Thanksgiving break over....Championship Hockey games sadly ends in tears

Monday is here and the long Thanksgiving break is over. As my older son, Robert, said "when you have things to do and have fun doing them, time off from school goes by fast." Just wait until he gets even older, for time just seems to fly all the time!

Looking back, the break was fast. It was a very good one...there was time for relaxing (the boys got to enjoy a couple of sleep-in and pj-days), a time to get some things done (like the dentist and haircuts), a time for the family to be together (enjoyed the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox and a nice family-sit-down meal on Thanksgiving), it was a time for dad-son bonding and mother "me" time (having the house to myself a couple to times to exercise and stitch) and, of course, it was a time for hockey.

Speaking of hockey...you knew I had to work that in, right?...Matthew's (younger son) team made it to the Championship yesterday and it was a nail biter! At the end of the regulation time the score was 3-3 (Matthew got the first goal for his team in this game); because it was a Championship game it couldn't stay with a tie, so we went to the first Overtime. In the 1st OT, the teams play 4 on 4 (during regulation the teams play 5 on 5) for a 5 minute period. Matthew's team played hard & strong and got many chances to score, but the goalie for the opposing team just got in the way (LOL). In fact, both goalies continued to stop pucks from going in for both teams. After the 5 minute OT, the score was still tied 3-3...so we went to a 2nd OT. Not only was the excitement building, but you could see a lot of proud parent faces as all the kids played tough. This was the second game for both teams (they each had to wake up around 4 in the morning to play in the semis which started at 6:15am and this Championship game was at 11:30...so not a lot of time in between for rest).

For the 2nd OT, the teams only had 3 players out for a 3 on 3. Matthew was out and had 2 awesome breakaway chances, but just couldn't get the puck around the goalie...and just when he was going to the bench to allow another teammate go out for a shift, the other team had the puck...skated around our defense...and scored. In the last 53.7 seconds of the 2nd OT, the other team scored and won 4-3.  It was a heartbreaker for our boys. DH and I could tell that there were tears in Matthew's eyes. We knew that he would be upset about not being able to score during the OTs with his many breakaways.

During the ride home, we did let him feel his saddness, his anger...but after awhile, it was time to let him know how proud we were of him. Matthew played awesome for the whole tournament! He was consistent in the amount of energy, drive and passion for every game (in the past there were games that he was strong and then there were those games he would look like he was still at home in bed...but not this weekend). He really has stepped up to a new level in his hockey play and in a leadership role with the team. Yea, it would have been nice for him to have sunk one of those attempts during the OTs...yes, it would have been cool to be the "hero" of them game as Matthew said he wanted to be...but it didn't happen. He worked hard...the team worked hard...the game could have gone either way, but the other team won. Congratulation to the Santa Clara Blackhawks (the other team)...and congrats to the Tri-Valley Blue Devils - both teams played well and were great examples of what youth sports should be like!

The best way to get over a loss is to rake a pile of leaves and jump in!

(Matthew with Flat Lizzie - from cousin Lizzie in Minnesota)

Ok...proud momma done talking hockey! Now for a little update on MW. While I started MW on Saturday and stitched one thread's worth, I had a visit from Mr. Frog. My start was with 2 strands over 2 on a 40ct Lakeside Linen Maple Syrup. For a while I was enjoying the thickness of the design, but then it started to get a little complicated to see the holes and then the stitches just started to look "junky". I was getting that gut feeling that meant "I hate this project....this is not fun....I quit." So, Mr. Frog came...rip-it, rip-it, rip-it. I started over with 1 strand over 2 and the results are much better.

 So there is my 2nd MW start with 1 strand of Rhubarb over 2. Now I am on a roll, right?

Well, time to get going. Take care everyone and have a nice Monday and a good week. And Remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Don't forget to sign up for my Blogoversary Give-away...go to the bottom of the November 28th post to read about it and enter if you are interested in a $20 gift certificate to www.123stitch.com.

An apology...A Finish...An Weekend Hockey Update and a Blogoversary Giveaway

The title says it all, so let me start off with the apology! This goes out to Valerie of FogcityDweller...

"Valerie, my dear MW SAL partner, I didn't get a start on my MW as planned yesterday. I did spend Thursday evening, after our T-giving grilled meal, and got everything organized...just felt that I needed to get Sara's Friendship RR stitched so that I could get that in the mail in order to keep the RR's moving (as we are getting close to finishing it up)."

A Finish...Sara's Friendship RR
This week the mailperson delivered Sara's RR, and since many group members are getting antsy to finish this RR (as per "original" plan all the RR's should have been home by now).  I don't blame them, for I am anxious to get mine home and finished too (especially since I had to start over mid-way through) but life seems to get in the way of "orignial" plans most of the time. After getting all my MW supplies set up, I pulled out Sara's RR, picked my color and started to stitch my heart. I chose Threadworx Overdyed Floss #10342, which reminded me of the Fall colors on the trees outside right now (sorry about the blurry photo).

And here is the status of Sara's RR...

Now that it is completed I will be able to get it in the mail on Monday to the next person (Karen in AZ). Oh, yah...I have also finished stitching all the Christmas Ornaments for the couple of exchanges, but for some reason I have been fighting with my sewing machine during the finishing process...so I have taken a break from those; but will get back to them tomorrow evening probably (depending on what I need to do in preparation for back to school and work).

Weekend Hockey and Thanksgiving

As in some of my earlier posts, Thanksgiving holiday means hockey (the Regional Silver Sticks in San Jose, CA). Only Matthew's (youngest son) team is playing in this tournament. They have played 3 games as of this posting and have won all three. They have a game this evening and then probably the Semi-Finals & Champs (we hope) tomorrow. While most of the team families haven't been too keen on the schedule, due to having 3 very early morning games, it actually worked out nice for Thanksgiving. With a game at 8am, we were able to be back home for a noon Thanksgiving meal. Ours wasn't the traditional meal, for I each member of my family of 4 picked the protein of their choice out of the freezer (I had ordered a combo meat package from Omaha Steaks last month...pork steak, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, sole) and we fired up the grill. Aside from the proteins we had the mashed potatoes/gravy, Durst noodles, steamed green beans, mashed butternut squash and salad. Perfect size without any leftovers.

After awhile, with only us here in town, we have become grateful whenever we all are in town as we travel so much with both boys' travel hockey teams. It is a priceless moment when we can all sit down as a family at the table and have a meal - so even if we don't have a "traditional" turkey dinner for Thanksgiving, we have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal as a family. (Hopefully that all makes sense).

A Blogoversary Celebration and Giveaway

Happy Blog-o-versay to me...Happy Blog-o-versary to me!

Sorry, I just had to toot my own horn...LOL.

Today is my 1 year Blogoversary! Last October I found the blog community; spent a little over a month reading and commenting and finally on November 28, 2008 decided to start my own. Since then I have posted 179 times and have a following of 32 people. I have joined an RR with a group of wonderful women who I have come to know through their mailings and emailings. I have participated in the Year-Long Prairie Schooler Exchange and the Lizzie Kate Exchange, as well as several personal exchanges. I have met so many wonderful people by blogging and reading their blogs...now I cannot imagine my life without!

To celebrate and to show my appreciation, I have decided to host a Give-a-way....

And the Give-away prize is...

Drum Roll Please...

A $20 Gift Certificate to www.123stitch.com  

 To enter, just leave your name and email address in the comment section of this post only. If you want, you can spread the news, but it is not a requirement. I will let the sign ups go from now until Saturday, December 5. I will have one of my hockey playing sons pick the winner on Sunday, December 6 before they go to hockey practice.

Take care all...thank you for your support over the year and I am looking forward to our jouney together in the years to come!

Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often! Lisa

And it is now Tuesday...

Thank you for the comments about the boys and the bummer outcome of the games...AND about my exchange piece. Stitcheranon brought up a good point about using negative reinforcement (referring to embarrassing the team by not allowing them to change out of their uniforms and having to parade through the rink and then through the hotel). While this might not have been the best way to handle this - especially when all the boys don't necessarily get equal ice time; not all the boys are disrespectful to the coaches; not all the boys have their heads in the clouds (or thinking about playing some computer game vs. the hockey game going on)...sitting the kids who weren't mentally present for the game and/or not listening to the coaches wasn't working, which is why I believe that the drastic measure was taken - "punish" the whole team. Personally, given the activities of the evening/post-punishment (which was a team meal at Famous Dave's BBQ) - I would have used the meat/cheese/bread we had in the coolers in the bus and made sandwiches for them to eat together in the lobby of the hotel and then sent them all straight to their rooms/to bed...I guess that is why I am not a coach.

I still don't have any stitching to show due to them all being either exchanges gifts of special projects - so I apologize for not being able to share anything like that. But I was able to get some stitching done yesterday while the boys were playing outside and my banana bread was in the oven.

We had a lot of banana's supplied for the hockey weekend (close to 20 pounds) - and even though the boys did eat a fair amount, there was still a lot left. I took home about 2 doz bananas. In that banana collection, there were about 8 bananas that were "good" bananas to eat, the rest were screaming to be made into banana bread. So I took out my big ol' mixer and whipped up 4 batches or 12 loaves. I kept 3 and was able to give out 7 at practice last night and I am hoping that DH will take the last few into work to share. I usually whip up banana bread once a month because we have a lot of bananas in our house hold as they are the recovery food for my boys for after their hockey practices/games. However whenever we have a few days w/o any hockey, sometimes they start to go bad and it becomes banana bread time. Here is the recipe if you are interested:

 Hockey Monkey Banana Bread

3 bananas mashed (about 2 cups)

1-1/2 cups of sugar 

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

1/4 cup of milk

dash of baking soda

dash of baking powder

1TBS cinnamon (I don't measure, just usually dump some in)

dash ginger

dash nutmeg

1-1/2 cup of flour

Directions: Mash bananas and set aside. Measure out flour, baking soda and baking powder and set aside. Mix everything else up in a big mixing bowl. Taking turns, add a portion of the bananas and mix gently...add a portion of the flour mixture and mix...add a portion of the bananas and mix...add a portion of flour and mix...add the remaining bananas and mix...add the last of the flour and mix. The key to this bread, as I have found out, is the adding the flour and bananas little at a time and not mixing much at that point. You want to make sure that it all gets mixed up, but you don't want to over beat the batter after all the flour is added. Put the dough in greased bread loaf pans and put in a 350 degree oven for about an hour.

Well, I should go and get a few things done around the house...like sit and stitch. So at this time I will leave you with this...

just for today I will notice things that I will be thankful for...

Like the early morning walks that DH and I take together.

Like having this week with my boys at home.

Like the community I have built here in California and the blogging community on-line

Be grateful simply for being alive.  When you are grateful for life, pure and simple, your life becomes one you can be grateful for.  That may strike you as circular or even backward logic, but your attitude really does have an effect on how things work out.  When you can’t change your life any other way, you can still change your attitude.  When you do, your life changes.  You find more chances to love, and you will be surprised to see how much more love is returned to you.

Bernie Siegel

 May your Tuesday be filled with much love and happiness and remember to...
Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often! Lisa

 

Home from LA and the Hockey Weekend...and a finish to share.

I am hope for the Hockey Weekend in LA. Going down there as  'team' on a bus wasn't too bad...just got a little long last night, when we were all ready to be home. Friday night, we stopped mid-way and pulled out all the food that was brought (bread, meats, cheeses, fruit, veggies, chips, cookies) and had a little picnic on a grassy area by a gas station/convenience store. It worked out really nice. We arrived into Long Beach (southern California) around 10:30 that evening (only making it a 6.5 hour trip...not bad at all). Along the way, we were treated to the basic adolenscent movies...Wedding Crashers, America Pie, etc. Definitely brought back memories of youth group retreats - and Porky's was considered the "bad" movie at the time.

Regarding the hockey games...well the boys didn't do so well. They got shut out (0-11 and 0-12) against one of the top Bantam AAA teams in the nation and lost the third game (3-2) against a team that they probably should have beat. After the 3-2 loss, the coaches were so upset at them and "embarassed", that they felt it was important for the kids to feel that shame. So right after the game, the boys were only allowed to take off their hockey skates and then, in full gear, marched out of the locker room with their bags and sticks...single file throught the hockey rink and right to the bus. Where they had to sit, in gear (gloves & helmet too) in silence until they reached the hotel. It was so quiet on that bus, that us parents were also quiet and felt like we were also being punished. Oh well...did they learn anything? I don't know - for that evening we took them all to dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ (which was a very nice meal) and then they played that 0-12 loss game on Sunday morning.

So that was the extent of the hockey weekend. I did try and take out several different stitching projects I had - one WIP and one new one...but the bus was so bumpy at times, that I decided that it wasn't worth "trying" to work on these, because I had the feeling that I was in the wrong holes the entire time...and I don't need any frog visits during Thanksgiving! So, I decided to work on my ornament exchanges this week when I was back and on less shaker ground! So Angela P and Heather...your ornaments are getting close to being done...I definitely will have them in the mail before December 1!!!

If you made it this far on this "boring" post, your reward is coming. Even though I haven't heard from my L*K 2nd Round exchange partner, I have received permission from the organizers to show what I stitched, finished, and sent...back on October 31. "Gather a Harvest of Love" on 32ct linen using the threads called for.

I did enjoy stitching and finishing it...I hope that it did arrive there and my partner does like it. I have no bad feelings what-so-ever - because I enjoy stitching and finishing...and I have signed up for Round 3 of L*K exchange too!

The boys are already off for the Thanksgiving week. We will probably do our grocery shopping today...for I just hate when the store gets crowded. And, as it is only day one we are already having some attitude issues...gotta love those boys. LOL.

Well...time to sign off. Hope everyone's weekend was good.

Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

It is Friday...T minus 4 hours until I board the bus for LA

Friday is here...the rain storm is here...and in 2-1/2 hours I will go pick up Robert (older son) from school so that he can get into his Jr. Sharks "travel clothing" (they are required to wear a warm up suit and a Jr. Shark black polo when they travel to a game/tournament; which he will also wear all weekend) and then we will head down to San Jose Ice Rink to board the chartered bus. In the back will be the 20 hockey players and the front will contain the 2 coaches and 15 parents. We have organized a "potluck" sandwich/snack dinner which the kids will [hopefully] enjoy in route to Souther Cal. It should be interesting to see how 20 teenage boys create their own sandwiches as the bus is moving...but, at this point, once I board that bus, I plan to be "off duty!" My team manager responsibilites this weekend only consist of making sure that the scoresheets get our roster stitcker and I get my copy after the game is played...other wise I only plan on being a lazy parent


For the bus ride, I have brought the Christmas Ornament Exchanges I have been working on and then kitted up a couple of other tenative projects. The Ornament I am currently working on, I have been stitching 1 over 1 on a 28ct evenweave - so I am not sure if this is something I will be able to do on the bus. I have a little stitching light that attaches to my hoop/Q-snaps, which I just purchased because I knew that it would be dark on the way down tonight. If I can't stitch on the exchanges, I can pull out one of the kitted gifts projects to work on.


Well...just thought I would wish you all a happy weekend just incase I am not able to post anything over the weekend. Take care and remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch...OFTEN!

Lisa

It is Thursday...the night off!

It is Thursday and this evening we have NOTHING to do! YaHoo! No hockey practice to organize carpools...or hockey practice to go to. And dinner is basically made - Matthew's class had their heritage feast (something that is tradition at the elementary schools around here right before Thanksgiving vacation) and I made Irish Stew. This was the ending to a Heritage Project that was started a couple of weeks ago, consisting of a Q&A session with a relative, a 5 paragraph paper using the Q&As, a recipe that signifies the heritage of the family member highlighted, the visual photo board (which I wrote about in the November 13th post)...and then the feast. My MIL was the family member who Matthew interviewed and she wrote that Irish Stew, which typically is made with lamb meat, was made with beef and fresh veggies from the farm yard when she was growing up.So, I got some stewing beef, carrots, potatoes, onions and some beef gravy and threw it all in a crockpot with a little water for some extra moisture. This morning, I took some out so that Robert (older son) could have some for dinner...and that was a good thing because Matthew's class really enjoyed it and it was all gone!

Well, it will be nice to have this night off! I am hoping to stitch a little, as it has been a couple of days...or I might just go to bed early.

Hope you all have a nice evening. Until tomorrow, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often...Lisa

It is Wednesday...where has the week gone?

Boy, has it been a busy week - and it is only Wednesday...or...e-gad, it is already Wednesday! DH has been very busy at work with early morning meeting and late night projects, so I have been heading up the hockey activities full time this week. In a "normal" week, he comes home and takes Matthew (younger son) to his practices on Monday and Wednesday and I just have to coordinate Robert's (older son) schedule. However this week, it is double time, which really wears me out. So my nice warm bed has a tendency to hold me captive in the mornings, not allowing me to get out and get in my morning spins on the bike. But I fought back today and got this ol' body out and on the bike at 5:45am...at least I will get in a partial work out.

Anyway, this is the last week of school for the boys and work for me until after Thanksgiving Vacation. Because they have all next week off, I took the week off too. But first, before I even think of Thanksgiving and next week...I have to get through this weekend first.

This weekend Robert (older son) and his hockey team are going down to LA to play 3 games against 2 of the teams who are in their "league". We are leaving on Friday afternoon...on a bus...with the 20 players on his team....and the 2 coaches...and 15 other parents. Typically it will take us about 5-6 hours in a car - I expect this bus ride to take at least 8 hours. We will not be at the hotel until midnight. Looking forward to sitting in a bus for 8 hours - being out numbered by teenage boys. They will play 2 games on Saturday and 1 game Sunday morning, when we will board the bus after that and head home. Looking at the weater forcast, which is playing in the background as I type this, we are expecting showers and wind...oh, boy!

Oh, ya...while I don't have any stitching to show yet because I am working on some exchanges, I thought I would share with you another blog: Flat Lizzie's Adventures in California. My niece in Minnesota, who is in 2nd grade, has read the book Flat Stanley and is doing the famous activity associated with this book. Just incase you aren't familiar with this...the class reads this book about a little boy who was flattened and climbs in an envelope, is mailed and goes all over the world. So, the kids have to create a "Flat Stanley" of themselves and send it to a friend or family member who lives outside their state. Those who receive this "Flat Stanley" are asked to teach about their family & state they live in by showing and writing about "Flat Stanley's" adventures. So, I decided to blog about "Flat Lizzie's" Adventures in California...as well as send some fun samples of California to my niece to share with her class (ex. Ghiridelli chocolates, sourdough bread, fresh lemons off our tree, etc.). Then, when all the "Flat Stanley's" arrive back in the classroom, the kids locate where each had an adventure. It is a fun project for both the class and the people who are involved in the adventure.

Well...got to go. Hope your week is going well. Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Personal Ornament Exchanged - Received

Yesterday the mailperson delievered a beautiful package from Angela, with whom I have signed up to do a personal Christmas Ornament exchange...but she stitched & finished hers first (I am still working on the one I am making for her).  Anyway, I want to brag about the gorgeous ornament Angela made me - so I hired a couple of assistance to help me show it off...

Isn't it beautiful!!! The tassle (which didn't come out too well in the photos) was created out of rich maroon, gold and forest green thread, which coordinates very well with the glittery ribbon she used for the hanger. The design is called Candy Cane Wishes from the designer Plum Pudding Needlearts. Thank you so much Angela, I cannot wait to put it on our Christmas Tree, which we will get set up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Other Stitching Ramblings...

I am working on two personal Christmas Ornament exchanges right now (one for Angela and one for Heather), so I cannot show anything that I am stitching on. I was able to make it to the post office to get the CindyMae Quaker Christmas Ornament models in the mail to Cindy yesterday, so she should have them early next week. News regarding the Friendship Sampler RR...it looks like the first of 16 is on its way home. Little by little, this RR will be winding down. Mine will probably be one of the last ones completed as I had to re-introduce mine into the mix due to an early mis-hap, but maybe...just maybe...we will all have ours home before the first of the year.

Aside from some other little personal things I would like to stitch for holiday gifts, most of my committed stitching projects are complete, so I am getting closer to starting MW. I think that I will be doing it as a SAL with Valerie (are you ready, Valerie?).

Other Activities...or should I say "Hockey Update"

We are in peak hockey seasons for both boys. This weekend, we will be watching Robert (older son) & his hockey team play a game today. This is their first official "league" game - the other games he has been playing have either been exhibition/scrimmages or tournament games. It should be a good one today. Tomorrow, again Robert will have a morning practice followed by a exhibition/scrimmage...then in the afternoon Matthew (younger son) has a game. This is typical of our weekends around here - until about March or April depending on how the boys and their teams do.

Well...off to getting things around for the Saturday game (water bottles, recovery food, etc). So, hope you all have a good weekend! And remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often! Lisa

A quick catch post...

Hello, thought I would take a moment to post a quick update. This week has flown by actually - hard to believe that it is Friday but TGIF! But it was a strange week since the boys has Wednesday off in observance of Veteran's Day - so I also took it off from work...but the 3 of us worked in the house. I assigned each child a couple of responsibilities (ie dusting window blinds, washing the glass tables, cleaning up their rooms, etc.) while I cleaned the kitchen and the bathrooms. Around lunchtime we were pooped. We only got through 3/4 of the house, but it looks much better. I will attack the other 1/4 some other time.

Last night, Matthew (younger son) and I worked on his heritage visual which consisted of cutting and pasting photos my MIL sent. My in-laws have done a lot of work on their heritage, so I knew that they would be a good source for Matthew's project. The board came out very nice. Lots of fun photos of great-greats from late 1800's.

I just put some finishing touches on the CindyMae Design models of the Quaker Christmas Ornaments and will be getting the models in the mail to her so that she is able to take good photos. My camera isn't good for things like this! I hope that she is ok with the way they turned out. The designs that she created are awesome and I highly recommend that you visit CindyMae Designs and take a look at the Christmas Ornaments - she will have them up soon.

Well, got to run to the post office and meet some other mothers for tea...so until next time, remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Back home and trying to get caught up....but got spoiled instead.

Well, I am back home from the hockey tournament in Chicago. Robert (older son) and I got home at 3:30pm yesterday afternoon...which allowed us to attend Matthew (younger son)'s hockey game, an unexpected joy. We weren't suppose to get home until 10:30pm, but because Robert's team didn't do as well as we hoped, they were done playing Saturday afternoon (for they won 1, lost 2, and tied 1 thus not making it out of their division to play on Sunday)...so we moved our flight up to the 1pm departure. It got us home early enough to drive home, take the suitcase and hockey gear out of the car and jump back in to hear off to the hockey rink. Glad we got to see Matthew and his team play because they won their game...and Matthew even scored a goal! Way to go Matthew...Way to go Devils!

Even though Robert and his team didn't do well, we still had a good time in Chicago. I even had an opportunity to visit with a member of our Friendship Sampler RR group - April. She, her DH and kids came to the Saturday afternoon game (Dad and kids left for a lunch date, giving us time to get to know eachother). April and I took turns do a "show-and-tell-what-is-in-your-needlework-bag". Boy was her's full of fun stuff!!! She even had a few little gifts for me...lookie what I got to add to my stash:

Several Lizzie Kate patterns and a Pine Mountain July kit...how cool is that. Thank you so much April!!! It is opportunities like that...to meet fellow stitchers, that make traveling with the hockey team that much more meaningful.

And while we are talking about fellow stitchers and packages...when I got home last night, there was a package waiting for me on top of the mail pile. It was from CindyMae. "Why would I be getting something form CindyMae?" I asked myself. For I am the one who should be sending her something (like the Christmas Quaker Ornament models that I am just finishing up for her). I opened it up and found this:

 

It was a Birthday package...Joy to the World pattern, Sekas & Co "A Fall Heart", Sekas & Co. "Watercolour Ghosts",  The Prairie Schooler "M*N*O", Just Nan "Diamond Bouquet", and Just Nan "Needle Story"...and a scissor fob, which she stitched and finished her self with cupcakes on it. I love it...and now I definitely have an excuse to splurge/treat myself to a pair of fancy scissors! Boy, did I get spoiled by my stitching friends!

 

Now I am trying to get caught up, for I had 5 loads of laundry to wash, dry and fold. Which I have just about put away. This week the boys have Wednesday off due to Veteran's Day...so we are planning to stay home and have a cleaning day (each son will be assigned several cleaning jobs). The house needs to be cleaned - so this will be a good opportunity.

 

Well, that is all I have to share right now...need to go and make some milk shakes for dessert! Take care...and remember to Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often - Lisa

On our way to the Windy City for Hockey...

Look out Chicago, we are on our way. This weekend my older son and I will be in Chicago for the Bauer Invitational Hockey Tournament. This is the third year he and his hockey team will be playing in the tournament (just to clarify...this is the first year that he is here with his Bantam team; the last two years he was with his PeeWee team). Since he had a 1/2 day of school, I have decided that I would let him miss today so that we could leave early, getting us into the Windy City early to check the team into the tournament, check into the hotel and get a bit to eat...this also lets him acclimate to the 2 hour difference between here and there.

However, the opening night and the "check-in" for this tournament are are staged at the "main" rink (fyi...we play at 3 different rinks through out the weekend) and it is WILD. On the top floor of this rink, is where I have to go and check in the team. Last year they had a huge food buffet, a cash bar, music and several hockey oriented vendors marketing their products. In addition, in the lobby they are displaying all of the famous NHL trophies which you can get your picture taken with, there usually are several retired NHL players on hand to sign autographs and so on. It makes for a fun beginning to the weekend.

