Not a Great Day

Didn't sleep well last night and am feeling incredibly cruddy today. Been nauseous all morning and it's all I can do to keep food down right now! No fun. Finally was able to finishing entering all my new charts and gadgets into the computer at the store that arrived this week. So much fun stuff! Still need to price them and get them on the floor, but again with this whole tired/sick stuff, I can't find the energy.

I had a customer yesterday mention the message board at 123stitch.com and felt a tad guilty that I haven't been keeping up with it. So after reading everyone's updated blogs I trudged on over there only to find a crochet afghan I want to do! For those of you that don't know, 123stitch.com is a cross stitch site. Go figure. So, I downloaded the magazine from e-patternscentral.com and printed the pattern. Guess I'll be hitting up the yarn stash this evening. Just what I need - another project! I think I have something like 6 or 7 cross stitch projects going right now, and I won't even mention the number of crochet and knit UFOs that have been sitting on the back burner since I picked up cross stitch again.

Guess I should really get back to work, and try to eat something as well. So, I'll close with a few pics of my cross stitch WIPs.

Happy stitching (or crocheting, or knitting, or whatever craft you do)!

Peppermint Twist by Blue Ribbon Designs



For This Child by My Big Toe



Jardin d'Jour by Needlemania

Wondering Where I've Been?

I've been working! Yeah! The store is up and running and I'm loving every minute of it. I have a Blog there, so I've mostly been updating that instead of this. Oops! Check out the stores website, blog, forums, and online store and let me know what you think! I'll try to get back into a routine of updating here as well, but no guarantees, so save my stores blog as a favorite too!

Pictures

Ok, so I figured out where my pictures were! They were on my phone... Therefore, they are not the greatest. And the Stitching with Friends wasn't complete at time of the picture. Guess I'll just post them now, and one I get that one back from the shop I'll post an updated picture, as well as a new picture of Housework in it's frame...







I figured by now I'd be back into my crochet and knitting, since it's getting cooler out, but there's way too much cross stitch that needs to be done for Christmas, so I guess those WIPs are gonna have to stay the way they are for a while longer yet. Maybe one day I'll find a way to do it all!

Cross Stitch

As you know, I've picked cross stitching back up again earlier this year. And I must say that I've grown rather addicted! Been spending more time stitching then anything else, and have finished three projects so far. Of course, I still have many, many more to go... I wonder if I can remember how to upload pics on this thing... the first one I finished was "Hawaiian Islands Map" by Chris Faye. I then did "Housework" by My Big Toe for my friend Juanita, and "Stitching With Friends" by Glory Bee for my friend Isabel. All are framed and gorgeous. I don't have pictures of Juanita's and Isabel's framed though. Will have to get those soon. Isabel's is currently on display at our local store. Woohoo! Here are the pics... Or maybe not. Can't find the darn things on my computer! I guess you'll have to wait until I figure out where the heck they are.

I have many WIPs going right now, including "Caring Wings" and "Circle of Friends" by Mirabilia, and "Joy" Christmas ornament by The Sweetheart Tree. The ornament is for an ornament swap at the shop. Don't know what I was thinking when I picked that one up, but it's gonna look awesome when done!

Now I'm gonna work on finding those pictures and getting that ornament done!

The Break Is Over! (I think...)

hello! how is everyone doing? is anyone still out there?!?!? kyle decided to start a blog (We Keep the Change) for us for our experiment in finding change, and he's inspired me to sign back in to blogger. i didn't realize it's been almost two years!!! things have been kind of insane over the last couple of years, but i know that's no excuse. somehow i'll find a way to catch you all up on what's been going on! lots of projects started and completed. i even decided to pick up a cross stitch again. i know, it's been a while (like 20 years) but i found something that i just had to make for kyle, so i'm working on it. i'll post pics when it's done and i've given it to him (look for pics in september). mom and dad finally made it out here to texas. moved in december of '08. went to a cross stitch store with mom yesterday and found my next project to kyle's dismay. lol. why i though cross stitch would be cheaper then crochet, i don't know. anyways, the hooks, needles, and yarn have been temporarily put aside. but, that's just the recent news. i'll catch ya up with pics soon!

New News

Ok, so most of you already know that I've been travelling a lot, and when I travel, I rarely have time to update my blog. Sorry! Not a lot has happened, so you haven't missed much. All the exciting stuff (if you want to call it exciting) has all come about since this past Friday (last week).

