I am still here, just awfully busy (I guess that is normal for me, right?)

In the stitching part of my life...
First, lets talk about stitching and some new stash I got from Valerie-FogCity Dweller. On Friday, I got home and there was a package in the mail; I guess that I was a runner up for a give-a-way she ran last May...but I didn't remember, so it was like getting a Christmas present or a Birthday present :) What did I get, you ask...well, first I should apologize that I can't take any photos because my camera is out of batteries and I was going to "borrow" some photos from stitching websites, but I can't find the patterns she sent. So, I will have to describe them:

By Shepherd's Bush...Scissor Fob pattern - "A,B,C...All is fine". I know that Valerie was a lucky duck who went to a retreat in Utah and visited the Shepherd's Bush store. This pattern is one that she had completed and passed it onto me so I can also stitch it.

By The Drawn Thread...Garden Recipe pattern/kit.

"Bits & Pieces - A Stitcher's Journal" From Blackbirds Designs, Barb Adams & Alma Allen...this is a little spiral bound journal that contains photos of Barb & Alma's quilts and other designs; and lots of space to keep track of all my projects!

Vikki Clayton hand dyed thread - Blueberry soup and Garnet.

Thank you so much Valerie, you made my day on Friday! I love all my new stash!!!

Continuing on the stitching theme...I had some ample time on Friday, when I was sitting at Speedy Oil Change, to get in some stitching on the ornament I am making for Sharon from the Ornament Swap group. It is coming along nicely, and if I didn't have plans for this I probably would be finishing it off and keeping it for myself. I am hoping that I can finish this up because Family Sampler is calling my name, but I don't want to be late getting Sharon's ornament in the mail for I felt bad about being late with Lori's. I don't want to be known in the exchange groups as Late :(

In my other facets of life...
Hockey continues to keep us busy. Matthew's (younger son) team is up to 4 practices a week as they get ready for a couple of hockey weekends in March. The 2nd week of March, they travel to LA to play a Czech Republic team and the Jr. King PeeWees...the 3rd week it is off to Arizona for a tournament. Robert's (older son) team is trying to make up for all the practices we have paid for but haven't had (this is a sore subject for all the parents regarding the club dues we pay and the lack of ice time the team gets) as they gear up for the Pacific District Championship which is this coming weekend. Starting Thursday, teams from Alaska and Washington, as well as one from Southern California come to San Jose for districts. Our club is hosting the event, which means...yes, I did volunteer...I have been busy helping get ready for the event. As a member of the district tournament committee, I have volunteered to help with admissions and getting together all the badges for the teams as well as the admissions tickets. It isn't a cumbersome job, just had to deal with printers and graphic designers to create the team passes...but it is almost done, which is a good thing for we have to have them ready for the team managers/coaches' meeting this Wednesday.

Then there is life at *The Store*...unfortunately after Valentine's Day several people just didn't work out and left, so we are a little short handed right now (anyone out there looking for a little work?) And I think that DH is wearing down by working there from open to close 7 days a week. So, I have been put on the schedule to work on Saturdays and go in when I can in the afternoons to help out. On one hand I love being there and helping out - but on the other, there are times that having our own business feels more like a burden. I hope that we are able to get in some more help soon!

Other everyday issues...well, the washer is fixed; but my car is now making a horrible noise, so now I have to figure out when I can squeeze in time to take it to the dealership so they can take a look at it. It is always something, isn't it?!?!?

Well - life might seems crazy here, but we all seem to work together - DH, Robert, Matthew and I - in order to get things done. That is what is important!

I hope that things are going well with you and yours...until next time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa