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.