So, #1, and by far the most important, I went to see my ortho again for the hematomas from the accident. Not really a good visit. He basically told me that he has seen no change and that my body has done all the healing that it plans on doing in it's own. Uhhh, ok. What does that mean? That means surgery to drain the hematoma's. Not good. For those of you interested, the surgery is this coming Tuesday (the 23rd). They will be keeping me in the hospital for 2-3 days to make sure I don't get any blood clots and that the cavities from the hematoma's don't fill back up again. Then I'll be home for at least a week until my post-op appointment on Nov. 2nd. We'll go from there depending on how things are healing and whatnot. On Friday, I wasn't looking forward to this. BUT I started having pain on Friday and it's progressively gotten worse (i called the doc begging for pain pills on Wed and I have a hight tolerance for pain) and now it's to the point that I can barely walk. I tell ya, I can't wait for that surgery now! Can't quite figure out why the pain has come back and that bothers me. But, I'm trying not to worry too much about it now. Anyways, enough about that.

Update #2: I finally got my invite to Ravlery! Yeah! I'm so very excited. And I'm thinking that I'll have plenty of time after my surgery to get things up and running there. And to check it out more.

That's it. All that time and nothing interesting other than those two things. Sigh.

So Exhausted

Well, I've been travelling for work again. Was in Texas City two weeks ago, Odessa last week, and will be in Texas City again for the next two weeks. Needless to say, my weekends have basically been filled with unpacking, doing laundry, cleaning house and re-packing. No time to do anything exciting. The Texas City work has been office work, which was fine, but Odessa was my first time out doing field work since the accident, and I think it was a little much for me so soon - I was hurting by Wednesday already. Ugh. And this weekend I have hardly been home either. Kyle decided he wanted to go geocaching today. Had a plan to do 15 caches so I can finally reach 200. I think we found five. Not a good caching day. I must say, though, we didn't actually look for all 15 caches though. Some of them were in questionable places, or in areas we passed and decided not to turn around to go find. Guess I should go log my caches. What I really want to do is sleep. Gotta get up at 4:30 to exercise before heading to the airport. Ick.

Ok, can hardly keep the eyes open. Taking my unfinished socks with me in hopes of having some time and energy to work on them. Maybe I'll have one done by the time I get home on Friday.... Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still around!

It's a Girl!

While being distracted by football today, I did manage to put together one of my two Baby Snow Dragon. Kyle wanted a dragon that looked like Elliot from Pete's Dragon and this is what happened! I do believe that Elliot had a baby girl! I think she's the cutest of the animals so far. Heading to Texas City tomorrow, so won't be able to put the other one together until next weekend. Dang football. At least the Packers, Chargers AND Steelers won! Let me know what you think of Baby Ellie, and have a great week!

More Faces Only a Mother Can Love

Ok. Made the Aerial Pig the other day and again, I am quite proud of my accomplishment. Of course, he's sitting on the end of the coffee table looking scary right now. Yet another face only a mother can love! Here's a pic of my piggy with my nekkid sheep...



And, of course, the title of this post wouldn't be accurate without these pictures!





And then we move on to what I've been up to this weekend...



Now, some of you will know exactly what this is and what it's going to be, and some of you are probably thinking WTF? I guess you're just going to have to wait and see! I've got a few more pieces to make before assembly, so I'll be working on that while watching football. And maybe, just maybe, there will be another post at the end of the day...

Go Packers and Chargers!!!

Weigh In Day #1

Well today was my first weigh in day after starting the Body for Life Program. I got up every morning at 5, did my required exercises (I'm proud of myself for that), ate 6 portion sized, healthy, balanaced meals daily, and drank 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. So now tell me, how could I have gained a pound, and 2% body fat? I could understand gaining weight if I had lost body fat, but to gain body fat? I haven't even eaten cheese this week! And you all know how I love my cheese. I just don't get it.

Nekkid Sheep

Seeing how there was an official mascot for International Crochet day, and the pattern was available, I decided I needed one to carry with me as a reminder of the upcoming holiday! He's my first stuffed animal, so he's a little wonky, but I think he's cute anyways. Probably one of those situations where only a mother can think he's cute, but oh well! Without further ado, here he is!



Pattern can be found here. Go and make your own International Crochet Day mascot!

International Crochet Day!

Mr. Jimbo is trying his hardest to start a new holiday dedicated to crochet, and I'm here to help promote it! What am I gonna do? I'm going to let EVERYONE I know about it! And they're going to tell EVERYONE they know about it! And so on and so forth. Any friends and family interested in learning (I know of a few)? I'm here to help in whatever way, shape, or form! So go out, grab a hook and some yarn, and start crocheting! I was hoping I could use my floating holiday this year to sit around and crochet all day, but, alas, my company is sending me to a clients office that week and I am unable to. So, after work that day I plan on sitting in my hotel room and crocheting my little heart out until I can't crochet anymore. Have yet to figure out what I'm going to make, but whatever it is will be going to charity. Guess I should pick a charity first, eh? So, ideas and suggestions are welcome! I also know what YOU are going to do to honor and promote International Crochet Day!

In other news, I have an FO!!!! Bet you would never have guess that, eh? I made Kimberly's Sideways Lace Scarf and I think it turned out great! I used Bernat DenimStyle in a color whose name I can't read off the label. lol. The pattern in the yarn makes it a little difficult to see the pattern in the scarf, but I loved the yarn - it's so soft and snuggly! I found another nice soft and snuggly yarn to make another scarf out of, but it's just too fuzzy. It was one of Hobby Lobby's yarns, and it was on sale, but now I have two skeins of it and I have no idea what to do with it. Maybe tomorrow I can take a picture of the yarn and give ya'll the stats so you can help me out. I know you are all brilliant and have great ideas!

Ok, I need to go prepare the strawberry cheesecake for dessert so I can do some crocheting. So, I'll leave you with the pics of my scarf! Sorry the full length picture is a tad blurry. I'll have to try re-taking it sometime. I want to make more so if anyone wants one, shoot me a comment! Have a great night!





Oh yeah - added the second strip to my afghan. Don't remember if I told ya or not. But, here is the pic of that too!

Some Better Pictures

Kyle was a real sweety yesterday and bought me one of those LCD picture frames for our anniversary. But, no only did he do that, he scanned several of our wedding photos and loaded them, along with photos from other great times we've had together, into the frame. He also loaded in our wedding song and the song that was played while our guests were being seated so they play when you're viewing the slideshow. Isn't that just so wonderful? It made me cry. Anyways, I had him email me some of the pictures that he scanned so I can post a couple of better pictures. Here they are!

First off - Kyle waiting for the wedding to begin. Like the sunglasses?



Me in the gazebo...



Me and Kyle (my favorite picture)...



and the whole family...

Today

...is hubby's and my anniversary. Happy Anniversary to us! 3 years down and many more to go. Love you baby! Muah!

Here's a picture of us on this day in 2004 with Kyle's parents. The lighting is kind of off, but it's the best one I have and I can't fix it here.



One of these days I'll figure out how to post clickable images....

It Has Begun!

So, I went to my annual physical this past Friday and was informed that I had gained 23 pounds over the past year. 23 POUNDS!! How could I have let that happen? And that doesn't count all the weight that I had lost and gained back after many failed attempts at weight loss. Not good. The doctor suggested the Body for Life program by Bill Phillips. I bought the book a long time ago, read it, but never went through with it. I decided that now is the time. And what's perfect about my timing is a new challenge begins tomorrow! And a co-worker is interested in doing the program with me. So, we started today! I got up, did my upper body workout and have been eating balanced meals every couple of hours. And I'm determined to stick with it for the whole 12 weeks. We bought my sisters home gym from her and purchased a stationary bike from Academy. I'm all set and ready to go! Wish me luck! I'll keep you updated on how I'm doing and if you're lucky, I'll post my before and after pictures at the end of November!

Hope everyone is having a great Labor Day Weekend!

One Strip Down...

Four to go! My newest WIP - Diamond and Rings afghan from Blue-Ribbon Afghans. I've made one already for a Secret Pal Swap and just loved making it. So, I was looking for a good pattern to help decrease my stash while using my size I Jimbo hook that I won back in June, and I found this pattern to be perfect! I found the first one I made a little long, so decided to cut about 1/3 of the length off and now I think it's just tad too short for me. Think I may just have to give it away and make another one for myself. Anyone want it?





Don't worry, the ends will be woven in before it gets shipped...

In other news, look what I got today!



If features this:



I'm so excited. Took me a while to find it, but find it I did! Congratulations again Jimbo!

And speaking of Jimbo, I got this Friday...



Woohoo! Actually, the one on the left is my I hook that for some reason never made it into my blog. I think I was just too excited to have it that I couldn't stop using it long enough to take a picture! It's made from the famous apple tree at the crick. The one on the right is the one I just received yesterday. It's size K and made of briar. I know this picture doesn't do either of the hooks justice. They are so smooth and so gorgeous, and I love usint them! Now, if only I can get my hands on an H hook, I may get inspired to finally finish that Cathedral afghan I started 2 years ago... Unfortunately, I keep getting outbid after I have retired for the evening. Oh well, one day. There's a contest going for an H hook right now, so maybe I'll win it. Yeah right. Maybe that's wishful thinking - I never win anything! Wish me luck anyways.

Ok, gotta get back to working on the afghan. Have a great rest of the weekend!

For the Tea Lovers

Ok, just a quick post because I don't have much time right now... I know if have several tea lovers reading my blog out there, and this post is for you! Thanks to mom and dad, I have discovered the best loose leaf tea available on the market. And I've had some great teas - Adagio and Republic of Tea are two of my favorites. But this one surpasses them all. It's called Teavana. Go check out their website, and if they have a store near you, by all means, go to it! You can smell and taste the teas. Unfortunately, I don't have one near me, so I had to pick from what sounded good, and I was far from being dissapointed! (Except I stupidly picked a fall mix of teas and while it is still wonderful, it's just not a summer tea). Well, that's about it for now! Gotta run. Mom is in town this week (she got here yesterday - remind me to tell you what happened with that) and we're running around today. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

I Was Just Thinking...

(dangerous, I know) that maybe some of you would rather see a family picture instead of one of just the parents and their grandkids... So, here ya go - unfortunately Kyle didn't make it :(

I'm Back!

And most of you probably didn't even know that I was gone...About two weeks ago (well, it will be two weeks on Friday), I loaded myself onto a southwest flight and headed out to California for a short vacation. Dad decided he wanted to have a surprise birthday/retirement party for my Mom and ask my sister, her hubby, her sons, and myself and Kyle to come out for it. As Kyle had just started a new job, he couldn't go, but the rest of us did! They came home from Vegas Saturday afternoon to approximately 75 people waiting for them. Us kids were the last to show ourselves and she was shocked! She had absolutely no clue whatsoever. It was so cool, and tons of fun. We were all scheduled to come back home on the following Tuesday, but since I've had no work to do lately because of my injury, I decided to stay longer and come home on Friday. I can't tell you how nice it was just to hang out with the folks! It was hard to leave.



Speaking of my injury, while I was in California, my hematomas finally decided to start decreasing in both size and pain! I couldn't believe it. Not sure what I did for that to happen, but whatever it is, I want to keep doing it! I've actually been in the office this week. Yeah! I go back to the dr. on Friday for an update. I'll let ya'll know how that goes.



Anyways, I'll leave ya with a picture of the parents and their grandkids from while we we in Cali.

Yeah, I'm Still Alive

But a lot has happened since I last posted! Well, maybe not really a lot, seeing how I've basically been confined to the house for the last month. The month before that wasn't all exciting either - basically travelling someplace different every week for work, and getting tired of it. So, when I got sent to Louisiana a month ago, I said enough was enough and got hit by a truck. A month ago today. Hence being confined to the house. Now, before you freak out, I'll tell you that I didn't break anything, and nothing was fractured. Basically I'm alright. There was major bruising and I have a lump on each of my thighs that the doctors are calling hematomas. They're unsightly, they hurt like hell, and they say it'll take 6 months to a year to heal. That means sitting at home with my feet up and ice on the boo boos whenever possible. Fun fun fun! Work has been great for me, and has sent some stuff here for me to do at my request so I don't go too crazy. Though it's hard to have the laptop or keyboard on my lap. The workers comp doctors haven't been so great, but I'll get into that later.

So, what exactly happened, you ask? I was on a job site logging soil borings from the tailgate of my rented pickup truck when one of my subs backed their F-350 1 ton duelly up to about 6-8 feet away from me. He put his truck in park, left it running, and started to get out. The truck then slipped out of park and into reverse, the door knocking him down, and the truck backing up right into me and pinning me between the two vehicles. It hurt. It hurt bad. But, I have to be extremely thankful that most of my height is legs, and I had an extra 6" due to my steel toe boots. If I hadn't had the boots on, or if I were a little shorter, it would have crushed my pelvis. Things being the way they were, I got crushed where I carry most of my weight and where the largest bones of the body are. I got lucky, very lucky. The following pictures are of my rental truck. The two trucks never touched each other.

Anyways, that's about all that's been going on in my life lately. I've been working on a few projects, read a few books, and slept when I can. Just thought I would update everyone while I was awake/aware enough to do it. Here are some of my WIPs (I don't have a picture of the most recent one that I started) and my one project that I actually finished.

This is a crocheted shawl using Rainbow boucle. I decided after this picture was taken that it needed fringe. Not sure how I feel about it, but it's nice and warm and I love the pattern. My most recent FO.

My first attempt at socks! I'm so clost to being done, but got tired of dealing with 5 needles. Maybe I'll get the inspiration to finish at least one sock and that will give me the inspiration to make a second one!

And my knitted self-fringing shawl that I have been working on FOREVER! Every now and again I get it under my skin to work on it, but I get about two rows done and can't bring myself to work on it anymore. It will get finished, eventually.

So, that's it on my end. Hope everyone is doing much better then me. I'll get into what's going on with the doctors later. I need to get this keyboard off my lap now :)