I am still here...

just have been so busy that I haven't made time to sit (period) and when I do sit, I really don't sit very long. For I either feel the need to get up and do something - like keep up with laundry or other house hold tasks. OR, the majority of the time my body tends to go from an upright position on the couch to more of a horizontal one.

I have been putting in a lot of hours working in one of our stores, which lately has been not only covering the employee who has been out on vacation for the last few weeks (she always takes off the last 2 weeks in January to celebrate Chinese New Year); but I have also been dealing with covering several other employees who have been sick, late or just not showing up. Something that my DH and I will need to take care of quickly as we are gearing up for Valentine's day...and there will be a lot of fruit to cut and strawberries to dip!

Today, everyone is back working and I actually have the day off. Probably have the next few days off, which will be good because I will be leaving in 9 days for Quebec Canada with my younger son, Matthew. His hockey team will be attending the Quebec Internation PeeWee Tournament. It is one of the largest, most famous tournaments for this age group. In fact, this is the 54th year of the tournament and many well know hockey players participated in this tournament when they were 12 years old...like Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosbey, Guy Leflur...just to name a few. The neat thing about this tournament is that the kids are paired up with one of their teammates and they actually stay at a house of a Quebec family for the 11 days they are there (so any parents attending stay at a hotel sans their kids). My older son, Robert, participated in this tournament 3 years ago and it was amazing. Still a huge highlight of his life, so far :)

Anyway, between getting ready for Valentine's Day at our stores and the big Quebec trip, life continues to be crazy here!

I did find sometime to work on Santa 2009 over the weekend. Hoping to stitch a few more X's and get a status photo up so I can show you some progress. I know a lot of you are defecting from my followers' list...I know that I haven't checked in and showed much stitching lately...but for those of you who are still here, please know that I appreciate you so much!!!!!

Anyway, had a few moments today, so I thought I would update and check in with some of you. Hope all is doing well! Take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Weekend of catch up...

I know my posts are somewhat sporatic and there hasn't been much stitching - it has been a challenge to get into a new routine...so I appreciate those who are sticking with me.

I suppose the part-time job outside of the home I use to have (keywords: "outside the home") allows for more ease to put together a routine than working for one's own "family" business and with one's own spouse. Just when you think you have some sort of regular schedule allowing for some sort of routine, an employee calls out and you have to fill in; or your spouse decides that there is some project or task that needs to be accomplished, which requires a total schedule overhaul. Then there is the boys' schedule - school, school projects and hockey...

Somehow, things get done but, of course at some cost. This weekend, I did manage to find time to get caught up on many house hold tasks, some hockey team manger projects as well as found some "me" time to get in some good spins on my stationary bike as well as create some "X's" on Santa 2009 (not enough to really show a status photo, but hopefully soon).  But again there were some costs to getting caught up...like missing out on some of my son's hockey games. He didn't mind and they were exhibition ones with some teams that aren't as good as his team (Robert's team won their games this weekend 6-3 and 8-0) I guess sometimes one needs to make choices in order to keep up with life?!?!

Well, as I mentioned, the thread and needle found its way into my hand last night. I did make some X's in Santa 2009. Felt good to sit and stitch. Little by Little...

Hey, have you heard of the new Stitching social network? It is http://www.stitchtalk.com/ . It is like facebook, but dedicated to "a sewing community"...needlework, embroidery, quilting, crocheting, cross stitch, knitting and so on. Check it out, it is wonder...and great community of people with similar interests!

Today is the Chinese New Year...the year of the Dragon! So, Happy New Year to all!

Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Small Talk on Tuesday - Here, Present and Now

My Prairie Schooler Santa 2009 is coming a long. His red jacket is now complete and I have started to work on his green sack of presents. This weekend, while ALL the boys were away at their respective hockey tournaments (Robert in Atlanta...my DH & Matthew in Texas), I enjoyed some time to myself again. In between the time I needed to be in one store or the other, I did manage to have time to plop my ever growing bottom on the couch.

Friday and Saturday evening, I only managed to find time to do nothing but lay in front of the television and tune the world out. That always feels good, doesn't it. To be able to lay ones head down and just "be"?

On Sunday, since the store closes early, I was home around 2pm. Early enough to get in my couch potato nap out of the way in the afternoon - while enjoying the parade of stars on the Golden Globe's red carpet. That meant, in the evening while the Golden Globe Award show was on, I would be clear-headed enough to enjoy stitching while watching.

It is always fun to watch the stars parade in fancy dresses and bling, as well as see what movies and tv shows have been deemed worth watching...for I don't get too much time to take in a movie or watch too much tv. However, now I have my list of movies I would like to try and find time for (yeah, right...between all the hockey coming up and the last big tournaments and preparation for Valentine's Day at the store...well, a girl can always make her lists...and if I can't see the movies in the theater, there is always rentals :)).

Well, ALL the boys are back home now. My DH & Matthew arrived back home first, which gave me some time to get all their dirty clothes clean and listen to stores of their weekend. It was nice that they were able to combine a hockey trip to Texas with some family visits. The in-laws (mother, father, brothers and sisters) all live in the Kansas/Texas area and it sounded like they all came down to visit and see DH & Matthew. It has been awhile since all of them have been together. Robert (older son) got home late...so I haven't had any time to really catch up with him.

Before I ramble on too much more, I will conclude this post. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Thoughts for Tuesday...

On Arturo Toscanini's eightieth birthday, someone asked his son, Walter, what his father ranked as his most important achievement. The son replied, "For him there can be no such thing. Whatever he happens to be doing at the moment is the biggest thing in his life--whether it is conducting a symphony or peeling an orange."

~Ardis Whitman

What we are talking about is learning to live in the present moment, in the now. When you aren't distracted by your own negative thinking, when you don't allow yourself to get lost in moments that are gone or yet to come, you are left with this moment. This moment--now--truly is the only moment you have. It is beautiful and special. Life is simply a series of such moments to be experienced one right after another. If you attend to the moment you are in and stay connected to your soul and remain happy, you will find that your heart is filled with positive feelings.

~Sydney Banks

Do we need to make a special effort to enjoy the beauty of the blue sky?
Do we have to practice to be able to enjoy it? No, we just enjoy it.
Each second, each minute of our lives can be like this.
Wherever we are, any time, we have the capacity to enjoy the sunshine,
the presence of each other, even the sensation of our breathing.
We don't need to go to China to enjoy the blue sky.
We don't have to travel into the future to enjoy our breathing.
We can be in touch with these things right now.
~Thich Nhat Hanh

You'll have to meet the new addition to our family...

Thank you all for Robert's birthday wishes and your lovely comments - I am definitely a proud mother. He told me this morning at breakfast that he had a nice birthday. He found a couple of surprises yesterday when he got home from school.

First, as per his request for his birthday dinner, I brought home his favorite Tamales from a place near our 2nd store in Brentwood, CA. It is called Tamale Lovers and they make homemade/hand rolled tamales. His favorite is the Pablano Tamale and the mild Chicken Tamale.

Second, was a total surprise for him. He has been talking about getting an aquarium and saving up his holiday money he received to get a starter kit. So, I decided to take a little trip to the fish store and this is what I brough home...

I thought it would be fun to get him a little Beta fish in the ol' glass fish bowl to start out with and then, when things settle down a little, he can go out and purchase whatever aquarium he wants. He definitely was surprised and excited.

So that is the new addition to our family...and his name is "FISH". That is the name the birthday boy came up with (go figure...).

I suppose we do call our dog, "POOCH" (although his real name is Bruno)...if we had a hamster, we probably would name him "HAMSTER"...and according to Matthew (younger son) if we had a pet donkey his name would be "JACK ASS".  Not much I can say about that comment :)

Anyway, when I got home from closing our store I had one more treat for him...

Phish food ice cream...seemed like the perfect birthday dessert ;) and fitting for the occasion.

Hope the week is going well for you...time to sign off and get my day going. Take care and remember,

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

16 years ago....

It is hard to believe that 16 years ago I packed my bag and headed to the hospital. Just the day before, after an ultrasound, the doctor told me that I would be a mother of a baby that would be anywhere between 8 pounds and 12 pounds. January 11 at 7am in the morning I checked in and was given a shot, for it was time for you to enter the world.

After 15 or so hours of labor - at 11:36pm - you were born...all 9 pounds and 2 oz...all 21 inches. We called you Robert Samuel. Robert after your daddy's uncle and Samuel came from my grandfather's middle name.

You went every where with us, for you were such an easy baby...you would go into work with me and nap on the office floor on a little bed made of blankets...you would go to fancy restaurants with Daddy & I, sitting in your little car seat on the table.

But being outdoors, exploring the world...running around and playing outside...is something that you love to.

So much so, that you have taken that love and joined the varsity track team which you lettered in last year...your freshman year.

But your passion...is hockey. At the age of 3, you tied your first pair of hockey skates have haven't looked back.

You have traveled all over the US and around Canada playing the sport you love while balancing your education, keeping up your grades to high levels.

Robert...we are proud of you! You are a hard worker, always giving at least 110% or more. You have a large heart and care about others. You love life and it shows!

Happy 16th Birthday!

PS...Robert, thank you for tolerating the Birthday breakfast tradition of the birthday hat photo.



Santa 2009 Status - Phone Photo (not great quality)


Yesterday, with DH taking care of all the hockey responsibilities and, me, hanging out at the house "on-call" with any store issues...I took the opportunity to sit my fanny down on the couch and stitch. I was able to make some pretty good progress on Santa; but with those little teenie-tiny stitches I did have to take a few breaks. Some breaks were to call into the stores, some were to switch the laundry from the washer to the drier, and some breaks were just to curl up and nap.

It was nice to have a slow Saturday and just enjoy "being". Got to enjoy them when I can :)

Hope you are finding moments of "Just Being" this weekend. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Thursday's Check in

Hello friends, it has been a few days since I have last checked in; just trying to get back into the groove with the boys back in school after the winter break as well as deal with their hockey schedule and find my "full-time" role in *The Business*. No new routine has formed yet...I am sure it will take a while to figure things out.

In the meantime, I have found a few spare minutes when I was able to pick up the thread & needle. So, as mentioned in my last posting, I have not been working on Family Sampler laterly...

so what am I putting X's in, you ask?

Do you remember my special little package that I received from my dear friend CindyMae in November?

Here is a snap as a reminder...

One of the items was the Prairie Schooler Santa 2009 stitched and finished as a pillow

Well, in our household, a Santa with hockey skates & stick & puck is well thought of - so, since Cindy also included the pattern for this jolly hockey guy I wanted to make a couple of ornaments for the boys. I started stitching one the middle of December, but with all the holiday craziness I didn't get it done for this year's Christmas tree...so I am hoping to have it for the 2012 tree.

Anyway, here is where I am on the first one (with 2 boys, you know I need to stitch 2)...

I am stitching it one-over-one on 28ct evenweave (I think) - yikes it is tiny! I am hoping to finish the first one up by the end of the month (seems to be a realistic goal). Stay tuned, for I will post another update.

That is all I have for now, my blogging friends. I hope the first 5 days of 2012 are going well for you. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Getting into the swing of the New Year and my new chapter

Above...the offical

Welcome to 2012 - may the New Year be fruity and sweet!

Yesterday I needed to go into Store #1 for we did have 1 order for pick up on New Year's Day and I wanted to make sure that the customer received the finest, freshest arrangement for his New Year's Day celebration! I love the edible numbers, don't you think that they add something special to the arrangement?

We were only opened from 10am-1pm, so after creating that wonderful bouquet, I continued to do some clean up of our store - some post-holiday cleaning. Taking down the holiday decor and posters and putting up some of the everyday things and pre-Valentines (yes, my friends us retailers do think ahead to get you all to start planning for the next holiday...infact some places have already put out the Cadbury eggs and Easter isn't until April).

Once the store was closed, I headed back home and to the couch. I enjoyed my last hours of bachlorette-hood for all the boys got home in the evening. I picked up Robert from the airport around 6pm and my DH & Matthew drove into the driveway around 8:30pm. No more peace and quiet...no more empty laundry basket :)

Tomorrow the winter vacation ends for the boys and they go back to school and I start the next chapter of my life - post part-time job. DH and I will figure a schedule out for me to work more in the stores on a daily basis and what my role will be. While I did work in our business while working my part-time job, this will be different. I will have more of a role, but still it will give me more time to get things done at home and be the hockey taxi-driver.

Well...time to go make the best of today - to make it the most Awesomest day :)

Take care my friends...until next time, remember..

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year my dear blogging friends!
I hope that all of you were able to greet the new year with fun and festivity. My New Year celebration was quiet, but restful! My older son has been up in Canada since Monday (he gets home this evening) and my DH & younger son are in Los Angeles for a hockey tournament (they too get home tonight)...so I have had the whole house to myself for the last several days. Aside from working in Store#1, I have been home lounging in front of the TV. Kind of sweet, something I haven't done for ages

I have been surfing through many of your blogs over the last few days and have read everyone's stitching goals. You all have some amazing projects you are working on and I look forward to watch them throughout the year!

My goals??? Last year I was very over ambitious, listing 5 BAPs and only starting one: the Family Sampler. I think, given my busy lifestyle, I am not going to make an "official" list stitching goals. For me, it is somewhat depressing to log into my blog and see my unobtainable goals daily. This year, my focus will be to finish Family Sampler and then when complete I will post the finish and celebrate. And if I stray to other projects, it will be ok and when those are complete I will list those. My 2012 stitching list will contain finishes versus things I dream to complete - something that might be more positive for me.

Stitching is a huge part of my life, even when my hand doesn't hold a needle, I think of stitching and the colors of floss. Sometimes I look out the window of my room, the irridesent blueness of the sky or the vivid green of the hills bring thoughts of particular DMC #'s to mind. Do you ever think that way?

When stressed or experiencing those sleepless nights, stitching seems to create a calming and relaxing feeling. A threaded needle, making x's, is very meditative (is that even a word?) for me. I would be lost without this hobby...and without all the friends I have found while blogging about it (and my crazy life).

May 2012 bring you much health, happiness, friendship, love and laughs! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa