tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259785906165960352024-03-05T00:06:48.840-08:00Chapter X-Stitcher (~Hockey Mom Stitchin' Hobby)The next chapter in the life of a needlework and nature enthusiast who finds herself a "semi" empty nester.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.comBlogger593125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-73158419015856944522020-10-14T13:47:00.003-07:002020-10-14T13:47:50.772-07:00It has been a very long time - so "hello" again and starting a new chapter in the Book of My Life<p>Wow, it has been a very long time since I have blogged - over 5 years. So much has happened. It is hard to know where to start!</p><p><b>Catching Up...</b></p><p>First things first...I have changed the title. For over 12+ years I have been the Hockey Mom; but now that my sons have graduated from high school, one has even graduated from college and the other will soon, hockey hasn't been a part of our lives for almost 4 years. So now I am on the next chapter of my life as a mom with 2 young men.</p><p>Also, regarding the title of this blog, changing the title also has to do with where my husband and I are in our lives. For 10 years, we have been small business owners. We were franchisee owners of a company and had 2 stores. As we speak, we have transferred one and finalizing the transfer of the other very soon. Meaning, no more owning our own business and starting a new chapter in our lives. </p><p>So while we are in the process of figuring out what we are going to do and what the next phase of our life looks like, I thought I would start blogging again.</p><p>In the last 5 years, I have experienced good things and some "not so good" things. </p><p>I think the biggest change in my life since the last time I blogged was the passing of my mother on April 9, 2018. In January 2016, my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We all were stunned. How does someone so young, so healthy, someone who doesn't drink or smoke, someone who exercises 2 hours a day/7 days a week get cancer? This was something that baffled us all. My mother fought this battle the best she could. She was a strong minded person who was going to live her life her way during the battle. She continued to exercise and work at her job almost up to the very last moment. But unfortunately, the Cmonster won. </p><p>My dad, who lives in Minnesota, is still in my life; in fact our relationship has changed and we have become closer since my mother's passing. Initially I was traveling from California to MN to visit him ever couple of months. However, I haven't been back there since October 2019. When the holidays hit last year, I needed to be in the store more often as staffing became short, so it became difficult to fly to Minnesota and visit. </p><p>Business was also very soft, thus whenever we lost people Steve and I just filled in, spending everyday open-to-close in the stores. To help, we made as many changes to store hours we could, closing on Sundays to give us a little time off and helped to keep the labor cost down a little. Then COVID hit and shelter-in-place was activated...but we were deemed essential and remained open. We were like a grocery store, as we sold fruit; and we refrigerated vans, so we could deliver everything we made. Soon our business took off again. We started seeing sales like we use to the first several years when we purchased the stores. It was good to have the sales, but with a small staff at both stores, we were getting tired and so was the staff. We continued to change store hours and operational aspects to keep it running with who we had in place. But since our contracts were coming up for renewal, and because we were getting older, it was time to figure out a plan for our next chapter. </p><p>Also, during this time, my younger son graduated from high school (2017) and went on to college in Vermont. My older son, while overcoming some challenges, he graduated from college in 2020 with really good job (although he is working from home right now due to COVID). </p><p><b>So here we are, October 14, 2020...</b></p><p>My younger son will be at school for another 6 weeks and will be home for Thanksgiving, will finish 1st semester remotely and isn't scheduled to go back to school until March 1. This is the new norm due to COVID.</p><p>My older son is at home, working remotely. He is waiting to hear when the office will re-open and then he will move to that state. </p><p>My husband and I are figuring out what our next chapter will be. In the meantime, we are enjoying a respite from the stress of running stores. We have started to walk around the block in the morning and a longer walk in the evening. We are enjoying all the animal life we come into contact with when we walk around a habitat conservation area nearby.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkGaQq_tzpD4biu9XbM-8yQpbkvtG8H-K-jh-OPz5BJHimwEQyzl5hs016sgVw2IDPx30wGn9bGpeIibxlAeTiejjlrCPcNt6tyFR3s9_gy7fOT1tZxsmp7ELzJ2cxajHGvZoc4uQrz9a/s2048/fullsizeoutput_f0a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkGaQq_tzpD4biu9XbM-8yQpbkvtG8H-K-jh-OPz5BJHimwEQyzl5hs016sgVw2IDPx30wGn9bGpeIibxlAeTiejjlrCPcNt6tyFR3s9_gy7fOT1tZxsmp7ELzJ2cxajHGvZoc4uQrz9a/s320/fullsizeoutput_f0a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRixRg4_6tq8Uv8JkgM8YINTQhQOV2Fk60ejAmrBdY9HqJlOAiecoQXdVxO2luVGb0Npa_Z4-QwoCBmJTfWT9OQkgD4G08nca08UPkMUCFDUiLfvFnk6LpcKsStzb306P8fICwQQ36gcg9/s2048/fullsizeoutput_f22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRixRg4_6tq8Uv8JkgM8YINTQhQOV2Fk60ejAmrBdY9HqJlOAiecoQXdVxO2luVGb0Npa_Z4-QwoCBmJTfWT9OQkgD4G08nca08UPkMUCFDUiLfvFnk6LpcKsStzb306P8fICwQQ36gcg9/s320/fullsizeoutput_f22.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypblEZhf-s2ijVimbJqVTGHtDpl88ni8fe4Jkbf_fqT3YNYq6NnIT9uJQ38vwmHs-RYDCzquYM5YnPqvOalZ0dAnb2fxznP19i-B0v96jJFpCceL5wWkBvu1PBSmQOJ0DYL3qitwFX-s9/s2048/IMG_5645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypblEZhf-s2ijVimbJqVTGHtDpl88ni8fe4Jkbf_fqT3YNYq6NnIT9uJQ38vwmHs-RYDCzquYM5YnPqvOalZ0dAnb2fxznP19i-B0v96jJFpCceL5wWkBvu1PBSmQOJ0DYL3qitwFX-s9/s320/IMG_5645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLNzMxnVQBQWS7JpmLLuHAsgnhnUtldzypS7mgBqklmK0-4tVFloq2a9MTU12ZwiXj-j-t3vlqbc03s6wNqheaYk2Mu4rLHipD418Ueem7txyKMHWNaGMNazfcNAmFHmp-r63w620Hx8J/s2048/fullsizeoutput_eeb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLNzMxnVQBQWS7JpmLLuHAsgnhnUtldzypS7mgBqklmK0-4tVFloq2a9MTU12ZwiXj-j-t3vlqbc03s6wNqheaYk2Mu4rLHipD418Ueem7txyKMHWNaGMNazfcNAmFHmp-r63w620Hx8J/s320/fullsizeoutput_eeb.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And I have started to pick up the needle again. I am working on "Boo" by Sharon Pope, from the Just CrossStitch magazine (2009, not sure which issue). I have had this pattern in my to-do pile for years. Even had the fabric and materials all pulled together in a ziploc bag with all my other stash. Since it is October, I thought it would be a good project. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnq6_INyJTcMxgYu7Hv4dJsOVe0PSaVm1bz8CrOBorRKLfLAAcNJR9cCDgcIVwzYbVuKGI_g1ipjMwdZZDi6KQyGzvB13iwpKGRSLdnx51ed0-8zZGW-A5uxAza2P3fss8N2j666rvGXL/s2048/IMG_6327.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnq6_INyJTcMxgYu7Hv4dJsOVe0PSaVm1bz8CrOBorRKLfLAAcNJR9cCDgcIVwzYbVuKGI_g1ipjMwdZZDi6KQyGzvB13iwpKGRSLdnx51ed0-8zZGW-A5uxAza2P3fss8N2j666rvGXL/s320/IMG_6327.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZjLW7L25qHQzJHd5mgP9d6c3KPkjhnaUjoaDzb7kaQ30Ifj-pbHhU4K1RjYJ0G9xoQfDOHUt917xeXQqV5BpOF9ttIDFpxvzBDZKFGP93OOPv7gS6HNWKmeHPDA0oxEbWmBQQyHy7tcg/s2048/IMG_6326.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZjLW7L25qHQzJHd5mgP9d6c3KPkjhnaUjoaDzb7kaQ30Ifj-pbHhU4K1RjYJ0G9xoQfDOHUt917xeXQqV5BpOF9ttIDFpxvzBDZKFGP93OOPv7gS6HNWKmeHPDA0oxEbWmBQQyHy7tcg/s320/IMG_6326.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><p>The Kreinik threads called for all glow in the dark. I have used these before in another Halloween project I stitched years ago - "Trick or Treat". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwUJPyU6-e4tV2UzBp8G5gfuECXThazaDC-K7FwZHzb9HymCAk9Ri5eZzNoJ5qQihOCgHrhTrB00z7zMxTDf93Hulayd9Xh7dMsBeHCaYldTW7AzrNQqGxF7s2GomTRP-5QJADzrqg6rT/s640/xstitch+128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwUJPyU6-e4tV2UzBp8G5gfuECXThazaDC-K7FwZHzb9HymCAk9Ri5eZzNoJ5qQihOCgHrhTrB00z7zMxTDf93Hulayd9Xh7dMsBeHCaYldTW7AzrNQqGxF7s2GomTRP-5QJADzrqg6rT/s320/xstitch+128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I am not sure where "Trick or Treat" is. I have a feeling it is hanging on a pant hanger in the back of my closet. I love X-stitching, but finishing my things is something I don't do very often.<p></p><p>Oh well...it is time I finish up right now. It is nice to be back and will probably take a look to see what everyone has been up to. Until next time...</p><p>Live, Laugh and Love!</p><p>Lisa</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OmWrMf5ntPFTu4Jc2WQK0hNYkRVc8r0a2f_OM9WjgXBn-W1r1FKp5OFAG9F00Ecpa4iNnYiWQrruFgGw5HqTDc4Qe0uH0JBNsqBWgPAPZU9aCW2JVy3zNHhdpCl8ANWcNUtMWbIK6u6U/s2048/IMG_6326.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><p></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-64899709171576298102015-02-04T09:42:00.002-08:002015-02-04T09:42:58.210-08:00Post 10, 2015 - A Dreamy, Foggy Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I am sure it is a great mistake always to know enough to go in when it rains. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge, </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>but one misses a world of loveliness. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>~ Adeline Knapp</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, while it wasn't quite raining here, it definitely was a slightly wet jog this morning...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">and somewhat dreamy outside.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqvD4AxCuhzfvn7HUKiYyYMXrImWeyXcv9vvFLPdG_9M8SZ9rujhR08o0gk86Al0gc6SzT4PAs6aj3psOy8d1D4ILOgujl1Yeqsz6ewt1auJ39ozzVvSTEfbg4sW33BpsSQ8_o-8_-dXr/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqvD4AxCuhzfvn7HUKiYyYMXrImWeyXcv9vvFLPdG_9M8SZ9rujhR08o0gk86Al0gc6SzT4PAs6aj3psOy8d1D4ILOgujl1Yeqsz6ewt1auJ39ozzVvSTEfbg4sW33BpsSQ8_o-8_-dXr/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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At times I felt like I was running through a cloud;</div>
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moisture hanging from my hair and dripping down my face.</div>
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Feeling like I was moving through a dream-state,</div>
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thought I should pinch myself to make sure that I was awake.</div>
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Eerie - yet beautiful.</div>
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It was nice to get outside this morning and get in a little run. It definitely makes my day start out good. </div>
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Last night Matthew had a hockey practice, which gave me some time to sit and stitch. I was able to get the first square - the Daffodil square - completed and a start on the square below...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2wQwReQs8uABYvM0sBwRnE5XsB3b_xyVeJeuMZXaA9s_bCFpVqF1xOohwJP1vjBT5EU20LBOYDddhWAk9MFVN5Yc3s8m13vtcEwrKL5vgqdyIdsd-nyxMIA9hMWcpwVKOoNi7LIKQ-3x/s1600/IMG_1885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2wQwReQs8uABYvM0sBwRnE5XsB3b_xyVeJeuMZXaA9s_bCFpVqF1xOohwJP1vjBT5EU20LBOYDddhWAk9MFVN5Yc3s8m13vtcEwrKL5vgqdyIdsd-nyxMIA9hMWcpwVKOoNi7LIKQ-3x/s1600/IMG_1885.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are a couple of heart shaped buttons which need to be attached to the flower and the </span>stamens<span style="font-family: inherit;"> need to be stitched, but I think I am going to wait until I complete all of the stitching before adding those items so that they don't catch on the hoop that I use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, time to get going. Until next time, take care and remember...</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Lisa</i></b></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-46294788114337444922015-02-02T18:32:00.000-08:002015-02-02T18:32:06.852-08:00Post 9, 2015 - Happy Groundhog's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oTsBkl0wq2W3ibf6qjBG1nm-D2DQJNkv6JpDgvgBYyoMa2x35SiBeS5HajqtONBUIbM7DnNzg5pOXjMBf22igKQOj0oumkwHb-CyePZZP4ZotmFKk_SDsIoLkrJOOVzJL7Q9xO7aDERN/s1600/california+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oTsBkl0wq2W3ibf6qjBG1nm-D2DQJNkv6JpDgvgBYyoMa2x35SiBeS5HajqtONBUIbM7DnNzg5pOXjMBf22igKQOj0oumkwHb-CyePZZP4ZotmFKk_SDsIoLkrJOOVzJL7Q9xO7aDERN/s1600/california+winter.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is why I love living in California...</div>
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Temperatures in the mid 70s. </div>
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Warm sun shining on my face.</div>
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Hills of Emerald Green.</div>
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Trees showing off their wardrobe of white flowers.</div>
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I just love it. </div>
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Speaking of flowers, I have been able to make a little time to put some X's in SamSarah's <i>In My Garden</i> lately. Here is a status photo:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZjXN8nE5JomySrFj5OxUwswN2rdtxWaS6SlQq_2629V4MHgavNShgpkhtBg3p9xjBfrIIqlkuLOa6kHd1QO_eVWdHTVEV0e-KMZgFOyczbfqdh62ZGgUzHmSgRPXMKtZE8pRGHo46i64/s1600/IMG_1879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZjXN8nE5JomySrFj5OxUwswN2rdtxWaS6SlQq_2629V4MHgavNShgpkhtBg3p9xjBfrIIqlkuLOa6kHd1QO_eVWdHTVEV0e-KMZgFOyczbfqdh62ZGgUzHmSgRPXMKtZE8pRGHo46i64/s1600/IMG_1879.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I have a few more X's to do in this square and then it will be time to move on to the next one.<br />
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Well, sorry so short...until next time, take care and remember...<br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></b></div>
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Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-65381405271640344042015-01-22T07:53:00.002-08:002015-01-22T07:54:39.539-08:00Post 8, 2015 - Catching UpWow...sorry for the little hiatus. Life has a way of getting in the way of the best laid plans...but it has been good things. Here are some little snippets of life here:<br />
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<u><b>January 11, 2015</b></u></div>
