is that if fell between the foot board and the covers and took all the time to fall thru. But what I think happened is that when it fell, it went in to the parallel universe and yesterday the universes crossed over again and it should up in my universe again. I think that's a logically explanation!!

STITCHING WEEKEND

This past weekend I went on a stitching weekend with friends. We went down to the Salty Yarns in Ocean City, Maryland. Every October, she has a stitching jamboree with teachers and projects. This year teachers were Maureen Appleton from Hearts Content, Linda from Chessie & Me and Liz Turner Diehl. They were great teachers and classes.
Maureen designed a beautiful scissor fob and a pin cushion on 40 ct fabric over 1. I can't do 40 ct so I'm doing mine on 32 ct. Working over 1 isn't easy (or fun) but it is beautiful. I'm determine to finish it.
Linda of Chessie & Me designed a sampler of the Lankford Hotel - so cute. Her thing is, she puts a cat in all her pictures.
Liz did a very cute picture of 3 bikini's hanging on the line with special stitches. She also does something called stump work. Very interesting and beautiful but I don't think it's anything I'd do.
I love my stitching weekends - it's good to be around other people who are just like you. We talk about what projects we're working on, or charts you've purchased or what you've completed. Plus we get a goodie bag. You're never to old for a goodie bag - filled with stitching stuff.

MARATHON

Sarah ran in the 30th Chicago marathon and it was historic. Record heat, record participates and record people who did not finish.
It was almost 90 in Chicago on Sunday, Oct 7 and the humidity was at least that. The marathon started at 8 am and at 3 hrs and 50 minutes - they cancelled it. People who ran that fast qualified for the Boston marathon. People were dropping like flies - all you heard were sirens. It was nerve wracking until I heard from Sarah and she was ok. She finished the marathon in 4 hours and 43 minutes. She hoped to do it in 4:20 but I think she did fine. I'm so proud of her.
I did meet the boyfriend Dave - but only for 10 minutes and of course after the race. He was a little discouraged because he's knee was bothering him and he didn't have a good run. He seemed very nice and as long as he is good to Sarah - I won't have to hurt him.

Mysteries of the Universe

Do ever wonder about things. Like where does that sock go when you only find 1 in the dryer?? Another example, I dropped my earning back, I heard it hit the foot board on my bed but can I find it? How far can one of those things bounce. I've gone all over my carpet on my hands in knees in front of the bed, under the bed, under the chest..it is NO WHERE! I think I know where it goes - to another dimension. Then it just cross over and be there right on the floor and I'll be thinking - 'where have you been'.

I've started back cross stitching at night. I haven't stitched in 2 months with packing and moving and I forgot how much I love it. I've missed it. I find it very relaxing and calming. I'm working on a piece for my girlfriends daughters baby. I haven't started the birth sampler because I'm a little superstitious and don't want to start to far before the baby is due. Which is October 30. I'll probably start in next week. But the other piece I'm working on is so cute. It's a Cricket design and it's the alphabet in bright colors. Since it has buttons on it, I'll frame it.

Off to Chicago this weekend to watch my daughter run in the Chicago Marathon. This is her third marathon and she just loves all this running. But the added bonus is, my 3 sisters and 1 brother (plus alot of nieces and nephews) live there and I get to see them. I also get to meet the 'boyfriend' finally - what do I grill him about - LOL.

I'm also going to see my Uncle John who is dying of cancer. He was only diagnosed at the end of August - the week I moved into my new house - but he is going down hill fast. He is my Uncle who was only 13 when I was born and use to bring his friends by to show me off. And his birthday is Aug 2, so we are almost birthday buddies (mine is Aug 4). And since I'm going to be in Chicago - I need to go see him and just give him a hug.

FINAL

On Friday I received my divorce decree. It's over, 29 years of my life reduced to a piece of paper. I don't know how I feel. I did cry a little Friday night, I was relieved and I was happy. Does that make me a horrible person? I can't forget that I was married for 29 years but I am relieved that it is all over. I don't have to pretend to people that everything is alright. I don't have to lie when I go some place by myself that he had other plans - and not the truth that was he didn't want to go. I don't have to walk on egg shells afraid to say the wrong thing. The piece of paper is like making it official that I'm a failure. But that's not true - it didn't all fall apart because of me but it's hard not to feel that way.
But the bottom line is, it's over and life goes on. I have two WONDERFUL children and a WONDERFUL daughter-in-law who love me. I have WONDERFUL friends who stand by me and a WONDERFUL family. What more can a person ask for.

ONE MONTH

Can you believe it's been almost 1 month since I've moved. Tomorrow is 4 weeks and then on the 24th it'll be a month. Seems longer....I love my new house. I know it sounds dumb - but I feel so at home there. I've been sleeping good - no weird sounds in the night. And I'm sleeping ALL NIGHT. And I have my first mortgage payment due October 1 - how exciting.
Now if I could just finish unpacking - that would be great. I'm am getting anxious to get it done. Bought area rugs for the living room and dining room and got them down. Just warms up the room. Hope to get the living room done this weekend. Part of the problem is but the time I get home from work, cook dinner, eat, clean up I don't feel like pulling out boxes and unpacking! Also, deciding where to put everything. Did get a few things done last night.
Going to IKEA this weekend to get some bookcases. I used Avon boxes to pack my books - nice small boxes so I can lift them. Problem is - there are alot of them. So I want to get them out of the way.
And I'm anxious to get my craft room in order. That is going to be so much fun. Just my room. And I don't have to share with anyone. Haven't stitched much but that has to change. I miss it.

FRIENDS

I have some really nice friends. They have been there for me the last couple of months while I've gone through my divorce, selling my house and moving. I couldn't have done it without them. They came and helped me pack (thanks Ann & Tracey), they let me stay at their house overnight so I didn't have to get a hotel room (thanks Patrice and Rick), they helped me unpack (thanks Cindy, Ann, Charlene & Tracey), they helped me put stuff together (thanks Matt) and look at electrical stuff (thanks Matt and Fred). You all mean so much to me.
I had 2 firsts in my new house last night, I cooked dinner and I did a load of laundry!! LOL It's the little things that make you happy.

MOVED

Well, I moved last week. It was probably the longest 2 weeks of my life. I had been staying up to at least midnight every night packing. I was going thru things - throwing things out - sheets, towels, etc. Went thru my craft stuff and purged there too.
I had called 800-GOTJUNK and they came Thursday morning before the movers. A truck and a half later (and $979 later) all my junk was gone. Old suitcases, crib/mattress, raft/oars, you name it I had it. But it's gone now. And the good news is since the tax refund came in my checking account - Ed did pay for it. He just doesn't know it yet.
Then the movers came and I told them to please try and get it all in one truck. You see, they didn't think it would all fit so I rented a uhaul just to be on the safe side. But Jeff, John and Bed worked magic and got it all in the truck - except for the stuff I had in my car, in Mary's (my DIL) car and down at my neighbors. Mary came over and helped and I couldn't have gotten it done if she hadn't come over. I was so tired and sore Thursday night I could barely walk.
Got up Friday, returned the truck, went to the bank. Went for the walk thru at my new house. Went to settlement for my old house and except for Ed being there - it went off without a hitch. Then went to the settlement for my new house and for spending $300,000 I got a bottle of wine, a book and a gift card to a restaurant. I own my own townhouse - all by myself. Then I went to meet the truck and I slept there Friday night. I can't believe all the boxes that are around and I thought I packed things together but I keep finding half of something - LOL.
On Monday, the TV/Internet/phone was hooked up and I hope to unpack at least 2 or 3 boxes a night. Right now I'm so tired I've been going to bed around 9:30 - I think the last 2 weeks are catching up to me.
But I can't wait to get it all organized - I love my house. It's so cute.

stuff

My almost ex-husband moved out this week. Now that shouldn't surprise me since we are getting a divorce. He moved the furniture he was taking on Wednesday - came home to no family room furniture, no kitchen table....and then last night I came home and everything else is that he was taking is gone. I don't know what I expected - he's basically ignored me for years now. I guess since we signed the property settlement he felt it was ok just to leave.
But he took what he wanted and left everything else for me. Even the stuff I don't want. It's my responsibility to get rid of it. Do you have any idea how much 'kitchen' stuff you have and you probably only use 25% of it. But you need to save all the cake pans in case you get the sudden urge to bake a cake - LOL I'm purging. It's only going to be me living in MY HOUSE and trust me, I don't remember the last time I made a cake!! LOL That's why they have nice bakeries in grocery stores.
And honestly, how many sets of sheets do you need for your bed. I only have 1 bed - I don't need 12 sets of sheets. And towels - more towels than I can ever use. Keeping the good ones - toss the others.
So salvation army is getting a BIG donation today and all the rest is going to '1-800-GOTJUNK' on Thursday morning. They just come and take whatever you don't want. They are going to get a nice big pile - and he doesn't know it yet, but he's paying for it.

A first

Last night I had a first - I signed the papers for my own car insurance policy & homeowners. I looked into, found someone and got my own car insurance and homeowners. Now, I know that doesn't sound like such a big deal - but I've never gotten car insurance. Before I was married, my Dad took care of it and then Ed. And homeowners...I've always just signed on the dotted line.
I feel pretty good about it. One more thing I did on my own.

Melting

Anyone in the area knows how hot and humid it has been. I don't even know why I bother to try and curl my hair in the morning. It looks horrible by the time I get to work.
I've been busy backing - the move is in 2 weeks and 1 day. It's amazing how much stuff you accumulate. And i wonder know why you save everything. Donated 19 games and 14 puzzles to Purple Heart and that's not including the 8 bags of clothes and 1 bag a baskets, plus a hair dryer, vaporizer, iron...the list goes on. Only one more closet to go thru - Sarah's. That should be fun.
The only good thing all this packing is causing is that it's keeping me from thinking to much. Because if I think too much I'm going to realize how scared I am. I haven't been totally on my own in almost 29 years. To be responsible for everything. Can I do this?

LOVED IT

Well, was up in NYC to see WICKED and LOVED IT. It was so good and funny and the songs were great. I just enjoyed it so much and seeing with Sarah was a bonus. If you can go see it - go.

WICKED

This is the weekend I got to New York City to see WICKED. Sarah got us tickets for Christmas. She also got me the CD - which I love. So, I'm going this afternoon and tonite we are going out to dinner for my birthday (which is next weekend Aug 4) and then tomorrow afternoon we go and see the play; I had the book to read and just kept putting it off. I'll keep reading because they say the book is way different than the play.

27 days

Thank goodness the end is in site because if not I don't know how long I can stay here. How did I end up with this angry, rude, inconsiderate person. I swear he treats strangers better than he treats me. Please let the next 27 days pass quickly.

To Much Stuff

Been going thru things and have decided I have to much stuff. I think we all probably have to much stuff but it doesn't matter until you have to pack it up.

You know your Mom loves you.....

You know your Mom loves you when she keeps UGLY gifts.
I was going thru some stuff on a shelf, what to keep, what to give to good will, what to toss and I came across this 'thing' I gave my mom. Are you ready - it was a bowl shaped like a head of lettuce/cabbage!! Now, you're thinking I did this when I was 10 or maybe even 12. And you'd be wrong. The date on the bottom is 1973 - I WAS 20!! What was I thinking that my Mom would want a bowl that looks like a head of lettuce/cabbage. LOL And what was my Mom thinking keeping it, and then eventually giving it to me, and me keeping it!! LOL
So, guess what I did??? Washed it, wrapped it up and packed it. If it was good enough for my Mom to keep - it must be something special. And she loves you.

St. Joe

There is a 'tradition' or 'old wives tale' or 'prayer'.... What it is, when you're trying to sell a house is that you bury a statue of St. Joe in the backyard, upside down facing the house. Then when you sell the house, you unbury him and put him in a place of honor in your new house. That's supposed to help you sell you house. When we sold our house in South Carolina, I did that and we sold the house within a week. Then I dug up St. Joe and he was in my son's room this whole time.
Well, I buried him again this time, same statue. The house didn't sell as quick, but we did sell. Since all the inspections are done, I dug him up this morning and washed him off and will take him to my new house. Since I buried him, I get to take him.
Thanks St. Joe.

Linen Floss

Working on a cross stitched project that calls for linen floss. Thought I'd try it and brought what the pattern called for. Well, I don't like stitching with linen floss. It tends to shred. Now, I know I cut my floss to long - but with linen floss you really have to keep the lengths short or it's a mess. I'm also not too fond of the 'overdyed' type floss - where it would go from blue to green and then back to blue. I'll finish this project - but change the floss for the next time I stitch it.

Family

Just returned from a family vacation. We do them in my family every 3 years. For the last couple of years we have been going to my Dad's who lives outside of Tampa FL in Reddington Shores. We rent a couple of condos, this time it was 7. Most of us went - 7 siblings, 4 spouses and 14 of the 19 nieces/nephews plus my Dad and Jean. We have a great time just being together. It's amazing how you fall back into the family pecking order.
And the nieces/nephews get along so well - they were talking about the next one in 3 years. This time, my 16 year old nephew got to be in the condo with the 'big' cousins, Joe (28), Dan (24) and an almost cousin-in-law Ryan (26). My sister was a bit worried, but they promised her they would take care of him. After the first day - he had the nickname "KING" - don't know how it happened. As the saying goes 'what happens in tower 1, stays in tower 1' - LOL. The littlest cousin, Kate (6), just wanted to hang out with Jimmy and Mary - Jimmy is the only married cousin. In fact, they were making plans to come visit and stay with Jim & Mary when Kate is 10 and her sister Rachel is 13.
I love my family, I just wished we lived closer together so we could see each other more - but that is what cell phones and emails are for.

It's Mine

Well, it's mine. I've brought a house. OMG!! It passed the home inspection and there are no termites or radon. I can't believe I've done this - right now I am beyond scared!! I've applied and gotten a mortgage - on my own. I should probably start of list of what I have to do. Next thing is to get a mover. I will pack up my stuff - but I'm past the age where I can ask my friends to come help move my stuff - LOL! 45 days - not that I'm counting or anything.

New House

I brought a house. I can't believe it. I went looking at houses last week and took my friend Ann. We looked at one in Windom and then went over to Evian. Even though Windom had it's good points (one being cheaper) I was compromising on things I wanted. I wanted a eat in kitchen, I didn't want to sit at my dining room table all the time. But the big compromise was that the garage didn't open up into the house. That really bothered me. Now, I looked at the Evian development right after we put our house one the market and really liked the area. We walked into this townhouse and by the time we walked into the kitchen, I knew it was a place I could live. It just felt like home. Ann loved it too and said it felt like me. It has a kitchen I can put a little table in, it has a HUGE master bathroom with a soaking tub!! It has a walk in closet in the master bedroom. And most of all, you walk right in from the garage into the hallway.
I went back the next morning to make sure I wasn't dreaming and still loved it, put an offer in and they accepted. Then I took my kids over, and they liked it too. I brought a house on my own, I never thought I'd say those words.
Keep you fingers crossed - the the tests/inspections were done on our house last week and I haven't heard anything yet.
The home inspection on my house is this week - fingers crossed.

Sold the house

The house was on the market for just over 2 months. In real time, it seemed like forever. Now, I'm not a sloppy person but making sure the house is picked up every morning before you leave for work - is a pain. But someone finally bought it and that someone is the person who owned it before us. Can you believe that one - the person we brought it from - brought it back - for more than twice what we paid for it. I think it's weird, but hey if they want the house, they can have it.
You see - we're selling the house because we're getting divorced not because we want to downsize. I've lived in this house longer than any where in MY WHOLE LIFE!! When I were growing up, we moved alot. I went to 3 grade schools and 2 high schools. I've been in this house 21 years and I don't know how I feel. I know it's just a house, that my memories will come with me. And my kids no longer live home and as far as I know, have no plans to move back home (one is married and one lives in NYC). But I thought I'd be in this house forever.
But this is the house where on back of the laundry room door, we marked off their heights - do you think they will notice if the door is missing?
This the house we celebrated birthdays, graduation and a wedding.
This is house I wanted the kids to have so they could show their kids where they lived when they were little.
But I'll move, the memories will come with me. And life goes on.

Where does the time go?

I have no idea where time goes. It's now June 14 - Happy Flag day everyone.
I have 4 of the 6 gifts stitched for my sisters. Just 2 to go. I also have t finish some Christmas ornaments for my sisters. You're thinking - hey she's way ahead for this year. Wrong, these are from 2006 - and if I hadn't stitched '2006' in the ornament, I would have saved for this year. But noooo, I have to stitch the year in it. LOL Want to give them out on vacation too.
I've also just stitched a 'Bless the Graduate' for my niece Chelsea who graduates next Monday from high school. Out of 19 nieces/nephews, she is #12 to graduate from high school - more than half thru.
Leave for vacation in 2 weeks!! We are all descending on my Dad's condo's in Redington shores. It should be a blast. I can't wait.
Only 50 days to my birthday!

Almost June

Who can believe 5 months of the year are gone and it will be June in 1 day. I always think of Memorial Day weekend at the start of summer.
I had a nice Memorial Day weekend - got some stuff done, stitched some, cleaned some. Packed up some more stuff from the house. It's hard to know what to keep since I don't know where (or when at this point) I'll be moving. I took down all my knick-knack shelves (1 in my bedroom, 1 in the family room & 1 in the dining room), most of the pictures above the couch and the baskets I had hanging in the kitchen. Most of those baskets will go to good will and some will be tossed (especially the ones that were above the stove). My house is looking so 'naked' now.
Now the problem is happening is that I go to look for something and it's packed!! Oh well.
I'm working on my gift to my sisters for vacation. I always make them something that involves their birthday or birthday month. This year I found this cute little graph from Sam Sarah that is 5 birthday candles with a heart button on the middle candle. Very cute. I got different colored frames. Now I have to get them stitched and framed and I also have to finish their Christmas ornaments. And since I stitched 2006 on them, I can't use them for next year!! LOL

Dancing with the Stars

Another season of Dancing with the Stars if over. I thought it was perfect that Apollo ended up winning. I think he was more out of his comfort zone that Joey. Why is it we get so involved in these shows? We talk about the - Apollo, Joey like we're personal friends of theirs. Every week thousands of us dial in, sign on to vote for them and hope our favorites are the ones to go.
Well, my favorite won this time. In fact, my favorites always win or is it they become my favorite the longer they are on the show.
Now what do we watch on Monday and Tuesday nights?

OPEN OR SHUT

Do you keep your washer machine lid open or shut when you're done your laundry? I like to keep it open, my thought is that it'll dry out better. My ex-other half likes to put it down. What way do you think is better?

