Hockey Mom Stitchin' Hobby

Weekend of catch up...

2012-01-23T05:07:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Small Talk on Tuesday - Here, Present and Now

2012-01-17T05:24:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Thoughts for Tuesday...

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

~Ardis Whitman

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

~Sydney Banks

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

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

2012-01-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

16 years ago....

2012-01-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy 16th Birthday!

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

2012-01-08T07:01:00.000-08:00

Santa 2009 Status - Phone Photo (not great quality)

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

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

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

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Thursday's Check in

2012-01-05T05:18:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

Here is a snap as a reminder...

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

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

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

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

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

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

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

2012-01-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

Above...the offical

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T08:30:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

OMG...what a holiday

2011-12-28T08:40:00.000-08:00

I am here and feel more like a human being finally. The week of Christmas was crazy, crazy busy. More than what is considered "normal" for me. Having 2 stores this year definitely took a toll on my DH and myself this holiday season. Last week I was basically up at our 2nd store, supervising our wonderful employees. Our 2nd store is about a 40 minute drive from our house. The beginning of the week was pretty managable...but as soon as Thursday came...well, I didn't get much sleep between that day and the night of Christmas eve.

Friday I was up at store #2 at 5am and didn't leave there until 7pm only to go to store #1 to help DH with delivery route organizing for Christmas Eve deliveries. I finally went home around 9:30pm and was in bed by 10pm for a nap. I, then, woke up at 2am on Christmas Eve to dip strawberries and apples in chocolate at store #1 from 2:30-5:30am and then drove up to store #2 to get ready for business up there (I was at store #2 from 6:15am-6:30pm). By Christmas Eve I was toast!

Christmas Day...with 2 teenage boys, present opening didn't start until after 8am. It is amazing how things have changed...no little pitter patters at 6am...no more 2 little boys with sleep in their eyes due to excitement induced insomnia the night before. No more little toys or things to put together under the Christmas tree. The boys received clothing, gift cards and money - definitely things that they needed. After the wrappings were tossed aside and breakfast served, the rest of the day we just vegged.

Well, I take that back...while working in the stores, I wasn't able to get anything done I needed to do for the upcoming tournament Robert and his hockey team were leaving for on Monday, Dec. 26. So during Sunday, I got everything around for that tournament which meant not much time for rest. I also had to catch up on the laundry and assist Robert in his packing. So my rest was delayed until Monday after Robert's plane left and after I took Matthew down to his hockey practice (which was at 9:45am, something I didn't remember until at that time...so he was 30 minutes late to his practice). By 1pm on Monday I plopped on the couch and didn't move!

Yesterday was the first day that I felt like myself - I feel caught up and clear headed. Last night I even pulled out my stitching and put some X's into a project...not Family Sampler, but something else I started a few weeks ago and didn't get much time to finish. I will post a photo soon.

Anyway...I am back!

Hope everyones holiday was great. Until the next time, take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

And so it is feeling a little more like Christmas

2011-12-19T05:56:00.000-08:00

It felt good to be home yesterday - didn't have to work at either store and was able to do some catching up around the house. As planned, the boys and I created a very nice family holiday meal which we all sat down to and enjoyed after my DH got home from the store. It was like the Thanksgiving we missed out on due to Robert being away on a hockey tournament and the Christmas meal that I probably will not have the energy to make next weekend due to working all week in the stores. We enjoyed turkey, mashed potatoes & gravey, stuffing, homemade rolls (a recipe I received from my mother-in-law but they never rise like hers do), homemade pumpkin pie with homemade crust and fresh steamed green beans. A very filling late lunch...but definitely made it easy to take an early evening nap :)

While making the bread and pie doughs, the boys helped out by bringing in the 20 year old artificial Christmas tree from the garage and putting it together. If you have an artificial tree, you know that they look scrawny before you "fluff" it all out. While the boys were totally aware of this, they had to make some snide remarks and compared it to Charlie Brown's sad tree...

The boys were funny, commenting about our poor tree and kept me entertained as I kneaded the bread dough. Yes, the tree is old for my DH and I purchased that tree for our first Christmas as husband and wife...20 year ago. The poor tree is almost an antique. They got the tree all assembled and strung the white lights around it without any arguing. Once done, Matthew (my younger son) went back out into the garage to get the bucket of ornaments. He separated out the ones he received over the years from those that belong to Robert so that they both would be able to hang their special ornaments.

Just like the tree of Charlie Brown and the gang...

Our tree, with a little love, was converted from the sad scrawny bush to something full and lovely (although there definitely are some places on the tree that could use some additional ornaments...just noticed that in the photos)...

The boys, even though they are much taller than I am now, decorated the bottom saving the top for my special ornaments from the ladies of the Ornament Swap group. Once done with the pies and the rolls, I gathered up my special 10 ornaments and placed them up on top..

Now it definitely feels more like Christmas and the holiday season! Hopefully, Santa finds time to go shopping...ugh.

Well, until next time...take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often

Lisa

OMG it is Sunday already...where did the time go!

2011-12-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

Yikes, I have been away for quite a while. It has been busy around here, but I think I get a little break of sorts today...at least I have some time to catch up on things around the house.

First I want to share with you the ornament I stitched for Conny in the Netherlands - the last receipient for the Ornament Swap 2011...here is my photo

For Conny, I stitched Snow Buddies by Amy Bruecken of Amy Bruecken Designs. The patter is from the 2011 Special Christmas Issue of Just CrossStitch. I stitched it on 28ct even weave linen which I hand-dyed in blues/greens which made it kind of the perfect fabric to stitch this whimsical pair of snowmen on. I did use all the DMC colors it called for, even the black Memory Thread. Have you ever used this stuff...it is very fun and makes your stitching kind of come to live.

I had to borrow Conny's photo she took and uploaded to the Ornament Swap blog because it made my ornament look better than the photo I took...

I think that I might have to stich one of these for my tree...sometime...when I can find more down time :) But doesn't it look good on Conny's tree!

Well, now that Conny received my ornament, which was the last one for I was a little late getting it in the mail, the Ornament Swap Group comes to an end. Our little group of Six has been doing this for 2 years and our wonderful moderator Angela thought it was time call it done. And we all agreed it was...for it is best to end things on a good note. And this group was awesome! Thank you all...now I just need to get my tree up so I can display all my ornaments I received from these fine ladies this year as well as last.

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Last week, I bid a fond "good bye" to my part-time job - Thursday was my last day in the office. The busy week was filled with a lot of cleaning out file cabinets and store cubes that hadn't been gone through in many years. I took it upon myself to get this task done before walking out the door for the last time. I wanted to make sure that Jenny, my replacement, started really nice a fresh.

Well, I didn't have a lot of time to say good bye to many of my co-workers, for we did have a little issue at the store, which my DH called me up and asked for me to come in to help out. So as soon as I finished up my exit interview with the HR department...and did a little walk around to catch a few "good-byes" I was out the door. Nothing like going from one job to the next without catching one's breath.

Since that moment, I have been working in both our stores - Friday in store #1 and Saturday I went up to store #2. It is one of our busy times of the year!

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Today I shouldn't have to go into either store, unless someone calls out sick. I am planning on catching up with all the laundry and some of the house hold things. The boys and I have talked about having a special holiday meal today in which I have enlisted them to create the menu and help me to cook what they are planing. Since Robert (my oldest son) was out of town for a hockey tournament on Thanksgiving, we decided that we would do a 2nd Thanksgiving meal - turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, homemade rolls, etc.

So, I guess I need to finish up this post and get off this stationary bike so I can get to the grocery store to get all the ingredients for their menu. And...I need to get those sleepy heads...oops, I mean my assistant chefs...out of bed!

Until next time, remember...
Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Mid-December and the tree still isn't up

2011-12-13T05:50:00.000-08:00

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. ~ J.B. Priestley

I am up and going this morning; getting in my morning spin while trying to catch up on some things - emails, blog reading and posting, facebook, the morning news. Morning time is "me" time...it is the where I find my quiet time to reflect and plan - to regroup and get ready for the rest of the day. It is the time where I don't have to answer to anyone, to listen to anyone else's thoughts or feelings - it is just me here.

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Thank you all for your nice comments...Matthew (younger son) and I had a great time down in LA over the weekend. Although, his hockey team didn't fare well down there. They lost both of their games...2-13 and 0-8. The team down there that we played does have some good talent, but basically they play as a team and have really good skating & passing skills. But since the outcome was expected, no one really came home depressed or upset. Aside from the hockey games, Matthew and I just use the weekend to get some R&R. The drive down and back home went very smoothly without any problems. We got home Sunday evening at 4:30pm - adequate time to get all the laundry done from our travels as well as the laundry that DH and Robert (older son) left waiting for me :)

It is hard to believe that it is mid-December and our Christmas tree isn't up yet. In fact, it is just hard to get into the holiday mood with everything going on right now - it isn't bad things that are going on, just a lot of busy activity.

Three more days are left at my part-time job. My cubical is pretty bare right now. Today and tomorrow I am helping my replacement move all the "stuff" in...what use to be my area...to a storage closet. While transporting all the boxes and things, I will continue to go through things to help determine if it is something to keep or something to trash. I think Jenny, my replacement, will be in good shape when I leave.

The boys are finishing up their last week of school before their winter vacation. I think that they are looking for a little break. During the vacation, both will continue to have hockey activities, but will not have to balance the school work.

My DH and I worked on the stores' schedules for next week. It looks like it definitely will be busy. Like we did for Thanksgiving, DH will stay at store #1 which is the busier of the stores and I will go up to store #2 to help out and supervise up there. Without the part-time job, I will be spending more time in the business.

Before the bulk of the holiday business hits, I think that I will try and plan a family meal on Saturday and a time we can put up the tree too. That sounds like a good idea, don't you think?

Anyway...time to sign off and thank you all again for your visits and comments. Take care my blogging friend and, until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often

Lisa

'Tis Friday...yahoo!

2011-12-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

It is Friday - Yahoo! Always a nice thing to hear. I have the day to myself, but have to pack things up for a road trip. I am going to Los Angeles with Matthew for a hockey weekend. We are leaving after he gets out of school and will head on down. LA is about 6-7 hours south of here and not a bad drive as long as we don't get stuck in traffic. We should miss the LA traffic by the time we get down in that area...I hope.

Well, one more week of my part-time job - last day is Dec. 15. Yesterday, I spent most of my time at the office going through file cabinets and shelves, making the decision on what should be kept and what needed to be trashed. It seems that once I am gone that area that I have resided in will totally be torn up and rearranged. So while I am feeling a little sad that this chapter is coming to an end, especially since my cubicle is looking pretty bare...with all the cubes around me getting cleaned out and torn down it really is kind of depressing. Oh, well I guess while all GOOD things come to an end, more GOOD things are to come for me and for the company as they continue to grow...and have a really good person hired to replace me!

Yesterday, I received a surprise at work...my boss, who works/lives in the UK and will not be able to see me off next week, sent me a little going away gift...

A new needlework bag and matching needle/scissor holder - a going away gift from my boss, Rachel

Rachel found the perfect gift - a needlwork bag and a matching needle/scissors case. Isn't great! Of course I took it home and filled it up immediately with ALL my stitching projects: Family Sampler, Mary Wigham WIP, and a few other little projects that I am planning to start one of these days. Let's just say it is stuffed already :)

Thank you so much Rachel!

I love it and will always remember my experience at Hexcel and our working relationship.

It has been such a wonderful experience - I have learned a lot about the company and the industry while working with some amazing people!

Thank you for all your support!

Speaking of stitching...the other evening I worked on my Family Sampler and have started to stitch the characters that make up my family...starting with our 90 pound mutt. As soon as I finish the pooch I will definitely post a status photo.

Oh, I have to show you something...

Do you know what that is? It is a 1/2 of sweet onion in a ziploc plactic bag. I used 1/2 of it last week when I grilled burgers, for my DH loves raw onions on his cheese burger. After dinner I put the other 1/2 in the bag and over the weekend it started to grow. We are thinking of planting it in dirt and see what happens. Interesting, huh?

And speaking of experiments...have any of you heard of the tv show MythBusters? It is a show on the Discovery Channel. While I had never heard of it, my sons have watch an episode of two and told me that in each episode they do different experiements to bust different myths - most experiments have something to do with explosives. Well, due to an unfortunate situation I found out that Myth Busters shot most of their episodes less than a mile away from our house at the local county police rifle range and the local army base. This week the show was going to see what kind of cannon ball - either steel or stone - would actually penatrate the wall of a castle that would have been built back in the middle ages.

Well, the cannon misfired...the cannonball traveled down the hill they were on...into a neighbors front door...bounced up the stairs and out the back wall..traveled across a busy street and landed in another neighbors minivan.

The exit hole of the cannon ball.

Please know that no one was hurt!!! Of course the neighborhood was in a buzz...between all the emergency services that afternoon - cops, firetrucks - as well as helicopters and, of course, tv camera crews. It is probably the most exciting thing that has gone on in our sleepy little city.

That is about all the news from here, my blogging friends. It is time for me to wrap up this post so that I can get things around, run to the grocery store to make sure that there is food in the house for my DH and DS Robert who will be here over the weekend...so until next time, take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

A mini happy dance...and the preface to a new chapter in my life

2011-12-06T05:46:00.000-08:00

Well, finally...although you will have to pardon the snapshot, still no batteries for the "real" camera so I had to use the phone again...I have a phone photo for you to show the status of Family Sampler. Last night I put in the last few stitches of the border corners and also took time to sketch out & stitched the capital "D". Yahoo...a mini happy dance I did have :)

I have started to put some thought into how I want to represent my family in the middle section where the tree is. Using the various of combinations of a mom, dad and 2 sons...and a selection of cats & dogs...I think that I figured out how I will stitch us. So stay tuned as my Family Sampler mojo has returned and I am still hoping to get this big project complete before the bells of Jan 1 2012 ring.

I am also counting down the days until my part-time job is over...with a little saddness as I have been there 5.5 years mixed with a little excitement to move on and work more in our stores and help my DH out. Today at my part-time job is our holiday luncheon at one of the local wineries. This event is a very nice occasion and I look forward to sitting with some of my co-workers I have worked with over the years as well as the young lady who was hired to replace me. Please note, while the word "replace" sounds harsh, I have no hard feelings at all about leaving - continuing on in the job as full-time is just not an option for me. More responsibility, more hours and travelling is just something, given my personal life, would be very difficult to manage...it wouldn't be good for me, my family or the company. And, like I said I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life - more involvement in the stores and continued time with family...aka chaufer to the boys :)

Well, time to sign off but before I do, I would like to share a few of the thoughts that arrived in my inbox this morning from http://www.livinglifefully.com/

The best thing about this very minute is your ability to recognized the possibilities in it. Any fool can count the seeds in an apple. But only God can count the apples in a seed. There is something in every problem that holds potential for something better. Do you want a lifetime of happy righ nows? The little choice this moment to see the beauty in what appears ugly, frustrating, or disgraceful will change everything. ~Barbara Johnson

If you're not happy with who you are, you'll spend precious energy trying to be somebody you're no, and it wil wear you out. Think for a moment. Is there anybody in your life you're comparing yourself to? A beautiful sister? An accomplished brother? A friend who never seems to have problems? Well, may I say with all the love in the world: Quit it. That business o comparing is going to make you sice and unproductive, if it hasn't already. You are you! ~Luci Swindoll

The first thing to do in life is to do with purpose what one proposes to do. ~ Pau Casals

Until next time, my blogging friends, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

A little package arrived, from a dear stitching friend!!

2011-12-04T07:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday a little package was sitting on my doorstep. I wasn't expecting anything, although some of our relatives have started their Christmas shopping a little early. However, this package was from my dear stitching friend - CindyMae. Totally unexpected, I of course couldn't wait to tear into the package...even through we were 1/2 our the door for a hockey game.

Rip...Rip...Tear...Tear...YAHOO! HOW COOL!...sob, sob..OMG, I can't believe that anyone would do this for me...

In the package was a pillow, with the Prairie Schooler Santa 2009 stitched AND the pattern...and a beautiful door hanger that reads: "Stitching Friends Forever."

Can you find any holiday stitching pattern that would be more perfect for my life than a Santa with a hockey stick, a couple of hockey pucks and ice skates? Like, this is so ME...so my LIFE...and hopefully Santa takes the hint that the boys could always use a new pair of skates, a stick or even the puck for their stockings. And if that isn't enough, she threw in the pattern as well. Which, is awesome because after I showed my boys the pillow, they immediately said that would make a neat ornament for me. So, I guess I need to get my supplies together and stitch some skating Santas for the boys.

And the other stitched "door hanger" - Stitching Friends Forever, I think really sums up the friendship I have with Cindy. Through the blogging community of stitchers our paths crossed. A new and upcoming stitching designer, she needed people to help her out and stitch some of her designs so that she would have some models...I volunteered. And we have kept in contact throughout.

Cindy, thank you so much! I love my package. The pillow I have placed on my bed and the door hanger on my bedroom doorknob. You have truely spoiled me :) My life has been richer since you have come into it years ago and even through we live thousands of miles appart and have never met, you are a very special friend!

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Yesterday's two hockey games, which Matthew and his team played, were pretty good. We knew going into them that his team would be challenged. Matthew played well and the team was not totally shut out...but they did loose both games with a score of 1-10 and 2-8. It could have been worse, for the opposing team, who is from Southern California, does a lot to recruit players from all over California as well as the US.

Today, my DH just left with both boys at 6:30am. Matthew has another game, an exhibition game against an older team from our club and Robert has an early morning practice with his team. Then later today, Robert will be playing in a hockey game as a member of his high school hockey team. This is the first game for this team and the first high school hockey game for his school. High school hockey is just getting organized in California (so, if you are keeping track, Robert is on two hockey teams - his high school team and his club team).

Well, Robert will get to play in that High School game if he gets his homework done...Matthew has informed us that his homework is done for the weekend and he is ready for school tomorrow...fingers are crossed that we will not have any homework surprises at bedtime tonight!

That is about it my blogging friends. I am trying to get all my "to dos" crossed off my list before the boys come home from hockey: exercise, blog posting, catch up with relatives, grocery shopping, folding the laundry and prep a family lunch. So I better keep going to knock the things off. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

It December???

2011-12-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

This was our beautiful fall tree last Wednesday, November 30...before the 50-80 mile winds attacked it.

I am still in denial - it can't be December already...can it? It is hard to believe! But I guess since the boys got out their advent chocolate candy calendars, the holidays are getting closer.

Last Wednesday, I had a rare day off and enjoyed a nice 7.5 mile jog. The trees around the neighborhood were filled with colorful leaves, the sun was shinning a nice 50-60 degree temperature, the sky was blue and the grass green. In most places in the US, this wouldn't be a typical "winter" day but for here it is pretty standard this time of the year. HOWEVER, that was Wednesday...

Since then, the Santa Anna winds have been howling anywhere between 50-80 or 90 miles an hour. All of those beautiful crimson, orange and yellow leaves are no longer on the trees - they are on the ground and in my garage (we forgot to close the garage door the other night and the darn leaves found there way in there). Nevertheless, the temps still hover around the mid-50s and the sun it shiny bright - so I can't complain!

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Ok...you all know the saying: "what goes around, comes around"? Well, I lived it on Thursday evening/Friday morning.

You remember those big school projects you would get and the due date would be a few weeks to a month out. The ones that would take some work and the teacher gave you all the time in the world to do it. So much time, in fact, that there wasn't any reason to start right away. The kind of projects you would set aside for the first week, then take the time to plan for the second week and then the night before the due date you and one of your parents, who would be very angry & have a sneer on their face, would stay up all night to complete it together. Well...

Matthew, my younger son, received a project a week before the Thanksgiving break that wasn't due until Friday, December 2. Decided that he wouldn't start it until the break, because he know that he would have a lot of time to research, write and draw since both DH and I would be at the stores working. Thanksgiving break comes...he works on the cover of the project and then writes down the outline of what he will research.. He develops the plan that he will work on 3 pages a day...the project is an ABC book of Ancient China...and therefore be able to get the project done during the T-giving break and not have to worry about it the week it is due (which is always a good idea because of all the other homework he has which he juggles with hockey practices).

Well...every day I would get home from the stores and was greeted by Matthew, who was still in his pjs playing a computer game. I would ask, "did you work on your project?" and he would respond, "no, not today, I will put some work into it tomorrow. I have a new strategy, starting tomorrow I will do 4 letters a day and will still be done before the end of the break." The next day - new strategy 5 letters a day...and the next was 6 letters a day.

Bottomline and to shorten the story...Thursday evening DH and I were up with Matthew "helping" him to get the project done. Working on the last 13 letters...we finished the project at 2:30am.

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We have a lot of hockey this weekend...surprised? Matthew has a couple of league games today, both kids have practice tomorrow morning and Sunday evening Robert will be playing his first high school hockey game. High school hockey is new here in California - all the hockey is played representing a club. Robert's team is made up of 10-12 kids with various of hockey playing levels. It should be fun to watch and exciting for him to show off his hockey skills to all his schoolmates who know of his passion for hockey, but have never seen him play.

Well...I don't want to bore you any more. I am hoping to have some status photos of Family Sampler soon. Keep your fingers crossed!

Until next time...remember,

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Happy 3rd Blogiversary...and the winners are

2011-11-28T06:34:00.000-08:00

3 years today, I took the plundge and started my blog - writing about my love of cross stitching and everything that goes on in my daily life. It is a busy life, but I don't think that I would change anything.

On October 28th, one month ago I announced my 3-100-500 giveaway - to celebrate - my 3rd blogiversary, 100 followers and 500 posts.

Since that day my followership increased from 84 to the current 161 - wow! That has overwhelmed me. I have had the privilege of visiting some of my new followers and there are so many amazing people out there! What a neat medium we have here - to meet new people and learn about other's lives, different countries, etc.

And while I didn't officially get to my 500th post, I did get darn close! Life has a way of getting in the way of the best made plans, so I hope you all will forgive me that I didn't quite meet my challenge.

HOWEVER, because you all over achieved your end of the bargain, there will be 2 winners! So using the random number generator to pick a number between 1 and 118...

Winner #1 is.....

Comment #32 was written by Kathy H

Winner #2.....

Comment #85 was written by Danielle

Kathy H and Danielle...I will be contacting you both soon to get your information. Congratulations.

And to everyone...thank you so much for joining in the fun! I feel like the winner today!

Take care...until next time, remember

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

3 days until blogoversary...

2011-11-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

so, once again I better do a little catching up! However, if you haven't entered my 3-100-500 giveaway, you can find out all about it on the left hand side - the link to the post where you need to enter can also be located on the left.

Post #495 - Making sacrifices when owning your own business
I guess the first thing I should do is wish all my blog friends in the states a Belated Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that everyone had an enjoyable day.

My day? Well it started out very early, but that wasn't to cook the Thanksgiving turkey. No, I had to go into Store #1 at 4am to create 2 different arrangements and put together a box of chocolate covered apples. These arrangements are ones that contain a lot of choclate dipped fruit and one had kiwi slices...none of which would look very good if made the night before; so I opted to come in early and create them. We want to make sure that all of our customers get the best product possible!!! I finished up the arrangements around 6:15 and finished cleaning up my mess & mopping the floor around 7am. I wanted to make sure that everything looked good at Store #1 before I left because my DH and son Matthew were going to work there...I, on the other hand needed to leave this store and drive 32 miles up to Store #2.

On Thanksgiving, as well as some of the other holidays which are coming up, we give all of our staff the day off and each of us "man" the store. The stores are open for a short amount of time (8am-12pm) for customers to come and pick up their orders...we opt not to do any deliveries on these days. And typically we don't take any new orders on these holidays, but do have some extras available for walk in purchases...however, because I know how to produce the arrangements, while at Store #2 I did take some orders. So between trying to dip fruit and arrange them in the container, I was also running to greet the customers coming in the door to pick up their pre-ordered Thanksgiving arrangment. A couple of times I felt like I was running a 3-ring circus...but I was the only clown. It was fun, though...I love helping customers and making their day special.

Never the less, I was glad when the last customer showed up to pick up their order - and once the kitchen was cleaned I was headed home. My DH and son Matthew beat me home and were having a bit of lunch...so we decided that naps would be next before our thanksgiving meal.

Post #496 - This years Thanksgiving Meal
Small
A glimpse of what is down the road
Those are the thoughts I had as I sat down at the table last night. There were only 3 of us around our little table...me, my husband and my younger son Matthew. Robert, our older son, left on Thanksgiving morning with his hockey team for a tournament in Denver, Colorado. So, without Robert's stomach present, I downsized the Thanksgiving meal. I know that sounds pretty sad in itself, but many of the traditional dishes - the candied yams, green bean casserol, stuffing - only Robert and DH eat. So we kept it simple and delicious.

Before leaving for the airport, Robert was kind enough (anytime you get a teenage boy to do any favors for you, I would assume it was done out of kindness, right?) to put in the turkey breast in the oven; I had prepared it the night before. The rest of the meal consisted of steamed green beans, tossed salad, mashed potato w/gravy, sour dough bread and the turkey. I also roasted an acorn squash, which only I enjoyed...no one else wanted to try.

It was a nice meal, simple, relaxing...after we finished and the kitchen was cleaned up (this was the 3rd kitchen I had cleaned up: Store #1's kitchen at 6am, Store #2's kitchen at 12:30pm and now my own at 6pm), we retired upstairs and just vegged out. I was too tired to pick up a needle even...so I just laid around and watched TV.

Post #497- Post Thanksgiving and the upcoming giveaway
With Thanksgiving now "in the books" as the saying goes, we all really start looking toward Christmas and the holiday season. Did any of you participate in the Black Friday early bird activities? I have a few friends who actually go out at midnight to get the deals or camp out for the stores that open at 4am. I have never done that. Actually, after the last few days I have had, I value my sleep too much :)

Well, finally the giveaway drawing is coming...only 3 more days. On November 28, I will choose 2 names from those who entered a comment on this post that started it all and will post them sometime on Monday 11/28. I have been gathering things up for their mystery packages and will purchase the gift certificates to http://www.123stitch.com/ as soon as I have the winners' names. Getting exciting, hun?

Well, take care my friends. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Catching up again...business, baking and a little stitching

2011-11-22T05:49:00.000-08:00

Post # 491-494 and 6 more days until the giveaway drawing.

If you haven't entered yet, I posted the information on the left hand side and "click" on the link, which will take you to the right post to enter your comment for the upcoming drawing.

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Post #491 - Weekend RecapThe weekend went well for me, at home with Robert (older son), and DH & Matthew (younger son) down in LA. I worked in the store on Saturday and got Robert around for his hockey activities on Sunday.

Down in LA, DH & Matthew had a great time. Matthew played well in all three of his hockey games - scored a goal in all three games...but unfortunately, the team lost 2 games and tied 1. But the scores were all very close. Aside from hockey, they just had a great time being together, which as I said in the last post it has been a long time since DH has stepped away from the store and travelled for a hockey weekend with either of the boys. It was funny, though, when Matthew listed the few times that he "missed his mommy".

The first time was just during the games for there was no one cheering from the stands. In fact, he said, the stands were silent (that is sad). The second time he missed me was when they went to the Olive Garden for dinner...mommy wasn't there to cut his speghitti noodles. This issue, I have to say is very sad, for he is 12.5 years old and it is time for him to cut his own noodles...don't you think? :)

Post #492 - The Business
In the wonderful comments on my last "catch up" post, Kaye asked "What sort of store do you own?" My husband and I own 2 Edible Arrangement franchise stores - the business that creates fruit arrangements that look like flower arrangements and boxes of chocolate dipped fruit (like strawberries, bananas, oranges, pineapple, and apples). Below is one of the popular arrangements this week as we gear up for Thanksgiving.

It looks like we will be cutting out a lot of pineapple leaves and dipping them in chocolate over the next few days. As well as, making a lot of cinamon chocolate apple wedges.

Today, tomorrow and Thanksgiving I will be working up at our 2nd store location while DH holds down the 1st location. Before anyone asks..."yes" DH and I are working Thanksgiving Day. We give all our employees the day off and we work the store from 8-12 for pick ups only (normally we deliver, but on holidays such as this when we give all our employees the day off we just do "pick up" only). When the last pick up is gone, we each will lock up the doors and meet at home...where we will enjoy our Thanksgiving meal!

Post #493 - Thanksgiving Baking
Yesterday, as I was driving around doing errands (for I had the day off from both Part Time job and working in a store) I realized that if I don't get my Thanksgiving shopping done or get the pumpkin pies made I won't have any other chance this week. So after running the car to get it's overdue oil change, I hit the grocery store and gathered up all the Thanksgiving necessities - Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green beans, etc. It is going to be a small T-giving this year as Robert (my older son) will be away for a hockey tournament.

Anyway...once home and the groceries unpacked I started immediately on my pie crust...do you make your own pie crust or do you purchase "already" made? I have always made my own. It has been a tradition in my household to use homemade pie dough. Back when I was a little girl, it was tradition for my great-grandmother to make the dough and the pumpkin pies. I still remember walking downstairs to the kitchen mid-morning and hearing her curse the dough - "Damn dough, it is too sticky!" or "Damn dough, it keeps breaking a part and the pies are going to look ugly!" After a few "damns" you would soon hear my uncle or my mother in the next room saying - "LaLa's making her pies now, best to stay out of the kitchen." My dough recipe comes from the Bylery's cook book (Bylery's is a grocery store in Minnesota) and is simply Crisco, flour, egg, vinegar and a little water.

Once the dough is made, rolled out and fitted to the pan...next is the pumpkin pie filling. I have my great-grandmother LaLa's recipe; however, since I don't eat the pie I follow my husband's mother's recipe. LaLa's had a lot of eggs in hers, plus spices & the pumpkin pie filling - which comes out almost like a custard. DH's family's recipe calls for Kyro syrup, only 3 eggs, evaporated milk, pumpkin pie filling and spices. So, here is the pie...

Behind the pie are loaves of Strawberry bread, which I also baked yesterday. In our stores, when we prep the strawberries, we toss aside the smaller "unacceptable" ones which usually end up coming home with me. Some of the strawberries I grind up and make into smoothies...however, because we are coming up to long hours at the store, I decided to whip up some strawberry bread to take in and share with our wonderful employees. I made 2 batches of the bread - one that has only strawberries and one that has strawberries and a little bit of crushed Almonds. If interested in trying something new, here is the recipe for Strawberry Bread:

STRAWBERRY BREAD - from Food to Go Cookbook

3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups sugar

4 eggs, well beaten

1-1/4 cup oil

2 (10oz) pkgs frozen strawberries, thawed...I used fresh & chopped them up

1-1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)...I used some almonds in one batch

1/4 cup strawberry jam

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and sugar (I also added a little vanilla and ginger to my recipe, just to give it a little extra lovin'). Add eggs, oil, stawberries, pecans and jam. Blend. Pour batter into 2 well greased 5x9-inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

ENJOY!

Post #494 - a little stitching

So over the weekend, while in the rinks on Sunday I did get in a few stitches on my Family Sampler. Since it has been a long time since I posted a photo, I decided to show you my status...but I must apologize for the photo - I grabbed the camera, but it appears that the batteries were stolen out of it by some teenage boys for their computer mouses; so I was left with my phone camera. Here is a status phone photo:

It is dark, but I hope that you can see that I am almost finished with the Clay Pot flower buds that go around the border...there are 2-1/2 more to stitch on the left hand side and then there are 3 more corners to fill in. I did one of the corners the other day to see what it looked like, but decided that I wanted to finish the flower buds first before filling in the corners. I don't know why I decided that - guess it was just a factor of trying to keep the focus on using the color Clay Pot.

Well that should bring us all up to date on things here. I hope that your week is going well. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often

Lisa

Crazy busy...sooooo....10 more days until giveaway drawing

2011-11-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

Post # 486...487...488...489...490 and 10 more days until the giveaway drawing.
If you haven't entered yet, read the information on the left hand side and "click" on the link, which will take you to the right post to enter your comment on for the drawing.
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Well, I know that technically this is not the 490 post, but since I am the one hosting the giveaway and you all have overwhelmed me with the number of followers and entries, I will jump ahead and make this the 490 post. Only 10 more posts to go until my 500th and only 10 more days until the drawing.

I have been very busy working on our Store #1 - trying to transition in to a new routine that has made it difficult for me to sit and blog. While I am hoping to have some time at home this evening to rest and relax, I might just end up on the sofa and fall asleep. Standing on these hard floors several hours a day and cut fruit, well it is not good for ones lower back.

This weekend DH is going with Matthew (younger son) to his hockey tournament in Los Angeles. They left a few hours ago, driving down there. Matthew was so excited that dad got to go with him. It has been a long time since DH has taken a long weekend off from our business and even longer since he has travelled with either of the boys. I know that he, too, was looking forward to getting away. I will have to work in one of the stores tomorrow, but since we close earlier on the weekends I will have some time to spend at home with Robert (my older son). And...it will be nice not to be the one who had to pack and travel. It is fun traveling with the boys, but I do look forward to spending some time at home every once in awhile. Maybe, just maybe, I will find sometime to sit and stitch. One can only hope.

Well, my blog friends. It is already time for me to sign off. I hope that you all have had a good week. What plans do you have for the weekend?

Take care and remember....

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!
Lisa

Caught in between...but gotta catch up

2011-11-15T03:42:00.000-08:00

Post #485 - 14/13 days until my blogoversary - 100+ followers

You still have time to enter my 3-100-500 give-a-way if you haven't yet, details and the link to the information can be located on the left.

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'Tis too early to be morning, but too late to call it night...

'Tis not really Monday any more, but Tuesday isn't right.

Late to bed and early to rise

So this post will be disguised

As an entry for yesterday, even though today is dawning

I add post one for now, and two a little later

But right now, as I am yawning,

See you later alligator!

Sunday...Sit...Stitch....Repeat

2011-11-13T14:54:00.000-08:00

Post #484 - 15 days until my blogoversary - 100+ followers
You still have time to enter my 3-100-500 give-a-way if you haven't yet, details and the link to the information can be located on the left.
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Sitting on the coach, with my needle in hand
Thus only have a moment to check in, say "hi" and make sure to post today.
Getting closer to post number 500 and closer to my give away...
But got to stitch, for I have the itch!

Have a good Sunday!

Lisa

Happy Saturday

2011-11-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

Post #483 - 16 days until my blogoversary - 100+ followers

You still have time to enter my 3-100-500 give-a-way if you haven't yet, details can be found on the left - or you can go to this link to read about and enter.

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A day off of work, which I had yesterday, which included the boys having a day off of school due to Veteran's Day - doesn't allow for much opportunity to do things for one's self. However I did manage to get one bathroom cleaned and the kitchen floor mopped which were the two areas that bothered me the most in this house.

In the afternoon, both boys had an ortho appointment which was followed by a trip to the LHS...the Local Hockey Store :) Both boys needed some new sticks - Robert needed a helmet and Matthew a pair of breezer/pants.

In the evening, we fired up the grill and slapped on some burgers...followed by a sit on the sofa and an opportunity for me to pull out Family Sampler and create 45 X's. While always grateful to sit and stitch, it isn't enough to really show at this time.

Have a good Saturday...until tomorrow, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Brothers...Buddies...and so they grow

2011-11-11T09:26:00.000-08:00

Post #482...17 days until my blogoversary....100+ followers

You still have time to enter my 3-100-500 give-a-way if you haven't yet, details can be found on the left - or you can go to this link to read about and enter.

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Happy Friday...Happy Veteran's Day...Happy 11-11-11...

The great affair, the love affair with life, is to live as variously as possible, to groom one's curiosity like a high-spirited thoroughbred, climb aboard and gallop over the thick, sunstruck hills every day. It began as mystery, and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beutiful country lies in between.

~Diane Ackerman

Everything starts as somebody's daydream ~ Larry Niven

Once upon a time, in the State of Hockey - Minnesota - two little boys were born 3-1/2 years apart: Robert was the oldest and Matthew, the youngest. With both parents working full-time, they attended the local day care/early childhood development facility where skating lessons were offered at the age of 3...yes, they had a little indoor ice rink at the day care...how cool is that? Once those tiny "blade"s (aka hockey skates) were attached to their feet...those buckets (aka helmets) positioned on their heads...and "twigs" (aka hockey sticks) placed in their hands...dreams of being great NHL stars were born.

Robert (5 years old) on the right and Matthew (2 years old) on the left..playing floor hockey on the wooden floor in
our house in Minnesota.

It was thought that moving to California, NHL dreams would be dissolved, but on the contrary...hockey was alive and scoring here on the West coast. As priorities for a hockey team and a good school district were high on the list of requirements for finding a new residence, the brothers landed ended up playing for the Blue Devils.

Robert (9 years - squirt) on the right and Matthew (6 years - mite) on the left.

Since then, the boys have jumped from hockey club to hockey club, playing for some great coaches over the years - whether they were an Oakland Bear, a Santa Clara Blackhawk or a Tri Valley Blue Devil...the dream continues as they both are playing for the San Jose Jr. Sharks

Robert (15.5 years - 15UAAA Midget Minor) and Matthew (12.5 years - 12UAAA PeeWee)...their current photo. It's been a long time since I have been able to get a Buddy Photo of them.

I look at the three photos and amazed at the growth and the changes of my little boys...who aren't so little any more...in fact they tower over me - is that really fair?

Hope you have a great day today...and a special thanks goes out to all those people who protect our freedoms! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

No Stitching...but a new addition

2011-11-10T05:26:00.000-08:00

Post #481 - 18 days until my blogoversary - 100 + followers

18 days until the drawing of 2 names for my giveaway...if you haven't entered yet, click on this link and leave a comment (details on the left)

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Well, I am going to disappoint you...I was not successful in sitting my self down on the couch to stitch. I allowed too many things to get in my way;

But...no...the time sucker was not My Town 2 (I liked Nancy's suggestion of finding my LNS and creating that business in my little fantasy town)

However, I was busy using my hands to put something together, though

to create something that is my "drug of choice"...

Yesterday I mentioned that my stationary bike had died.

A good morning spin...a first thing in the morning sweat...is my "drug of choice"

and a non-working stationary bike wasn't giving me that high any more

After 20 years the electronics shorted out

One of the first pieces of "furniture" DH & I purchased with our wedding money,
20 years ago, is now RIP

(the other purchase we made was our King Size bed, which we still have and really

need to replace as well)

That old stationary bike helped me sweat out stress, get rid of pregnancy weight and keep away

the "spread" one can get after the age of 40

Numberous times we replaced the chain

Several occasions we cleaned up the inside and put in a new part

But the short in the dash board, the brain of the old machine

was unfixable and we had to put ol'bike out of its misery.

So, yesterday afternoon, DH drove around to some of the local exercise equiptment

business and browsed to see what they had in stock

I surfed around the computer to see what I could find as well

After several phone calls, research on the computer and visits to stores

I settled on this:

Diamondback 510UB

So, instead of sitting and stitching, I was helping DH assemble the bike so that I could get up this morning and get in my sweaty, start to the day...which I am doing as I type out this post.

But I hear the needle and thread call my name...I feel the itch in my fingers to make those X's...

hopefully tonight is the night!

Take care my friends - thank you for all your comments and the stitching mojo you are sending...I do feel it!

Until tomorrow, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often

Lisa

Package in the mail

2011-11-09T05:41:00.000-08:00

Post #480 - 19 days until my blogoversary - over 100 followers

19 days until I pull 2 names for my 3-100-500 giveaway - if you haven't entered, please click on this link to go to the post where you need to leave a comment.

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Do you remember me telling you that I won a doorprize from the Online Needlework Show in October? I received my package from Whispered by the Wind yesterday and not only was the pattern I chose in the envelope but Mari added in a couple of other things. Here is what I received in the mail...

I opened up the envelope and found three patterns - the first was the one I had chosen called:

Recipe for a Snowman
Mari McDonald - Whispered by the Wind

Recipe for a Snowman is the one I entered into the doorprize with - for you had email the pattern you would love to have if you would win the door prize. In addition to my choice, I also received a pattern for a bookmark as well as this pattern -

Christmas Flower
Mari McDonald - Whispered by the Wind

Isn't it beautiful - Christmas Flower. Rich red, green and gold. Isn't that a perfect Christmas color combination? Well, of course I am antsy to start one of these...however there are a few things that I need to finish...

In fact, I just need to pick up a needle and thread again. Ever since I got the iPad for my birthday and got the app for a game called "My Town 2", my hands have been void of a needle. "My Town 2" is basically like the Farmville game on facebook that many people were hooked on a few years ago, but you build residental neighborhoods and businesses trying to grow your town. First I got it, then as soon as both my boys saw what I was playing they got it...now we just have a little competition of who can build faster...sick, isn't it. The way one can get hooked on some fantasy game - addicted to having some sort of electronic device in your face constantly for entertainment. Yikes!

Hopefully tonight I will find away to put it down and pick up the needle - maybe I need some stitcher vibes from everyone out there sent to me :)

Well, that is about all I know today. I hope you have a good day today - oh, it is mid-week...I can see the weekend there on the horizon! I leave you with a few things (from http://www.livinglifefully.com/) to think about until next time, but remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often - Lisa

Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. ~Helen Keller

How beautiful it is to do nothing,

and then rest afterward

~Spanish Proverb

There is one thing we can do and the happiest people are those who do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can give all our attention to the opportunity before us. ~Mark van Doren

Grateful for time

2011-11-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

Post #479 - 20 days until my blogoversary - 100+ followers

There are still 20 days left until my giveaway to celebrate 3-100-500 - if you haven't entered, please go to this link and leave a comment.

We couldn't have lucked out any more yesterday - the first day back after a travel weekend:

The boys had a "collaboration" day - which means they get out of school an hour early so the teachers could have an extra hour for prepwork or to meet with other teachers to "collaborate".
The boys didn't have much homework last night - guess all the work Matthew did before he left for Chicago put him ahead especially since some of the teachers has some personal thing to deal with last week...and I think that Robert did a few things to put him ahead as well
There was NO hockey practice in the evening - Robert was suppose to have had practice, but his coaches decided that the boys could use a day or two of rest...and time to catch up on homework if they needed it.

This allowed us to get a few things done - like take the boys over to the passport office at the local post office and renew their passports. This is something that has been bugging me a little bit, but the anxiety was increased when Robert's team was accepted into a hockey tournament over the Chirstmas/New Year's holidays in Richmond British Columbia (Canada). I knew their passports expired over the summer, but just didn't make time to get them renewed. So we - DH included, because their are under 16 and both of us had to be present - went to the post office and got it completed. I did go ahead and have Robert's expidited even though the lady tried to assure me that it was the slow time of the year for passports and it would probably be here on the quick side of 3-6 weeks...but I just didn't want to take the chance that we wouldn't get it in time for the Dec. 26 departure. Matthew needs his in February, when his hockey team goes to Quebec for the International PeeWee Tournament. Anyway...got this task completed.

The above mentioned situations - aka more time at home - allowed me to get caught up on all the laundry and get the house restocked with a few essentials from the grocery store.

Given no hockey practice - I got the grill going and cooked up some burgers for the boys and some grilled asparagus for myself. Gotta love grilling in November, where there is a crisp coolness in the air and the warmth of the grill nearby.

No hockey...No homework...full bellies...early to bed. Lights were out in our house about 9pm last night. And today I am up, early...getting in a little spin on my stationary bike that is dead (I am spinning, but without any resistance...I think that this 20 year old thing has finally bit the dust).

Tonight Matthew has hockey practice but is being taken down there by the carpool...so I am hoping to take advantage of this and sit & stitch.

Anyway...take care my friend and until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Home-a-gain, home-a-gain, jiggity, jig...

2011-11-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

Post #478 - 21 days until my blog-o-versary

(yikes, I need to post everyday and double up to keep with my end of the deal)

- over 100 followers :)

There are 21 days left to end my 3-100-500 give-a-way - if you haven't entered click on this link to be directed to the correct post to leave a comment.

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Up and going on this Monday morning. Plane landed back in California around 10:15pm and we were home by 11:15pm. As always, it is good to be home and back in ones own bed.

It was a great weekend and very busy between the hockey games and visiting with my parents...so that is why I didn't have a chance to post any update throughout the weekend - so here is a brief summary.

Thursday 11/3 (my bday) -

Up early to get in my workout, finish packing, get an early breakfast around for the boys to eat while I shower and get ready to go. Adorned with the traditional birthday hat (see photo below), we snapped a few bday photos of me with my boys and then headed off to the airport.

Just incase the hat doesn't give it away...I am the short one in the middle :)
Robert is my older son on the left and Matthew, my younger on, is on the right.

I wore the hat to the airport, in the airport and on the airplane (but finally took it off for the 4.75 hour flight). Upon touchdown, after the flight attendant announced all the arrival information she then proceeded to announce that it was my birthday...when Robert kindly informed her of...and all 180+ passengers sang "Happy Birthday" to me...so of course I had to put the bday hat on., which I kept on as we departed the flight in the Midway airport and wore it all the way down to the baggage claim where we met up with my parents and sister.

They were very excited to see me, Matthew and Robert, who made it down to the baggage claim a few minutes later as his whole hockey team was travelling together on our flight. Once luggage was collect, my parents/sister said good bye to Robert, who was staying with his team at another hotel as did I...then we all left for our respective hotels. My parents/sister stayed in the same hotel as Matthew & I while Robert & his hockey team stayed an hour north of us.

Once at our hotel, we all settled in. I enjoyed a nice bday dinner with my parents, sister and Matthew in the hotel. It was the first time in a long time since Dad & I celebrated our birthdays together.

Friday 11/4 - Let the hockey begin

Matthew had 2 games on Friday - 10:30 and 4:30...perfect times. His team lost the first and tied the second. Both were good games...and Matthew played very well. His grandparents and aunt had a good time watching him play. In between games, it was lunch at Noodles & Co - a favorite place with the other hockey moms I travel with (my parents/sister joined all of us) and dinner was at Sweet Tomatoes with just parent/sister and a cousin of mine who lives in Chicago. He took the train in from downtown Chi-town to watch Matthew's evening game and have dinner with us. It was nice to catch up with him.

While watching both of Matthew's games, I was missing 2 of Robert's; however I was getting texted highlights throughout. Robert's team won both of their games on Saturday - Robert scoring in both games. The first game he had the game winning goal and the second game he scored the first to get his team going.

Saturday 11/5

Early morning alarm for this day - a 4:45am breakfast call for Matthew followed by a 5:45 departure for the rink in order to be ready to play the 7am game. The games for this day were in a different rink. That is one thing to be aware of when going to the Bauer International hockey tournament in Chicago, one certainally gets a good opportunity to visit a lot of different hockey rinks. There are over 1000 hockey players from over 400 teams that decend upon the city over the weekend for this tournament.

Matthew's morning game ended up in a loss and put them in 4th in their division, thus making their last game a consolation game with a 1:30pm start time - which they won 8 to 6. Nice to end on a win...and nice that Matthew finally got a goal which was the last one of the tournament for his team and an empty netter :) He worked so hard over the weekend, he was due for a goal.

With Matthew's team done by 3pm on Saturday - done with the whole tournament as well - Matthew and I jumped in the car with my parents/sister and headed an hour north to watch Robert's 5:15pm game. While I would have rather seen Matthew's team do well and advance to the sweet 16 instead of the consolation game, it was nice to be able to take my parents up to watch one of Robert's games. His games are fast, physical...and they are just big boys (15/16 year olds vers 12/13 year olds).

Robert's team needed a win or a tie to advance to their quarterfinals - which they did advance with a tie. While Robert and his coaches commented that this was not their best game, my parents/sister were very impressed with how Robert and his team played. We waited for Robert to come out of the locker room to tell him "good game" and for my parents to get a photo with him...then it was time to head on back to our hotel.

Sunday 11/6 - time to start packing up

Because we never are sure how these hockey tournament weekends are going to end up, we always plan for the best outcome - making it to the championship. Which means, we find out what time the championship game ends and plan our flight out around that time. In short, we had all day to kill as our plane didn't depart until 7:30pm. But that is ok, we have found ways to "waste" time until we have to be at the airport.

Yes, I know that Chi-town has a lot of great museams and great places to visit...but by Sunday we are typically fried and, if we have no games planned, then the focus becomes homework and completing everything before getting on the plane. So that is what we did Sunday. Matthew slept in, had a late breakfast and finished up his last few assignments so he could turn them in when he got back to school. I got up and hit the workout room while receiving texted from a fellow hockeymom from Robert's team, so I could keep up with the 8am quarterfinal game. Sounded like a good one that went into OT...unfortunately they lost 3-2 with 1:32 left in OT. Bummer, but they had a great tournament.

After saying goodbye to my parents & sister around 12:30pm - they headed to visit a friend before heading to the airport - we left the hotel [too] to have lunch and walk around a few shopping malls before we headed to the airport. We met up with Robert's team in the airport food court a little after 4pm.

Matthew got one more Chicago hot dog and a Ben & Jerry's ice cream for dinner...and, with a Ben & Jerry's "addicted to chocolate" milk shake in hand, Robert spotted us and came over. It was like a little reunion - after not being together for 3 days. Although I think the brothers missed eachother - for they packed up their stuff and headed down to the gate together leaving me behind with some of the other parents and Robert's team. Oh, well, it does a mother's heart proud to see her children get a long (even though in her heart she know that it is temporary, for as soon as they get home that loving, brotherly fighting will start all over again :) ).

...and now back to reality

It was a great weekend. Always nice when you can combine a hockey weekend with a family visit - even if it is short. It was good to catch up with my parents and my sister and they all enjoyed spending time with Matthew and seeing Robert, even brief as it was. They loved watching the boys play hockey, too.

Today it will be back to work and back to school. However, I will need to get the hockey bags and suitcase unpacked and the laundry started before I leave for anywhere.

Gotta go, thank you for all the birthday wishes over the weekend - it means a lot. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Bags are packed...again...celebrating my birthday 35,000 ft up

2011-11-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

Post#477 ...I am trying to type today's post on my iPad this morning, it isn't as easy as it is on a standard computer. But I wanted to make sure that I get a post posted. With only 25 more days until my blogoversary I want to make sure I hold p my part of the giveaway requirements...making it to the 500th post by November 28. So you will have to forgive me it this is a short posting.

I leave for Chicago in a little over 3 hours. All the bags are packed and I am getting in a little spin on the stationary bike before I sit on the plane for 4 hours. I have down loaded some movies to watch and have some games ready to play...but folks this iPad is doggone addicting, especially all of those timed games...like My Town, which is like the Farmville game that everyone was playing on Facebook a year ago. I need to muster up a little restraint and pull out the stitching!!! Well, if there isn't any wireless access on the flight that will limit what I can do and the stitching should come out!

I am looking forward to getting to Chicago, where I will meet up with my parents and one of my sisters. My father, whose birthday is today, and I, whose birthday is also today, haven't been together on our birthday in many years. I think the last time was 8 years ago, for we celebrated together before The boys, DH & I moved to California. It will be nice to be together.

Well, I won't keep you. Until next time,remember...

Live, Love, Laughand stitch often,
lisa

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

Post #476 - 28 days until my blogoversary - 100+ followers and growing :)

There is still time to enter my 3-100-500 giveaway if you haven't,

just go to this post and leave a comment.

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Tonight's the night...when all the spooks, ghosts, and goblins come out...so beware!!! Consider yourself warned :)

But I am glad that you stopped by...here grab a handful -

What is your favorite Halloween candy - do you like the little candy corns that come out only at this time of the year, or do you go for the chocolate or maybe the suckers, swedish fish or tootsie rolls? You know, while I am aware of the fun the kids have as they go door to door, ringing the doorbell and shouting "Trick or Treat", neither of my boys particularly like candy. Sure, they will eat a Hershey bar and love a pack of M&Ms...but we always end up taking 98% of the Halloween candy to work. When we lived in Minnesota, the school district there had a program where they collected the kids' Halloween candy they wanted to share for the food shelves which are typically void of things like this.

We won't have to worry much about sharing our candy this year, for between covering for employees who want to leave early to be with their family members and the boys' hockey practice there won't be much Halloween celebration here. But it doesn't sound like the boys are too upset.

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts about the pumpkin carving design for my part-time job contest...unfortunately due to working in*Store #1* all weekend - and allowing DH to have a whole weekend off without stepping foot in either store, something he really needed - I didn't have the energy to carve anything creative or out-of-the-ordinary when I got home on Saturday or Sunday. I did carve a basic "Jack o'lantern" face with 2 eyes and a mounth with teeth so that the pumpkin didn't go to waste but I am not going to enter it into the contest. He will stay home and get ready to sit outside later tonight. Poor guy :(

Yes I worked all weekend and it went pretty well. It has been a long time since DH had a full weekend off, not setting a foot in either of our stores. It was like our rolls were reversed the whole weekend....I was in the store and he was playing the Hockey Taxi driver. For Matthew had practice both days and Robert had games both days. So, while DH didn't get much rest over the weekend, he did get time with the boys - which is priceless!

This week is going to go by fast I think...the boys are off of school today due to an teacher inservice day, but of course they saved all their homework to finish today (kids, what are you going to do with them?). Although, I think that Matthew told a teacher or two that he was going to be absent from school on Thursday and Friday, for there is another hockey tournament coming up.

This time I will be flying with both my boys to Chicago on Thursday...November 3...my birthday. In fact, Robert's whole team and some of Matthew's will be on the same flight so I can celebrate my birthday in the morning 35,000 feet in the air. And then as soon as we land in Chicago, we will be meeting up with my parents and one of my sisters. They will be joining us for the hockey weekend...and to celebrate birthdays. Not only is my birthday on the 3rd, but so is my father's. I was born on his 25th birthday - pretty special present, huh? It will be nice to be together with them for it has been a long time since I was with my parents for my birthday.

Well...lets back up here and stay focused...stay in the present...remain in the NOW and take it one day at a time because there are a lot of things I need to accomplish before I get on that plane on Thursday.

Well, I am just rambling on right now. This will probably be a good place to wrap up the post!

As long as we convince ourselves that we’re so busy and our work is so vital and we can’t afford to slow down, then we don’t have to look at our own lives and the personal issues that are so difficult to address: a marriage that isn’t working, a career that isn’t satisfying, children we’re out of touch with, friendships we’ve outgrown, associations we need to move on from, the creativity we’ve been afraid to explore, our deepest fears or childhood traumas that have been holding us back from leading truly fulfilled lives.
~ Elaine St. James
Tomorrow doesn’t matter for I have lived today. ~Horace

Until next time, remember...
Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!
Lisa

Odds 'n Ends on a Saturday Morning

2011-10-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Post #475 - 30 days until my blogoversary -

follower count continues to go up (thank you)

If you haven't enter my 3-100-500 giveaway,

please click on this link and you will be taken to the giveaway information and where you can enter

- . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . -

Odd 'n End #1 - upcoming weekend
Happy Saturday - the weekend has shown up and it will be a busy one here for us. Both boys have a lot of hockey this weekend and it is Halloween, which has brought in some good business at both stores for the weekend. I am up early (yay! gotta get in my workout to start the day) so I can go into *Store #1* to warm up the chocolate and start dipping the pineapple ghosts, bats and cats that make up a lot of the Halloween arrangements - if interested you can go to http://www.ediblearrangements/ and see what I am talking about.

Thread, needle and fabric have been absent from my hands and activities since I have received the iPad for my early bday present. That thing is addicting - between the games and the free ebooks and all the different news downloads, it definitely can keep one busy. But off in the distance, I do hear the call of the needle so I am sure that it wont be too much longer and Family Sampler or another ornament project will be in hand.

Odd 'n End #2 - Grimm's Fairy Tales
Speaking of reading...have you ever picked up and read any of the Grimm Fairy tales? Like Little Red Riding Hood or Hansel and Gretel? Well, with the new TV series - Grimm - which premiered last night it has peaked my interest. These are not totally the warm, fuzzy bedtime stories that many of the picture books painted, for it one does think about what they are reading they can be disturbing. For example, take Hansel and Gretel....not a lot of food in the house, the step mom cons the father to ditch his kids in the woods. Can you say - child neglect? When the children find the Witch's bread house in the wood, she locks up Hansel to fatten him up - child abuse? She enslaves Gretel to fetch wood - underage child labor? And all because she wants to eat the children - cannibalism? Anyway, I wasn't able to watch the first episode of Grimm last night because we all decided to utilize a night home w/o any evening activities as an excuse to go to bed early. So by 9:30 all the lights were out and there was a lot of snoring. However, as I am spinning and typing this post right now, I see that it is on indemand on the cable box, so I will probably try and find sometime to watch it over the weekend...and maybe pull out Family Smapler to stitch...perfect Halloween weekend activity, don't you thing?

Odd 'n End #3 - Conversation with Robert
Yesterday afternoon, as Robert (older son) and I were driving home from his school, he informs me that Saturday (today) is "Take a break from Technology" day. You are suppose to take an hour today and take a break from technology. Sounds simple, huh? Immediately I was thinking turn off the TV and turn off the computer games...get outside and enjoy the weather. But being the great debator my son is (don't know if he is a budding lawyer or just a cocky teenager),

he asks: "what do they mean by 'technology'?"

I reply: "TV, computers, maybe lights...any think electronic probably."

He says: "well, maybe we have to take a break from everything that was created in the technical age - besides the electronic items there are the cars, bikes, telephones anything that wasn't around prior to that age."

I reply: "so, basically things that really weren't present 100 years ago."

He looks and says to me, "mom, 100 years ago was 1911 there were cars, there were phones, there was electricity."

It took me awhile to think...for when I was growing up, I always referenced the late 1800s as my "100 years ago". When did the early 1900s become 100 years ago? Isn't that a strange thought? When you hear "100 years ago" and you don't put much thought to doing the math - what time frame POPs in your head?

Odds 'n Ends #4 - Pumpkin Carving
I need to come up with an idea for my Pumpkin. I have entered the pumpkin carving contest at my part-time job and am somewhat stumped. I thought it would be fun to come up with something where I can incorporate either the chocolate covered pineapple shapes from our stores - either ghosts, cats or bats. Some ideas that have surfaced are:

Cut the pumpkin to resemble Ms. Pac Man and put 4 which chocolate covered ghost in front of the pumpkin...might need to come up with a back drop that looks like a PacMan screen
Cut the pumpkin to resemble a bell and then have chocolate covered bats coming out of it...you know the old saying: "bats in the bellfry"?
Or scrap the pineapple shapes and ... stack 3 pumpkins on top of each other to create a snowkin or a totemkin.

Anyone have any ideas? or what do you think about any of the above? Well I need to decide really quick because I have to work in the pumpkin carving into the busy weekend. Ugh!

I hope you have a great Saturday! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

No Whining on this Wednesday!!!

2011-10-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

Post #474 - 33 days until my blogoversary - 100+ followers :)

To enter my 3-100-500 giveaway, please visit this post and leave a comment.

Well, the fogginess I was feeling yesterday afternoon seems to have gone away - guess I was tired or maybe it was the surprise waiting for me at home yesterday afternoon. When I got home from my part-time job, I found a note pad with this message scribbled on it from my DH:

"Happy Early Birthday...I wanted you to have this for Chicago"

Under the notepad was a white box...which I thought was a box of chocolates...which would have been really strange (why would he want me to have a box of chocolates before I went to Chicago?). However, after looking closer, I saw that it was an...an...an...iPad.

"AAAAH...an iPad...what the h*ll is he doing buying me an iPad?"

That is what my response was, in fact I texted that to him..."What the h*ell?"...I never feel right about money being spent on me - for we have priorities right? Mortgage, food, electricity, clothing and necessities for the kids and hockey for the kids and hockey travel for the kids...not things for mommy...anyone else have that thought process?

Well, anyway...of course after I got over the fact that this was too much, I opened it up and turned it on...singing:

"Mommy has a new toy and I don't have to share it!"

Ok, now I really have gone off the deep end. It is a fun "toy" and it will come in handy as we get ready to travel next weekend to Chicago (both boys have a hockey tournament there and we will be flying out next Thursday...which is my real birthday date). I have started down loading the songs I have on my iPod (which I inherited from one of the boys when they received an iTouch), added some of the games the boys have purchased for their iTouches and then of course I had to get a movie...and the first movie I got was:

First movie download - It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

How can one turn down It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown?

And if that wasn't enough to erase the fog from one's head, I found out this morning when I opened up my inbox that I won one of the doorprizes from the Online Needlework Show. Did any of you cruise the Online Needlework Show? Did you enter any of the door prize giveaway? Well Friday afternoon I surfed through the show entering into as many of the door prize giveaways as I could - any that I missed, I finished up on Saturday. Today I saw an email from Mari from Whisper by the Wind. As a winner I got to choose any design I wanted and I chose this:

"Recipe for a Snowman" by Whispers by the Wind (my choice for door prize)

Isn't that cool. I don't win very often, so I was very, very excited and I just love this pattern!

And if that isn't enough...I just put the last stitch in the ornament I have been working on for Conny of the Ornament Swap. Now I just need to finish it up as an ornament.

The sun is shining, the cool air is invigorating and the scenery is:

is breath-taking and I am not fog headed any more. With no hockey tonight, I am looking forward to getting to bed early to make sure to catch up on my sleep.

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

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often,

Lisa

Looking to clear my head

2011-10-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

Post #473 - 34 days until my blogoversary - 100+ followers :)

To enter my 3-100-500 giveaway, please visit this post and leave a comment.

Sunrise over Lake Superior - Lutsen, MN...photographed by my sister Jamie

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,

there are thousands to prophesy failure.

There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,

the dangers that await to assail you.

But just buckle in with a bit of a grin, just take off your coat and go to it;

just start to sing as you tackle the thing that “cannot be done,”

and you’ll do it.

~Edgar Guest

We can go through our whole lives worrying about our future happiness,
and totally miss where true peace lives--right here, right now.
~Peter Russell

Hope works in these ways: it looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst;

it discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot;

it regards problems, large or small, as opportunities;

it pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit;

it "lights the candle" instead of "cursing the darkness."

~unattributed

Thank you to http://www.livinglifefully.com/ I had some special things to think about today and thought I would share them with you.

Late night at the rink and awaken up in mid-dream put me in "one of those kinds of moods" today - foggy headed and out of sorts. Hopefully I find my balance as the day goes on :)

Take care...until next time, remember -

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

2011-10-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

Post #472 - 37 days until my blogoversary - 148 followers to day :)

To enter my 3-100-500 giveaway, please visit this post and leave a comment.

I am up and going on this still dark Saturday morning. Thank you all for the nice comments about Lisa V's Ornament and I am glad that you enjoyed the quotes I posted as well. I signed up for the http://www.livinglifefully.com/ newsletter a long time ago and receive daily inspirational quotes and things. Sometimes they "hit" a note and sometimes they don't. The ones that do, I tend to put them in places - like my little notebook or on my blog - so that I can refer to them when I need a little pick-me-up or something to think about.

Yesterday was my day off from my part-time job, however I went into *Store #1* to help with the morning production which was complete by 10:30am. After which, I came home and went out for a nice 6 mile run followed by a date with the couch to begin the ornament for Conny - the last recipient in the Ornament Swap group. I found a fun little design that has a lot of bright colors and is a nice little side project...so, yes I have put Family Sampler down for a little bit so I can work on the ornament. Sitting and stitching made for some great "me" time...but it did have to end because I needed to run out and get the grocery shopping done before the boys came home.

Last night, since we didn't have any hockey, we torched up the grill and tossed on some chicken breasts and burgers. Add in some green beans, some black bean/corn/mango salsa, and fruit and you have a great healthy family meal. With opportunities like this few and far apart, anytime I can get us all to sit down and eat something that wasn't heated up in the microwave before running out the door, it is priceless!!!

What are your weekend plans? Well, I have to go back into *Store #1* today as I am filling in for one of our employees who needed the day off while DH is going up to *Store #2* to check in with them up there. The boys, who are without hockey activities this weekend, will be catching up on sleep as well as trying to get ahead on homework. This evening we will come up with some sort of family activity...unless I am just to pooped to move or the ornament project calls my name.

I hope that you have a great Saturday! Until next time remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Mid-week show-n-tell

2011-10-19T05:31:00.000-07:00

Post #471 - 40 days until my blogoversary - # of followers 100+ and has continued to grow

To enter my 3-100-500 giveaway, please visit this post and leave a comment.

Thank you all for your comments on my last post. I have been amazed, when talking about the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, how many people saw that they have been to it. I didn't know about it until I saw another hockey family post pictures of their visit on Facebook a few years ago.

I found out yesterday, when catching up on some of my blog reading, that Lisa V from my Ornament Swap group received her ornament I made for her. No I can let my breathe out...for I always get a little anxious when I send things over seas, let alone to the other side of the world, via snail mail without any tracers. It took just a couple of weeks, not too bad! So without further ado, here is what I stitched for Lisa:

Side One - Design 1 of 4 called "Wishing You Happiness"

Side Two - using the some of the motifs -reindeer & tree - from 2 of the other designs

From The Gift of Stitching: Christmas Ornament Issue - Issue 23 - December 2007

Four Winter Wishes by Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs (page 5 - 9)

"Wishing You Happiness" Ornament - Side One

Using Deer from "Wishing You Prosperity" & Tree design from "back" pattern - Side Two

Stitched on 28ct evenweaved I dyed using GAST (substituting with colors I had onhand)

This was such a fun stitch...and fun to finish. It came out pretty much like I had envisioned. So much so, that it was hard to part with. I might have to stitch all four of these for me sometime, for they would look lovely on a Christmas tree.

Last night, at the rink, I started the ornament I will be making for Conny, the last one in the group to be stitched for...not only for this year, but the last one period. After Conny receives her ornament, our little swap we have had for 2 years will come to an end. As they said..."it is best to end on a good note" and "all good things must come to an end." This group has been wonderful to be a part of and I am sure that we will all come across one another in some other exchange group out there in stitcher's blogland :)

Before I sign off...here are just a few little thoughts to share with you:

We all want recognition for our “specialness.”

But we should never take our self-worth from our society, feedback from others, or our own comparisons to others.

Our self-esteem should be based on the fact that God created us with the utmost care and has called his creation good.

In his foresight we are all made of “the right stuff.”

Our self-worth then comes from how we use it, in service to our families and communities, exercising our creative gifts, and becoming one with God.

~unattributed

When we recognize that nothing has to go right for us to be happy, that people do not have to behave for us to love them, our walk home can be surprisingly simple. We have enormous power not to manipulate the world, but to be happy and know peace. ~Hugh Prather

There are no secrets of success.

Success is doing the things you know you should do.

Success is NOT doing the things you know you should NOT do.

Success is discovering your best talents, skills and abilities and applying them where they will make the most effective contribution to your fellow human beings.

Success is 99% mental attitude - it calls for love, joy, optimism, confidence, serenity, poise, faith, courage, cheerfulness, imagination, initiative, tolerance, honesty, humility, patience and enthusiam.

~ Wilferd A. Peterson

May you be happy and successful on this Wednesday! Until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

2011-10-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

Post #470 - 41 days until my blogoversary - and the number of followers continue to grow (still overwhelmed)

To enter my 3-100-500 giveaway, visit this post and enter a comment.

I got back home late Sunday evening...close to midnight...and between the 3 hour time difference between Detroit and here...and the overwhelming mountain of laundry, I just needed to recouperate and catch up. Now that I have had that 36 hours, I find myself up on going on Tuesday morning. The refrigerator and pantry is filled back up with all the necessities this family needs and the laundry has been washed, folded and put away. I just need to catch up on a few other things, but at least I fell a little more up to speed than I did yesterday. Isn't it amazing was a trip to the grocery store and an empty laundry basket do to a person :)

Thank you all for the wonderful comments regarding FS - I didn't get much more done during the plane ride on Sunday. Instead, I played the onboard trivia game that Delta has. You can play along with anyother passenger that logs in. All of Matthew's teammates thought it was pretty cool to play. First you had to come up with a clever name - Bambam, Toots, Hiya, so-n-so's Mom, etc. But because your seat assignment was listed, they all figured out who was who. Of course it was a competitive hour of trivia, not sure if all the passengers on board enjoyed 12 year olds and a few of us hockey parents hooting and hollering on board...but we all enjoyed ourselves. For the most part, it made the 4hr 45 minute ride go by faster...however that last hour was a killer and I was just really to go!

The last game of the tournament, which was the consulation game, we were suppose to play a different Canadian team. However, when we showed up at the rink we were told that they had left early not due to being disappointed that they ended up 4th in their bracket. Instead we played another team from Canada - Don Mills PW99AAA Team - who, from what I understand ranks close to 5th in all of Canada in their age group. Well, they were definitely the best team we played all weekend. We loss 9-1....my son, Matthew scored that one goal. I was excited for him because he worked so hard throughout the whole weekend, never giving up during any of the losses earlier in the weekend. He so deserved to get one "biscuit in the basket"!

Matthew standing in center ice, strategizing with his teammates as they wait for the puck drop

With all of our games complete by Saturday evening, Sunday was left for a little sleeping in followed by breakfast in the room and completion of homework. Matthew was able to get most everything complete by checkout time. We met up with some of the other families and decided to head to the Henry Ford Museum. I had heard that this was the place to go...and it definitely was.

While their automotive section was closed, for they were working on a new exhibit that was going to show the revolution of the American car -we were able to peek in and see most of the "cool" old cars as well as the old neon McDonald and Holiday Inn signs.

Old, neon McDonald's Hamburger sign...don't you just love that old car underneath!

But this HUGE museum had so many things - Big old train engines...and I mean enormous! Examples of farm tractors to show how they evolved from the late 1800s/early 1900s until now; examples of different motors from the late 1800s/early 1900s until now, etc. They even had a life size display of kitchens, showing the evolution from:

Kitchen from 1800s - makes me think of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Later 1800s to early 1900s - indoor oven & stove, indoor water

Around 1940s or so...I rememer, when my great-grandmother passed away and we walked through her house before it was sold, there was a oven/stove combo unit like the one that was shown in this display.

There was also a section of the museum where they pointed out the different generations - baby boomers, generation X, generation Y and current...what was discovered to make life easier, what entertained us and so on. Do you remember:

the electronic toys - Merlin, Simon and the Little Professor calculator? After walking around this area with some of my fellow hockey moms, we really started to feel old when we realized that things that were new to us are now in a museum.

Other exhibits featured presidental cars - the one that Kennedy was shot in was on display as well as the one that Regan was getting ready to get into before he was shot. Very eery! They also had the exact bus that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person. Speaking with the museum docent at the Rosa Parks' bus, we found out that someone had the bus and put it up for auction on Ebay and that is how they came to have it in their museum. Really a neat thing for the boys to sit in and listen to her recorded voice telling the story!

We were in the museum for hours. We did stop and grab a bite to eat, because the kids were getting hungry:

Matthew and I, sitting by the Oscar Mayer weiner mobile

Anyone for a footlong...

"Ok, mom...enough...can we eat now?"

So of course lunch was at the Weiner Cafe right next to the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile...and for you all who know about the Oscar Meyer Weiner Whistles...yes, we did get one of those from the museum gift store :)

Everyone who went to the museum had a great time. It definitely was a winner with the boys who went - and a fun way to end a great weekend!

Thank you for visiting and reading about our time in Detriot. I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Hello from Detroit, Michigan and the Warrior International Hockey Tournament

2011-10-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

Post #469 - 44 days until my blogoversary - and the numbers of followers continue to grow (Wow, you all are amazing!)

To enter my 3-100-500 giveaway, please go to this post and enter a comment.

Hello from Detroit, Michigan where I hear it was 80 degrees and sunny last weekend, but this weekend we are experiencing the kind of fall weather we done see much in Northern California...rainy, 40 degrees and very windy (well, I guess we do see this type of weather sometime around January as our winter).

We arrived in Detroit at 3pm on Thursday and had our first games on Friday. The first game we lost to a team from Rhode Island - 0 to 5...and then later in the evening we lost to a team from Detroit - 1 to 4. While it would be fun to have won those games, we don't feel too bad about those scores. Both of the teams we played were very fast, skilled and disciplined...things that we don't quite have but are working towards. This morning we will be playing against a team from Canada.

Time at the airport on Thursday and on the plane allowed me to visit with Wild Berries and we got far in our conversation...here is a phone photo snap of Family Sampler as of Thursday evening:

You'll have to excuse this dark, wrinkly shot...but this is all I could muster up in the dark hotel room .

My visit with Wild Berries has been completed for a while and I am getting to know Clay Pot. She is a shy one, shows off a little bit of a blush when we talk. She will share space on the border of Family Sampler with Wild Berries, showing up every other spot. I guess that they have known eachother since they were in diapers, so hanging out together on the vine border will be very comfortable and they do compliment eachother a lot. I hope to have anyother status photo in the near future of the completed border.

Well, I got to run and make sure that Matthew has finished his breakfast and is packing up his gear back in his bag...got to get ready for the next game!

Take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

2011-10-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

Post #468 - 46 days until my blogoversary...and the numbers of followers continues to grow (thank you)

To enter my 3-100-500 giveaway, please go to this post and comment.

Thank you for the comments on my last blog, regarding my frustration with blogger not allowing me to leave comments on several blogs of my new followers. As per my dear friend, Valerie's comment, I logged off of blogger and signed back in, but didn't check the "keep me signed in box" and that has seemed to help with my commenting problem. Now I just need to go back and start visiting all the new followers some more.

While I have been making some visits, I came across this survey called:

10 Things You Might Like to Know About Me

Courtesy of Rachel of Come Stitch with me...who borrowed it from Jo at Seredipitous Stitching ...who borrowed it from Jan's Thread Garden...well, it seems to be making it's rounds and I thought it would be a fun way for some of my new, and even the old, visitiors and followers to get to know me. If you decide to play along, post a comment below and I will come and check you out.

1. What was the last film that really moved/disturbed/thrilled you and why?

I think the last film I saw was the last Harry Potter movie. While it was kind of sad for the whole Potter thing to come to an end, I can't really say I was moved or distrubed. One of my favorite movies is Driving Miss Daisy - I enjoy watching the relationship between Miss Daisy, played by Jessica Tandy, and her help, Hoke who is played by Morgan Freeman.

2.If you could be given ANY gift what would it be?
The give I would give is time, my time...and time to my extended family who lives out of state. Since we moved to California and our boys have become very, very active in their hockey activities it continues to get harder to get back and see my family or DH's. Over the years they have come to the understanding that if they want to see us, they meet up with us at a tournament or come west to visit. It is hard and I know that they are not happy with the way things have worked out.

3.What's your favourite way to wake up and what's the first thing you do?
I can't say that it is my favorite way to wake up, but is an alarm clock that gets me out of bed in time to get in my 2 hours of spinning on my stationary bike. I love to get in a good sweat in the morning. And while spinning, I multi-task with my little laptop on the reading bar. For this is the time that I get in a lot of my email reading, facebook reading and blogging done (like right now, I am spinning and typing my post).

4. What crafts have you done?
Taught by my grandmother on my mother's side - cross stitching is the one that I have done the longest in my life. There is something hypnotic and relaxing to pull that needle & thread through the linen. However, throughout my life so far I have thrown pottery, knitted, scrapbooked, doodled with all colors of markers...

5. What were you doing before you started this?
Before I started this post and filling in the survey, I was catching up on some of my blog reading and that is when I thought that I should do this survey...before that, i was sleeping...well sort of, I was kind of waiting for the alarm to go off so I could get in my spin before having to board the airplane this morning. A girl has priorities, you know.

6. When was the last time you cried laughing?
I can't remember the last time, for there has been several instances when DH and I get in bed before the boys...we just lay in bed listening to the boys huff and puff their way through they homework (their late night dates with homework is primarily due to their late night hockey practices). The boys are so funny, that many times DH and I just crack up.

7.What did you want to be when you were little?
When I was "little" I wanted to be a school teacher. I remember playing "school" with my two younger sisters. I made them do all all sorts of math problems and had them read out loud. A little later, in my middle school years, I wanted to be come an astronaut. I was facinated by space and the space shuttle flights...until 1986 when the Challenger exploded. Later I wanted to become a doctor. Went to Washington University in St. Louis with the thoughts of going pre-med. However, freshman year I met the boy who would be come my DH...and basically failed chemistry.

8.What is your current favourite TV program? Honestly, with all the evening hockey practices, I am not home enough to really keep up with any TV program. There have been a couple that I try to keep up with - like Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen - but most of the time I can't.

9. What would you name yourself?
I don't know. I have been known as Lisa all my life....although I do remember my friend Angela back in elementary school and how facinated I was with her name.

10. What characteristics do you hate about yourself?
I am just not a good housekeeper. I can keep up with the laundry, but the kitchen floor and the bathrooms...well, just not my forte.

****Note - I started writing this post about 12hour ago and just a soon as I was done and ready to publish, my computer decided that it was time to shut itself down - I think that it was possessed****

Have a good Thursday...Until next time:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Whining Wednesday

2011-10-12T05:38:00.000-07:00

Post #467...47 days until blogoversary and an extrodinary amount of followers :)

To enter giveaway click here to go to the post to leave a comment

Anybody can do just about anything with themselves

that they really want to and make up their mind to do.

We are all capable of greater things than we realize.

~Norman Vincent Peale

Although...if one tries to leave comments on blogs of new followers...ugh, I am so frustrated right now with blogger. You all have been so good and I have so many new followers who I would like to meet - go to their blogs - read and leave a comment, but for some reason I am having troubles. After entering my comment and the "secret security code" I was directed to a sign in screen...after entering my login info I would try to submit my comment to the blog, but then was directed to the blogger sign in page again. Now, it might just be this computer, so I will continue trying on some of the others that we have accumulated over the last couple of years. Between buying our second store, where we accumulated 3 old computers and adopting some that my father wasn't happy with, we do have our share here. So I will keep on trying...for I have made up my mind that I will meet all my new followers and make my mark on their blogs with a comment :)

So last night I wrote about my new blooming relationship with Wild Berries, whom I am stitching with on on the border of my Family Sampler. I was hoping that she and I would have a visit after I was done with my workout last night while at the hockey rink; unfortunately she got stuck in my knapsack while I ran around yaking with some of the other hockey moms who were hanging out at the rink. Last night was a good night to get in all my hockey yapping because both boys had practice. So I got caught up with some of the moms from Matthew (younger son)'s team; and then when they departed I had a chance to sit down and gab with moms from Robert (older son)'s hockey team. Sometime a girls got to gab, ya know?

Well, 24 hours from now I will be at the airport - checking in, paying to take on a suitcase & hockey bag & hockey stick bag (gotta love that...not), going through security (hopfully will not be padding down again) and then waiting for my seat number to be called out. Then it will be a 4-1/2 hour flight. I will definitely be bringing my stitching - Family Sampler and, if I have time, a Christmas pattern because I need to start stitching the Christmas Ornament for Conny the last person for the Ornament Swap. I am still waiting for Lisa V to alert me when her ornament I stitched arrives so I can show you what I made for her. It is a long way from here to her land - cross your fingers that it doesn't take too much longer.

My thoughts are definitely flowing in all sorts of different directions this morning, so it might be time to put a close to this post. Thank you for visiting, I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Overwhelmed to say the least

2011-10-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Post #465...48 days until blogoversary and an extrodinary amount of followers :)

To enter giveaway click here to go to the post to leave a comment.

OMG...117 followers. Well, you all definitely kept your side of the giveaway. Now, I just need to keep going and keep posting to get to that big 500 on the 28th of November! And it looks like there are a lot of enteries...Yay!!!

If you remember from Sunday's post, I introduced you to my new friends -

Claypot and Wild Berries...well, the last few days I have become very acquainted with Wild Berries. She is quite an interesting person to get to know - goes from a dark serious side to a light humorous one after a few steps. Hanging out with her definitely makes time go by fast, though and our visit together will probably be pretty short. I thought it best to visit with one at a time...seems to get the job done fast :)

I am currently at the rink, in the fitness room, getting in my spin on their stationary bike while writing this post. It is nice to have the use of the fitness room here while hanging at the rink; especially on Tuesdays since I am here from 4pm-8:30pm. Both boys have practice - makes for a long evening (but between working out and stitching, I have found ways to make it go by quickly). Thursday I pack up my stitching and laptop and head to Detroit with Matthew & his hockey team for a weekend tournament. As always, I look forward to my time with my sons...that one on one time is priceless especially since the continue to grow right in front of my eyes.

Well, it is probably time to say "good bye" for now, jump off the bike and get over to the rink to watch Matthew's practice while visiting with Wild Berries. Until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

A Little Happy Dance and Give-a-way Details

2011-10-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

Post #464 - 50 days until blogoversary -

87 followers and counting...

Up early- 5:15am - this morning to get Matthew fed and out the door by 6:15am for a 8am hockey game. Since DH was taking him to the rink that gave me some morning time for this...

Getting closer...

...and closer....

everything is matching up...dear Pea Pod, it is time to bid you a farewell, because....

the vine portion of the border is now complete!

HIP-HIP-HORRAY!

And now, without further ado, let me introduce you to my

2 new friends:

Clay Pot and Wild Berries

Time to stitch the flower buds that live in all the border vines! But, at this time I would like to feel the accomplishment of finishing up the Pea Pod vines...at least for the next couple of hours :)

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Now on the the details of the

3 - 100 - 500 Giveaway

To celebrate:

3 years of blogging...anniversary is November 28, 2011

100 followers...which I hope to have by November 28, 2011

500 posts...which I am planning to accomplish on November 28, 2011

To enter/qualify:

1. Must be a follower and must leave a comment on this post

2. Optional, but for extra entry, announce the giveaway on your blog (leave 2nd comment when posted)

How many winners:

Possibily 2

What is being given away:

To celebrate the 3 year blogoversary - a mystery package of stitching stash (winner #1)

To celebrate my 500th post - a mystery package of stitching stash (winner #2)

IF...IF I reach 100 followers by Nov. 28 both winners receive the above plus a gift $10 gift certificate to http://www.123stitch.com/

So, the 3 years blogoversary will happen no matter what and there will be 1 winner...

The 500th post my controlling factor (but I want to have 2 winners!!!!)....

To reach 100 followers by Nov. 28th and possibly win a $10 gift certificate to http://www.123stitch.com/ that is where you all can be helpful

Deadline and Drawing:

Deadline to enter: November 27, 2011 @ 11:59pm Pacific Time

Drawing: November 28, 2011

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Well that is all I have for now...have a great Sunday! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Happiness...

2011-10-08T05:18:00.000-07:00

Post #463 - 51 days until blogoversary - 87 followers and counting...

Tomorrow I will announce the 3(year) - 500(post) - 100(follower) blogoversary give-a-way.

Stay Tuned!

Up and going early on a Saturday morning, for it is going to be a busy day and I am grateful to have gotten up out of bed early and on the stationary bike. Getting in a good spin before starting out the day tends to start me off in a good mood...then it is just up to me to continue the feeling.

DH and I will be swapping roles this weekend...I will be manning the stores, making sure that everything is running smoothly, while he will be playing Hockey Taxi. Robert (older son) has a morning practice and Matthew (younger son) has 2 games today...tomorrow they both have games. It will be nice to take a break from the hockey craziness for a day or two...allows me to appreciate it and not just tolerate it.

The foundation of happiness is mindfulness.

The basic condition for being happy is our consciousness of being happy.

If we are not aware that we are happy, we are not really happy.

When we have a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is a wonderful thing. But when we do not have a toothache, we are still not happy.

A non-toothache is very pleasant.

There are so many things that are enjoyable, but when we don’t practice mindfulness, we don’t appreciate them.

When we practice mindfulness, we come to cherish these things and we learn how to protect them.

By taking good care of the present moment, we take good care of the future.

Working for peace in the future is to work for peace in the present moment.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Last night I stitched the last corner of the Family Sampler Pea Pod vine of the border. Now I just need to finish the right hand-side...to meet up where I began...which shouldn't take too long, and then I will snap a status photo to show you. It will be nice to have this part completed.

Who are the happiest people on earth?

A craftsman or artist whistling over a job well done.

A little child building sand castles.

A mother, after a busy day, bathing her baby.

A doctor who has finished a difficult and dangerous operation, and saved a human life.

Happiness lies in a constructive job well done.

Get your happiness out of your work or you will never know what happiness is.

~Elbert Hubbard

Last night, neither of the boys had hockey so we were able to have a quiet night at home. DH did need to make a delivery of a last minute order "over the hill" (that is the term we use for any order that has to be delivered over the Dublin hill into the Oakland area) and took Robert with him so that they could stop at one of their favorite burger joints called Jerry's Beefburgers. Matthew and I enjoyed food at home. They did get home around 6:15pm, so the "boys" played a computer game together while I stitched. It was so nice to be home together.

Well my friends, I hope that you find some Happiness in your Saturday, as well as the rest of the weekend. I hope that you will join me tomorrow when I announce what the give-a-way will be. Until then, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Thursday has arrived - I see the light

2011-10-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Post #462 - 53 days until blogoversary - up to 85 followers...and counting

Thursday brings with it "...the light at the end of the tunnel." This has been a very stressful week containing:

No driving to hockey practice tonight - Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday night. Thank goodness for carpooling for Matthew because I don't have to drive down there tonight!!!
Matthew's European Map project is due today - something that he received early September and commented that they will be working on parts of it at school; only to begin identifying countries & their capitols last Saturday, color/cut/paste on Sunday, create labels on Monday, enlarge Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, identify bodies of water/mountains and attach labels on Wednesday. It is done...thank goodness because it is due today.
My work week ends today - working on a trade show which is coming up sooner than I had hoped and there have been a lot of last minute details. It looks like it will all work out just fine, but the stress of getting it done seemed to be too much this time.

So after work today (which I am done around 1-1:30pm) - until Saturday morning's hockey practice - I will feel like a free woman :)

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

I am sure everyone has heard the news of Steve Jobs' death. He was a visionary and definitely played a large role changing the world. I remember when my parents brought home an Apple computer - it was really cool, but there wasn't much we could do on it at the time - it was mainly an easier way of writing school papers versus the Brother typewritters we had in the house. Although, I think my parents felt more at ease typing on the typewritter vs. on the computer - was more in their "comfort zone".

I also remember going away to college and getting my very own Mac

It was smaller than the Apple computer so it would fit on my college dorm-room desk; but it was still a heavy piece of equipment. It did make typing out college reports and project easy (although the printers back in the late 80s were another story - dot-matrix printer - yuck!).

In an Apple, Inc Commerical by Jobs...this sums him up:

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers.

The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.

They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things.

They push the human race forward.

And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. - Apple Inc.

Well, until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Mumbling on a Monday - thoughts of a give-a-way and more

2011-10-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

Don’t let the opinions of other people determine the image you have of yourself.

There is no need to feel either appreciated or understood.

Be even-minded. What you think about yourself is everything.

What others think about you has no value at all, unless you choose to give it value.

~Shantidasa

(http://www.livinglifefully.com/ e-newletter)

The calendar says October, so I guess I should just expect the showers to start coming. The rainy season seems to be starting already with a couple of storms coming over the ocean and should hit this area a little later today...probably see the most rain around my drive time down to the rink and then back later tonight. Go figure...

However, the rain stayed away throughout the weekend allowing us to enjoy a couple of nice family meals. Got the grill going, making some nice Tri-Tip with a spicy marinade I got from Trader Joe's and basic cheese burgers for those who were not interested in trying the Tri-Tip. Fresh green beans, brussel sprouts, Asian Pears and Honey Crisp Apples rounded out the meal. Not bad! I love to take advantage of the non-hockey evenings like this - making a nice meal for us to enjoy as well as just get together as a family and catch up. Between school, work and the hockey activities times like this are too few and far inbetween, so any chance I get to have them is definitely priceless!!!

This is Entry #461...I just realized that I am getting close to my 500th post. Only 39 more posts to go. I should be able to hit that big number by November...maybe I can write my 500th post on my 3rd blog-oversary (which is coming up in 56 days)...and maybe, just maybe I might have 100 followers by my 3rd blog-oversary...then I might, yes, I just might have to have a give a way to celebrate. That sounds like a mighty fine idea, don't you think?

So stay tuned for the announcement of the

3-100-500 Celebration Give-a-way

Details to be announced on 9-10-11 (Oct. 9, 2011)

Well, that is about all for now. Hope you had a good weekend and that your week ahead provides you much love and happiness! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

I've turned some corners

2011-10-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

Wow, hard to believe that it has been a full week since I have shared anything with you all. I guess I have been busy trying to catch up from the two weekends I travelled to Phoenix. It is definitely nice to be home this weekend and I feel like I am more caught up than I have been for the last few weeks.

Anyway, last weekend was Matthew's hockey team's turn to go to Phoenix and his team did very well. After the round robin games, they were in 1st place. Unfortunately their mind took over - as soon as someone mentioned "Semi-Finals" they fell apart and went to win the consolation...ending up in 3rd place when the tournament. However, they had the best record coming out of the weekend - winning 4, loosing 1 and tying 1. Congrats to the PW99AAA Sharks team.

While in Phoenix, I did get some time to put some stitches into Family Sampler...here is a photo of it from last Monday:

Family Sampler Status after returning home from Phoenix - 9/26

I finally made it to the second corner, something that I wanted to accomplished before boarding the plane on Sunday evening. However, due to the hockey schedule last week, I found myself at the rink 3 days in a row and definitely made a lot of time for stitching. So, here is where I am now:

Family Sampler as of October 1

Third corner of the Pea Pod green vine has been turned (and fresh batteries have been put in the camera - photo looks better than the phone photos) and I will be happy when this part is finished. I am getting a little sick of the Pea Pod green as well as making the same pattern...time to change out soon!

It is definitely nice to be home and home for a period of time. My next travel weekend is October 13, when I will be flying with Matthew and his hockey team, again. We will be going to Detroit, Michigan for a tournament. 'Tis hockey season!

Guess a few more corners have been turned, as it is now Fall. The weather here in Northern California has been trying to hold onto summer-like temperatures, but it looks like Mother Nature will put a stop on that as we are expecting 2 rain storms next week and temperatures have fallen from mid-90s to mid-70s and 60s. I perfer the cooler temps, but not quite ready for the rainy season. Would be nice to transition into slowly, but I have no control of these things so I will just take one day at a time.

The corner of the September calendar has been pulled and today is the first day of October. Hard to believe that the last 3 months of 2011 are on our doorstep. That means the holidays will be here soon. Speaking of holidays...while I finished Lisa V's ornament a month ago, I am finally getting my act together and taking it to the post office to mail...today is the mail due date (can you say "procrastination?"). I took some photos of the ornament, which I will post as soon as she gets a chance to hold it in her hand first. So stay tune - how long does it take to get from California to Austrailia anyway?

Well, time for me to sign off! I hope that you have a wonderful Saturday. Until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Phone Photos from Phoenix

2011-09-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

The sun peeked over the mountains as started out on my run this morning - it was a nice cool 80, or so, degrees at 6:15am. Beautiful conditions for a morning run.

My run lead me from the hotel up the road, passed by the shopping center, car dealership (the not so exciting part of the run) and then through some deserty areas where I spotted this:

The Prickly Pear Cactus seems to be a vivid purple in the early morning sunlight. It really stood out in the background of the brownish sand.

Next was this:

Some kind of yellow-orange flowering plant. The vivid orange really caught my eyes.

I ran to the ice rink that Matthew & his team are playing at and then back to the hotel. A nice 9 mile run in the morning light and a good way to start the morning.

Matthew's team is doing well...won both of their games yesterday.

We are getting ready to leave the hotel for game #3...Go Sharks!

It is easy enough to be pleasant,

When life flows by like a song.

But the person worthwhile is one who will smile,

When everything else goes wrong.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Take care...until the next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

And off I go again...

2011-09-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

Yahoo...got my bootie out of the beddie this morning and on the bike. It has been awhile since I have managed to get myself up and going so early. And I definitely need to get in a good sweat, for it is going to be another travel day for me! Back to Phoenix this evening with Matthew, this time. It is his hockey teams weekend to play in the Phoenix SuperSeries99. Definitely looking forward to it - no team manager responsibilities = rest & relaxing :)

After returning home on Sunday, I had to find little pockets of time between work and driving down to the hockey rink to get little tasks done around the house, before leaving again. I did manage to get all the laundry complete and the house stocked up with Robert & DH's foods for this weekend (last week I made sure all of Matthew & DH's faves were in the pantry and the refrigerator). However, I wasn't able to find much time to get any X's made on Family Sampler...yet, ample time on the plane and throughout the weekend will be possible.

Take care my blogging friends. Until next time, remember...

Life, Love, Laugh and Stitch often

Lisa

Short week at home - a look back at the weekend

2011-09-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

I am back home from Phoenix where Robert's team had a fair showing at the SuperSeries96 tournament. They won 1 - lost 3 - tied 1. However, I am very proud of the team and of Robert. Even with a short bench (aka small team; they only had 13 players playing over the weekend out of 15...a full team is 20) these boys battled hard all weekend - playing 2 games a day...and the games consisted of (3) three 18 minute periods. That makes for a long game, where you get a lot of ice time and short breaks on the bench to catch your breath.

While in Phoenix, my role not only included all the team manager functions that I normally do but I also got to drive one of the van...which happened to be the equipment van...aka the Stink Mobile.

The Equipment Van - hockey bags loaded from the front to the rear.
OPEN WINDOWS!

No one would ride with me :( It wasn't as bad as it sounds, the car didn't smell too bad; however, the extra room we reserved at the hotel for the boys to store their hockey bags over night and between games...well, that room definitely took on the wonderful, ripe odor of a locker room. I just hope that I don't get assigned that room when I travel back to Phoenix this coming weekend when it is Matthew's team's turn to play in their SuperSeries.

So, have you ever come across one of these:

Well, if you are one of those people who collect those little hotel bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel - you would have been out of luck at this hotel. They had these little dispensers on the shower wall. I actually liked it, for I definitely had enough shampoo and conditioner...those little bottles don't seem to have enough. This was also a good thing for the boys' rooms (there were 3-4 boys in each room) for I am sure that many of them rely on hotel shampoo and one of those little bottles definitely would not have been enough for them all to share.

While travelling last weekend, I got in some stitching time...and if you made it all the way to the end of this post you will be rewarded with a status photo of Family Sampler:

Starting in the upper right hand corner, I got a good portion of the Pea Pod vine started. While I am already getting sick of Pea Green...I do think that I will continue with this border until it is completely done. I want to make sure that it matches up when I come to the end. I think that if I worked on the little flowers that are on this vine...and it didn't match up in the end...I would be more upset and stressed. So, here is to Pea Pod...my new color friend for the next few weeks :)

Hope your week has started out well...until next time,

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

No more 420! and Christmas arrives!

2011-09-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

Last night I was at the rink (not surprised, huh?), for Robert had practice...and was able to finally sit down until I finished the DMC#420 border around Family Sampler:

Now it looks like Crescent Colours Pea Pod, CC Clay Pot, CC Wild Berries and DMC #3012 will be my next friends as I continue to work on the border outside the DMC #420 row. At least there are several colors to work with if I get bored and it is a pattern that has a floral look. I think that I will probably break down the Q-Snaps that I had the fabric on so that I can make it into a smaller frame. I will be leaving for Arizona on Thursday, the first hockey tournament trip of the year, so smaller frame will allow me to continue working on Family Sampler while I travel.

In addition to the little "Happy Dance" steps I took last night, I had a exciting piece of mail in the good ol' mailbox yesterday...

The Just CrossStitch Ornament Edition arrived yesterday. Yahoo! This really got my feet a-tappin'! I only took a brief moment to skim through it yesterday, for the calling from the couch to take a nap, before I had to leave for the hockey rink, was too loud to ignore :) Nevertheless, I did spot of few ornaments that I would love to take a needle to! I might try to wait until I am travelling to read through the magazine, it would be perfect airplane reading.

Yes, I am getting organized for the first hockey travel. Like I mentioned, this Thursday I will be leaving with Robert for Arizona. He and his team has their first SuperSeries weekend where they will play 3 other teams...we will be back home Sunday evening. Then I will leave again, the following Thursday with Matthew and will be heading again to Arizona...why they couldn't schedule both age groups to play is beyond me. But at least it is to someplace warm.

Well, until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Monday...again...already?

2011-09-12T06:26:00.000-07:00

Yikes, it was just Wednesday, the day of my last post when I was going to finish the Family Sampler DMC #420 border. Oh, well...that didn't happen because DH was kind enough to take Robert down to practice and I got to stay home where I got an opportunity to do a little spin on my bike and nap the rest of the evening until he got home :)

The rest of the weekend, starting with Friday because that is my day off from my job, seems to be a blur filled with a nice long run of 14.8 miles on Friday morning, working up at Store #2 on Saturday, and a long Sunday. Sunday started out with a 4:15am wake up call that I had to meet (lately my 4:15am exercise "wake up" alarms get shut off) because Matthew had to get up & eat breakfast before DH took him to his 6:30am hockey practice. Once they left, I plopped on the couch and watched the 9/11 Memorial services until 7:15am, when I left for Store #1 to help our employee make 13 arrangements for the driver to get out the door by 11am. Once the store's kitchen was cleaned up, I said "good-bye" to our employee who was scheduled to close the store that evening and drove down to the hockey rink for Robert's game (yes, while I was working in the store, DH had come home with Matthew from his practice and then got Robert, who had an afternoon game down at the rink). After the game, I made a quick run to the grocery store before coming home and grilling some burgers and hot links for the kids...DH and I snacked ourselves silly and didn't have much room for dinner. Crazy weekend, huh?

However, among all the running around and craziness, I do have time for R&R...time to hang out with my boys and the dog...

Matthew and Bruno

Let me tell you a little story about Bruno. Above you see Matthew and Bruno in our little backyard, enjoying a nice petting session in the grass. However, Bruno, until recently, was not allowed to run freely in our backyard. We have a little indoor-outdoor on the side of our house where Bruno "lived". This has been the set up since we moved to California 8 years ago...when Bruno was in his "teenage" years and loved to chew and destroy everything: trees, walls, fences, flowers, lawn chairs, etc. However, due to some young kids across the street who loved to come over and knock on his gate (more of a pounding, along with some ear piercing screaming), Bruno was feeling vulnerable and started jumping over the gate that separated him from the backyard. Long-story-short...after several weeks of his jumping over the game, while trying to set up ways to stop him, we finally gave up and opened the gate for him to have roaming rights to the backyard. He still finds comfort and shelter in his indoor/outdoor area, but we always know when the kids are outside playing for he is curled up on the patio near the backyard door.

I don't think that they or their babysitters did anything to harm Bruno, I just think that the high pitched kid yelling as well as their little motorized cars finally got the best of him and he needed to get away...far away from them. So now, in the back yard he finds comfort when they are out. And we are all enjoying the ability to go out in the back yard and sit & pet him.

Well, it is that time when I need to sign off and get the day started. Hope all is well with you! Until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

It is Wednesday...and...

2011-09-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Blessed is the person who can enjoy the small things,

the common beauties, the little day-by-day events;

sunshine on the fields, birds on the bough,

breakfast, dinner, supper,

the daily paper on the porch, a friend passing by.

So many people who go afield for enjoyment leave it behind them at home.

~ David Grayson

Little things are infinitely more important. ~Arthur C. Doyle

It is the middle of the week - equal distance between last weekend and the one coming up. I feel a little discombobulated (spelling?) for the busy weekend and the Labor Day holiday on Monday kind of messed me up...and it doesn't help that Robert had a late night hockey practice last night, so we didn't get home until 11pm. But I did find time yesterday, while sitting on the bleachers in the chilly rink, to stitch more of the golden-brown border around Family Sampler. I am getting closer to getting this part of the border finished...thank goodness, I am getting tired of DMC #420 :) Maybe I will get an opportunity tonight, when I am back down at the rink.

Well, hope your Wednesday is going well! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

And so starts a new week (althought it is already Tuesday)

2011-09-06T05:40:00.000-07:00

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.

~Mary Jean Irion

Back to reality...back to routine...and feeling grateful. The 4 day holiday weekend was nice, but busy as normal around this part of the woods. Both boys had a lot of hockey to deal with Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday my car got a good workout driving the boys to and from the rink all day - I think that I put on close to 250 miles and only saw 1 period of the last game of the evening. It has been a long time since I took on the role of the shuttle service (I take one kid down to the rink for a game and pick up the other after his game, driving him home so that he could have a warm meal and a good rest in his room before having to drive him back down to the rink for his next game...only to pick up the other kid after his game, driving him home so that he could have a warm meal and a good rest in his room before, etc.) DH made all the games in between driving back and forth from the stores. It was crazy, but it worked out just fine. Sunday was a little easier - not so much driving back and forth - and I was able to catch all 3 games played that day. There was even time for all of us to nap that day.

Labor Day Monday - Robert's games were all played (his team won all 4) so he was able to sleep in as well as work on his homework. Matthew still had a hockey practice Monday afternoon, which DH took him to while Robert and I drove down to his hockey coach's house for a team party. It was a nice way to end the long, crazy weekend.

Suffice it to say, with all the hockey activities and driving, I didn't get a chance to sit and stitch like I had wanted to - so Family Sampler stayed in it's bag on the table. Any down time I did get over the weekend was used by flopping on the couch and staring at the tv until my eyes shut for an occasional power nap.

So on to the "normal" day - work for me and DH, school for the boys and hockey for both in the evening - carpool for Matthew and I will follow later with Robert.

Thank you for visiting today. I hope that your Tuesday is off to a good start. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Stitching for me and Skating with a NHL Coach

2011-09-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

Finally, a photo to show you my status of Family Sampler...but I do have to apologize for a couple of things:
(1) I was too lazy to take it out of the Q-Snaps
(2) No batteries for real camera, so snap is from camera phone.

Since the last status photo, the brown border is the new part. Between hockey last night and an early morning ortho, this is what I have been able to accomplish. Since the boys are off of school today and have no hockey tonight...and because I am getting my workout in this morning...I plan to make time to sit on my a$$ and get in a little stitching!!!

Like I mentioned, last night consisted of hockey practice but just for Robert. It was a pretty cool evening for Robert and his team. One of the new members on his team this year is the older son of the NHL San Jose Sharks' Coach. So, when Robert's coach decided to have a chalktalk before ice practice, the NHL coach invited the team to do the chalktalk and video review in the (practice) locker room of the NHL Sharks. Robert said that it was really cool, because the player's names were on the lockers and a couple of them already containted the equiptment of the players (like Brent Burns, who was traded to the San Jose Sharks from the Minnesota Wild, who has been one of his favorite teams since we moved from there). The NHL coach informed the players that they were welcomed in the locker room, but they just needed to respect all the equiptment of the players.

After chalk talk and videos, the team got ready for practice...which NHL Coach McLellan joined them and their coaches for the practice...

Coach Todd McLellan of the San Jose Sharks on
the ice with the San Jose Jr. Sharks 15UAAA Hockey Team

Coach McLellan outlining the next drill on the hockey wipeoff board

It was really cool to have a NHL Coach on the ice working with the boys, but when Robert got in the car last night he said that it caused some mixed thoughts, for Coach McLellan is the father of one of his teammates, Coach McLellan join in some of the team conditioning runs along with some of the other parents (me included) - so like he is just another parent - just another dad...but at the same time he is a coach of a NHL team. Strange but cool.

Well, that is about it from here for a Friday. I hope that your day is going well!
Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

3-2-1...and it is the holiday weekend!

2011-09-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Just got home from work and have about 45 minutes until the boys are home. And even though there is a trip to San Jose for hockey practice tonight...and a Labor Day hockey tournament all weekend...tomorrow the boys have a day off from school & hockey and I off from work. There are a few things that we need to accomplish tomorrow, like Robert's ortho appointment and a trip to the running shoe shop for him, too. Nevertheless, the priority for tomorrow will be R&R especially for the boys who, between school and hockey, are a little exhausted. And I am looking forward to working in some stitching!!!

Yesterday Robert finally got his letterman jacket that we ordered back in July. He was very excited to put it on and glow in the patches he earned last spring as a freshman varsity track partipant.

However, he didn't keep it on too long as our temps have been in the low 90s...not quite the right temp for heavy letterman jacket :)

Well...time to prepare for the boys to accend on the house. Hope your Thursday afternoon is going well.

Until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

A weekend update and something to read & think about

2011-08-30T06:29:00.000-07:00

I am up this morning and on the stationary bike, ready to update my blog while spinning & sweating. I love being able to multi-task :) It has been over a week since I have forced myself out of bed to get on this silly thing and it was a struggle; but the bike finally won the battle this morning even though it will be just an hour spin. Yet, the way things are going an hour on the bike is better than nothing.

Anyway...time to catch ya up on some of the goings on around here...

The weekend's activities...
Both Saturday and Sunday I worked in Store #1 (Saturday DH had to work up at store #2 and Sunday he enjoyed going to Robert's hockey game in the morning, but did come to store #1 around noon). Last weekend was a wedding we were making favors and arrangements for - this was the first time since DH & I purchased the business that we ever did anything to this level. While we have created large fruit arrangements for receptions, this wedding "job" had a lot of componets to it and DH & an employee did go and deliver it all in the van and helped to set up. Here is what we created for the wedding:

The Favors - Table Assignments

The bride and the groom decided they wanted to tie name tags onto our favor boxes - tags had guest's name and their table assignment...

And inside the box...

Chocolate covered strawberries - either a groom in a tux or a bride in a wedding dress

The Dessert Table

The bride and groom wanted to add some healthy alternatives to their dessert table and this is what they ordered from us

Banquet Size Delicious Party arrangment

Sweet Indulgence Platters - includes chocolate covered strawberries: dark chocolate, white chocolate, some dipped in coconut and some in crushed almonds; chocolate covered apples and chocolate dipped oranges

When everything was set up on the dessert table, this is what it looked like. While most of the arrangements we produce are ordered as gifts, which we do deliver and see the excitement on the recipient's face...DH was excited about seeing all the things we produced for this wedding set up in the reception hall...I am glad that they took photos of the set up, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to see it.

So working at the store pretty much dominated the weekend once again. However I did manage to put the finishing touches on the ornament for Lisa V's Ornament Swap. It really turned out nice, I think. Now I just need to make sure and get photos before I set it on its long journey to Australia.

Before I go, I wanted to share you something that my mother forwarded me. Normally, I don't care for all those forwarded email messages - those change emails - and normally I don't read them. But I read this one and instead of forwarding it to other friends and family via email, I thought I would post it on my blog. Giving you something to read and think about as well as allowing me to save it in the archives.

It's not what you gather...it is what you scatter!

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr.. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'

'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it', said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.

Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about..They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ..'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral:
We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...

An unexpected phone call from an old friend..... Green stoplights on your way to work....

The fastest line at the grocery store....

A good sing-along song on the radio...

Your keys found right where you left them.

Send this to the people you'll never forget. I just did...

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!

Until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

First week of school (for the boys)...catching my breathe today!

2011-08-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...let me catch my breath today, that is all I ask.

The boys have gone back to school this week and I have gone back to work.

The boys have had hockey practice or some sort of hockey related activity every evening and, in a way, so have I.

Due to the boys' hockey activities in the evening, they have had to stay up late to complete their home work...and so have I.

It really has been an exhausting week.

Today, Friday, is my day off from my job and I have been moving in slow motion, or so that is how I feel. I did get the boys around and out the door to school and DH off to work. I did get all the hockey bags emptied of all that stinky hockey gear that the boys forget to take out - and it is all washed and packed for the next hockey practice (which isn't until Sunday).

I did muster up the energy to go out on a 8.9 mile jog, which felt really good. And after I finish with this blog update, I will probably jump in the shower and finish picking up the house to ready it for the weekend.

Getting back into the school routine with hockey practice in the evenings hasn't been too bad, but I just can't believe all the homework the boys have brought home. I, somewhat expected Robert, who is a sophomore in high school this year, to have an hour or so of something - Math, World History, English...but every night this week he has been up working until 12:30am. And even Matthew, who is in 7th grade, has had about 2 hours or so of homework as well.

Now, you have to understand that every evening this week we have had to go down to San Jose (about a 45 minute drive each way) for either a hockey practice or a conditioning exercise activity and thus don't get back home until sometime between 8:30pm-10pm depending on the activity. So that does put off the start of the work until late in the evening. But even so, it is crazy. Tonight, though, we are void of any hockey activities...although Robert will be gone until late this evening due to a high school cross country meet.

Aside from school and hockey, I have been able to find time to finish the stitching of the ornament for Lisa V of the Ornament Swap Group. Lisa's ornament has to be finished and in the mail before Sept. 30. With the stitching complete, I just now need to finish it into an ornament and then get it in the mail. It will be nice to have it completed well in advance of the deadline because life is getting busy again and I don't want to miss a deadline. And the other reason it will be nice to have it completed is so I can get back to Family Sampler :)

Well, before I ramble your ear off, I will close this post for now. Until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Off to School...and a Happy Birthday Wish for a very special person

2011-08-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a long time since I have posted. Last week was dedicated last minute dentist and ortho appointments, shopping for sneakers and hockey travel clothing, registration for school and any other last minute school-prep/end of summer activity. Today is the boys first day of school - Robert will be a sophomore and Matthew in 7th grade...my has the time flown by!

Left to Right: Matthew (age 12 & in 7th grade) and Robert (age 15 & in 10th grade)

I just got home from walking to school with Matthew - Bruno, our 95 pound mutt walked with us too. Now I need to take Robert to school and then get into work. However, before I sign off I would like to wish some one very special to me a Happy Birthday...

Happy 93rd Birthday Grandma

We love you very much and wish that we could have been there to celebrate this wonderful occasion with you!

Until next time...remember,

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Reflecting on Saturday morning

2011-08-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

I wake each morning with the thrill of expectation

and the joy of being alive. And I'm thankful for this day.

~Angela L. Wozniak

Up and moving on this early Saturday morning. Darkness still blankets the sky and so does a thin layer of clouds - and the full moon provides enough light to see the roses in the backyard. Fog and Full moon do not create a good situation for one who wanted to view a flyby of the space station or try to catch a glimpse of the meteor shower. Bummer, it is! However, since I am up I will get in my early morning spin on the stationary bike while catching up on my blog reading and posting. Why not, right?

Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now

without wishing it were different;

enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will);

being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won't).

- James Baraz

The last 9 days of summer break are here for the boys; August 22 they go back to school - Robert will be in 10th and Matthew in 7th. I look at them everyday (basically I look up to them as they both have surpassed me in height) and I am in awe of how they change daily. Physically they have gotten taller, have filled out, look more "manly" and less "boyish". Mentally they continue to mature, to ask about "grown up" things and have discussions that seem more "adult-like" versus "kiddish". Little by little, they take steps toward independence - not needing their mommy or daddy as much as they use to; yet upset if we aren't there to help out when they need it.

As mentioned in a previous post - this summer wasn't like other summer for there seem to be no "down" time. With both boys signed up for different activities, DH working in *The Stores* and I working my part-time job as well as playing taxi driver...gone are the days of the long family vacations, the days of little boys going fishing with their daddy & grandfather in Colorado; the day trips to the beach where little curious fingers try to pick up a little crab only to get pinched. While it is ok to look back, to open all those photo albums of summer vacations and times spent looking for dinosaurs...it is ok to know that those are memories to last a life time and those that we make now are just as important.

Yes, the summer break activities change - they change with the times, they change as the boys change and as DH and I change. It isn't a bad thing at all...it just is. And talking with the boys, while they miss a day trip to the pond for a little fishing or to the beach for a little exploring, they said that there wasn't anything that they would have changed this summer (except the fact that Robert had some summer homework, which he wishes he would have started earlier in the summer).

Robert enjoyed the hockey clinic that he participated in, which took up much of the summer vacation as it ended July 28th. He not only got to play with some of his hockey teammates, but enjoyed playing around with some of the older boys who have moved on to Junior leagues and were home for the summer. He also has enjoyed getting back into the school track program during the last few week (although his feet, I am not so sure they were happy about it, as blisters tell that story). Matthew enjoyed being a junior camp counselor, working with 3-5 year olds as well as elementary school age kids. He learned responsibility - calling the director if he was going to be late or asking for more volunteer hours when he wasn't scheduled. I am proud of my boys!

So as Summer Break 2011 comes to a close - this last week will be filled with school registration days, ortho & dentist appointments and evening hockey practices. I will be taking vacation days from my part-time job to get all the school preparation activities complete as well as work in some time to do some things that we haven't made time for yet - get in a little bowling, maybe work in a trip up to the pool, sneak in a hike at a nature reserve or just have a quiet lunch together.

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.

When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Well, I will conclude this post. I am grateful that you stopped by for a visit. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Thinking Thoughts on Thursday

2011-08-11T05:06:00.000-07:00

Up early and going on this Thursday morning. Still dark outside at 4am, as I am typing out this post while spinning on my stationary bike. I am not a stranger to this time of the morning, but as I age it gets harder to get my bottom out of bed and on the stationary bike on a consistant basis - so I am definitely grateful when it occurs...like on a day like today when life is going to be one craziness after another. So if I can get in a good sweaty spin, I seem to have a better outlook on things, which any help I can get it wonderful!

What is different today than other days in my crazy-busy life? Well, Matthew (younger son) was invited at the last minute to a hockey practice with the team that is one year older than he due to missing some kids - either due to last minute summer vacations or the early start to their school year. Anyway, it is an honor to be asked to these kind of situations, so it was hard to pass up. But it does add to the already crazy schedule.

We have also been dealing with DH's car this week. It has had some electrical issues on and off since we purchased it; however when the break and turn lights became effected and DH started to get pulled over and handed warnings about the lights from highway patrol men, we knew it was time to address the issue. So there have been a couple of days lately where we have been down to one car - which posses a challenge of getting the boys to/from their activities, me going to work and DH helping out with *Store #1's* deliveries. Supposively today should be the last day of being a one car family. After the morning hockey practice, we will have to follow DH over to the car place to drop his car and then take him back to *Store #1*. I will have to keep the car because of the boys' activities. Hopefully they can install the last part and have the car ready around 4pm so we can pick it up before I have to drive back down to the hockey rink with Matthew for his evening practice.

Stop...deep breathe...

Friday and through the weekend should be a little more low-key...be able to rest a little before heading into the last week of summer break. But I am not going to think of next week right now, want to live in the moment and enjoy the rest of this crazy week :)

The nice thing about hockey practices starting up is the time at the rink that allows for some needle & thread to hit fabric. So, that is the benefit of me also getting in my early morning spin - I can sit, relax and stitch this morning while Matthew skates.

Well, I have probably mumbled long enough this morning. I hope that you have a good Thursday! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Serene Sunday...well, at least it was at 6:00am before my brain got to thinking

2011-08-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

Good morning...or afternoon...or evening.

That is the beauty of blogging, anyone anywhere at anytime can read what you journal. Anyway, it is Sunday morning and I am up and on the stationary bike this morning - hence, that is why I have time to post an entry this morning (multi-tasking and it's best - getting in my spin on the stationary bike while catching up on my facebooking, blog reading and blogging!). Lately I have been doing a lot of running, combining it with my stationary bike spinning, which is why I haven't been getting in as much time for blog posting (hard to run and be on the computer at the same time :)). The last 2 weeks I have put in over 80 miles - 40 per week - I really enjoy it, but I do feel it in the ol' body when I am doing too much. So I think today will just be a spinning day.

Yesterday the mailman brought me the 2011 Halloween edition of Just Cross Stitch

I immediately took it into the house and found a quiet corner to relax and look at all the fun things. There are some really cute halloween projects to stitch; but I am on the fence about halloween items. Back in 2009, I found a pattern called "Trick or Treat" in the October 2009 issues of The Cross-Stitcher Magazine by Designer Ursula Michaels. I fell in love with it - bright colors, glow-in-the-dark Krenik, cute...I started it Sept. 9, 2009 and finished it October 24, 2009

For 2 years this stitched piece has sat in my "done-stitching, but-not-yet-finished" shelf. I came across the fabric I was going to use as the backing, for my intention was to transform this stitched piece into a pillow to display around the fall & Halloween months. I am not the best pillow maker and I am scared to take this stitched piece and the fabric...and ruin them both. So in my closet, with all my stitching stash, they lay -waiting...for me to find courage and take them to the sewing machine...SOME DAY. But the question remains...how many "done-stitching, but-not-yet-finished" pieces to you have?

Well, while the Halloween design still lays awaiting, I have been working on both Family Sampler and the Ornament Swap ornament for Lisa V. I have decided to keep them both out on a little table that sits by the couch in the main room where my family congregates. With all the supplies ready to use, I can just pick which project I want to put some stitches in...this has been working well. And while I can't show you photos of the Ornament, I am hoping to have a status photo of Family Sampler soon.

Today will probably be family day at Store #1, for we let everyone at this location have the day off. I will be going in to work in a few hours followed by DH. There are only about 4-5 arrangements to make so far for the day and one delivery, which is what DH will do. Today is also the start of "Health & Happiness". Take the Pledge of Health & Happiness at any Edible Arrangement stores and get a FREE Pineapple Daisy Pop.

What is the Pledge? Pledge to live more healthy by taking the first step of adding more fresh fruit and vegetables to your meals. According to the new USDA food pyramid, which is the shape of a plate, 1/2 of the plate should contain fresh fruit and vegetables. Come to our store, if you are nearby and Pledge:

to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables
to incorporate a 1/2 plate of fresh fruit and vegetables into every meal
to make this change for the rest of the summer and beyond

What is a Pineapple Daisy Pop? To celebrate your life change pledge, we are rewarding everyone who comes in our store (all Edible Arrangement stores are also offering this), signs their pledge card a FREE Pineapple Daisy Pop which is a Daisy shaped Pineapple piece with cantalope melon ball center on a stick. Yummy and good for you!

I wish that you all lived nearer to me to get this yummy treat...and then I could also meet you :)

Well, got to get going. Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Thoughts on a Thursday morning

2011-08-04T05:58:00.000-07:00

Up and slowing going this Thursday morning. It is early - 5:00 am - and still very dark outside; but I am up and after 30 minutes of putting in some "X's" on my ornament for Lisa V (September is her month for the Ornament swap...and I am trying to get it stitched and finished not only because it has a long way to travel, but because I know once school starts for the boys and hockey practices, my time for such things will become somewhat limited) I finally got my butt on the stationary bike. I am working my way into the school time routine - up at 4:30am to spin before having to wake up Robert at 6:30am.

This week has fallen into a new routine pretty quick - I go to my part-time job early so that I can leave a little after 12noon to pick up the boys. Matthew has been working as a Junior camp counselor at the afternoon preschool camp again and Robert has started back up with his high school cross country track team now that his hockey clinic is over. While Robert is running and working out with his track team, I have taken that opportunity to dress in my running gear and go for a run around the high school. Tuesday I went 10.5 miles, doing a walk/jog combination and Wednesday I went 13.88 miles. I have to say that going outside to run between the hours of 1-3pm is very warm and probably crazy...that is why I have been including the walking part to my run. I start out running about 7 miles and then get pooped. But it is nice to be outdoors and enjoy some different trails and neighborhoods that I don't normally get an opportunity to investigate.

That should bring all up to date with the goings on here. I hope that you are enjoying life where you are at and whatever you are doing! Until next time...remember...

Gratitude is one of the great positive emotions because it creates magnetism.

A magnet is that which draws things to itself;

therefore, by giving heartfelt thanks for all the good we now have,

through the magnetism that gratitude creates,

we will start attracting more good into our daily life.

~Elaine Hibbard

Appreciate life instead of resisting it.

~Judy Tatelbaum

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Happy August...and an Ornament Swap update

2011-08-01T06:08:00.000-07:00

It is August 1...Happy August!

It is my parents 46th wedding anniversary - Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

21 days left of summer vacation for the boys

That is only 3 weeks...yikes and yay, depending on how they are behaving :)

First up...Ornament Swap news!

My month to receive ornaments has come to a conclusion with the receipt of the last one -

this one is from Lori:

Bent Creek Tag Series
Fabric: 28ct Raw Opal Cashel
Fibers: GAST & DMC of her choice

Isn't he cute! I love the way it looks like a stamp, that was the first thing that the boys pointed out when I showed them. They, like me, love to see what each Orament Swap Member stitched and how they finish it...as where it is being sent from. Unfortuatly we all use these animated postage machine stamps on the pacakges, so no more collecting stamps from different countries. Oh well, I got something better - hand stitched and hand made beautiful ornaments to place on my Christmas tree in December.

Here is a recap of the 5 ornaments I received from the Ornament Swap Group this year:

My 2011 collection of ornaments from Ornament Swap Group - aren't they beautiful!
THANK YOU LADIES! I LOVE THEM ALL!

Next...just random topics to bring you up to date on life in my household -

as mentioned above, with the coming of August, our summer is winding down. However with all the hockey clinic Robert attended all summer and Matthew's being a Jr. camp councelor and dealing with the growning business and my part-time job...DH and I look at eachother and *sigh*.

"It just doesn't feel like a true summer vacation"

Summer vacations use to be filled with vacations to Colorado or Whistler BC

or across the country to visit family.

Summer vacations use to be filled with day trips to the mountain or the beaches

or just to the zoo to walk around and look at the animals.

Many of the things we "use to do" were when the boys were smaller and not as busy in their different activities. But I know, you can pinpoint it all on the boys' activities - for we could say "no" and not sign them up. But they enjoy doing what they are doing and would miss being with their friends and fellow hockey players.

Many of the things we "use to do" happened when we took vacation from our respective jobs - which I can do from my part-time job, but it has been hard to totally get away this summer due to having the responsibility of 2 stores and not ready to have manager(s) yet.

LIVING LIFE is like a living book

It is made up of various chapters

When one chapter ends another begins

That isn't to say that you can't bring back some of the same subjects/activites from previous chapters...

but, for the most part, things change and there are new things to do, to accomplish and/or to explore.

While it is always nice to go back and reread chapters,

to think about them

to remember them

it is important to live in the NOW, to continue with the current chapter

because you don't want to miss what is happening NOW

for it might be something you want to reread later, but you won't be able to unless you live it NOW!

Anyway...enough of the heavy stuff - it is only Monday and we have a whole wonderful week a head of us. Robert finished up his hockey clinic last week and will use the next 3 weeks to finish up the summer homework that was assigned for his upcoming AP History and Honors Engligh class. The first day of school they have homework to turn in and a test to take. He has started working on it, but has a ways to go. In addition to working on this, he will be reunited with his track team for some cross country practices. These practices have been going on all summer long, but it was too much to do with the hockey clinic. So he chose to participate in hockey for the summer and then pick up track in August.

Matthew will be finishing up his Jr. Camp Counselor experience which lasts until August 12. He has really enjoyed this experience. This week he goes back to volunteering in the summer preschool camp, where he works with 3-4 year olds.

Me? I will go to my part-time job followed by cartting the boys around to their afternoon activities and then deal with anything that comes up throughout the day/week.

DH? He will go to the stores and deal with all the stuff that surrounds running them.

It's obviously more fun to write about the stitching and the ornaments...and probably more fun to ready about them..so before I bore you all to tears I will wrap up this post by saying:

Thank you for visiting and remember,

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

OMG...it is already Wednesday...an update & some show-n-tell

2011-07-27T05:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe that it is already Wednesday...and it has been a week since I have taken the time to post. However, last weekend I was in Las Vegas for the Edible Arrangement Franchise Convention> It was a good weekend - the sessions and presentations from the corporate staff was very informative and inspirational. I met some other Franchise owners who also provided some great ideas and tips on running the store, especially during the big holiday times. Our manager who came a long with us, also enjoyed all the information and training he got and came back to the store on Monday inspired. Aside from the convention, we did find some time to walk the Las Vegas "strip" as they call it...where all the casinos are located. However, walking in 90-100 degree weather at 9pm is a little much. We walked through many of the casinos - to take a break from the heat & enjoy the air conditioning. If you have never been to LV, walking through each casino is pretty amazing. Forget the gaming areas for there is much, much more in each building. For example in The Venetian Casino, the area where all the shops & restaurants are is like a little Italian village complete with a canal running through it. Anyway...it was a great weekend!

Back home, this week is the last week for Robert's morning hockey clinic - all eight weeks of it. Once complete he will be able to focus on his summer homework for his honors & AP classes which is due the first week of school, in addition to a test they administer the first day as well (school starts up Aug. 22). Matthew is still busy working at the local city summer camp as a Junior Counselor, which he really is loving. He will continue this for the next few weeks, ending on Aug. 12; after which it will be time for school registration activities and preparation for the first day. Amazing how quickly the summer goes by.

Well enough of the updates...on to some show-n-tell. I have received 2 more ornaments from the Ornament Swap Group since my last post.

First up is the ornament I received from Sharon - it is absolutely beautiful....

Designer - Bent Creek
Design - The Holly Berry Sampler
Fabric - 28ct Tea Dyed Monoco
Fiber - DMC & Mill Hill Beads
Stitched one over one - very tiny :)

Look at the detail of the finishing on the sides - it is beautiful

The second one is from Conny - it is lovely with the little charm and beads...

Designer - LHN
Design - Silent Night

Don't you just love the little snowflake charm and the
Holly Berry beading :)

Just one more to go and my 2011 Ornaments from the Ornament Swap Group is complete. Boy, I am so grateful to be a part of this group. Everyone does such a beautiful job on these! And adding in the ones I received last year, my Christmas tree this year is going to be full of lovelies :)

That's about all I have for you on this Wednesday morning. I hope that things are well with you! Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

No Whining this Wednesday!

2011-07-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

Once again, the mailman graces my mailbox with another beautiful Ornament from Angela of the Ornament Swap group...

So cute, don't you think? Angela wrote in the card that came in the package that this ornament represents her, for it is her favorite snowman design. The designer is Plum Pudding Needleart and titled "All the trimmings". She stitched it on 32ct mushroom jobelan using DMC. I love it...thank you so much Angela. I am getting spoiled; it is like Christmas in July - just a little warmer than it would be in December :)

Well, tomorrow afternoon I leave for Las Vegas. I am going there to attend the Edible Arrangement franchise convention. I am going in place of DH so that I can attend the manager certification class on Friday to be offically certified. We are also sending one of our supervisors from Store #2 so that he can officially be certified, too. Once certified as an EA Manager (or owner in my case), we can sign up for other seminars on Saturday. It should be fun. This is the kind of information/training DH received when he went out to Conneticut last November for his certification training. Between all the seminars and sessions, there will be a little free time...so I could walk around the strip...but I will wait and see how the weekend goes before I make any non-convention plans.

That is about it for Wednesday. I hope that you are having a good day. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Monday's mumblings - a surprise in the mail and a review of a family day.

2011-07-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

I will start off with a little show and tell today...lookie what the post person put in my mailbox today:

It is the first ornament from my ornament swap group...it is from Lisa V in Austraila. Isn't it beautiful!!! It is stitched and finished so beautifully! And I thought that hanging it on my orange tree was the perfect place for a photo of an ornament...especially one from "down under" where it is winter (huh? anyone follow my train of thought?) Anyway, I am not sure who the designer is or what the pattern is...it kind of looks like 3 different ones, but I am sure that Lisa will let me know :) Thank you again, Lisa, I love it!

Yesterday...Sunday...we had a family day and not all of it was spent at the store. My morning started out with a wonderful 12.9 mile jog/run. I went out about 6am and caught a mommy turkey and Jr hanging out on our street (which I tried to get a photo of with the camera on my phone - wish it turned out a little better). It has been a long time since we have seen the flocks of turkeys. Since we have moved here the flocks have definitely have grown in size and it looks like we have a new generation...

After the run, I came back home in plenty of time to get breakfast around for the family before going to get cleaned up so that we all could go into Store #1 together. There was a little fruit prep and one arrangement for early delivery that we wanted to help get out before...before we let our employees run the store.

WE TOOK A DAY OFF AND HAD A FAMILY DAY!

We left the store in capable hands and took off west...to the ocean...to Half Moon Bay, CA to be exact. During the last two summers we use to take day trips to Half Moon Bay (it is only 45minutes to an hour away) to explore the rocky beaches and eat at our favorite restaurant: Sam's Chowder House. Home of the famous Lobster Roll:

...which is what DH and Robert enjoyed. Matthew had fish and chips while I had a Crab Louie salad - this is after we enjoyed the Captain's Platter (which had oysters, mussels, cocktail shrimp, tuna poke, etc), a Shrimp Cocktail and a Seaweed Salad for appetizers. It has been a long time since we have splurged like this, enjoying food and family time.

After the wonderful meal, we went outside to walk around on the beach and the rocky break (a wall of rocks built by man to create a little calmer body of water to keep boats). The boys liked looking in the cracks and crevices, spying starfish and crabs. It was a nice day to walk out on the beach - not too warm and not too cold (another not-so-good photo taken by my camera phone). Slightly overcast, but the majority of the morning fog had burned off. Perfect!

Between having a full stomach and a nice walk in the ocean air...it was time to get back in the car and head home for a nap! It was so nice to get away, if only a few hours.

I hope that you had a nice weekend too! Until next time, remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

A Day in the Life...the "Stop-OMG" moments

2011-07-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

Many of you followers know how busy and crazy my life is and the most common comment I get is "I don't know how you do it." Most of you out there are just as busy as I - we just have to do what we do and it all seems to work out. But did you have stop at the end of the day, or sometimes around lunch time - just stop and look back at what you have just accomplished within that time?

Yesterday was one of those days - a days that I had a "Stopping - OMG" moment - where I looked at what I had done between the time I woke up and the time that I settled in and watched Julie and Julia with my family.

Thursday, July 14th looked like this:

6am - woke up (snoozed through the 4am exercise alarm; figured I would find time to get in a good sweat sometime during the day)

6:05am - woke up Robert and I headed down stairs to get breakfast around for him and Matthew; unladed the clean dishes from the dishwasher; made DH's lunch and Robert's lunch/recovery food for after his hockey clinic

6:20am - upstairs to make the bed and shower, throw in a load of laundry in the wash

6:45am - gathered up my backpack of "stuff" and my purse and headed for the car to wait for Robert, who had to finish packing his hockey bag and get in the car

7am - arrive at designated pick up/drop off place for the hockey clinic carpool; today was my day to drive down to San Jose so we loaded up the other player's gear and hockey sticks into my car and we were off for the 35-40 minute drive to San Jose

7:35am - arrive at San Jose rink to drop the boys off and then head back home

8:05am - not much morning traffic (thank goodness), arrive close to home, but decide to do a power grocery shop because we are out of some staples such as milk and ice cream

8:40am - arrive at home, bring in the groceries and put them all away; run upstairs to move the clean "wet" clothes to dryer and then pull together some food for my lunch to eat at work

8:55am - leave home with Matthew to drop him off at his Jr. Leader "job" at the preschool summer camp and then head to my part-time job

9am-1:30pm - at my part-time job where I help the office activity team ready some of the things we will be using for the office Hawaiian Luau bbq next week, I have a phone meeting with one of the product supervisors about a poster project for the upcoming sales conference meeting taking place in August, I start to work on some plans for a October trade show and so on.

1:35pm - depart from part-time job and head to the pick up/drop off place where I will meet up with the carpool and gather up Robert

2pm - home with Robert and Matthew (DH picked up Matthew from the preschool camp earlier).

2:30pm - after talking to DH about the afternoon plans for the 2 stores (he has to go to store #2, so I will need to finish the late deliveries for store #1), I determine I have time to get in my exercise and go out for a 8.75 mile jog

3:45pm - home from jog and showered, I sit for a few minutes before heading out the door to store #1

4:00pm - depart from home after giving directions to the boys about staying near the house when playing outdoors and a reminder about fixing themselves dinner just incase I get home late.

4:20pm - arrive at store; proof a coupon artwork for store #2 and authorize it to go to print; located the arrangements for delivery and mapped out the route.

4:40pm - depart from store and head to first house

5pm - make first delivery and head to location of 2nd one; called store to see if any last minute delivery orders came in (orders for same day delivery can be made/accepted up to 2 hours prior to closing)...no more orders came in

5:35pm - arrive at location of 2nd/last delivery and then head back to store

6pm - arrive at store, put away all the delivery supplies; call in a Chinese food take out order to pick up on my way home. Check in with our employee who is doing fine and will be closing the store - so I depart

6:05pm - arrive at Chinese restaurant and pick up Matthew's favorite: fried prawns and white rice

6:15pm - arrive at Panda express and pick up Robert's favorite: fried rice, Kung Pao Chicken, Orange Chicken and some appetizers (Panda is less expensive than going to the other restaurant for what Robert wants and the portion size is better).

6:35pm - arrive at home; while the boys eat their take out food, I fix myself something from the refrigerator and then graze on other things while we talk. DH is still up at store #2, training one of the employees how to close as well as dealt with a complaint

7:45pm - kitchen cleaned up so boys and I retire upstairs in the tv/office room; turn on the movie Julie and Julia and lay on the couch until DH finally gets home

8:50pm - DH finally home; he tried to deal with the complaint issue but customer who placed order and complained wasn't home; which made the long drive from store #2 even longer.

10pm - lights out everyone in the household in bed. The end of the day!

Crazy huh? And just note that we don't have the evening hockey clinic we had in June to juggle amoung all the other stuff. Oh, well...I am definitely not looking for a medal or anything as we all seem to live these kinds of lives...so, you could almost label it "normal" or "routine". We do what we need to do, when we need to do it.

Well, anyway...today won't have many "Stop - OMG" moments, for there is no hockey clinics...I don't have to go in on Fridays for my part-time job...Matthew doesn't have any jr leader obligations today. They both are sleeping in, DH is getting ready to go into store #1 and I am getting in a nice spin on my stationary bike this morning. I am planning to take the boys bowling or something today before I have to go into store #1 to fill in for a person who needed the afternoon off.

Thank you for visiting - hope I have some stitching news for you soon; while I haven't put needle/thread into Family Sampler in a couple of days I am hoping that little packages might show up in my mail box soon. For you see, it is my turn to receive ornaments - July is my month of the Ornament Swap and I am getting excited.

BTW...Robert made the hockey team he was trying out for, so the 2011-12 season is all set for us. Practices start up next month and the first tournament of the season is Labor Day weekend.

Take care...until next time,

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often

Lisa