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My older son turned 19 - WOW! Where does time go. Hard to believe that I have a 19 year old. But it was a bitter sweet celebration this year.</div>
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It has been tradition to have a celebration at breakfast time - the birthday person would wear the traditional Birthday Hat, we would sing Happy Birthday and Birthday person would blow out a candle in their toasted waffle. But said birthday boy was 3000 miles away on the east coast of USA at prep school :(<br />
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But to make sure Robert had something to put a candle on, I ordered a chocolate cake from Harry & David.<br />
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So Sunday night, he brought out the cake and his housemates sang "Happy Birthday" to him. I guess, the days of celebrating a birthday all together will [almost] be a thing of the past.<br />
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<b><u>January 13, 2015</u></b></div>
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My DH and I are knee deep into Valentine's Day planning for both our Edible Arrangement Stores. This is our biggest holiday, so it is important to make sure that we cover all basis. I took a trip up to our Brentwood store to converse with our employees up there, as I typically go up to this store to help out during holidays (DH stays at our other store, which is close to our house). </div>
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It is always fun to visit our Fruit Experts up in Brentwood and touch base with them. They had the lobby decorated for Valentines, showing off some of our new boxes which will contain hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries...</div>
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<b><u>January 15-19, 2015</u></b></div>
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Hockey tournament in Minnesota with Matthew's hockey team. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTw-D9g6kmCnCHN4WDYlQUsk7KsuJv2WUCZpsqlK2ENvR8I2_BLPjn8qGbkPu2s2NsFdQLAxPTwoyX1D_IuV7e6v64RM9UkDkWIzFL4hPBUxi9Mf0hCLF2x3b3WrO4Dey7HPPX4G9Qv0iq/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTw-D9g6kmCnCHN4WDYlQUsk7KsuJv2WUCZpsqlK2ENvR8I2_BLPjn8qGbkPu2s2NsFdQLAxPTwoyX1D_IuV7e6v64RM9UkDkWIzFL4hPBUxi9Mf0hCLF2x3b3WrO4Dey7HPPX4G9Qv0iq/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son Matthew (the one seated in the window seat) on the airplane with his teammates</td></tr>
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It is always nice to have a hockey tournament in Minnesota, because I then get to visit with my parents, sisters and their family. </div>
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We have created a tradition over the last few years, where my parents host a team meal at their country club. It proves to be a wonderful evening for all.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2bNbJUbdzCNbQsGMOUDkBW1HvX3KCU0aIK3Ys1sNPoFPhyphenhyphenma9E105oT_GWrzCYEP7tykRMWesIt1wjRIa7fF4bDdfiKvHfwlh6FX3dopq37ciNQrbITqEPPYrW2klf8gBJQ6G2blZ7Xg/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2bNbJUbdzCNbQsGMOUDkBW1HvX3KCU0aIK3Ys1sNPoFPhyphenhyphenma9E105oT_GWrzCYEP7tykRMWesIt1wjRIa7fF4bDdfiKvHfwlh6FX3dopq37ciNQrbITqEPPYrW2klf8gBJQ6G2blZ7Xg/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew with his cousins: Lizzie and Sammy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVv7KMu_qlBN0b-oUAAh56BUdYjq40I8F-pFC0J6-1kCiCNnptIRok6Phg_K2sze5OSbzzUoHRuLug4hYZHyuHa82TkDwxZjGEkuca0XgBaN1t6tdrUqJIUkQjiwMAktgosF5sBN9_L_F/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVv7KMu_qlBN0b-oUAAh56BUdYjq40I8F-pFC0J6-1kCiCNnptIRok6Phg_K2sze5OSbzzUoHRuLug4hYZHyuHa82TkDwxZjGEkuca0XgBaN1t6tdrUqJIUkQjiwMAktgosF5sBN9_L_F/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew with Grandma/pa and cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f5NHpucPQXir5Ft89f8sptUo5pD-k7GBJ-L_9cWAsfjTuV2qRm7_o3qqGpfRJ1L_XPy6Oblk4LiZP25UFBYreqMzZ73TgskByJXzkzWBnu5laZBgbCMFFagsFXSxGE7gZAQyj-Mo5eyj/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f5NHpucPQXir5Ft89f8sptUo5pD-k7GBJ-L_9cWAsfjTuV2qRm7_o3qqGpfRJ1L_XPy6Oblk4LiZP25UFBYreqMzZ73TgskByJXzkzWBnu5laZBgbCMFFagsFXSxGE7gZAQyj-Mo5eyj/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My whole family (sisters, spouses, kids, my parents, Matthew and I)<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And of course, if you are taking photos at an event like this, you need to get a team photo...</span></td></tr>
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It was a nice weekend. The team won 4, lost 1...made it to the semis, but unfortunately lost in the last 10 seconds. </div>
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While the team stayed in a hotel, I stayed at my parents house which allowed me to visit with my family when we were not at the hockey rink.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJnu54wyFNIqylBWYqBBklBlIp1ryy-GXvqg_3e5QEUyQJ9VuyIqhThOUyO88rX-i29zBMU7eDJbXNTtDl9RwMzGf5KxD2XldPeX8QdD05LfKq_IIEVkCiklZAAM01YwyF4hAeAb_Vzmv/s1600/IMG_1826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJnu54wyFNIqylBWYqBBklBlIp1ryy-GXvqg_3e5QEUyQJ9VuyIqhThOUyO88rX-i29zBMU7eDJbXNTtDl9RwMzGf5KxD2XldPeX8QdD05LfKq_IIEVkCiklZAAM01YwyF4hAeAb_Vzmv/s1600/IMG_1826.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my nephew, Sam, at his hockey game</td></tr>
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Although that didn't stop me from going to watch others play hockey. My nephew, Sammy, just started to play. So of course I couldn't miss the opportunity to catch one of his games. There is a big difference between watching his Mini-Mite game and watching Matthew's Midget Minor :)</div>
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In addition to watching Sammy's hockey game, I also got to hang out with my niece Lizzie. As an aunt who isn't around much, I did feel the need to totally corrupt her. In fact, we picked her up from school early on the Friday I was there so she played hooky with me.</div>
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And, also, I felt the need to teach her how to eat Ready Whip from a can:</div>
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All good things a good Aunt should teach a teenage niece - right?</div>
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Well that should basically catch you up on my life. But just a couple of things to show to finish off this post. </div>
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First, here is the status of SamSarah <i>In My Garden</i> -</div>
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And lastly, while in Minnesota I got to go to my favorite stitching store: Stitchville USA and picked up a little stash...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6f6BkiVeENzZWzrTz0vBFRB3UQSL3cuRI-NPDi2yr95hqp5UPRd58ya2GF_dmWMMhB0gcDSdDz-SghFNe2slqAzdoU8x36zGdP61o8wftg0tzxQ5FsT83VBZKjCMTXPt0SvxS9kBpuao/s1600/IMG_1866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6f6BkiVeENzZWzrTz0vBFRB3UQSL3cuRI-NPDi2yr95hqp5UPRd58ya2GF_dmWMMhB0gcDSdDz-SghFNe2slqAzdoU8x36zGdP61o8wftg0tzxQ5FsT83VBZKjCMTXPt0SvxS9kBpuao/s1600/IMG_1866.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Which I felt that I just couldn't live with out...LOL!</div>
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Well, if you made it down to here, I thank you. This is one long post. </div>
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Until next time, take care and remember...</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>Lisa</i></b></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-38487043486983840722015-01-09T13:27:00.004-08:002015-01-09T13:29:04.556-08:00Post 7, 2015 - TGIF!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Time to do a "Happy Dance!"</div>
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Yahoo...</div>
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Yipee - Skippee!</div>
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Here is why</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">D - E - L - I - V - E - R - E - D</span></div>
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My Torah Portion has reached it's destination -<br />
it has been delivered and signed for! </div>
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Such a relief! </div>
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Now the organizers of this great international project will proof-read my stitching and if it all is correct, they will scan it and upload it to the website for all to see. Once every few months they create a slide show, which they post on the website, of all the new arrivals. As soon as mine is there, I will let you all know.</div>
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Another fun delivery was made today...not to me, but to...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolLrJmfNm5Z54kmyy7hoq1tUzXyosz_pGmfxEGQTW3Jw9C83aZ_nmgE7RihuPW_mXFrRMOAUfUySgT94_Vj0NRTK9aeeIyJzG52u0ESbbSWahmn03JlgK1kvBTn91Yu94lLx19okwvoRX/s1600/1530_26804-chocolate-birthday-cake(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolLrJmfNm5Z54kmyy7hoq1tUzXyosz_pGmfxEGQTW3Jw9C83aZ_nmgE7RihuPW_mXFrRMOAUfUySgT94_Vj0NRTK9aeeIyJzG52u0ESbbSWahmn03JlgK1kvBTn91Yu94lLx19okwvoRX/s1600/1530_26804-chocolate-birthday-cake(2).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry and David Birthday Cake</td></tr>
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Robert (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">my older son</span>) who turns 19 on Sunday, January 11. </div>
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Since he is back at school several 1000 miles away, I wanted to make sure that he had a birthday cake to celebrate with. This will be the first year that we won't be able to celebrate as a family; but I am sure between the dorm-house of boys, his classmates and his hockey team, there will be some celebrating going on!</div>
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Over the last few days I did manage to put some X's into SamSarah's <u>In My Garden</u>. Just enough to finish the 1st border I was working on.</div>
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Now it is time to move on to the flower inside the square. It looks like it might be a quiet weekend...and Matthew (younger son) and my DH have started playing a new XBox game...so I should be able to find some adequate stitching time.</div>
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Well, time to sign off. Hope you all are enjoying your Friday. </div>
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Until next time, take care and remember...<br />
<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></b></i></div>
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Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-80289967236656984712015-01-07T08:06:00.002-08:002015-01-07T08:06:56.334-08:00Post 6, 2015 - "Hump Day"Here we are, the first "Hump Day" of 2015. As my morning routine has been for the last few days, I have started by checking "where in the world my Torah Portion is?" When I click on the link of the USP tracking number, here is what I get today:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguthcJjaFUAt3dkSh-DIQk4v833vuWMmLVACbCaNb-Sd2-V24AVZqYuPATk8Yfy-vWY_9Pm-l7rdhLWbub_YQ-e5jVwpt3taceBY3pcpNU10h0rqTRMHTU0h3J9feKa5ZON2AblOEdIaGU/s1600/IMG_0528.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguthcJjaFUAt3dkSh-DIQk4v833vuWMmLVACbCaNb-Sd2-V24AVZqYuPATk8Yfy-vWY_9Pm-l7rdhLWbub_YQ-e5jVwpt3taceBY3pcpNU10h0rqTRMHTU0h3J9feKa5ZON2AblOEdIaGU/s1600/IMG_0528.PNG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I guess it is getting closer for it is finally and officially out of California now. Still showing estimated delivery date of Friday 1/9.<br />
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Didn't get much stitching done yesterday, even though I sat at the rink for a few hours. Matthew's (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">younger son</span>) hockey team has a tournament in Minnesota next weekend, so as the team manager I was busy finalizing some of the plans last night with some of the parents who will be traveling to the frozen tundra with the team. The team participated in this same tournament last year, during the coldest/snowiest winter on record. It seems that the temps are quite chilly again; so we have decided that renting a bus to transport the team around Minnesota next weekend would be the best choice. Could you imagine California bred parents having to deal with scraping ice or snow off their cars early in the morning to get the kids to their first hockey game at 7am? I can't.<br />
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Well, that is about it here. Time to bundle up and go for my morning walk (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">it is just 37 degrees here</span>). Until next time, take care and remember...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Laugh, Love, and Stitch Often!</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></b></i></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-50233608069685798632015-01-05T16:38:00.001-08:002015-01-05T16:38:34.688-08:00Day 5, 2015 - Back to realityToday it was back to school for Matthew (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">younger son</span>) and back to "routine" for my DH and I. It felt really strange to be getting up at 6:15am and making school lunch again. I feel like we all were on holiday vacation, even though DH and I worked a lot in our stores during the boys' holiday vacation.<br />
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Nevertheless, it felt good to get back to the "routine". It means that I have the morning to myself, which is the time I can get outdoors for a run or a walk or a combination of a run/walk. Living in Northern California allows one to be outdoors even during this time of the year. The mornings have been cool though - getting down near 32 degrees - but I cannot complain when my family all lives back in Minnesota where it is very, very chilly :)<br />
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I was able to get in some more X's on SamSarah <u>In My Garden</u>...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQASeI6KWl5rMzJ0OtVWHc0N3u3jTk108vmTRGDhyphenhyphen216XrgLIBAp5ri-gYk8pUy7Zg3fN3OtqGiqaWItKee_stkB_URVbP943ZnoUPKy5GU8JKyq0gQcMrr_Ua9hHG6wTpeGwswqFIsBoq/s1600/IMG_1794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQASeI6KWl5rMzJ0OtVWHc0N3u3jTk108vmTRGDhyphenhyphen216XrgLIBAp5ri-gYk8pUy7Zg3fN3OtqGiqaWItKee_stkB_URVbP943ZnoUPKy5GU8JKyq0gQcMrr_Ua9hHG6wTpeGwswqFIsBoq/s1600/IMG_1794.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mullied Berries portion complete; just finishing up the Frog Legs on the corners; then it will be time to stitch the flower which is inside of this square.<br />
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Well, that is about all from here. Hope your week is off to a good start. Until next time, take care and remember...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>Lisa</b></i></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-70253468463342719892015-01-04T08:49:00.002-08:002015-01-04T08:50:25.353-08:00Day 4, 2015 - "Empty Nest" weekend<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you all for soothing my anxieties about sending the Torah portion. I know that I have nothing to worry about...and since it was sent by UPS International, I can track it :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, Saturday started off really early (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">alarm going off at 3:30am</span>) so we could take Robert (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">older son</span>) to the airport to catch his 6am flight back to the east coast for prep school. It is sad to see him go, but exciting all the same. He really is enjoying his school and hockey year and life in the New England area of the US.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Robert on his way back to New Hampshire and Matthew (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">younger son</span>) in LA, my DH and I find ourselves "empty nesters" this weekend until 6pm tonight (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sunday</span>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is strange to have the house to ourselves and to worry about only ourselves. It is like it was "back in the early years" of our marriage - BC "Before Children". Strange how the cycle of life works. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of our day was filled with napping, as waking up at 3:30am can play havoc on one's old body. But we did fire up the Netflix on the big screen tv and watch some interesting movies, like: </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mud</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Matthew McConaughey and Reece Witherspoon. It was kind of a love, tragedy type of movie.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Our Idiot Brother</u> - Shirley Knight and Paul Rudd. Strangely entertaining movie of a very messed up family.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Pulp Fiction</u> - John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson. Can't go wrong with a Quentin Tarantino movie. Dialogue is always great.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was able to put some X's in SamSarah's <u>In My Garden</u>...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUHvPqHZOgLxZcTe_TO9WDFLjOFJtVSqixce7zo5ZpVYKKXxwT80Ykp1o4A_PHI_byudVxBXbeDo5k7It6F8xxlwLkf949wxOea0MDBFk9QTw9_1rg7H7aY0e3pmz0kS4VLp1YkVEoF4I/s1600/IMG_1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUHvPqHZOgLxZcTe_TO9WDFLjOFJtVSqixce7zo5ZpVYKKXxwT80Ykp1o4A_PHI_byudVxBXbeDo5k7It6F8xxlwLkf949wxOea0MDBFk9QTw9_1rg7H7aY0e3pmz0kS4VLp1YkVEoF4I/s1600/IMG_1793.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trying to get the border of this first square completed, which is stitched with Mullied Berries and Frog Legs. It is always fun to see how the variegated subtle color changes lay as you stitch, don't you agree? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you stitch with such fibers, do you try to control how the color changes come out on your stitched piece or do you just stitch? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, my blogging friends, it is time for me to go and see what this day holds for me. Until next time, take care and remember...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Lisa</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We cannot live only for ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men and women; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and they come back to us as effects. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">~ Herman Melville</span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-48773574331683392772015-01-02T16:57:00.002-08:002015-01-02T16:57:25.834-08:00Day 2, 2015 - Little Anxiety AttackI finally carefully wrapped up the stitched Torah Portion, packaged it up in a shipping tube and sent it off to Toronto Canada this morning...and while at the shipping store, I could feel my heart go pitter-patter in my chest and my stomach doing flip-flops. There is something about sending off a stitched piece - wondering if it will get there safely. Do any of you out there get that anxious feeling too?<br />
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I have a tracking number in hand, but that will not suffice my worries; only when I hear from the receiving party that they have it safely in hand will I feel better. :)<br />
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As part of the project, I have written up a little narrative about myself to send with it. From my understanding, after they put together all the portions in a wonderful scroll-like display, a documentary of sorts will be created highlighting the thousand of stitchers who worked on all the portions.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNyhBqD0sDEdUq64lPgVx9IKgny4IuoahXM4f3IR75r9jX5bIKymGHFxQtwfirgviJs-ehLH_IIlDifAY9V-mNffN2elx5NyeWx3TwpBuEAXoHq1Zg9jBlXdTbSJQYMZbIriwZ9DCrhYp/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNyhBqD0sDEdUq64lPgVx9IKgny4IuoahXM4f3IR75r9jX5bIKymGHFxQtwfirgviJs-ehLH_IIlDifAY9V-mNffN2elx5NyeWx3TwpBuEAXoHq1Zg9jBlXdTbSJQYMZbIriwZ9DCrhYp/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My narrative I sent along with my finished Torah Portion to be included in the information about all the stitchers who have participated in this international project.</td></tr>
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Tonight we are planning to grill a couple of steaks and chops; thought it would be nice to have a little family dinner before Robert (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">older son</span>) goes back to prep school. He leaves at 6am tomorrow. We have enjoyed having him at home and it will be sad to see him go back. But he is having a great year as he prepares for college, which he will attend next year. He spent most of the vacation at home finishing up his college essays, which my DH assisted him by proofing them before he submitted them. It was kind of like a deja-vu moment. Last winter vacation, he was not only filling out college applications but was also finishing up prep school ones too.<br />
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Matthew (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">my younger son</span>), who is down in LA this weekend, scored a goal in this afternoon's hockey game which was the first of five his team is playing down south this weekend. Several of the parents who drove down there to watch the team play email updates throughout the game, so we can feel like we are kind-of-like down there. Nevertheless, I do miss being in the crowd and cheering: Go Sharks! Go Matthew! They have another game later tonight.<br />
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I did get in a little stitching on SamSarah's "In My Garden", while watching one of my favorite movies, "Driving Miss Daisy"...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC7Y-EshoqItWW5S-9gO2EMQYbi7dug7nSZakLr7L_Km82UDMBCCDwvtG8M9AmO2DDBjTB1CbhR7k_Z3EjIJ1Jp1YxHpuiXzZNyIKKatcbFDs9s5y-RlUS0PaI7czdZUWg0JmqLM7ucCU/s1600/IMG_1790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC7Y-EshoqItWW5S-9gO2EMQYbi7dug7nSZakLr7L_Km82UDMBCCDwvtG8M9AmO2DDBjTB1CbhR7k_Z3EjIJ1Jp1YxHpuiXzZNyIKKatcbFDs9s5y-RlUS0PaI7czdZUWg0JmqLM7ucCU/s1600/IMG_1790.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Until next time...take care and remember...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red;">Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red;">Lisa</span></i></b></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-11806719028013160092015-01-01T10:17:00.000-08:002015-01-01T10:17:41.125-08:00Day 1, 2015 - Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOj6P_zmXGow6PAfjb9KJKsF_5Xa-GYRyYGZTfR9DKSqmndhv7MHE1z7p6xKB_Os8yY4vHF4GHPFEVK2NS2N00QAip-aBUQEaFgaUV5ZrH3W8296ZoGl8hDPNEmwayFf-NlY2nfIVE-6yY/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOj6P_zmXGow6PAfjb9KJKsF_5Xa-GYRyYGZTfR9DKSqmndhv7MHE1z7p6xKB_Os8yY4vHF4GHPFEVK2NS2N00QAip-aBUQEaFgaUV5ZrH3W8296ZoGl8hDPNEmwayFf-NlY2nfIVE-6yY/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Out with the old...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>In with the new.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And so today starts a new year - 2015. I woke up to a beautiful day, cool and sunny, vibrant blue sky contrasted by the ever so green of the grass. The beauty of Northern California peaks around this time of the year when other parts of the nation are deep in winter. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I took a short walk around this morning enjoying the surroundings of the neighborhood. It was quiet, except for a few others out walking, allowing me to reflect back on the last year - which I am grateful for - and ponder thoughts to the new year - which I look forward to. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Last year, one of the large projects I accomplished was my Torah Portion for the International Torah Stitch-by-Stitch project. I have been delinquent in sending in the finished piece, but will get on that this weekend now that my DH took a photo of me with it, which I will also need to forward to the organizers of this big project.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aviFfLm9vosRS_14fPKrlOwdS4NmljTnRq9tB_Y7ZXicUnn7B0D4lKWxbw0uYJpVmB1yGk5lV4ppn9nkzMykBwnDCFYRbDPyRV413F6DAEh3MnimzoNQmkWIhlnLca6LwLaXUE2-qeNi/s1600/IMG_1764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aviFfLm9vosRS_14fPKrlOwdS4NmljTnRq9tB_Y7ZXicUnn7B0D4lKWxbw0uYJpVmB1yGk5lV4ppn9nkzMykBwnDCFYRbDPyRV413F6DAEh3MnimzoNQmkWIhlnLca6LwLaXUE2-qeNi/s1600/IMG_1764.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my torah portion, standing outside in our backyard, in front of the orange tree on New Year's Eve.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>With the beginning of a new year, I have decided to go through my stash and pull out a project that I will work on this year. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I found...SamSarah - "In my Garden". </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>While watching some of the New Year's shows last night, I went ahead and gave it a start...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvN7AqL-6uuYMU5og-AZptdfB4nebDA49VcSOQgi6Q7F87-3l0rmCPv_kl9u2yNCTdHdJJFFbRqcHG9xfNJR-e5YnOfl2f78lPIQxAhUz83g4rKZmkXb4tG_1mtlLdMDufg5HaT8kQw91/s1600/IMG_1779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvN7AqL-6uuYMU5og-AZptdfB4nebDA49VcSOQgi6Q7F87-3l0rmCPv_kl9u2yNCTdHdJJFFbRqcHG9xfNJR-e5YnOfl2f78lPIQxAhUz83g4rKZmkXb4tG_1mtlLdMDufg5HaT8kQw91/s1600/IMG_1779.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This series is filled with wonderful bright colors. It caught my eye several years ago, but it has sat in a plastic zipper pouch, all kitted up. So, 2015 it comes out and I hope to make this a finish before the year ends :)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Today, Matthew (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">my younger son</span>) leaves to go to a hockey tournament in Los Angeles with his hockey team. They are taking a bus down there - just the players and the coach. Lots of male bonding will be going on in that bus, I'm sure. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Since Robert (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">my older son</span>) is home from prep school for a few more days, neither me or my DH will be traveling down to LA to watch the games. Robert is doing a post-grad year at a prep school out East. He was home for Thanksgiving and then, now, for the holidays. The time always seems to fly by when he is home...and I know that I need to make the most of this time, because one day he will be really on his own. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I always look back at the photos when my two boys were young....</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and wonder where those two kids went.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Definitely proud of the young men they are becoming.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Well, it is time to sign off on this 1st day of 2015. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I wish you all a very Happy New Year!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>May it bring you all my health and happiness,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Love and Laughter!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Love,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Lisa</i></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-22811868112120753812014-11-05T11:57:00.000-08:002014-11-05T11:58:02.083-08:00It was lost...now it is found!OMG...it is amazing with all the stash I have, all the WIPs, the stack of projects I have waiting to kit up and start, new samplers on their way...there has been this nagging feeling of an UFO - I project that was started years ago...a round robin that I shared with wonderful women all over the world - my Friendship Sampler (<i>by Carriage House Samplings</i>).<br />
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It's been a project that I have been searching for in my closet, in my semi-sortof-organized stitching corner, for months...probably even years.<br />
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Over the summer I remember taking everything out of my closet. Stacked it up on my bed; going through it; organizing stitching magazines that dated back to 1989; categorizing DMC and other floss as well as fabric. </div>
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I could not, for the life of me find this round robin project. It was making me sick. Not only was the stitched piece MIA, but the little booklet that traveled along with the piece where everyone wrote wonderful things about themselves. I knew it had to be here, but after months of search and no luck of finding, I gave up. Chalked it up to being trashed or left behind some where.</div>
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However, today, while packing for Chicago - another hockey tournament weekend - I was looking for a cute pair of boots I knew were hiding in the depths of my closet. And lo' n' behold I found this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGHAiipd56NW3QCpACRFxtruCcOm9QU8KI1f75dcrcjmyVYEjl6z99DchzOTjosbWihkhwKVJUdT36Dhg1erXqY5WQQoJFqdLWlrEx65dZY7uL0Am8hMbsWf686vjdoVKtDkiXLccIM76/s1600/IMG_1690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGHAiipd56NW3QCpACRFxtruCcOm9QU8KI1f75dcrcjmyVYEjl6z99DchzOTjosbWihkhwKVJUdT36Dhg1erXqY5WQQoJFqdLWlrEx65dZY7uL0Am8hMbsWf686vjdoVKtDkiXLccIM76/s1600/IMG_1690.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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A see-through zipper bag...a stitched piece...patterns...floss...Could it be, the Friendship Sampler?</div>
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YES!</div>
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YES!</div>
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YES!</div>
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OMG - Tears of happiness!</div>
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I found it! I found it! I am so happy and excited to have found this piece! It was in the strangest of places, so it is by luck that I stumbled upon it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUuCuqiPAHHvhOTyi4NkS_yKXORyMTOPpd3my1DhdamifYCQzY-fwR8qDWpZKyUtJQekEcAn1fcK8mFYgo_gSUngd4jtcMEfX23UtbIEWv3_8S_tLDQxczmhWABKNqc2rGYLfjJ5C-m_A/s1600/IMG_1689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUuCuqiPAHHvhOTyi4NkS_yKXORyMTOPpd3my1DhdamifYCQzY-fwR8qDWpZKyUtJQekEcAn1fcK8mFYgo_gSUngd4jtcMEfX23UtbIEWv3_8S_tLDQxczmhWABKNqc2rGYLfjJ5C-m_A/s1600/IMG_1689.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the traveling journal was there too! I am so relieved! </div>
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So, of course this is going in to my stitching bag I am taking to Chicago!</div>
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Until next time, take care and remember...</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Laugh, Love and Stitch Often!</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></i></b></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-30353230645424700292014-10-10T10:22:00.000-07:002014-10-10T10:22:04.438-07:00A Happy Dance on Friday :)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H5xTU-YJt398WhrHxeqKPelGykNGijUWw_GERE0u4rq_URFms3WVkiD72MGf331BwKwqjvdnm0y22CqEV1vRPR6ieljdfurrdQLcPe7ATeLv6tFSyBTRzzrGJ_CFEAE7YvqBQWzkIj6F/s1600/IMG_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H5xTU-YJt398WhrHxeqKPelGykNGijUWw_GERE0u4rq_URFms3WVkiD72MGf331BwKwqjvdnm0y22CqEV1vRPR6ieljdfurrdQLcPe7ATeLv6tFSyBTRzzrGJ_CFEAE7YvqBQWzkIj6F/s1600/IMG_1635.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exodus 4:12-15 - My Torah panel for the Torah Stitch by Stitch International project</td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>It is complete!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>The last stitch was crossed on the burning bush!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Time for a Happy Dance!</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfcapj4PLml3qAsy__kvf4uSeN9SDoW1Uyx1bDe-J9GFLrE007Vgrp2NOCNJdlUYW-mZBGpYZw6uhO-vlZhRPxLROUjtCG3KxJnXgxOkPIvlh2nm2anDnFDyjsh_Lz-emX5OyT9eQ_RHH/s1600/snoopy-dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfcapj4PLml3qAsy__kvf4uSeN9SDoW1Uyx1bDe-J9GFLrE007Vgrp2NOCNJdlUYW-mZBGpYZw6uhO-vlZhRPxLROUjtCG3KxJnXgxOkPIvlh2nm2anDnFDyjsh_Lz-emX5OyT9eQ_RHH/s1600/snoopy-dance.jpg" /></a></div>
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I will be finishing up some of the required paperwork over this weekend, which is required to be a part of this project, and then it will be traveling to Toronto Canada to be joined with the other panels. I am excited to be done but, as always, it is always hard to part with a stitched project. But I know that it is a part of a much larger thing.<br />
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Now to figure out what I would like to put some X's in...I have several WIPs which I should bring out of the dark and I have a few new things that I am aching to start...and I have the Just CrossStitch Ornament edition that is also calling my name. Ugh, so many choices...so little time :)<br />
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Well...I am going to hunt through my stash and make a decision. I'll let you know what I decide next time. Until then, take care and remember...<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>Lisa</b></i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPImDqScEzXKlQnpP9f1HmTK4zdb6cPMUIFKL5KjjT7kckSbN4hhTMuJ_YxpkZXt99lfRRAAX9_S23n8T1nAfqSRD89FsX0ClDqG0v2HyoPKjBrcRBfNmq_up2cxaX87-crumMIJUfTog/s1600/IMG_1637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPImDqScEzXKlQnpP9f1HmTK4zdb6cPMUIFKL5KjjT7kckSbN4hhTMuJ_YxpkZXt99lfRRAAX9_S23n8T1nAfqSRD89FsX0ClDqG0v2HyoPKjBrcRBfNmq_up2cxaX87-crumMIJUfTog/s1600/IMG_1637.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egret walking along the little waterfall near our neighborhood golf course - photographed on my walk in the gloomy, fall day in Northern California</td></tr>
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Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-52303824838631159012014-10-03T06:13:00.001-07:002014-10-03T06:13:02.614-07:00TGIF...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TGIF and Hello from rainy, gloomy Detroit, Michigan. It is the first hockey tournament for Matthew (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>my youngest son</i></span>). We left mid-morning and arrived here in the late afternoon. Perfect timing for a nice team meal catered by the hotel.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfgAO-w9R0f8P6rq1gpT5-tTCbrqw-olcARHf2CGUzDsRompA1NCZyyWUijGrn4ikKM0cPvvutDEZC6KsrZrOu3_FVli0EPQnARu81l8iSSDnIpkEfslxN6wgnlZZHH1f5MFm67aUQh13/s1600/IMG_1620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfgAO-w9R0f8P6rq1gpT5-tTCbrqw-olcARHf2CGUzDsRompA1NCZyyWUijGrn4ikKM0cPvvutDEZC6KsrZrOu3_FVli0EPQnARu81l8iSSDnIpkEfslxN6wgnlZZHH1f5MFm67aUQh13/s1600/IMG_1620.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew and his teammates camped out at the gate waiting to board the plane to Detroit for the first hockey tournament of the season.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The flight was smooth and gave me some time to put some X's in my torah portion. Here is what the burning bush looks like now.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml3WlWXAG94dtZGQWBVErHHNYTn2YVblZRoKxFMe4kVUrlUWHTzA1AYeKN0_akJf_hu4efDjE3wwu7lUxOxKqU1P1_wEdahre3MH1WMotdGTyuSmqG7uRn7TV_zm-DjS8Xw5thOn9onSS/s1600/IMG_1625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml3WlWXAG94dtZGQWBVErHHNYTn2YVblZRoKxFMe4kVUrlUWHTzA1AYeKN0_akJf_hu4efDjE3wwu7lUxOxKqU1P1_wEdahre3MH1WMotdGTyuSmqG7uRn7TV_zm-DjS8Xw5thOn9onSS/s1600/IMG_1625.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am feeling pretty good about how it is coming. When I am finish filling it in with Gold-#729 and Red-#816, there might be a little frogging to do. There is an area where I stitched some Red X's on the left hand side, which I am thinking Gold might look better. But I want to wait until the whole thing is stitch to make that decision. If anyone has any thought, please let me know. I value your opinion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, sorry so short today. On East Coast time, so I need to get my day started. But I will leave you with this photo...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJY54_B4cLM61oHhmsavF8shU86veucQRq4F-GSLNI6BHsghWpHC7ZYcUyX5DOuCrabXQ1FHkY3gnw0SE87lOP8B2XSI5O-0HJtyjmEWpmAlEYapHcroJg05D_DPBhAepwfzLDtqucpqi/s1600/IMG_1619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJY54_B4cLM61oHhmsavF8shU86veucQRq4F-GSLNI6BHsghWpHC7ZYcUyX5DOuCrabXQ1FHkY3gnw0SE87lOP8B2XSI5O-0HJtyjmEWpmAlEYapHcroJg05D_DPBhAepwfzLDtqucpqi/s1600/IMG_1619.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday morning's run from my house to our store, this hawk was sitting on the bridge, looking down into the creek - probably hunting for his breakfast. As I jogged past, he didn't move and I was pretty close to him. He was so beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well...off I go. Until next time, take care and remember...</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Lisa</i></b></span></div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-40631528595519498482014-09-27T12:00:00.000-07:002014-09-27T12:00:07.657-07:00It's a doggie-dog world...but we are making due :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3H1bMUNayOQ9JJijK9q2RHI0pyzLp5Sgae2pfgMFob9WUiJ1WT9WqG0jaG3aqmyyQEBxgEDWZfCVjJMoq8ZGYjQMrWwmdxPJsjuh7mug_7Qmnfm5qx2WwSCNMlMsChjdf3CXN1D7NY5kK/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3H1bMUNayOQ9JJijK9q2RHI0pyzLp5Sgae2pfgMFob9WUiJ1WT9WqG0jaG3aqmyyQEBxgEDWZfCVjJMoq8ZGYjQMrWwmdxPJsjuh7mug_7Qmnfm5qx2WwSCNMlMsChjdf3CXN1D7NY5kK/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just thought I would start my post with a "hello" from our old dog, Bruno. He is so happy to get a new bed. Bruno is a very old dog - 13 years old - and his poor joints aren't what they use to be. Prior to this bed, we actually gave him the boys' old crib mattress, as it was only taking up room in our closet. Well, Bruno's claws finally shredded the baby crib mattress to bits and pieces after using if for a little over a year. So after cleaning up his "bedroom", we purchased this nice soft doggie bed. He was very happy to get it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, yesterday I did muster up the courage to start stitching the burning bush onto the torah panel. Here is where I am right now...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzZNFZeetoKPxWlwQpCflO0r3QajMJUSAnUiFHpr3ITHwJPr16TFI58MgRMzH81oVK5uDJy6f-SYsHnl9QJjeC2sgYZ36uc033qDSq7QK9og5HppqEzlG7Zh69y6sK2YKytVr3cP4GWX9/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzZNFZeetoKPxWlwQpCflO0r3QajMJUSAnUiFHpr3ITHwJPr16TFI58MgRMzH81oVK5uDJy6f-SYsHnl9QJjeC2sgYZ36uc033qDSq7QK9og5HppqEzlG7Zh69y6sK2YKytVr3cP4GWX9/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each time I designed it on my iPad and then stitched it (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>the practice burning bush and the one that is being stitched on the panel</i></span>) the outline of the bush and the flames slightly changed. But I like how the outline came out on the panel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to stitch the outline using 3 strands of floss, just like the hebrew lettering; and I stuck with the moss color. For the flames, I am going to use just the magenta-red color (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>#816</i></span>) and gold (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">#729</span></i>), but I am going to stitch with only 2 strands to give it more of an airy, light, watercolor like feeling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I appreciated the comments from <a href="http://shelly-anarizonastitcher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shelly</a> and <a href="http://cuckistitchingcove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cucki</a>. While I loved their ideas, I, unfortunately couldn't use a brown to stitch the burning bush because it wasn't an approved color listed on the <a href="http://torahstitchbystitch.temmagentles.com/design-and-technique/borders-alert/" target="_blank">Torah Stitch by Stitch</a> website. They want the entire torah scroll, which will consist of over 1400 panels stitched by over 1400 people, to look uniform. So we just had 7 colors on the approved color list. None were brown and none were orange, which really would have helped the flame appearance. Oh, well, I am making due. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, after working in our store...where I dipped the strawberries, apples and bananas dipped in chocolate...it was time to get home and feed our youngest son so he will be energized for his hockey game this afternoon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time to sign off...hope your weekend is off to a good start. Until next time, take care and remember...</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Lisa</i></b></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-79439286415676278102014-09-26T08:49:00.001-07:002014-09-26T08:49:10.515-07:00Practicing the stitching of the burning bush is a good thing...but does not make one really prefectLet's just say it is a good thing that I am stitching a practice piece before I actually stitch my Burning Bush onto my Torah Portion panel. This pseudo-designing thing is really difficult! Kudos to all those stitching designers out there, I don't know how you do it. To take something that you have in your mind, a piece of clipart or design ideas and then translate it onto graph paper and finally in colorful X's. Definitely not going to be a career for me :)<br />
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So here is my mess...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ugICNgIQmaM5RBXigfUvngcODvixFrJnySEhOf_buQ05jKaycZZIejQj9tr3VfUpGKkKHOnNXhj7FMEX9WsuGGrQePef3jkl-josf2sfVzxlEzByuzOX9c3qUpaySQFLkyVie53uLiif/s1600/IMG_1616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ugICNgIQmaM5RBXigfUvngcODvixFrJnySEhOf_buQ05jKaycZZIejQj9tr3VfUpGKkKHOnNXhj7FMEX9WsuGGrQePef3jkl-josf2sfVzxlEzByuzOX9c3qUpaySQFLkyVie53uLiif/s1600/IMG_1616.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Things I love -<br />
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<li>I love the design</li>
<li>I love the outline in moss (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">DMC #731</span></i>) - for you know that the burning bush was on fire, but the fire didn't consume it. So it seems appropriate that the trunk of the tree, it's branches and some foliage that shows is still a greenish color </li>
<li>I love the top part in gold (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>DMC #729</i></span>)</li>
<li>I love how the reddish (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>DMC #816</i></span>) mixes well with the moss and the moss stands out. </li>
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Things I do not like -<br /><ul>
<li>The middle section, this is where I am stuck. </li>
<li>I was thinking about using the rose (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">DMC #223</span></i>) color for the middle area, it was suppose to act like the orange-ish color you see in a flame between the yellow and the red...rose just wasn't going to act that way</li>
<li>A stitching friend of mine suggested maybe I should blend rose with red and/or gold for that area...I appreciate her input, but it is just not working either.</li>
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So, I am thinking that I will just keep it simple - use moss for the outline/branches/trunk of the tree, use gold for the outer/top portion of the flame and red for the bottom/lower portion of the flame. And kind of make it look like a watercolor painting of the burning bush, where the outline is vivid and strong, but the yellow and reddish part of the flame bleeds a little past the outline and fills in the drawing.<br />
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This morning I went back to the drawing board and manually manipulated the graph of this design to simplify it. I have been using the StitchSketch program on my iPad to help create the graph for this illustration. Anyone out there ever use this? It is pretty simple, yet I am definitely not a pro at it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeT10atT36cHOIIxIkFLxhCL6h3yZiUXVt3Wn1bzWBQKSWYj4YwBUviqKQD2thqrwKn2tp2KRzVHqPiPPiO7hkUx8nX2KHT6NSCgBhPWL8zFMGZO3JDSfQqsbMkA7mASENKy0XHk1N_Hv/s1600/IMG_1617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeT10atT36cHOIIxIkFLxhCL6h3yZiUXVt3Wn1bzWBQKSWYj4YwBUviqKQD2thqrwKn2tp2KRzVHqPiPPiO7hkUx8nX2KHT6NSCgBhPWL8zFMGZO3JDSfQqsbMkA7mASENKy0XHk1N_Hv/s1600/IMG_1617.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now there are only 3 colors represented on this. I think that I graphed the design how I would like to stitch it. So, I might be ready just to stitch it on the official panel. Just need to take a deep breath and make that first X on the panel. Need some courage!<br />
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On another note...the first few days of Autumn brought us some wet weather, at least in the morning hours. Might have gotten about 1/2 inch of rain over those 2 days. We will take anything!<br />
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But today, the sky is clear without a cloud in sight. Come on raining season, lets get a start...California needs it!<br />
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Time to get a start to the day as I seem to be dragging. Hope you have a good Friday. Until next time, take care and remember...<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></b></i></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-48716215821181122312014-09-23T07:38:00.003-07:002014-09-23T07:38:33.751-07:00The end of summer and a partial finish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80VWTT36ObEHoSRBquskBGSyXNgknCw2KFEx7d3Tq4UGFtrJeyNZqmRZ4AxsQD8B97DA-pZf9V7xnBrYHw9NROfnOi5uIe9K1CwLobXDtsnG7HOZMwWLs94SGGqpCPZtzX-islTWNFdTd/s1600/img-thing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80VWTT36ObEHoSRBquskBGSyXNgknCw2KFEx7d3Tq4UGFtrJeyNZqmRZ4AxsQD8B97DA-pZf9V7xnBrYHw9NROfnOi5uIe9K1CwLobXDtsnG7HOZMwWLs94SGGqpCPZtzX-islTWNFdTd/s1600/img-thing.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Autumn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In some places, the leaves turn colors because it is that time of the year. But here, in California, most of the trees seem to be very distressed and have been looking a little brown and sad for quite some time. Yet, there are those areas where the trees were taken care of, either with sprinkling of recycled water (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>or by some of us who decided to water our lawns and endured the high cost of doing so</i></span>) where the trees will start turning lovely shades or red, orange and gold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully, with the arrival of the new season, the rainy season will start! Maybe we need to do a rain dance to get it started?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, this weekend I was doing a small happy dance! Yes, I finished the lettering of my Torah Panel! And here it is:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5HlvigPuKQcHvGU6rigFGcaRQHcBEwO3ivIRr_SEXtjRing1jeNyhlfoDGWY-XsID1kn7oBLS5NGmqYCldVBvvVCgqO47Wb4RjKf7L_YM287tDDQNy6_7Nk7jKr6jt-5_ZCTw-5LnDGW/s1600/IMG_1605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5HlvigPuKQcHvGU6rigFGcaRQHcBEwO3ivIRr_SEXtjRing1jeNyhlfoDGWY-XsID1kn7oBLS5NGmqYCldVBvvVCgqO47Wb4RjKf7L_YM287tDDQNy6_7Nk7jKr6jt-5_ZCTw-5LnDGW/s1600/IMG_1605.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Exodus 4:12-15) My Torah Panel for the Torah Stitch by Stitch project</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are 4 lines of my portion and their translation:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exodus 4:12 -</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: David; font-size: 26px; text-align: right;"> וְעַתָּה, לֵךְ; וְאָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה עִם-פִּיךָ, וְהוֹרֵיתִיךָ אֲשֶׁר תְּדַבֵּר.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt speak.'</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Exodus 4:13 - </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: David; font-size: 26px; text-align: right;"> וַיֹּאמֶר, בִּי אֲדֹנָי; שְׁלַח-נָא, בְּיַד-תִּשְׁלָח.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And he said: 'Oh Lord, send, I pray Thee, by the hand of him whom Thou wilt send.'</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exodus 4:14 -</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: David; font-size: 26px; text-align: right;"> וַיִּחַר-אַף יְהוָה בְּמֹשֶׁה, וַיֹּאמֶר הֲלֹא אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ הַלֵּוִי--יָדַעְתִּי, כִּי-דַבֵּר יְדַבֵּר הוּא; וְגַם הִנֵּה-הוּא יֹצֵא לִקְרָאתֶךָ, וְרָאֲךָ וְשָׂמַח בְּלִבּוֹ.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: 'Is there not Aaron thy brother the Levite? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee; and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exodus 4:15 -</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: David; font-size: 26px; text-align: right;">וְדִבַּרְתָּ אֵלָיו, וְשַׂמְתָּ אֶת-הַדְּבָרִים בְּפִיו; וְאָנֹכִי, אֶהְיֶה עִם-פִּיךָ וְעִם-פִּיהוּ, וְהוֹרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם, אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשׂוּן.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And thou shalt speak unto him, and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I have completed the stitching of the lettering, I am planning to stitch a border around the edges and an illustration in the lower left-hand corner. Because there is some constraints set by the organizer of this international project regarding margins/edges, I have just emailed photos of the completed panel to her to get some directions on how wide my margin should be and what my limitations are on the bottom. They do a good job on responding, so I will wait to hear from them to begin. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, since I do have a design in mind for the illustration - which is a burning bush (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">can't you picture Moses standing in front of the burning bush during this conversation between him and God?</span></i>)- I have started to stitch a practice piece. I wanted to make sure that the sizing and the color adaption would be right before I stitched it on the panel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">So here is the designs I found:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPvdQ8_b5AiD9aXkCi4Az7yQc9FamQIAGzRtyGRoQv9iHcqUyfEukgGAlw68FEdsFq7l7ICrW2K0wngJYN-5stj5blzPLhRC2i__8WkuKIKip34kyTAfjtrqw8WI-QPViN6ZjGLyJwZ2o/s1600/u16415373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPvdQ8_b5AiD9aXkCi4Az7yQc9FamQIAGzRtyGRoQv9iHcqUyfEukgGAlw68FEdsFq7l7ICrW2K0wngJYN-5stj5blzPLhRC2i__8WkuKIKip34kyTAfjtrqw8WI-QPViN6ZjGLyJwZ2o/s1600/u16415373.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yWXHCNoEgtODH7uROk6L3TNtsYxuZC1QfpZYyoTxpMGWsk9QpBU-jyFEg4C0g_xoVIvYMmxoUHeSSaadEIQwQ9AtMyJekhjHW-LIMKEmkg85IDtjctx3aPMsiklfgYUZWCrxKtQ-qFFJ/s1600/bush-clipart-burning-bush.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yWXHCNoEgtODH7uROk6L3TNtsYxuZC1QfpZYyoTxpMGWsk9QpBU-jyFEg4C0g_xoVIvYMmxoUHeSSaadEIQwQ9AtMyJekhjHW-LIMKEmkg85IDtjctx3aPMsiklfgYUZWCrxKtQ-qFFJ/s1600/bush-clipart-burning-bush.gif" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is the beginning of my adaption of the two -</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbxzb2JM5mLisLACUS6YZ6eXNfewnGlj_p9uLabzHvuwf97qQWfOTMdQlmiPfjeHlVu95BDRDmRmsWl591p6iRjCYqz4uT7TH-xTf0edMqwa56X_RbE6qKFcekiWoKs6Wqw5N-4Osq7Nq/s1600/IMG_1614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbxzb2JM5mLisLACUS6YZ6eXNfewnGlj_p9uLabzHvuwf97qQWfOTMdQlmiPfjeHlVu95BDRDmRmsWl591p6iRjCYqz4uT7TH-xTf0edMqwa56X_RbE6qKFcekiWoKs6Wqw5N-4Osq7Nq/s1600/IMG_1614.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2a2gZqy8lbLmxBIeEoFzEJN1NeLhe_H08zGH-2HRPte4m5JmA35gxGU1f2fSiTMAEhSzPhz9Ud0wuo3xPTgC-qyf2PkORwM8vvTd6TUsSB_BcKuZrWmHJyrusDejP5nUp67ySnlNeIUy/s1600/floss-palette-revised-w-Arabesque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2a2gZqy8lbLmxBIeEoFzEJN1NeLhe_H08zGH-2HRPte4m5JmA35gxGU1f2fSiTMAEhSzPhz9Ud0wuo3xPTgC-qyf2PkORwM8vvTd6TUsSB_BcKuZrWmHJyrusDejP5nUp67ySnlNeIUy/s1600/floss-palette-revised-w-Arabesque.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">#917-magenta, #816-red, #223-rose, #729-gold, #731-moss, #3810-aqua, and #3750-indigo. So, I have chosen moss, red, rose and gold to stitch the burning bush. I thought moss would be the perfect one for the branches and the trunk of the tree because according to the commentary for this portion, the bush appeared to burn but really wasn't. So, the branches and trunk should stay green. Any way, we will see how the flames turn out. Yellow will definitely be on the top and rose somewhere in the middle. I'll show you what it turns out like when I finish the practice piece.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Well, time to hit the road with the running shoes. Until next time, take care and remember...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Lisa </i></b></span></span></div>
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Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-30222386682286705242014-09-20T07:01:00.001-07:002014-09-20T07:01:32.711-07:00Just 4 more...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just 4 more....words</div>
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Just 14 more...letters</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: David; font-size: 26px; text-align: right;">אֶתְכֶם</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: David; font-size: 26px; text-align: right;">אֵת</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: David; font-size: 26px; text-align: right;">אֲשֶׁר</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: David; font-size: 26px; text-align: right;">תַּעֲשׂוּן</span></div>
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And then I will have finished with the lettering</div>
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And then I will have finished making X's in black</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeSLfZCrbzKZ_fhSjB8ESAz5kBUMGFPaAgHVhwSJF1o34Q1qJ-qzSppNiYOZ96ZG5jP13T-tdGeTEFH8_ODjHNIRcSn7IVfGDJ5a2v1x-UAOcBXz3B6ac4bYZNdSd1FXrhSSw7fPjoySg/s1600/IMG_1603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeSLfZCrbzKZ_fhSjB8ESAz5kBUMGFPaAgHVhwSJF1o34Q1qJ-qzSppNiYOZ96ZG5jP13T-tdGeTEFH8_ODjHNIRcSn7IVfGDJ5a2v1x-UAOcBXz3B6ac4bYZNdSd1FXrhSSw7fPjoySg/s1600/IMG_1603.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was able to sit and stitch yesterday. I so want to finish stitching my Torah Portion. I am enjoying this and there is great meaning to be doing this, but you know what it is like to be stitching in the same color for a long period of time...especially black. I miss colors.<br />
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Yes, I could pick up one of my many WIPs and pull out a vivid color to get my color-fix; but I feel that it would be wrong to set my Torah Portion aside, even for a few X's of a WIP, because I am slightly delinquent on finishing my Torah Portion.<br />
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I can do it...I can do it..I can do it</div>
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I will finish those black X's by the end of the weekend</div>
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If not sooner!</div>
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Well, in order to sit and stitch later today, I need to get my sitter outside and jog for a while!</div>
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Until next time, take care and remember...</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>Lisa</b></i></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-51396138847068170642014-09-19T10:17:00.003-07:002014-09-19T10:17:28.633-07:00Fruity Friday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5P8rhVdrtIpONlhcBYvyKRnD7hwxO2uj6poXbdKHqaj_3eJ3PAXYhAJbBUuMphEAXi4Eiz88CXQWaC6VSiKkFUCQNpWYtlhr7mnWxdTUODCBnbtPYVAyQQby9tYelj6tXLA9hpWHfvq0X/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5P8rhVdrtIpONlhcBYvyKRnD7hwxO2uj6poXbdKHqaj_3eJ3PAXYhAJbBUuMphEAXi4Eiz88CXQWaC6VSiKkFUCQNpWYtlhr7mnWxdTUODCBnbtPYVAyQQby9tYelj6tXLA9hpWHfvq0X/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Happy Fruity Friday. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My son received his care package I sent a few days ago. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It contained HoneyCrisp apples. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>YUM! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Fall is here now that the HoneyCrisps have arrived. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Those big, crisp, juicy apples are so delish! There is nothing like them. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He was very excited when I texted him this morning to let him know that the packaged had arrived (I was stalking it on the USPS website). In between classes he went to his post box and got the box...and it looks like he tore it open so that he could get a bite of an apple.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A little silly, huh?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Well, we are a big fruit and vegetable family.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Being away from home he is doing his best to eat like he is use to, and the food at Phillips Exeter is pretty good. But when you are use to having fruit available at all times, it is hard. He said during a phone conversation over the weekend he is getting bananas from one of the dining halls...and he did grab a Red Delicious Apple, but it was "icky"! So he is sticking with bananas only.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I haven't made time to do any X's on my Torah portion the last few days. I have been in a little funk and experiencing a little headache lately. The micro-climate situation where we live in California has been providing us with a little humidity where we live. Several of the surrounding areas received a little rain yesterday (which we desperately need); however we didn't see a drop. But there was a rainbow nearby yesterday morning:</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJpxIYvZfEaCz8PnDTJDqrX98IQWM6AVZ_O-I9huxzcKmhCwP9unkk5al2v-vb3X5jUHbUxO4TYVrywu2bafffhgZHijJeacwxDvYYteH_21n-djIlQR09H_jx9hVxzczi3E7fKGMiyRp/s1600/IMG_1601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJpxIYvZfEaCz8PnDTJDqrX98IQWM6AVZ_O-I9huxzcKmhCwP9unkk5al2v-vb3X5jUHbUxO4TYVrywu2bafffhgZHijJeacwxDvYYteH_21n-djIlQR09H_jx9hVxzczi3E7fKGMiyRp/s1600/IMG_1601.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It was so bright and vivid. I swear, I probably could have walked through the park and found the pot of gold. Yah, right...lovely thinking :) </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Well, with out much news here, I probably should sign off. Have a great weekend - take care and remember...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Lisa</b></i></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-23781623335115192462014-09-17T07:44:00.003-07:002014-09-17T07:44:35.062-07:00It's Wednesday...Happy Hump Day. This week seems to be flying by. I have seen some of my stitching friends start counting down to Christmas (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">there are 98 days as of today)</span></i>. That just seems scary. There is so much living that needs to take place now, I can't even go there :)<br />
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We had a quiet weekend, which was nice. There seems to be a lot of time on our hands with only one kid at home. I did get some X's made on My Torah Portion (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">again, sorry for the wrinkly photos</span>)</i>:<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">LAST WEEK...</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYsFq4zwCRjtz_ldwVqANfoHpmA7Y4XCrdT7kGYZWUnpa1CKQzf35CEdL2xAIoBIq-fVsbP1vtJFQcLtZSUdHNNvKpCARBlMmteBNUXFLBgvMZZuqrmaMyMZuNxbIyYKUtkDWWfukzVu5/s1600/IMG_1595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYsFq4zwCRjtz_ldwVqANfoHpmA7Y4XCrdT7kGYZWUnpa1CKQzf35CEdL2xAIoBIq-fVsbP1vtJFQcLtZSUdHNNvKpCARBlMmteBNUXFLBgvMZZuqrmaMyMZuNxbIyYKUtkDWWfukzVu5/s1600/IMG_1595.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">THIS WEEK...</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0j4tAeV5CgtrXpuEIbxir8RX5o6mfPPWmCXt_YSneMErxql_7VVzjcjAsthQznTqmV6XBbUVAfhIB5w_9ROIh2b56RnOrsv0vAiZ-A_95WDJimt7dZpkjvAx4P5azPE7t0otBR2PdESq/s1600/IMG_1598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0j4tAeV5CgtrXpuEIbxir8RX5o6mfPPWmCXt_YSneMErxql_7VVzjcjAsthQznTqmV6XBbUVAfhIB5w_9ROIh2b56RnOrsv0vAiZ-A_95WDJimt7dZpkjvAx4P5azPE7t0otBR2PdESq/s1600/IMG_1598.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, this week's is more wrinkled (ha, ha)...but, I did finish 2 more lines. I just have 1.5 more lines to stitch and then I will have completed the hebrew letters of the torah portion. It will be such an accomplishment to have that done. I am so tired of stitching in black!<br />
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On Monday, the mailman (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">or should I say postperson to be politically correct?</span></i>), brought my copy of:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq-dkUOIqDuAsIC-uGL1NCnuyVeelfKgjPbaLXLVIM5IYZPX-PqoQXXb1RbP4xhTDs51wIqG087-M0aZo2E7T55Q_i7usN007yoWf9Pv7InFwbBQFB89E15M7vSCo8wKFdcWkEfqAHubP/s1600/IMG_1597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq-dkUOIqDuAsIC-uGL1NCnuyVeelfKgjPbaLXLVIM5IYZPX-PqoQXXb1RbP4xhTDs51wIqG087-M0aZo2E7T55Q_i7usN007yoWf9Pv7InFwbBQFB89E15M7vSCo8wKFdcWkEfqAHubP/s1600/IMG_1597.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I was so excited. So many of you out there in blog land received your copies earlier than I...so I was worried; even contacted Just CrossStitch to confirm that it was part of my subscription. You can down load an electronic version if you have a subscription, which I did. But there is nothing better than having the hard copy in hand. I know that there are a lot of things that have gone to electronic versions - books on kindle, e-versions of class room books so that our students don't have to lug big heavy books. But there is just something wonderful about turning pages, looking at the colors, flipping through the book/magazine. I do care about our planet and sometimes worry about all the landfills...but I am also old fashion and like my hardcopy!!!<br />
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And since I am so tired of stitching in black, flipping through a beautiful, colorful magazine filled with colorful cross stitched ornaments is so wonderful :)<br />
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Well, time to go out for a little walk this morning. Until next time, take care and remember...<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>Lisa</i></b></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-35386939283304141812014-09-13T10:10:00.000-07:002014-09-13T10:10:00.108-07:00Trying to get back into the "swing of things"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94NIJSc6I2pCep3kB2iv8xCyGBrIJsY3KuK-6h2ZGVFoNF7MXbnYqTSUlKYJyIZPCu2OsVViyKEh63CIF207LbXwt4KbQuO4WFD3Yp9Ptwzygim3a7wyrkZ6DgJUrBVLuielFc4KLugO3/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94NIJSc6I2pCep3kB2iv8xCyGBrIJsY3KuK-6h2ZGVFoNF7MXbnYqTSUlKYJyIZPCu2OsVViyKEh63CIF207LbXwt4KbQuO4WFD3Yp9Ptwzygim3a7wyrkZ6DgJUrBVLuielFc4KLugO3/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
The morning greeted me with a deep turquoise sky filled will little puffy, cottony clouds. It is nice to have little clouds as it will help keep the temperatures down here, but I wish that these were rain clouds...as we are in desperate need of that wet stuff that falls from the sky! Hopefully this winter season will be a rainy one. We can hope, right?<br />
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Well, it has taken some time for me to get back into the swing of things since returning home from the East coast. One would think, since it is 3 hours earlier in California that it would be easy to get up and get going. But I think that this old body takes longer than it use to when trying to get back into routine. I think that today is the first day that I feel like myself (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">which is 6 days since I have returned home</span></i>).<br />
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With only one child at home, I have noticed a few changes...such as: I don't have to go to the grocery store as often to buy milk or any other food, the house stays a little cleaner, I only have to drive down to the rink 2-3 days a week instead of 6-7 days a week. Thus, I have found I have more time to be home. So I have actually found some time to sit and stitch this week. Can I have a...<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>YAHOO!</b></span></div>
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So I took out my torah portion, which is waaaaaaayyyyyy over due. I did sign a promise that I would have it stitched and sent back to Toronto in 6 months, but we are coming up to 9 months. I was able to stitch a few word this week. Here is photo update of where I am right now:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEem2pBH7Xge5l59konPyHHJOSCtuZPFKmx-fBY7-0u4QEsg3Rz23Gc59RBgF36FwENK8y7Le_mfXdTaFi0z2jWTudUXrXnPtBa9IfjWNA61f9qIYunrRv9lXMw5E5-ir-HnwxgpzOxoTu/s1600/IMG_1595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEem2pBH7Xge5l59konPyHHJOSCtuZPFKmx-fBY7-0u4QEsg3Rz23Gc59RBgF36FwENK8y7Le_mfXdTaFi0z2jWTudUXrXnPtBa9IfjWNA61f9qIYunrRv9lXMw5E5-ir-HnwxgpzOxoTu/s1600/IMG_1595.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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(<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm sorry for all the creases</span></i>). I have about 2 and 1/2 more lines to finish stitching. I do have a border in mind as well as a design of a burning bush I am planning to stitch at the bottom. </div>
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If you want to see what some of the finish panels look like that have been sent back, go to this link: <a href="http://torahstitchbystitch.temmagentles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/scanned-panels-June-14-red.pdf">http://torahstitchbystitch.temmagentles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/scanned-panels-June-14-red.pdf</a></div>
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If you want to see what the exhibition concept looks like (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">how the finished panels will be put together and presented</span></i>), go to this link: <a href="http://torahstitchbystitch.temmagentles.com/events-activity/our-magnificent-exhibition-concept/">http://torahstitchbystitch.temmagentles.com/events-activity/our-magnificent-exhibition-concept/</a></div>
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I am always overwhelmed when I look to see what other's have done with their panel pieces and I get excited to be a part of this huge project when I take a look at how the exhibition of this will be done. It will be truly amazing.</div>
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Well, it is time for me to sign off and get a few things done around the house so I can sit and stitch today. Until next time, take care and remember...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></b></i></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-90076723022895029772014-09-11T12:18:00.004-07:002014-09-11T12:18:55.281-07:00Last part of my trip out eastOnce my son was settled in his room, I really didn't have anything to do on Thursday (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sept. 4</span></i>); although I did purchase a few more hangers for his clothes and a yoga mat & bag for him. I was fortunately to run into him while he and one of his hockey buddies were walking around downtown Exeter - so I handed him the bag with the stuff (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">thus, I didn't need to go back to his dorm/house and bug him anymore</span></i>). I also got a brief hug; the kind that say "I do love you mom, but I cannot really show my affection because a friend of mine is standing near us." So for the rest of that Thursday, I just vegged out in my hotel room; catching up on some sleep before I headed down to Washington DC for my cousin's wedding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_L00UyX0Rib8uGS2lsabb7B7oYfYSK51tA0eMydpdTU19xPJP7PYHiQTlTjh5nFOjcFdWBuBaZ8aNQRfRLuK_K61VsklwkrSHkA25DfIipXNcVJjjhLX5lmUjtXDGFLS4-eTqB-mXTJP/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_L00UyX0Rib8uGS2lsabb7B7oYfYSK51tA0eMydpdTU19xPJP7PYHiQTlTjh5nFOjcFdWBuBaZ8aNQRfRLuK_K61VsklwkrSHkA25DfIipXNcVJjjhLX5lmUjtXDGFLS4-eTqB-mXTJP/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun coming up on Friday, Sept. 5 over a boggy area in Exeter, NH</td></tr>
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I woke up early Friday morning to get in a nice jog before I had to head to the airport. The cool, crisp air was such a blessing. And the beauty of the landscape as the sun rose was overwhelming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLCxMKu7VXslzkcWRYJCgZbbdDVM9MhGgYc4FAR4_upvWN6j40_eaSw1eGjsP2w-gSDzCJK-cuE-DjkPs64cPxwx36vKCjYqjul4-gXnRiAHivOce0zL39QUz8IL2crQnDurnwvAbc_QQ/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLCxMKu7VXslzkcWRYJCgZbbdDVM9MhGgYc4FAR4_upvWN6j40_eaSw1eGjsP2w-gSDzCJK-cuE-DjkPs64cPxwx36vKCjYqjul4-gXnRiAHivOce0zL39QUz8IL2crQnDurnwvAbc_QQ/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of downtown Exeter from across the pond as the morning sun shined down</td></tr>
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My plane left Manchester, NH around 12:30pm. Manchester is just about 30 minutes from Exeter. Not too bad of a drive. I arrived into Washington DC around 3pm, where I met up with my mother and father. We shared a taxi to the hotel. After getting unpacked, we decided to take a little walk down to the White House.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-YLq04eaqWQxKtXHL-qQ81KpofqcHpdP1CsNupkq0kAeX-UV65ml2cWNGub5jY5yxV_3AUxluEKRnGcYUsutsE9I8uP0wxEBBes5YXKR-_jqMdr-Mu_Nb2YEn9JN-uqbyM4z4NPIe9in/s1600/IMG_1548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-YLq04eaqWQxKtXHL-qQ81KpofqcHpdP1CsNupkq0kAeX-UV65ml2cWNGub5jY5yxV_3AUxluEKRnGcYUsutsE9I8uP0wxEBBes5YXKR-_jqMdr-Mu_Nb2YEn9JN-uqbyM4z4NPIe9in/s1600/IMG_1548.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selfie with my mother and father in front of the White House - definitely goofy!</td></tr>
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That evening, since we weren't invited to the rehearsal dinner, my parents, sisters and brother-in-laws had a wonderful meal together. It was fun to get together with the family...something that we don't get to do very often.<br />
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Saturday morning, I got up early and had a very good and inspiring run: I passed the White House, Washington Monument, Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, WWII memorial, Vietnam War memorial, etc. It was really nice (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">hot and humid, but inspiring</span></i>!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBxaiooAu5g8G2eZwgINOjYGksgGFEI6CNd4jI7MHevouAdxELgaREFpriYcDAhjCN90n5lj6ztGfw0ikXQJcqpiVMxwa3ctFzFWAuwzid8jjEvf_xTis99FfrsTZBdFd_izq5qbay8a1/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBxaiooAu5g8G2eZwgINOjYGksgGFEI6CNd4jI7MHevouAdxELgaREFpriYcDAhjCN90n5lj6ztGfw0ikXQJcqpiVMxwa3ctFzFWAuwzid8jjEvf_xTis99FfrsTZBdFd_izq5qbay8a1/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
Saturday evening was the wedding. Unfortunately it was outside, where the temperature was 91 degrees and the humidity was 100%...nevertheless, it was a beautiful wedding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdniKeZhYtjlYXG4hUoWDeUi43PQRqdxaVloyY8uHGliElpzocNww888RTYXziLJmQAmgGYM7qyf42bimTEb61uiQcPriK_MJy4AMN9JjGk9qwstcfWfXMp4UWrL9Ep-GIgY-MrNR5fNi/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdniKeZhYtjlYXG4hUoWDeUi43PQRqdxaVloyY8uHGliElpzocNww888RTYXziLJmQAmgGYM7qyf42bimTEb61uiQcPriK_MJy4AMN9JjGk9qwstcfWfXMp4UWrL9Ep-GIgY-MrNR5fNi/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congratulations to my cousin Charlie and his beautiful bride Kelli!<br />The photo on the bottom right is me with my cousin Katie</td></tr>
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Well, now back home. Only one kid here in the house. Robert is doing well 3000 miles away at school. We have heard from him daily. Which, when I think about all the technology now-a-days, it is nice! Back when I went to college, I had one phone (land-line) in my room which I shared with my roommate. We did have computers, but internet and email wasn't around yet. So my conversations with my parents were just limited to two or three times a week. On the other hand, Robert has texted us daily as well as called several time. Although, we will see how long that will last :)<br />
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Any, that should bring you up to date. Just getting use to the new routine here with one kid to deal with - take to school and to hockey. I am finding that there is more time at home and less time in the car on the way to the rink. So, maybe...just maybe...I will find more time to sit and stitch; you think?<br />
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Until next time...take care and remember,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></i></b></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-70086664632449051712014-09-04T07:49:00.000-07:002014-09-04T07:49:25.820-07:00The first paragraph in the next chapter of life has been writtenWell, I find myself alone in my hotel room - and Robert is settled in his dorm/house - and tomorrow I depart, leaving him behind. However, this has been a fun week. A great opportunity for a Mother-Son week before leaving him at Phillips Exeter.<br />
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Last weekend was the Labor Day hockey tournament in Salem, New Hampshire. There he was on a team with some of his Exeter hockey teammates as well as other hockey players from other prep schools in the New England area. Robert's team did well...and the most exciting part was Robert scored the first goal of his team to start off the season and then scored the tying goal to get them into the quarterfinals. Nevertheless, they lost the quarter final game.<br />
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After that last game on Labor Day (Sept. 1), we headed north to our destination of Waterville, ME. It was close to a 3 hour drive from Salem, NH to Waterville, ME. We stopped in Portland, ME for a late lunch/early dinner at Eventide Oyster Co. When we travel, we like to find new places by using Yelp or Urban Spoon apps. We pick a town and see what restaurants get good reviews. So, Robert Yelped and found this spot in Portland. It was amazing and was a fun foodie experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2j-K5f3my_4dgBvykfIVowe-_b6UMUoZzI2ufGPtA2VVgImkbVTUvv8Xe0grhvpQNfevoppRTAzOsKjxGFPwAOzD8VZ07xFYaBDYOR8go7dPj6b8MsaCoiCMZIdx3yfCDaJ8g8QMv7WK/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2j-K5f3my_4dgBvykfIVowe-_b6UMUoZzI2ufGPtA2VVgImkbVTUvv8Xe0grhvpQNfevoppRTAzOsKjxGFPwAOzD8VZ07xFYaBDYOR8go7dPj6b8MsaCoiCMZIdx3yfCDaJ8g8QMv7WK/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Left Side Column</u>: Maine oysters on the half shell; Roasted Jumbo Winterpoint Oysters <span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Korean </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-style: italic;">BBQ, Slaw, Fried Potato</span>);<i> </i>Eventide Lobster Roll on a steamed bun.<i> </i><br /><u>Middle Column:</u> Name of the Restaurant from the oyster list; photo of the oyster bar/drink bar with the oyster shuckers were hard at work; a Side of mini-biscuits w/soft butter with was sprinkled with salted bacon crumbs and chives<br /><u>Right Side Column</u>: Beet Salad (<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tonnato, Trout Roe, Crispy Quinoa</span></i>), Tomato Salad (<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tahini Vinaigrette, Eggplant Puree, Fried Onion</span></i>), Corn on the Cob (<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Aioli Sauce, Salted Bacon Shavings, Sweet/Spicy Peanuts</span></i>)</td></tr>
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Everything was delish! It definitely was an experience in food! Robert and I really enjoyed ourselves.<br />
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We finally arrived at our hotel around 5:30pm and, after unpacking the car, we plopped on our beds and relaxed. The purpose of us being in Maine, was to visit Colby College. Last August, Robert and I visited this college as part of our New England college trip. We decided to come back up here so we could take another tour of the campus, for Robert to have an interview by a representative of admissions and to meet with the hockey coaches. It was a great meeting and it sounds like they have some interest in Robert; so he will definitely be re-applying to Colby.<br />
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We departed Colby, drove down through Brunswick where Robert had an interview at Bowdoin, and then headed on to Exeter, NH.<br />
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Yesterday, Wednesday Sept. 3, was the big day. Robert checked-in at Phillips Exeter, got his key to his room and received his ID. We spent a good part of the day unpacking and setting up his room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt8ggBxxiGotzjFsuxD8lsqysDZ5_JxCMvLWHMWwCVh0-1n3YZkOvboNoiIHXPSZ-nKJXeP-ZQPCl00N0cupHpd6ur8K-An0DMhzuGa6FkvZFPZstNAJSWttZIbVOYfHAQlXKq1n5lo1x/s1600/IMG_1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt8ggBxxiGotzjFsuxD8lsqysDZ5_JxCMvLWHMWwCVh0-1n3YZkOvboNoiIHXPSZ-nKJXeP-ZQPCl00N0cupHpd6ur8K-An0DMhzuGa6FkvZFPZstNAJSWttZIbVOYfHAQlXKq1n5lo1x/s1600/IMG_1528.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert outside his house: The Dutch House. A boys residence; 8 boys will be living there this year. Robert has a double room on the second floor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDbS_WQ7HprjzVE2bFZePDjbcNtnqlREmKBJhnqhU93Kt9yPAJgGn2ojYQJ0_X2Oz089woFCeZRLQWgqXPhaJWKTqIcYlhxPasQcNYjqooXa_S8r_KaAxGowQLo5lMwRMahti592ui0sb/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDbS_WQ7HprjzVE2bFZePDjbcNtnqlREmKBJhnqhU93Kt9yPAJgGn2ojYQJ0_X2Oz089woFCeZRLQWgqXPhaJWKTqIcYlhxPasQcNYjqooXa_S8r_KaAxGowQLo5lMwRMahti592ui0sb/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the first floor is the common room which has a living room area with couches and tv. Opposite the living area is a small kitchenette, where the boys can keep some food in the refrigerator. There is also a little hot pad, microwave, sink, filtered water station and coffee pot. Off this area are two single rooms. The stair case is very narrow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJLvBKRz4z0R1aWfIZTfk2dmy8NnLjVo_pypNwxeT-rlWaai40rXEq7I_YVGDvNJ0eO4VzH3IZkBvsKYlXfoKEe1Oh2adfIq-EfIz0vdknxBddlKKwLbFXpBBQ0kwX0Ppwlbx3TO5hDQI/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJLvBKRz4z0R1aWfIZTfk2dmy8NnLjVo_pypNwxeT-rlWaai40rXEq7I_YVGDvNJ0eO4VzH3IZkBvsKYlXfoKEe1Oh2adfIq-EfIz0vdknxBddlKKwLbFXpBBQ0kwX0Ppwlbx3TO5hDQI/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert's Room: 2 beds, 2 desks, 1 book shelf, 1 armoire and 1 closet. The door with the mirror on it leads to the bathroom. On the second floor there is one more bedroom which is also a double. The four boys on the second floor share the bathroom.</td></tr>
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When Robert's roommate arrived, we got a chance to meet his parents and his grandparents too. They live about 2 hours from the school. After his roommate finished unpacking, we all decided to move the furniture around, putting the beds on either side of the room and putting the desks in the middle near the window which leads to the fire escape. <br />
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We couldn't do much unpacking until later in the evening because Robert's boxes we shipped a few weeks ago to a packaging company in Exeter, which stores such things until move in day, didn't arrive until 6pm (<i>which was very frustrating to say the least</i>). Nevertheless, as soon as those boxes arrived, we opened them up and got them unpacked within 45 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilM1MtK6H3qtjvLdDDXfrgnA8Ig__eQ2UJSDaWId_rab_Unt362gcZEgkgUZrVReGZcdDm9OVARkMj2XS-bIDMP3m7XmFPpctMHYGlF3LzerDDEOMdHQLR_rRbTTJT9O-duY1b-qBZcv3/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilM1MtK6H3qtjvLdDDXfrgnA8Ig__eQ2UJSDaWId_rab_Unt362gcZEgkgUZrVReGZcdDm9OVARkMj2XS-bIDMP3m7XmFPpctMHYGlF3LzerDDEOMdHQLR_rRbTTJT9O-duY1b-qBZcv3/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert's Room</td></tr>
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Bed made, shirts/ties/pants hung, towels folded and put away...and his Minnesota Wild flag hung up. He is set and my job here is done!<br />
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So he is off and ready to go. School for him officially starts tomorrow; today he has some orientation activities as well as some workout plans with his hockey teammates.<br />
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It is bittersweet...I am so excited for him. This is such a great opportunity - he will get a great education and be able to play hockey. Yet, it is kind of sad...it is time for him to move to the next chapter in his life.<br />
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Well, on that note I will sign off. Until next time, take care and remember...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></i></b></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-42454104472995424862014-08-29T08:43:00.003-07:002014-08-29T08:43:56.719-07:00A New Chapter BeginsWow! It has been a long time since I have posted anything. I am so sorry for my absence. Last post was written in April and now it is August...time has flown by. The last post was when I was visiting Phillips Exeter Academy with my older son Robert - Exeter is a prep school in New Hampshire which he was accepted to for a PG (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>post-graduate...kind of like doing a 2nd high school senior year</i>)</span> year.<br />
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"<i>Why is he doing a PG year? Why would he want to do another senior year in a Prep-school/high school</i>?"...you might ask. Well, as you know, Robert is passionate about playing ice hockey and his goal is to play hockey in college. The path from playing hockey in high school (<i>in California</i>) to playing college hockey is not a straight path. The majority of the kids need to play in a junior league between high school and college in order to develop further. Going the junior route for Robert had some risks - if he would make a team in the middle of the summer and not make the final cut in September...what would he do then? For Robert, going to prep school meant playing hockey for a school, playing another year before college to develop further <u>while</u> getting a great education...in hopes to go play in college next year.<br />
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Anyway...Since my last April post, the boys finished up school in June and Robert graduated from high school.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJhgqlF8ODzlbZeBFq7wFDJfGjTLygWt1J0XQq8QPsMiO8GIvJdSI3ffcd-QhY45CyhCMqRHX4YZaMfmTCEFc-rtbBk78S1e97Len7MPzI_zHzFolfZi0eoBYT07tz37akDZgZCm8_KaT/s1600/IMG_1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJhgqlF8ODzlbZeBFq7wFDJfGjTLygWt1J0XQq8QPsMiO8GIvJdSI3ffcd-QhY45CyhCMqRHX4YZaMfmTCEFc-rtbBk78S1e97Len7MPzI_zHzFolfZi0eoBYT07tz37akDZgZCm8_KaT/s1600/IMG_1369.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert's graduation day (June 12, 2014) - <i>upper left</i>: me and The Grad; <i>upper middle:</i> The Grad and Dad; <i>upper right: </i>The Grad and his brother; <i>bottom:</i> The Family with The Grad. </td></tr>
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We had both sets of grandparents in town with this big celebration. It was nice to have them all here to help celebrate.<br />
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The summer was filled with little trips for hockey (<i>of course</i>) and getting Robert ready to go away to prep school. Prep school attire requires shirt & tie with either shorts, pants or jeans depending on the weather situation. The public school he graduated from didn't require any kind of dress code, so we had to go out and purchase his prep-school clothing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFgawYpJ7dVNSlGPGjyBju2r508ugP8KlJHSKDWAGAdtjdxO4ul4kYwMLgyqjoJqH7628EjxmIrrNT6A5iajHFh72__ISCHIan0chRe0-eMtWYeG3h0xedrG2HiUjazLgf6yBRnGJTIjG/s1600/IMG_1418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFgawYpJ7dVNSlGPGjyBju2r508ugP8KlJHSKDWAGAdtjdxO4ul4kYwMLgyqjoJqH7628EjxmIrrNT6A5iajHFh72__ISCHIan0chRe0-eMtWYeG3h0xedrG2HiUjazLgf6yBRnGJTIjG/s1600/IMG_1418.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRhqHB9mXOBjavROaLc9qrSoMddEY3TCM0TQNAbTO8cgxtlW9JplMsb61WczQrGlxXsyUEPFSRhvN4edWn-e0lajmPd5Drqu8i-pSI9y8w8gna7R338IA8Xi5MWCXbXOuJ_2m6Hs9n996/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRhqHB9mXOBjavROaLc9qrSoMddEY3TCM0TQNAbTO8cgxtlW9JplMsb61WczQrGlxXsyUEPFSRhvN4edWn-e0lajmPd5Drqu8i-pSI9y8w8gna7R338IA8Xi5MWCXbXOuJ_2m6Hs9n996/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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In addition to clothing, we also purchased bedding and towels, as he will be living in a dorm. All of which we had to box up and ship off to the east coast.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP85RTgXY8v5vwYEr_nyvfRYkZB59M_UbeadwiyCoz5haV_9TXoTSri1HzjovrNx2UGYy1BdzZnI65a71r12S2gPOMS1UjBn6g7ZgjA0RTGOOrhoua7pyNmyp06S_dRfKNIIxG6oC8ArmN/s1600/IMG_1480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP85RTgXY8v5vwYEr_nyvfRYkZB59M_UbeadwiyCoz5haV_9TXoTSri1HzjovrNx2UGYy1BdzZnI65a71r12S2gPOMS1UjBn6g7ZgjA0RTGOOrhoua7pyNmyp06S_dRfKNIIxG6oC8ArmN/s1600/IMG_1480.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert trying on his prep-school attire (<i>shirt, tie, shorts with a belt and, of course the Sperry TopSiders</i>) while we were packing up boxes.</td></tr>
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Last Sunday afternoon, we found time to have one last family outing in Half Moon Bay, California. A little day trip to the beach and a nice late lunch at Sam's Chowder House.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_aAItcrqpUsog3xlINDSWqFM8FU2mSlTrr5RK7HcF2g2KxeugUnLdT9jR-NCgbFpGyeLhmnbwif3j7J5dCQ4iRVzU7G68Ldtu_yX_w2x1hZbhyphenhyphenVgV96U7eUYReF36qvKr3mgfvLdChj4/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_aAItcrqpUsog3xlINDSWqFM8FU2mSlTrr5RK7HcF2g2KxeugUnLdT9jR-NCgbFpGyeLhmnbwif3j7J5dCQ4iRVzU7G68Ldtu_yX_w2x1hZbhyphenhyphenVgV96U7eUYReF36qvKr3mgfvLdChj4/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZuhTNXlR7t6FTs1mSV_TvqyLCDYShI0nDVPG1zGlkD2DmWIxnmxdY4fQbudDHtg39WkEsqcN2VNrqKxZIofJjynDC30sTSq2Ulk9vix1B7ZM1zKdiREYsueCMkBZ0Xow1lyl9XJzEVbE/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZuhTNXlR7t6FTs1mSV_TvqyLCDYShI0nDVPG1zGlkD2DmWIxnmxdY4fQbudDHtg39WkEsqcN2VNrqKxZIofJjynDC30sTSq2Ulk9vix1B7ZM1zKdiREYsueCMkBZ0Xow1lyl9XJzEVbE/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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It was a nice afternoon...good to get out and put our toes in the sand, to smell the surf and to have some fresh seafood!<br />
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Now, on August 29, I find myself back on the east coast with Robert. Before I take him to Exeter and get him settled in his dorm, we have a weekend of hockey to get through. The prep-school hockey season doesn't officially begin until Nov. 1. However, there is a New England Fall Prep School Hockey League which consists of players from all the New England prep school. They start their season with the Labor Day tournament, which is this weekend. So Robert and I flew out here from California yesterday for this tournament. He is excited because he will be able to meet some of his Exeter teammates...and I will be able to meet some of the parents.<br />
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I tell you...it is nice to be on the East Coast - where everything is lush and green (<i>in California we are having a horrible drought and it is so brown!</i>). This morning I got up early and went out for a wonderful jog around the hotel we are staying at...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9S7Spj6D6OVDhZqM2t6Vg1wxzdAo-dxB0E_7qSVBfBtlYK5DMmgaZmG7wapDXMpi6sBOr9UeTlp1JpWSIBcr_j9xZPIhbqvKUUgEj6DfoSv2ijKv7h-I901Mgbdkoi7206j_niIkmFct/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9S7Spj6D6OVDhZqM2t6Vg1wxzdAo-dxB0E_7qSVBfBtlYK5DMmgaZmG7wapDXMpi6sBOr9UeTlp1JpWSIBcr_j9xZPIhbqvKUUgEj6DfoSv2ijKv7h-I901Mgbdkoi7206j_niIkmFct/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have to love the name of the business park the hotel is in...The Minuteman Business Park, which is located on 1776 Rd.</td></tr>
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Well...time to end this post and let you all go on with your daily lives. Thank you for visiting! Until next time, remember...<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>Lisa</i></b></span></div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-31192888033899266852014-04-11T08:40:00.002-07:002014-04-11T08:40:28.623-07:00My trip to Exeter, NH with Robert (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">older son</span></i>) a few weeks ago...we had a great time. He is really excited about attending Phillips Exeter next year. Before we left Exeter, we ended our trip with a great seafood meal:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nccl5qnrGZBjwiszO7wa1VGSFQO6IdEOUx8JTZeitJpqPJy9KKLNjW-RtNcpLl0H0xwImMrgjQpa22qlmmmxh3XfJlGec6tMELN97TAgR7VvC3dbkBP2aaJAlV8g1JvNleOK0mnvyo9h/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nccl5qnrGZBjwiszO7wa1VGSFQO6IdEOUx8JTZeitJpqPJy9KKLNjW-RtNcpLl0H0xwImMrgjQpa22qlmmmxh3XfJlGec6tMELN97TAgR7VvC3dbkBP2aaJAlV8g1JvNleOK0mnvyo9h/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Every seafood meal Robert has had when we travel out east consists of clam chowder and a lobster roll (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">pictured on the bottom with fries</span></i>). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitL9mCdznzuGyY_93KRAPq_s4Q8pkXoqyQiDVOMssBnhqYIReYhD3295KRW9pqpPDxFzxxCB4sXISy3UmPVhl8ajZbesF-nETJQd54yKEatT7OP0-MienLwyJFZY-5sfSqzaHCUbxlxfzx/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitL9mCdznzuGyY_93KRAPq_s4Q8pkXoqyQiDVOMssBnhqYIReYhD3295KRW9pqpPDxFzxxCB4sXISy3UmPVhl8ajZbesF-nETJQd54yKEatT7OP0-MienLwyJFZY-5sfSqzaHCUbxlxfzx/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert, wearing his new Phillips Exeter sweatshirt, enjoying a cup of clam chowdah!</td></tr>
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I got back from New Hampshire on Friday, April 4 in the evening...Saturday the 5th I was home, catching up on laundry and restocking the refrigerator and the kitchen pantries for the boys, because...Sunday the 6th I was on a plane again heading out east. This time, my destination was Connecticut for a meeting at the Edible Arrangement Corporate office.</div>
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Since my husband and I run a couple of pretty good Edible Arrangement stores here in northern California, we were selected to take part in the "Fruit Summit" which is comprised of the top 20 franchise groups in Northern America. The group of 20 represented franchisees from California, Mississippi, North Carolina, Maryland, Texas, Hawaii, Ohio, Illinois, New York, Canada, Michigan and Florida. It was a 2 day meeting (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Monday 4/7 and Tuesday 4/8</span></i>). It was informative and interesting. As always, it is great to get together with other franchise owners to pick their brains on new advertising ideas as well as any operational ideas. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJroliLKVL05syOK89wfT6K-b7bUgI1A9475g_w_QaRikgXwjIOhs8Ph6zzLGhorbCrj-0T7yDLTY8HaZ7BJxDoRG3dgzdwqJia7yHVGXQNyfa53_QzUv9D68_dIxqLb_ZrCTMotCn3d_/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJroliLKVL05syOK89wfT6K-b7bUgI1A9475g_w_QaRikgXwjIOhs8Ph6zzLGhorbCrj-0T7yDLTY8HaZ7BJxDoRG3dgzdwqJia7yHVGXQNyfa53_QzUv9D68_dIxqLb_ZrCTMotCn3d_/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reception desk and lobby of the Edible Arrangements office in Wallingford, CT. Fun way to be greeted at the corporate office...looks like the lobby-front of an Edible Arrangements store. The case in the lobby was stocked with chocolate dipped strawberries, apples and pineapple just like the cases are suppose to be in store. </td></tr>
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Anyway...the meeting was over Tuesday evening and I flew back home on Wednesday...arriving back in California around 1:30pm in the afternoon. </div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>IT IS GOOD TO BE HOME. </b></span></div>
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I have been traveling too much this month...and fyi I am leaving town again next Thursday (4/17) - this time with my younger son, Matthew, for a hockey tournament in Chicago. Definitely racking up the frequent flier miles in April!</div>
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Well, I wish that I had some stitching to show you...but unfortunately I just haven't put any X's into anything. It has been crazy this month. Hopefully I will take some time to make X's...if you can send some stitching mojo my way I would appreciate it!</div>
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Until next time, take care and remember...</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Love, Laugh and [try to] Stitch often!</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></i></b></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125978590616596035.post-52868311801808989222014-04-02T11:45:00.003-07:002014-04-02T11:45:28.436-07:00Hello from Exeter, New Hampshire Hello all and a belated Happy April...hopefully April will starting bringing everyone some spring:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqOK7h68Szso08UR0es8b4UykweSvDBj2tIPS4Tsj9rV9jrEpivXeiB3jzKYQsq5TOhG140fiVuWajhPqdaLSRAT0IqPwiRNFgd2TIG23DgMx7LQ0gODpU_dOAY0qKEiWJvbb3QxvzpF8/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqOK7h68Szso08UR0es8b4UykweSvDBj2tIPS4Tsj9rV9jrEpivXeiB3jzKYQsq5TOhG140fiVuWajhPqdaLSRAT0IqPwiRNFgd2TIG23DgMx7LQ0gODpU_dOAY0qKEiWJvbb3QxvzpF8/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
Yesterday, Robert (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">older son</span></i>) and I flew across the country - from California on the west coast to New Hampshire on the east coast. It was about 6 hours of plane time. Not too bad...flights were pretty smooth and both legs (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">from Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL and Chicago, IL to Manchester, NH</span></i>) were on-time departures followed by early arrivals. Pretty much unheard of these days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWQWDf20gItQTnJWyoAO2-cG5QqKoGdsQ2-eyicM7dtjdTQRr1Ng3yiP_oA26qSdrXox8RnqCHX6JsTFKisvGlJxx-9gSrJL7OQo4YWtC70_jfthK03_NOipfcC_gYvm8i5h4k4LV3-lC/s1600/IMAG0360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWQWDf20gItQTnJWyoAO2-cG5QqKoGdsQ2-eyicM7dtjdTQRr1Ng3yiP_oA26qSdrXox8RnqCHX6JsTFKisvGlJxx-9gSrJL7OQo4YWtC70_jfthK03_NOipfcC_gYvm8i5h4k4LV3-lC/s1600/IMAG0360.jpg" height="320" width="181" /></a>From Manchester, NH we drove the 30 miles to Exeter, NH where we arrived at our hotel around 5:30pm. After a little drive around town, "to get a feel for the land", we headed to dinner at The Lobster Boat. I enjoyed a shrimp cocktail and a lobster salad - fresh green lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes with HUGE chunks of fresh lobster - YUM! Robert enjoyed the classic lobster roll and fries. Just look at those HUGE chunks of fresh lobster...is your mouth watering yet?<br />
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It was a nice low-key meal, nice to be spending time with Robert during these events, especially since he will be going away to school here next year.<br />
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Bed-time couldn't come soon enough. Those long travel days from one coast to the next are draining. Both of us got ready for bed. I set my alarm for 7am so that I could get up and going...as well as get use to the east coast time (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">3-hours later than I am use to</span></i>).<br />
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<b>Wednesday, April 2</b></div>
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This morning, after hitting the snooze button on my phone, I got my lazy butt out of bed around 7:45am and got ready to go out for a walk/jog...even though the temp outside was 30 degrees (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">20 degrees colder than at home in California</span></i>). I enjoy getting out around these small New England towns, something I did last August when Robert and I were out here looking at colleges. </div>
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Here are some of the sights I saw while doing the 10 mile walk/jog:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy9Voah5mbCNRSomLMVnwJy_01XNbOypeYjRlOvJoh48dCG9le9sqzm9eE3HitIuj9lEpLoki6O4mipQOKrw9s603wC8FIdI4SgYx5Cx_tNFcgL7QLuKbrptXB2Gp4sPMvDsCht29Qbpp/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy9Voah5mbCNRSomLMVnwJy_01XNbOypeYjRlOvJoh48dCG9le9sqzm9eE3HitIuj9lEpLoki6O4mipQOKrw9s603wC8FIdI4SgYx5Cx_tNFcgL7QLuKbrptXB2Gp4sPMvDsCht29Qbpp/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is definitely a lot of history back east. Many of the houses that I past by had plaques on them - several circa 1710-1882, several had plaques that called out the name of the person who lived there and the date of the house, other's noted special events that occurred or famous persons who visited (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Folsom Tavern, circa 1775, had the plaque noting George Washington was entertained there on November 4, 1789</span></i>).<br />
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Other sites I spied during my walk/jog:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4TJ7GpbBbfjnNiLhg_Oj_sMMulbekTl2GF6VtrVm_mUsIV9Z0Cl3oLx1hUMHAqsy9Xb-S1A6mTaIlgCEF1BdPO0AOb5lRia1bf0A6znTUYJj35bBGD_Y8giQOf1yg4coJrYQKrOuyGNL/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4TJ7GpbBbfjnNiLhg_Oj_sMMulbekTl2GF6VtrVm_mUsIV9Z0Cl3oLx1hUMHAqsy9Xb-S1A6mTaIlgCEF1BdPO0AOb5lRia1bf0A6znTUYJj35bBGD_Y8giQOf1yg4coJrYQKrOuyGNL/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
I just love looking at the colonial architecture of the residences. The Main Street is quaint with several shops and eating establishments.<br />
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Eventually I made it to the school - Phillips Exeter Academy - the reason for our visit...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Wz8-og3pFZ76TF8lLkvS4UmgY7ETODKGnKk1nmbng8fTI6SEMaphLTBTvvD85oYxtaDLiDADBvMTpaEe1C-NDHLXBGOtkbquE0gvJGw9ZejsN4Idbli2mSNOzX2FpJpSK8kVqCjf8Q1v/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Wz8-og3pFZ76TF8lLkvS4UmgY7ETODKGnKk1nmbng8fTI6SEMaphLTBTvvD85oYxtaDLiDADBvMTpaEe1C-NDHLXBGOtkbquE0gvJGw9ZejsN4Idbli2mSNOzX2FpJpSK8kVqCjf8Q1v/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I just went around the edges of the campus during my walk/jog. Tonight we are going to the Athletic Dinner which takes place on campus - where Robert will get to meet some of the new and current hockey players who will walk with us to the dinner. Tomorrow is when we go to the <i>Experience Exeter</i> event - where I get to meet other new parents and tour the campus, while Robert is paired up with a current student and attends classes.<br />
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After I got back from my walk/jog, Robert and I got cleaned up and walked back down to Main Street where we had a little bite of lunch. We enjoyed a bowl of warm soup and some home made bread.<br />
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I enjoyed a couple of slices of Cranberry Orange bread and Chicken-n-Rice soup. Yum! Nice and warm and filling!<br />
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Well, it is time to go and take a nap! Until next time, take care and remember...<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lisa</span></b></i></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281836434713711420noreply@blogger.com2