A Quick update

Just a quick update before I go out to dinner......Trick or Treat Fairy is framed and home..... I chose a muted orange suede mat with a metal frame that looks like a spider web...The suede mat is just gorgeous!!!! The first picture shows the fabric better and the second shows the whole picture but washes out the fabric... and

Next is one of two new starts the Stitching fairy from PR she is in her catalog that comes with orders....I chose to do her in an orange overdyed that I fell in love with Phoenix Rising Silk 'N Colors by Thread Gatherer. A bit bright but I am loving it.....I have to look up the fabric but it is a PTPlus 32ct fabric And next is Salem Remembered by The Primitive Needle a bit different but I fell in love with it. Done on PTPlus 36ct Heritage fabric...

And this beauty was calling my name so I pulled her out..... I just love her face!!!!!! I love Fairy Moon!!!!! I need to stitch her more......

I am grateful for joy in my life.....

Wow.......

Let me start by saying thanks to all who commented on my last post! 36 in total!!!! That is a new record for me!!!!! I am amazed at all the wonderful people I have "met" through this blog and so appreciate your visiting me!!!!!
I am still here and have been stitching unfortunately have not taken any recent pictures. So I posted a picture a dear friend sent from about 2 years ago. I can't believe I was that blonde......but I was. I do like the length so that is my new goal. ... And yes that is DH and my friend Andrea. We met under extraordinary circumstances and have remained friends for what feels like forever! She is firmly embedded in my heart as is her family!!!!

As I said I have been stitching and all will be revealed in another post.....so please bear with me. I truly hesitated writing at all since I didn't have pictures but my need to post won out. My Cinderella Sampler is coming along and I did start a Salem Sampler and am thinking of another new start ..one of PR's freebie fairies. Trouble is I have a low level migraine that is messing with my sleep...either I sleep not at all or too much......so it was an afternoon nap for me today so I'm sure I'll be up into the wee hours tonight......

I want to say hello to Deb who hasn't been feeling well lately! My thoughts are with you and will e-mail or call soon.

PS ....TOTF is still at the framers but she will be home soon and I'll post a picture then.

I'm off to stitch a bit and grab a cup of tea.............but first I received this from Karen in an email and wanted to share it with everyone so please indulge me :

"Remember...a layer of dust protects the Wood beneath it.

'A house becomes a home when you can write 'I love you' on thefurniture.'

I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things

were just perfect - 'in case someone came over'

Finally I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!

NOW, when people visit, I don't have to explain the 'condition' of my home.

They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.

Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must ....... but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake cookies or a cake and lick the spoon or plant a seed, or ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time . . . . with beer to drink , rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead. (and stitching to be stitched...my addition)

Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain.

This day will not come around again. Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. . . And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust! It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived."

I am grateful for lazy days just wandering around...

She's done!!!!

I am thrilled that Trick or Treat Fairy is done!!!!! Over the weekend I beaded and beaded and beaded for 2 straight days! I was determined to say the least! We even had company for dinner on sunday and I was able to finish her up!!!! I am so in love with her and will be able to get her framed as my dear MIL gave me $$ towards whatever I want for being so nice the past 6 weeks and I want her framed!!!! I added the silver spider to the large web on the bottom left corner since it seemed natural that a spider web have a resident!!!! Here she is ... Trick or Treat Fairy by Nora Corbett from the magazine Cross Stitch and Needlework
She is done on 32ct Crystal Flash linen by PTPlus fabrics. The fabric just called to me...so Halloweeny!!!!

Amazingly enough this is my 200th post!!!!! I've made many friends though this blog and cherish everyone of you!!!!! We have such a friendly community here in blogland and I am so glad to be part of it!!!!

This is also our 3rd wedding anniversary!!!! So we are going out to dinner tonight with my dear MIL and her DBF. We have reservations at B&B in the Venetian! It's Mario Batali's restaurant!!!! I've heard noting but good things about it! It is also their last night here so we thought a trip to the Strip we be good!!!

I've already had a hard Pilates workout this am and feeling good....getting stronger everyday!!!! I am focusing on my abs at the moment and am finding I can do more than ever before......now to lose a few lbs!!!! I do love Pilates and am thinking of getting the Pilates chair that they advertise on late night TV.....I think Susan Lucci advertises it......might be worth it! We'll see!

Happy Halloween to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am grateful for joy in my life......

Soup's on

I have been wanting to sit and write for days now but between work and my MIL's visit and being just plain tired it hasn't happened. Thankfully no migraines for at least 2 weeks now. We have seen 2 shows in the last week the first Bette Midler at Caesars!!! All I can say is she was incredible beyond all imagining!!! And then last night we saw Johnny Mathis at the LV Hilton! I just love him and his voice so many memories. So today it's a lazy day I just put on my Butternut squash soup and am taking time for me to update this sorely neglected blog......

Last sunday it was the Annual Stitcher's Retreat organized by my LNS and two sisters at a local golf course!!! I look forward to it every year and this year it was no different! I love seeing what everyone has brought and is stitching on and there were a lot more needlepointers. All in all about 45 people were there and I had so much fun. They serve a buffet breakfast and lunch and then there is a raffle drawing...look what I got... It looks like fun!!!! Then that night it was Bette Midler!!!!!! In addition to working 4 out of 5 days but it was all worth it. What made it even better was that the retreat was on my sister's anniversary so I got to spend the day stitching and just remembering her!!!!

Now on to some updates..... first up isTrick or Treat Fairy.... I am doing the Kreinik now and having so much fun...I may just have to finish her up!!!! Next is a new start from Rosewood Manor .... I am doing it with our last name... It is stitching up fast just a week to do that block...I've already started the next one in a pretty red and will alternate the blocks. and then we have Ocean's Daughter !!!!! So I have been stitching and plan to tonight as well!!! Although Fairy Moon is calling my name so I may just bring her out tonight....

I must say that I went red....my hair that is and am loving it!!! I am feeling vibrant and happy. Sometimes a change is good....as well as getting my belly button pierced yesterday....amazingly it didn't hurt and I'm being hypervigilant about keeping it clean!!!! See what happens when you turn 50 or at least when I turn 50!!!!! I also have a picture or two from the pool the other day....... Here I am with my niece and her DBF and Storm!!! And a group shot of us looking serious with my MIL and her DBF... Not bad for October 16th.......My niece was on her way to California to live!!!!! And stopped by for a few days on her way..... I am thrilled since she will be closer and we plan many visits together!!!!

Well I need to go check on my soup so I'll sign off her and promise more later......

I am grateful for being migraine free.....

Where do I begin????

I have to say that I have missed posting. Disneyland was wonderful! My goddaughter is an absolute joy and full of love and peace and wonder! She truly restores my soul!!!! We had lots of fun. We even upgraded our 2 day park hopper into an annual pass!!!! And we promised that we'd be back lots!!!!! I truly love Disneyland

The day started off ordinary with the 4 of us going for breakfast before a planned day of fun and then I got a phone call that somewhere in my brain I knew was going to come and I'm not being morbid but I just sensed it. I posted about my favorite Aunt in July well I am so glad that I made the effort to go and see her then. We had a simply wonderful day with her which means the world to me!!!!! My brother called to say that she had passed away that morning. I just cried actually sobbed. I then called my cousin to see how she was and to see if she wanted me back in NY. She was sure that it wasn't necessary and that it was more important that I saw her when I did. Needless to say I was sad but carried on and enjoyed Disney. And now I've been flooded with memories of her which are many...... I will share one and that is that she always wore red lipstick and when she kissed you goodbye her lip print was there as proof on your cheek!!! I would give anything for that lip print right now!!!! I think I'll start wearing red lipstick in her memory. She truly was my favorite Aunt!!!!! I will always honor her in my heart!!!! Our wedding anniversary is her birthday and I planned it that way and so on 10/28 I will celebrate and honor her!!!!!!

I did the drive to Anaheim and it was good since my niece will be moving to California in a few months and we plan lots of visits back and forth!!!!! I am looking forward to having her closer !!!!!! Both of my nieces hold my heart and it will be good to connect with her more often. Maybe my homesickness will abate with her being closer! Having my dear friend and goddaughter here was definitely a plus. Making memories was so special and honoring memories is important as well!!!!

I did bring my stitching along but it never made it out of the bag......I have been stitching since our return and here is an update of my most current new start.... It is Trick or Treat fairy by NC done on Crystal Flash 32ct linen by PTPlus . I am enjoying her but need to get back to Cinderella Sampler as well as CdC!!!!

I have also been enjoying the pool and spa!!!!! Luckily we get to enjoy the pool into October as long as we put the solar cover on!!!!! Oh and we got word that my MIL will be visiting soon actually next week for about 6 weeks! I am so looking forward to her visit. She seems to think DH needs her visit but I think I actually need her nurturing as well!!!! And she will have her younger BF with her once again!!!!!

There is so much I want to say but can't think of it all right now or am just not sure how to write it so I'll sleep on it and maybe it will appear in another post......

I am grateful for my Aunt and what she meant in my life.......

Better late than.......

I am happy to be say that I finally started Trick or Treat Fairy although not on monday as planned......Some how the week got away from me and just got to stitch a little tonight. I have the floss toss that won...it 32ct Crystal Flash by PTPlus . There are 2 pics of it.... and It is a light apricot in color. I thought of doing it on darker fabric but this fabric won my heart! And next up is a picture of Cinderella Sampler.....it's on a 36ct SIlkweaver Solo... Sorry about the creases but I took it off the qsnaps for the picture! I am truly loving this !! Hopefully I will have a progress picture of ToTF next post!

Now I'd like to send out Happy Birthday wishes to Karen and Michelle who both have birthdays this week!!!!!! So Happy Birthday and I wish for you all that your hearts desire and then some!!!!!!

I went to the Red Rock overlook and just sat and talked with my sister this week. I really feel her presence there. It's an amazing place to go and it feels so right to talk with her there. I've written of my sister before so I won't go on about her now but somehow when I'm there I know she's listening. I plan to go again tomorrow!!!!! Here's a picture I took sometime last year... It's an amazing place!

I did manage to get my oil change done and a myriad of other "needed" things done like the radiator and transmission fluid changed and all the other fluids topped off and a good bath for my car since that's the car we'll be driving to Disneyland next tuesday morning...DH wants to leave before dawn.......ugh!!!!

I also stopped into TJMaxx and did really well......2 pairs of nice jeans that actually fit and 3 tops along with a pair of cute sandals.....all for an insanely low price!!!!! So I'm set for Disney and beyond! Well I'm off to bed since stitching group is just a few hours away...... Then after that it's another Pilates workout and dinner with a friend! I am planning on 4 Pilates sessions this week! I feel really good and have 3 sessions to makeup......And I am also commiting to start running again beginning on Sept 1st!!!!!! I really loved running when I lived in NY.....it's time for just me and my thoughts...nothing ever seemed too serious or insurmountable when I was running.

I am grateful for my life...........

Tomorrow

Well I have picked the fabric for Trick or Treat Fairy and have a target of tomorrow to start her!!!!! I worked on Cinderella Sampler this week and can only say that it brings me such joy!!!!!! I will post updates with pictures soon! The designer on Cinderella Sampler is Willow Hill Samplings but I will check again. I am also itching to start another big project that was originally supposed to be my Jan 1st start...where has the year gone???

I worked today and amazingly it was quiet and I was able to read and get a book almost finished...that never happens.......I was glad since I seem to be short on patience at work lately. So it's a good thing I have a short week off and am meeting my best friend and her daughter at Disneyland in like 9 short days of which 4 I have to work! And then they come back to Vegas with us. I am so excited!!!!!
I am grateful for a few days off and my upcoming vacation...............

Soon I hope

I have been planning this blogpost in my head for days now! Unfortunately I am working every other day and have had just enough energy to read and keep up with everyone's posts. I must say I miss posting! I have no pictures to show since minimal stitching has occurred. But hopefully that will change as of tonight! I have been working on Fairy Moon and plan to take Tower of Stoney Wood to SP tomorrow and work on that and this time I won't forget that symbols chart!!!

I finally got my Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine with Nora's new Trick or Treat Fairy!!!!! Here's a picture of her again.. I have all the thread and beads together and am going to do some floss tosses tonight and at SP tomorrow so I will be sure to post the pictures and see what everyone thinks!!!!!!! And since this was Nora's second chart in CS&N I went ahead and subscribed to the magazine. I also got JCS Halloween ornament issue and must say I am loving it as well....so another subscription there also!

I'm off to tea and fabric gathering so stay tuned for a floss toss post......

I am grateful for choice in my life.....

CdC update and What's this???

I just felt like posting today! I am feeling much better and worked the last 2 days. I have just today off and will work the next 2 days. Then to New York next week!!!!!! The migraine finally left after 5 days and it's amazing not to have head pain or the fogginess that always always follows. Thanks for all of your well wishes! I truly believe they helped me to feel better!

I have a CdC update to share ....it feels like this page is just working up reallly fast! And then I only have 2 pages left!!! I am enjoying this project more and more everyday! I am thrilled it called my name a few weeks ago and I listened!!!!!! Here is CdC The fabric is actually much lighter IRL . It's Silvery moon 32 ct linen!

I was on the Mirabilia Stitchers the other day and someone kindly posted about a new design by Nora Corbett!!!!! It is coming in the Sept 2008 issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine. Here is the Trick or Treat Fairy She is a beauty and I've already placed my order for the magazine at SP!!!!! I love Halloween and pumpkins and that time of year the most!!!!!! I even got married the friday before Halloween 3 years ago!!!!! It wasn't a theme wedding but my table centerpieces were pumpkins with flowers. The pumpkins were the actual vases!!!!!! I have always loved pumpkins!!!!! I am rambling so let me get back to stitching and laundry!

I am grateful for Nora and her wonderful designs.....