Something new

I just finished something. I cross stitch and finish things into pin cushions, needle books, scissor fobs. Usually for myself or for my good friend Colleen (of Follow the Leader designs). I do alot finishing for her. So, when she told me she gave my name to someone else I was like - 'what?'. Well, I just finished an ornament for Jennifer of Ladybug Lane Designs. I was nervous, I know I do good work but what if she didn't like what I did? But I sent it to her and SHE LOVED IT. Plus the big news is, it's the ornament that will be in the Just Cross Stitched ornament issue coming out this fall. So I can't post a picture or anything - but will once the magazine is out.

Even or Odd

I got gas this morning. Nothing so spectacular about that. But I have this thing when I get gas - the amount has to end in either a 5 or a zero. So, I never have an amount that is $42.37 - it would either have to be $42.35 or I'd go up to $42.40. I don't know when I started doing that. But funny thing is, Sarah was with me once and I said to her - the total has to end in either a 5 or a zero and she was like - duh, of course. So is it generic - these little quirks we have??

Compromise

I'm looking at townhouses and I know I won't get everything I want, but what to compromise on??
Do I get a townhouse without a garage but then where to you put all your 'garage' type stuff, not to mention your car.
Do I get a townhouse that has a garage, but one that doesn't have a door to the house from the garage and you still have to go outside to enter the house - to me that kinda defeats the idea of having a garage.
Do I get a townhouse with a smaller master bath or one with a soaking tub, shower stall and that is big enough that I could hold meeting in there.
Walk in closet versus regular closets for the master bedroom.
Do I get 3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms and a loft? Or an tiny dining room and an eat in kitchen or just a larger dining room.
One with a finished basement or a regular basement. Laundry upstairs or in the basement?
Do I ignore the wallpaper and figure I can change it and what about the ugly carpet??
Too many choices. I look at a townhouse and I like it at the time but after I leave I pick it apart of all the stuff I don't like.
My sister says when I see one I like, I'll know it. I hope so.

Oscars

Here's Sarah and I accepting our Oscars for Best Daughter and Best Mom. The crowd went wild.

Thought

Why is it that I can put his dishes in the dish washer, but he can't put mine in. It's the little things that get you.

Happy New Years!! I can't believe it 2007 - it doesn't seem that long ago that it was 2000 and everyone was nervous because they didn't know what would happen. A big fat nothing happened!! But now it is 2007 and where does the time go.
Of course, you have to have some resolutions and I have them.
1 - Lose weight
2- Go the gym and exercise
3 - Blog more
4 - Learn how to put pictures on my blog
5 - Finish some projects. I have plenty of stuff done, I just need to get the finished, ie either framed, made into a pillow...etc.
Ok, I think that's enough for now. I know the first 2 are probably on EVERYONE'S list, but I try every year.

14

Just in case anyone had any doubts - Christmas is in 14 days. I'm pretty much ready - today I'm trying concentrate on getting the outside decorated. I also have to get some packages ready to take to UPS and finish up a little gift for Tuesday night. Hope everyone has a productive day.

Less than a month to go

This past weekend was Thanksgiving weekend. It was a nice day and my daughter cooked dinner (with my help). She tried different dishes (she likes to watch the food channel) but everything was good. Only 1 near disaster - the sweet potatoes weren't done until dessert. It was mostly my fault because I brought sweet potatoes that were huge!! And instead of cutting them up to cook - we just put them in whole. OH well, in the scheme of things - all worked out. I have pictures which I will post later.

We also did a traditional shopping on black Friday. We (me and Sarah) always get up and out the door and go to King of Prussia mall. Every year it seems to be getting more crowded. We actually followed someone to there car this year and asked if they were leaving. But it something we've done for years and we enjoy it. Did get alot of shopping done, which is good.

Now I just have to finish the stuff I'm making for gifts. I'm making cross stitch ornaments for my siblings and for some friends. Plus some cute coasters for my kids. Off to work some.

Lesson of the Day

Check your pockets for kleenex BEFORE you wash your clothes. You can't believe the mess it is after you wash, dry and then shake out the clothes to fold. Off to vaccum my bedroom.

VOTE FOR EMMITT

Ok, I'll confess, I'm in love with Emmitt Smith!!! LOL I love watching Dancing with the Stars - I loved it the first season it was on. I think it is fun and you see these 'stars' out of their element. Now, they are not all BIG STARS most of them are so-so stars and this show brings them back into the limelight. When this season started I thought for sure I'd want either Mario Lopez or Joey Lawrence to win. Who thought an old football player with capture my heart - but he has. This is the final week and it is between Mario and Emmitt. Mario if by far the better technical dancer but Emmitt has heart and his smile can make you weak in the knees plus he always looks like he is having a good time. So, vote for Emmitt. You can call if your home tonite or you can go to www.abc.com and to go the Dancing with the Stars site and vote until noon tomorrow (Wednesday). Maybe Emmitt can pull it off - and the under dog can come from behind and win.

It's Thursday

Well, we made it thru Halloween - and we only had 6 trick or treaters. Most of the kids on our street are all grown up. I think the youngest now on the street is in middle school (which starts at 6th grade). I didn't buy too much candy, so there's not much left.
Finished my wedding gift for the wedding I'm going to this weekend. Will post pictures soon, I promise. My son keeps telling me he'll come over and help me.....just have to find the time. My son will also be the photographer at the wedding - should be interesting. He takes BEAUTIFUL pictures and this is the first 'friend' who is using him. I know he will be do a great job. He has his own business and he has 11 weddings lined up for next year. I'm so proud of him.
Also proud of my daughter, she just completed her first marathon. I know, she's nuts. She ran in the Nike Women's marathon in San Francisco and her cause was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She picked the cause first and then found out a friend of hers from college had been diagnosed with it. Unfortunately, her friend Sawyer lost his battle and passed away last Saturday. He was only 24. She will run it again next spring in his honor. Hopefully the money raised will help find a cure.
Tonite is my stitching night. I go to my friend Becky's and there is any where from 4 to 12 of us who meet. It's lots of fun - mostly we laugh but we do get some cross stitching down.
Have a happy Thursday.

Panic

I just had a moment of panic. I'm helping my neighbor Nancy (and Sarah's old cheerleading coach and Jimmy's kindergarten teacher) with a fall fundraiser. The cheerleaders sell Yankee candles to help defray the cost of them going to Nationals which in Florida at Disney World. It is a fun trip (for both Mothers and Daughters). And Nancy does so much for the girls, so I help her up.
So this morning I'm starting to do the forms and it won't let me access my disk. Now, I'm still using 3.5 disks (I know, I know) but it kept saying it was full...and I was beginning to panic because I hadn't even printed out a hard copy of this years forms. I made a frantic call to son (whose not home) but then I figured it out myself. Pat me on the back. Figured out how to clean up the disk and now it is working. YEAH!!! (you can't see me jumping up and down.)
So now I am ready to work, just have to get the little darlings to hand them in. They were supposed to hand them in to Nancy on Thursday, giving them until Friday. Out of 30 girls, I got 4. Not a good response.

Hot/Cold Hot/Cold

Came into work this morning and was having a major hot flash!! LOL So, I turned on the air conditioning. My boss came in and is like 'it's a little cold in here' to which I replied - 'it is???' Now all of a sudden I'm cold, so off goes the air conditioning. How much longer is this going to last? Went to the GYN doctor this week (always a treat) and all is well. Have only had 1 period since the beginning of the year, so she says I am in the home stretch - LOL. They don't consider you completely done until you go a whole YEAR without a period. And I have had friends who go 11 months and then get one - doesn't seem fair.

On the cross stitch front, picked up the picture for Ann's daughters wedding gift yesterday - turned out cute. Will post picture next week because I don't want Ann to see it first. Will also post pics of 2 'Our 1st Christmas' ornaments I did. Now I am working on a sampler for a Nov 4 wedding. It's working up pretty fast.

On the knitting front, I am working on a wash cloth which I am bound and determine to finish. I just don't find knitting relaxing yet - hopefully soon. I have finished 2 washcloths - crocheted and have another one half done. Think I might x-stitch some towels and give as gifts at Christmas. Don't know yet.

Wonders

Well, I bought 2 Christmas gifts this week. It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 105 days until Christmas. I saw these 2 items and thought of my kids. So I got them. I can't say what they are on the off chance my kids read my blog. I honestly doubt it - I think I shocked both of them when I told them I had one. So lets just say what I got is perfect for both of them.

I found out this week that my daughter has an assistant. I have never in my life had an assistant - mostly I was the assistant. My kids are doing so much more than I ever did. My son has his own business, I would never had the nerve to do that. To take that kind of chance.
I am so proud of both my kids!!

Goes so fast

I just read my friend Lauren's blog that her little boy just started first grade and he delicately asked her to let him walk to and from the bus by himself. Like a knife to the heart - and so starts the chipping away at the umbilical cord!! LOL I remember those days, watching the clock until it was time for them to come home - the day never seemed so long!! Then comes the time towards the end of grade school, when you are not allowed to hug or kiss them any place some one might know them. It gets a little better when they start high school, because that magic age of 16 is coming and they want to get there drivers license, so they kiss up some. And the it's high school graduation and they leave for college, and if you think putting them on a bus was hard, leaving them in a 6 x 8 dorm room is even hard - and they are pushing you out the door so they can be ON THEIR OWN. And then, you've done such a great job, they get married or they get a job in NYC - and leave you again, not realizing how far that umbilical cord can stretch!! LOL It's still attached but it's just a little string now. It's really hard to shake your Mom!! I guess because it's a rainy day here it's making me wish for the old days...Enjoy them while they are young.

Let's see if this works

Already did one thing one - just posted a title!! I hit enter instead of tab!! LOL. Here are the pictures of my Lizzie Kate ornaments - they are called the 12 Blessings of Christmas. I have 10 done - there are only 10 out - 2 more to go.
Ok, didn't up load quite how I wanted but I got them up here. Will post the finished ornaments later.

Lety

Can't knit

Ok, it's be established that I can't knit. I am bound and determined to learn. So tonite I decided to cast on a washcloth and try again. Well, I can't knit. I can cast on - but I can't even get one row done. The cast on is so tight, I can barely get the needle thru to do a stitch. I tried twice - with the same results. Hopefully someone can tell me how not to cast on so tight. So, after failing to knit, I started a crochet washcloth. In bright yellow - so cheerful.

On the cross stitch front, (will try to post a picture tomorrow) I'm caught up with my Lizzie Kate ornaments - at least with stitching them, still have to put the together. I'm also doing a 'Our 1st Christmas' to give at a bridal shower next month. Am going to try to make 2 and give one to Alicia and Evan with their wedding gift - don't tell Ann.

I did it

Well, I finally did it. I went to the gym today. I haven't gone in weeks using various excuses to talk myself out of going. My favorite excuse was 'It's to hot and humid to go'...I used that one alot. But it was hot and humid and who wants to go exercise and get even more sweaty. And by the time I got home from work I was just to tired to go. But I finally ran out of excuses plus it kills me to see the gym fee posted to my account and realize I'm paying for something I'm not using. So, I went to the gym today and I feel better for having gone.

Trying to blog more - but what to write. Today I had a Longaberger basket party. I always have one in August for their Horizon of Hope basket. It the basket they make for breast cancer and they give a portion of the money from each basket to research. Since I lost a good friend to breast cancer, I feel this is my little way of helping. I also get a cross stitch kit every month from Elegant Stitch (www.elegantstitch.com) from Esmeralds friends. All done on the same pink fabric and could be stitched in 1 night - I said could be - LOL It usually takes me longer. But they are so cute.
But back to my party - it was a good party. I get lots of free baskets which is good - and we all had a good time. It's always a good day when you spend time with friends.

Finished

Well, I finished the wedding sampler for Ann's daughter Alicia. Just have to get it framed and then I'll take a picture and post it. Probably not until closer to the wedding because I want it to be a surprise.

I'm working on Lizzie Kate's 2006 flip it series, which is an Christmas ornament a month. It would have been so much easier if I had kept up with thru the year, but what fun is that. I have all the finishing materials, so I just have to finish stitching them.

I'm also going to try to knit a wash cloth. Theresa was working on a pattern that looked very cute, so I'm going to try to knit again. Hopefully I won't want to stab myself with the needles - LOL. I'm bound and determined to knit something. The SnB group is doing a KAL (knit along) on this beautiful shawl but I figure I should actually finish something before I try that.

Who likes thunder

I don't like thunder and lightning. It scares me. It always has. I can remember once sitting in the bathroom with my son (he was 18 months!) and it thunder jumped up and I ran out into the hallway and then was like 'oh no, your the Mom now, you have to be brave'!! We have had some real thunder storms this week, even during the day!! Lost power last night for about 4 hours and tonite is was cable.

Which is why I watched 2 movies tonite. Couldn't tell you the last time I did that. I watched the movie FAILURE TO LAUNCH a cute romantic comedy. And who couldn't watch a movie with Matthew McConaughey in it. He is so cute!! And then I watched one of my favorite movies (my all time favorite movie is THE WAY WE WERE - but tonite I watched A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN. I love that movie. I watched movies and cross stitched. Finished up something for my sister, will put that in the mail tomorrow. And then I have to finish up my wedding sampler and start thinking about a baby gift. So much to do -

What a week

Well, we had quite a week here in. A major heat wave with temperatures in the high 90's, a thunder storm on Tuesday night that knocked power out. For me only 3 hours, can't really complain but my son and his wife were with out power for about 30 hours, some other friends 48 hours and on the news they say some people won't have power until Sunday. I can't imagine that. I know I was at a loss at what to do. The fact that it was night and dark make it more difficult. We lost power again for 2.5 hours on Thursday afternoon and at least I could keep my self busy cross stitching.

Speaking of cross stitching, I had a cross stitching retreat this past weekend. A bunch of us - 10 in fact - got together at our friends Susan house who lives out in Brookville PA. We had a great weekend of catching up, stitching, eating, stitching, laughing, stitching...you get the drift. I always get inspired after one of my stitching weekend. We have some much fun. I got started on my wedding gift. Hopefully I'll make good progress stitching on it this weekend. Also am working on this cute coaster kit for my daughter. They have drinks on them - a cosmo, long island ice tea etc. Very cute.

Keep cool.

It's Wednsday

Thought I should up-date. Not much has happened in the month or so since I last posted. Was never good at keeping a dairy/journal. And I never know what to write about, what anyone would want to read about in my life. Plus, who knows if anyone ever reads this - I should think of it just for me.

Well, my daughter Sarah moved into her second apartment in NYC, it has a living room, kitchen and 2 bedrooms (plus bath). That's what I did the first Saturday of this month. Told her I'm way to OLD to be doing this. It is in a nice building and she has a brand new kitchen and bathroom. I honestly think she has more cabinets in her kitchen than I do. But we got her in and settled. Considering that her bedroom in this apartment is about the size of her whole old apartment - she's moving on up.

This past weekend was a cross stitch one. On Saturday, I got together with some friends and we stitched the day away and then went out to dinner. It was a fun day and I finished up one project, my daisy coasters and started on another set. Then on Sunday, my friend Colleen and I did a stitching in the park day with a shop up in Limerick, Just Cross Stitched. Had a delightful day, meet new people. The speaker was another friend, Nicole. Talked about her business, how she gets ideas from her head to paper. She also encouraged us to try our hand at designing something. All and all, a delightful day. I have so many projects and ideas, never enough time. Really should sit down and organize all my projets of what I want to get done and when. I do know I have to stitch a wedding sampler for a friends daughter for her wedding in September - should pull out the threads and get started on it.
Off to get some stuff done. Have a great day.

Vote Today

Home today because my car is in the shop. Don't you love it, you're driving down the road and all of sudden your car just stops!! Of course, to make it more special, it has to be pouring rain outside. That's what happened to me Sunday night, my son had to come rescue me and follow me to the repair place and then bring me home. Talked to the car place yesterday afternoon and it has something to do with the rear brakes. Hopefully they will fix it and I can get it today.

Today I'm doing something I've never done before - working at the polls. I'm going to be a 'poll watcher'. Not quite sure what that is but will find out today and tell you later. I've never done anything like this before and I must have had a weak moment when my neighbor called and asked me to help out. But, if anything it should be interesting. So, get out and vote today - maybe you'll see me.

Things in the past

Thought I'd put in pictures that I've taken but haven't been able to put in. We went to Martha Stewart show and had a great time. This is a picture of me standing in front of a picture of Martha and her dog. I think they should have a cut out stand up of Martha - wouldn't that be fun.


The other picture is of Sarah and me that we had the lady behind us take. You can see part of the set over Sarah's shoulder. Have to figure out how to load the pictures ..I guess that can be trial and error.

We had a great day yesterday, one of the SnBer's Rosie had us up to her house for breakfast and stitching/knitting day. Some of the ladies went up Friday night (in fact all but 2 of us went up Friay night)and had a slumber party!! A good time was had by all.

Hope everyone has a Happy Mothers day.

Look what I learned

My son came over today and taught me how to get the my pictures out of my digital camera (ok, stop laughing!!). So, I'm going to try loading a picture. Remember I told you about the lamb cake I make for Easter - well, here it is. Isn't that the cutest thing!!

Lauren - this is for you

Well, I wast told last night I hadn't updated my blog in awhile.
So, here goes. Not much new in my life for the past month. I'm into cross stitching small things - did a few scissor fobs - which a small and quick to you get the feeling of finishing something. I forgot to take pictures of them - not like I know how to insert a picture yet. Made a little sampler for my neice Rachel who is making her first Holy Communion this week. It's at the framers so she'll get it a week late but I do have a medal for her.
I know this is short - but Lauren I updated it!! And I'm too tired to think of anything else right now.

Well, I went to my Merry Cox class and had a great time. I haven't finished my piece - it's just a matter of sitting down and doing it. Merry has little tips on how to finish things. It always amazing me how far people come to go to one of her classes - we had 3 people in our class from ENGLAND!! It is nice to meet people from around the country who share your passion for cross stitch. I promise I will finish my box and post a picture.
Tomorrow is a big day - I'm going to a taping of a Martha Stewart show. My daughter Sarah won 2 tickets and I get to go with her. Will go up this afternoon - if not I'd would have had to get up at 3:15 to get there on time. We need to be there by 8 AM. I am so excited. She is having on Sheryl Lee Ralph from ER - I don't recognize her from ER - but I do remember seeing her in other things. Then the 5 brother/sisters who went to Jillard are preforming and she is also doing her cooking class. Then we received an email, and they want the audience to stay because they putting together a show to air during the summer. So, I'll be on TV again. Well, let's hope you can see me - I'll be the one in the pink sweater!!