In addition, I looked through my list of the Friendship Samper RR members to see if there was anyone who lived in Illinois...and there was: April. She and I have emailed back and forth making plans to meet eachother. It looks like we were able to plan something for Saturday (I am not planning to bring my "big" camera, but will have my camera phone with me, so I will try hard to remember to get photos!). And speaking of stitching...yes, I know I haven't really shown anything or had a posting dedicated to stitching in a long time...I took some time to kit up 2 Christmas ornament patterns for the ornament exchanges I have signed up for. I look forward to stitching them, just as soon as I finish my last model for Cindy (I am so close!!).

Which reminds me, the Needle Show "Retail" opens today at 2pm EST...so, I guess I will have to wait until later tonight or tomorrow (between hockey games) to go through all the designers who have signed up to be apart of the first "retail" show. I already spent my birthday money on a new purse and wallet (since my favorite bag was stolen last week)...but maybe I can find a little extra $$$ just incase I find something I "need".

Anyway...I have ramble on enough for today. I hope Thursday finds everyone well. Oh, yah, one more thing and then I will conclude this posting. My 1st blog-o-versary is coming up and I am in the process of putting together a giveaway...so stay tuned.

Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often! Lisa

I am overwhelmed - thank you!

OMG...I finally got my old body out of bed (strange what one day will do to you - bones are creaking and muscles rebelling...LOL). A little late getting up and on the stationary bike, but I managed. Just got the old lap top fired up...finished going through my emails (needed to make sure that there were no pressing issues for this hockey mom/team manager to deal with as we are getting ready to leave for a tournament in Chicago tomorrow morning) and then opened my blog...15 comments!!!!!!

Dearest Blog Friends,

I am so overwhelmed by the bday greeting I have received! I am so amazed at the support, friendship...the community that exists out there in "blog world". And Cindy dedicated a post to announce my bday - "girlfriend, your too much!" Honestly, though, as I write every so often, I am so grateful for the people I have met via blogging. We may never meet each other in person, but the the support and the blessings I receive through the comments and personal emails...well, it is hard to put into words. All I can say is "Thank You".

I did have a nice, quiet bday. It actually started the night before (Birthday Eve) when DH and younger son came home on Monday night from hockey and surprised me with a bouquet of balloons and a beautiful Hydranga plant. Yesterday morning, anytime DH or one of the boys entered the room, they would greet me with a "Happy Birthday". After fixing breakfast and the boys' lunches, I opened the cards from family and friends - and a gift from my parents. The rest of the day when on as normal - including my turn to carpool to hockey practice and attending a team managers board meeting. I did come with birthday treats, as I made some chocolate chip cookies and banana bread to share. For some, it might not sounds like much - but it is the little things that I will take away that mean so much and made my birthday special...the comments from blog friends, the acknowledgement on facebook, the balloons/hydranga surprise, the home made bday card and birthday hockey card from the boys. I am truely blessed!

Now...it is time to change gears as I have to start getting ready to leave town with my older son. We leave tomorrow for a tournament in Chicago. I have already stocked the house with all younger son's and DH's favorites as they are staying home (young son has school and a hockey game). Since finishing Trick or Treat (at least the stitching, I will need to "finish-finish" it in order to use it as decoartion next year), I have been putting the finishing stitches in the CindyMae Design models of Christmas Ornaments...so, this afternoon I will have to kit up a couple of things to take with me on the trip...especially for the 4 hour plane ride! I have a few Christmas Ornaments Exchanges I need to work on, so this would be a good time to do that!

So...as you see, I am in exchange and model stitching mode right now...so, definitely no pics. As soon as these are complete, it will be time to seriously get a start on MW, don't you think!

Well...thank you all again! Remember....Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Over 40 years ago...

November 3...at 9am central time, I entered the world - always to share my birthday with another important person in my life...my father, for I was born on his 25th birthday (sorry dad, I had to share that fact). Unfortunately, we don't get an opportunity to celebrate together as much for dad & mom are in Minnesota and I am here - but

Happy Birthday Dad!

 

Happy Birthday Lisa! 

 

I am proud of my age...for the most part. Most of the time, I don't feel like someone who is over 40 years old. What is that suppose to feel like anyway? I wake up early in the morning (the majority of the time) and spin on my stationary bike 1-2 hours, take a morning walk with DH and the dog and walk the kids to school (but yes, my body isn't what it use to be; things are settling in different places). I am able to keep up the boys and all their activities and running arounds (but I don't keep up with the house cleaning...that isn't due to age, that is just due to priorities...and probably a little laziness). My face is changing, but I have been working hard at keeping the crows feet and age lines at bay.

What is over 40 suppose to feel like? Well, I think it is suppose to feel like, whatever I feel...age is attitude and while there are always the daily struggles (especially lately), keeping a good attitude, a positive attitude can keep you feeling, acting and looking young. I have a 91 year old grandmother and she is my role model on how to live and how to stay young and how to be proud of your age. Everywhere she goes, when she introduces herself she says, "Hi I am Dolores and I am over 90 years old." 

Well...I will conclude this birthday post with this:

Just for today, I will appreciate all that I have in life...

When you live in the present moment, time stands still.  Accept your circumstances and live them.  If there is an experience ahead of you, have it!  But if worries stand in your way, put them off until tomorrow.  Give yourself a day off from worry.  You deserve it.  Some people live with a low-grade anxiety tugging at their spirit all day long.  They go to sleep with it, wake up with it, carry it around at home, in town, to church, and with friends.  Here’s a remedy:  Take the present moment and find something to laugh at.  People who laugh, last. ~by Barbara Johnson

Thank you for visiting and taking time to reach the end of this post. The warmth of your support I get from your visits mean the world to me! Take care of yourself...enjoy the moment...appreciate what you have and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Sunday - Happiness is...

...the beginning of a new month, homemade costumes, Trick or Treating in the light of the full moon, a Friday afternoon walk, and carving pumpkins with my boys.

Happy November everyone! Hard to believe that we have 2 more months of 2009 left. I hope everyone had a good and safe Halloween. It was a really strange one this year, for it seems that there weren't too many people out "Trick or Treating". I took the boys out about 7pm and we found many houses put out a bowl a candy and left a note saying - "please take one and leave some for others...Trick or Treat." Either they didn't want to be bothered or just weren't home. And even the amount of decorated houses were less than in years past...maybe the economic demons tried to take some of the fun out of the holiday? Well, we didn't decorate either...and we also decided to go with the homemade costumes (let me introduce to you: the ghost of Christmas in the Bob the Builder sheet - the influence for this was Charlie Brown's homemade ghost costume; and on the right, we have either Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer or Famous Amos - your choice).

Nevertheless, we did have a nice time walking around the neighborhood, in the light of the full moon and 70 degree weather. Perfect trick or treating temperature! (BTW...I also find it funny that my boys work so hard to make as many houses as possible to get candy, of which they don't eat and we end up sharing with our co-workers)

Speaking of nice temperatures, I thought I would share with you what our fall looks like here in California. We have 2 seasons. In the late sping/summer time, our trees have green leaves and the hills and grassy areas are brown. In the fall/wintertime, the trees start to turn colors and eventually drop their leaves, while the hills and grassy areas turn green. Seems a little backwards, doesn't it? On Friday afternoon, I walked to pick up the boys from school and took photos with my phone's camera of the scenery:

It was a beautiful warm Friday and the walk really did wonders for my mood - the warm sun warmed my soul and the lavendar and newly blossoming fall flowers smelled wonderful. I also decided to bring the dog along, for I knew the walk would do him good too!

When we got home, the boys threw their backpacks in their rooms while I prepped the kitchen table for pumpkin carving. I cut the main hole in the bottom of the squash, because we use a light bulb to illuminate good ol' jack. The boys took turns scraping out the "yuck" and the "goop", as well as separating out the seeds to bake in the oven. The design for the pumpkin was created by my older son and, again, the influence was Charlie Brown (unfortunately I didn't get a picture).

They had a good time getting the goop out and drawing the design on the pumpkin. When they were finished, the cookies I was baking were out of the oven. So while they snacked on those, I carved the face out. It was a great Friday afternoon.

On a stitching note...Saturday I was able to put the last stitch in my L*K design and then finish the "finish" and even got it in the mail...so I made the deadline of November 1 for this round of L*K exchange! Yahoo! Now I am frantically working on 2 models for CindyMae, who, by the way, has a "booth" in the Needle Show Retail (which is going on November 5-8). If you register, you can actually place orders directly with the designers. 

Thank you for visiting and have a nice Sunday! 

Remember....Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa