Reading Blogs

Visiting and reading blogs has become part of my early morning exercise routine. Sound strange? Well, it probably is - and to prove that I do this activity, I posted an embarrassing photo (which was previously posted back in December) of me...on the bike...spinning...with the laptop on the reading shelf. Getting up in the morning to spin and sweat is almost like a drug. If I can get my ol' body out of bed in the wee hours of the morning (ie 4:30am) to get in about 2 hours of movement & sweat - it usually starts my morning off in a good way.

Two hours does get boring...I do have a supply of magazines (some health related, many are stitch related-love to look at all the designs & stitches and thinking about fun project to do), some books...but having the laptop and reading blogs has become a big part of my wee hour routine. One of the first blogs that I read was The Two-Handed Stitcher by one of my favorite designers. She would write about her designs, some of the free ones you can find on her website, or a little bit about the region she lives. Another blog, which really inspired me to start writing my own was Crossed Purposes. Not only did this blogger write about the projects she was stitching, but about her daily struggles - which really drew me in. It really drew me into her life. Since November, when I became a blogger myself, I started "bookmarking" all of the blogs that drew me in because of their stitching and/or their "open door" to their life.

Now, almost everyday, when I wake up and get on this silly exercise bike, I turn on this old laptop and run through my "favorite" blogs...to visit "my friends"...checking to see how everyone is doing? What project are they starting? What have they finished? Are they looking for opinions regarding thread/fabric? Are they feeling better? Did they get the job? How are the kids/grandkids? If it has been awhile since they have written, I do find myself worrying about them - are they ok? Are they taking some time for themselves, like a needed vacation?

On some blogs, I feel inclined to post a comment - an opinion - offer compliments - offer sympathies - or encouragements. Through the blogging community I have found a belonging, a fellowship and friends.

It is interesting the impact that blogging and reading blogs has affected my life. I am grateful for those who have inspired me to blog & read blogs; I am grateful for the community out there. Thank you!

And thank you for visiting and reading my blog today. Remember to Live, Love & Laugh...and to stitch often! Lisa

Picture Posting

As promised, I have taken pictures of my progress on a couple of projects. The first is the Friendship Sampler RR. I had Michele's, who requested that we stitch with a red color scheme. She enclosed some different threads in different shades of reads. I chose Pink Azalea (by The Gentle Art) to cross-stitch the heart. I satin-stitched the little squares with Pink Quartz (Belle Soie) - never have stitched using silk floss before...it was a treat. For my name & state, I used Noir (Belle Soie), as per her request. It was fun...I hope that Michele likes it...it did come out slightly pink, as per the name of the colors, but it was in her package so I hope that it is ok. All I have left to do is to find a postcard representing the area I live in, write a little message and send it all off...I hope to have this done tomorrow and get it in the mail on Monday.

My other project that I am working on, as per my earlier post, is Frosty Friend. Here is my progress:

This is an ornament from the 2008 Just CrossStitch Ornament issue. I am hoping that it will be a quick stitch, because this just might be a little surprise for my grandmother who might be coming to NC to see her great-grandson play hockey. Still keeping my finger's crossed.

Well...it is time to hit the hay! Good night.

A Friendship Poem

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good,

But never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak oftrue friendship.

You will see no cute little smiley faces on this card

Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.

When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

When you smile -- I will know you are thinking of something that I would probably want to be involved in.

When you are scared -- I will rag you about it every chance I get until you're NOT.

When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

When you are confused -- I will try to use only little words.

When you are sick -- Stay the hell away from me until you are well again.I don't want whatever you have.

When you fall -- I will laugh at your clumsy ass, but I'll also help you up.

This is my oath.... I pledge it to the end.

"Why?" you may ask

Because you are my friend!!

Friday the 13th isn't always unlucky...thank goodness

I have not been very good about keeping up with the blog this week...after getting back from Seattle, I have been busy. With the win of Districts for Robert's hockey team, comes more work to get ready for Nationals - paperwork, registration, plane ticket reservations and booking hotel room for the team...along with other organizational things. I have also decided to go to the dr to find out if there is anything that will help get rid of this cold I have been dealing with for over a month. Now with an antibiotic and the bulk of the hockey things organized I feel that I can get on with other parts of life for a while.

Before I update you on my stitching projects, I just want to express my thanks to my lucky stars...we have had car issues for a while with both our old cars (one is a 1995 jeep, the other is a 2001 jeep) - but we are the kind of people who just tend to "run them into the ground". Well, it looks like we might have with the 2001...this morning, DH was running Robert down to an early morning hockey practice @ 5:00am, when he called because the car died on the side of the road. I jumped into the other car and we got Robert to practice and then dealt with getting the other car towed to a service center. But the thing I feel very lucky about is...the car has been making funny noises since Wednesday evening, but we just wanted to make it to the weekend when we could deal with it. Yesterday, I drove carpool (i.e. had other kids in the car) to hockey - making it down there and back (on Fri. the 13th nonetheless) without any issues. No problems until this morning.

And, while I am expressing thanks...the inheritance from my grandmother who passed away in November showed up on Wednesday. The timing was perfect, because we were just about to get a loan to buy a used car. So...with some cash in our hands...and one "toasted" car...purchasing the used car couldn't come at a better time. It is nice when the stars line up nicely.

On the Stitching Front...(I will post photos later today)
I started stitching my heart onto Michelle's Friendship Sampler for the RR I am participating in. It was a little stressful stitching it because - I stressed over getting the count right, over making sure that my crosses matched her crosses, making sure that the color combo was correct as per her directions, etc. I have finished the heart and just need to stitch my name and state by it. We are doing mailings around the 15th and 30th of each month...so I will have it done this weekend in order to send it out by Monday. One of the extra special things that she requested is each of us enclose a postcard that represents where we live and then write something about ourselves on the back. I haven't done this yet. I live near some of the famous cities in Northern California, but not near enough to purchase a postcard...so I might just print out a picture that represents the area I live in and then write on the back.

The other project I am working on is called Frosty Friends...it is coming along...it is a nice easy project; but just having made time to really sit and stitch it.

Well, I have our plane tickets purchased for North Carolina for National Championship (son's hockey) for the first weekend in April. I have emailed the NC RR girls to let them know I will somewhat close by and hoping that I might meet one of them...in addition, I found out that my 90 year old grandmother (who lives in SC) might be driven up to join us for the hockey tournament by my cousin. I am keeping my fingers crossed. One of the things my son said when he woke up for the Districts Championship game last weekend, was: "This game is for Gi-Gi (great-grandma)". We have been talking about the possibility of making it to Nationals in North Carolina all season and thoughts of my grandmother (his great-grandmother) coming to see him play hockey. How cool will this be if she does!!!

I promise pictures soon of my stitching...hope everyone is doing well. Remember - Live, Love, Laugh and stitch often! Lisa

Friendship Sampler RR Rec'd

So, I am in Seattle for my son's hockey tournament and one of the Friendship Sampler members lives there...so, I called her up to see if she would be interested to save postage and handoff her sampler to me in person...and, well, I suppose you can guess what her decision was...
I met Michele this afternoon while my son was taking a nap (something that he does when he has a morning hockey game and another one in the afternoon/evening). It was fun to meet Michele and get to know her. This is a wonderful "perk" to the RR!

Thank you Michele for taking time out of your weekend to come out to the hotel and meet me...and to hand off your sampler to me. I can't wait to choose my heart and stitch it!

Well, we will be leaving for the second game today. My son & his team won their first 2 games, lost this morning...this evening is the semis and, if they win, they go to the championship tomorrow at noon. Keep your fingers crossed!

Packed for, yet, another trip...and looking forward to it!

I have been working on Frosty Friend (the snowman posted earlier in the week)...and I was going to take a photo of it to show my progress, but just didn't get a chance today. My older son left for Seattle, flying with 2 other hockey family friends - this is the first time that he has flown without DH or I...so I was a little out of sorts. But he called as soon as they landed - and then tonight he called to tell me that they won their first hockey game for Districts (and he had the game winning goal! How cool is that?).

After going to work today, I ran a few errands - trying to stock the house with food for DH and younger son. I also made homemade banana bread for them - and double chocolate chip muffins.

Not only am I looking forward to getting to Seattle to be with my son & his hockey team, again, this weekend; but I have an opportunity to meet someone who is in the Friendship Sampler RR I am part of.

Well, I am sorry that this is short and very sorry that I haven't posted any stitching photos or stitching stories...my life is a little crazy right now.

Hope everyone is doing well...Happy thoughts being sent out to a good friend in Minnesota and more going out to Beth - a blog friend!
Lisa

Thoughtful Tuesday

Maybe there is something going around, something more than the common cold or the Super Flu bug. But whatever it is, there are a lot of us who are coming down with it...the Big Blahs. Symptoms...tired, dazed, "out of it", loss of focus, "too much on my plate - but no time", cranky, achy.

Maybe it is being caused by the weather - too much snow in some places, too much rain in others...not enough moisture for some.

Maybe it is the economy and the financial woes out there - some loosing their job, some in fear of loosing their job, some receiving pay cuts so that they can keep their job...now there is not enough money to pay the bills, to live as we are use to or as we would like to.

Yesterday, I came to realize that it is I who has the power to control my thoughts, my desires - influence the outcome of my day. It is I who can control my reactions to things that might come my way, whether it be good things or not so good. No, I cannot control what others do and what events take place...I cannot really control my destiny...but I can decide how I am going to react to what is dealt to me.

Yesterday, I "willed" myself to get up and get going - to start my day. Today, I was a little late out of bed (by my standards), but I, again, "willed" myself to get up and get going - to start my day. The wee hours of the morning are MINE. They help me organized my thoughts and exercise my body (I am on the stationary bike as I type this posting). It also provides me with opportunities I might not have - this morning I was able to kiss DH good bye as he left for an early flight out east; this morning I was able to read some new blogs and meet some new bloggers (and learn a little about their lives & stitching interests).

I wish everyone to find their on "will" and to make the most of every moment - whether it is in the wee hours of the morning or the wee hours of the evening...or anytime in between. Make it YOUR OWN.

Dear Readers - thank you for your time, thank you for reading. If there is something that you take from my morning's rambling - I am grateful. If there isn't anything that you can gleem from my morning's ramblings...that is a-ok too. I am just grateful that you are here today!

Remember to: Live, Love, Laugh...and stitch often! Lisa

A Lit'l bit of Happiness for Monday Morning - An Attitude Adjustment

Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other person and then for ourselves.

~ Helen Keller

It is Monday Morning and I am up and going. I have finally been able to "will" myself to get out of bed and on the exercise bike. While I know that I haven't felt 100% since I have returned from Quebec, some of my issue with getting "up and going" was just do to my attitude. Every day, it seems, that my daily routine is boring...get up, exercise, shower, get breakfast around for the boys, make lunches for DH & boys, DH to work, boys to school...and then I go on to work. That is just my morning - the afternoons & evenings can fall within the "boring" category, too - either I have errands to run (grocery store and/or dry cleaners) in the afternoon before getting the boys from school...or there is hockey to get ready for in the evening. However, I do think that it is an attitude that I need to adjust.

So, this morning I asked myself..."What can I find to look forward to, in order to WILL myself to get out of bed." The first thing I thought of was BLOGS...I can catch up on other's blogs while I exercise on my stationary bike like I did before I went to Quebec. So - I found the bookmarked "The Big Blog of Stitching Blogs" and I started to go down the list, starting with the Blogs that begin with an A and caught up on those (reading & commenting). After a while, I knew that I needed to catch up on my email correspondence with some friends and family...and get out the St. Patrick's Potato Bar Party Sign Up List for my younger son's classroom party. Now with those few things to keep my busy - one hour has just elapsed while I have been on the stationary bike - and I am feeling better. So - to keep me going, I am now up dating my Blog with the story of my attitude adjustment. I can reflect upon this when I struggle with mornings again...and maybe a reader will find inspiration in it for their life.


News on the Stitching Side of Life
I found something new, fun and small to stitch. In the Just Cross Stitch 2008 Special Christmas Issue "Christmas Ornaments" - I found "Frosty Friends" by Mosey 'N Me. I will post my progress, but thought I would post a photo of the pattern I was referring to. I was scanning my stitching magazines and this put a smile on my face. So, I did put my first few stitches in it last night.

Well, time to sign off now - either to pick up my book to read (Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods) or to do some more Blog reading.

I hope everyone finds a lit'l happiness in today. Just remember to Live, Love, Laugh and stitch often.
Lisa

Showery Sunday - Hanging at Home

Happy March. It is raining here in Northern California, something that we definitely need. When I left town for Quebec on Feb. 10, the hills around our house were still slightly brown and the trees, which loose their leaves, were still bare. When I got back on Feb. 23...the hills around here were dressed in green velvet...it is like a scene out of Ireland with the green, green hills. And the trees have started to flower the pink and white flowers that come before the green & red leaves of the crab apple/cherry trees. I love this time of the year, because when the stores start stocking their Easter eggs - that is what I think of when I look around at the landscaping around my neighborhood. With the pick & white flowering trees, the purple flowering bushes and the first hints of California poppies and other flowers...it is beautiful. So...the rains that we have been getting and is in the forcast for the rest of the week is needed to continue this green!

DH and younger son drove to a city outside of Sacramento for a Sunday morning hockey game. Older son and I are at home. He is missing hockey practice this morning (might go to the later one) due to the cold/flu he still is dealing with. We are trying to rest him up because he/his team is going to the District Championship in Seattle next weekend and I don't want him to get any sicker. This cold/flu is not fun. We don't feel terribly horrible, but we are all feeling like we just don't have any energy. It is a drag!

I got my Friendship Sampler RR in the mail, so it is on its way to the next stop - should be there on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. I have gone back to working on Shoo-fly and trying to find another little project, but just cannot decide what I want to do - yet, haven't looked hard enough through my stash. Oh, well...

Hope all is well with all reading - remember to Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

My Friendship Sampler RR...is leaving home.

This is the Friendship Sampler by Carriage House that the RR group I am in is doing. Today was the deadline for the first mailing...which I am deliquent. Due to getting back home from Quebec and dealing with my cold/lack of energy and trying to get caught up with household stuff put me a little behind...but I finally finished my first heart(s) and my name/state. So, I will get it in the mail first thing tomorrow.

I have posted a photo of the hearts I did and will be sending on. Some of the group is doing their own color scheme - some liking a red theme, another doing a purple - I have decided to keep the DMC colors listed on this pattern, which are browns, greys, avocados and ecru. However, in my instructions I am giving each individual the freedom to either follow the pattern for the heart that they choose, or to make it unique...yet keeping with the neutral/earthy color scheme. As you see, I too have changed up the patten a little...playing with different floss & colors; but keeping within the color scheme. When the piece comes home, I plan on adding some pearl beads to the middle heart I stitched (where there are the cream spots) - and some other embellishments on the heart above. That is what I mean by making the heart unique.

What is fun, if things work out, I might actually meet some of the people who are part of this RR - due to some of the travels I will be doing with my son's hockey team. Next week is Seattle where they will be playing in the District Finals. If they win that, then it is Nationals in North Carolina in April. Well...as we say - one tournament and/or one game at a time.

Today was a nice day - not only outside here in Northern California (in the mid-60s and sunny) but nice because DH came home early and joined my younger son & I as we visited one of the California Missions. Studying missions is a big part of 4th grade curriculum. Some classes have to actually build a mission - that was one of our choices, but we chose visiting one and photographing it. He will then write a paper on the mission and create a story board with the photos he took. I felt that this was a better choice than building the mission, because these creations get so elaborate and expensive (I just didn't have the time and didn't want to spend the money on another school project). Going back to what I was really getting at...it was nice to do a little family thing with DH since he and I haven't really had any time together in several months with all the hockey travel.

Well...hope everyone had a nice Friday. Remember to Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Back home - time to catch up on my RR

I am back home from Quebec...actually I got home late on Monday evening, but needed a day to catch up on laundry and other household things that DH and younger son did not really kept up with (not that I expected them to).
Now that I feel I am in "semi" control of those household tasks, I need to focus on finishing up my part in the Friendship Sampler RR that I am part of. The heart that I took a photo of a couple of postings ago, I am basically finished with...but I decided to do a couple of other hearts before sending it off. The first mailing is this Friday, so I have some work that needs to be done!
The big thing that I am worried about is the edges of the fabric. I don't have a sewing machine and I am not good at binding edges - so the worry regards the edges unraveling while it is being worked on by the other women & send around. I am thinking to see if any of the other members of this RR would take the time to help me with the edge problem...or would this request be an imposition? (feel free to comment).

I hope everyone is doing well and staying well, as I know the nasty flu is going around. We came back with several kids coming down with fevers & sore throats on the plane. My son and I started with the sore throat and cough early in the trip - so hopefully we are on the road to recovery!

Stay well...remember to Live, Love and Laugh...and stitch often! Lisa

Sightseeing in Cold Quebec City

Today my son and his hockey team are staying with their billet families - each doing their own thing...I think my son & his teammate are going to watch their "billet brother" play in a hockey game. They emailed me the address of the rink, but I decided to get in a little sightseeing & shopping today. We are leaving here on Monday, so I needed to get some trinkets to take back with me for the rest of my family and some neighbors, who were kind enough to watch our dog while my whole family was out of town (DH and younger son were in Colorado springs over president's weekend for his hockey tournament). That is me in the photo in front of the Chateau Frontanac - one of the top hotels here in Quebec.
The city is beautiful. It has a lot of European charm with the old stone buildings, narrow cobblestone-like streets. It would be fun to come back here sometime when it is warmer, which would make sightseeing a little more appealling. I just don't care for this cold any more since moving from Minnesota to California over 5 years ago. I am looking to get back to the 70 degrees and shorts!
Well, back in my room to thaw out a little and get organized for Monday's departure...I think that I might take a little nap before we meet up with the team to go to the Legend's game this evening. The hockey game we are going tonight will have alot of NHL players who made it to the "big time" and played in the peewee tournament when they were 11-12 years old...hence, they are legends of the peewee tournament. After I rest up, I might even get a little more stitching done on my RR.
Lisa

Hanging in the Hotel

Hello from Quebec. It is our 11th day here. My son and his hockey team won their game yesterday, so they advance again and have a game this afternoon. The routine for the afternoon games has been to pick up the boys, who get dropped off by their host families, at the Pepsi Colisee and bring them back to the hotel we are staying so they can have some quiet time to do some homework and take a nap. There are 4 of us staying in the hotel (2 coaches, another parent and myself) - so we basically split up the boys between our rooms and let them curl up in the beds or couches. I have been blogging about this experience at www.pwaaquebec.blogspot.com if you are interested in reading.

Yesterday, after their game, most of the boys were able to go back to their host families; all except four of the boys. So the coaches decided that they would be able to handle the 4 remaining boys until 6:00pm, when they would be picked up - so they dropped me back off at the hotel. Which was nice, because I have come down with a nasty cough...I don't feel bad, but this cough is horrible. On Tuesday, I went to the snow park with the team and enjoyed snow tubing down these extremely big hills (I have never snow tubed and I don't like roller costers or heights...but I managed to go down these hills and had a good time)...but I think that I might have over done it and seemed to have caught a little chest virus or something. So, having the opportunity to hang at the hotel last night was nice. I caught up on a few things that needed to be done for the hockey team as well as got in a couple hours of fitness. A good workout and early to bed, is what the doctor ordered!

Also, between my relaxing afternoon yesterday and supervising the study halls, I have finally put my first stitches in my Friendship Sampler RR. This is my first RR - which I am excited about doing.

I am stitching on 32ct Creme Luguna. The pattern has a lot of hearts, which each of the others in the RR will stitch (and they will stitch their name or initials and the state). While I am planning to use the DMC colors the pattern names (even though they are mainly neutrals - olives, browns, greys, etc) I started the center heart with Needle Necessities Inc #189 (overdyed). I had this in my stash and thought that it was a great compliment to all the DMC colors called for in the pattern. Nevertheless, when I send out my RR, I will instruct each participant to feel free to be creative when they stitch the heart of their choice...keeping within the color scheme, but making their heart unique. I will try to get my portion done and ready to send out as soon as I get home on the 23rd of February.

Hope all who read is doing well. Take care! Lisa

Hello from Quebec

Hello stitching friends, I thought I would take a few minutes and post so that you knew that I was still around. I have been going, going, going...but it looks like after a little outdoor scrimmage the boys played this morning, I have the rest of the day to myself...which I might actually take a nap, do a little exercise and make time to stitch.
The picture to the left is one of my son's team (the San Jose Jr. Sharks PeeWee AA in white) and the other team they scrimmaged (the Cleveland Barons PeeWee AA in red). It was just a fun game without any score keeping. There was a referee there - who happened to be the son of the host family my son is staying with. My son and his teammates are enjoying their time so far...the best activity they have participated in so far has been the out door hockey opportunities, like this one today. California boys don't get this opportunity very often. Below is a photo of my son!

Yesterday, we didn't do too much with the boys - so having the day off I was able to sleep in and then join some of the other parents who made the trip up to Quebec for a little site seeing. We mainly checked out all the Winter Festival activities. However, after a few hours outside and just a few degrees above zero F...it is very cold.

Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. It was nice to see my son and give him a little card and chocolate heart, but I do miss being with my DH on a holiday like this. For the second year in a row, we have been in 2 different places due to hockey tournaments. Last year he was in Colorado and I was in Arizona...this year, he is in Colorado again and I am up here in Quebec. Oh, well, I guess that is the way it goes when you have 2 kids in travel hockey!

Take care...and remember to Live, Love and Laugh often...and stitch on...Lisa

Shoo-fly progress...and an update on life

Well, I have finally found time to sit down and update everyone on the progress of Shoo-fly. I have been able to finish filling in the white squares...which are not white any more. I like the way it turned out, it kind of has a stain glass window look. I am now working on creating a black border - first I will just create the border with the satin stitch and then I will probably fill in the triangles with black...somehow. When done with it, I am going to investigate the cost of finishing it as a pillow. I don't have a sewing machine and really don't have the skill to finish it as a pillow myself - by hand.

I do need to sit down and begin my Friendship RR. I have the pattern, my fabric and have come up with some ideas for the color scheme. The scheme seems to have an earthy color theme - lots of browns, olives, ecrus and so on. While I will probably make notes of these colors for the other women to incorporate in the hearts that they stitch, I will also advise them to make each heart unique - to individualize it.

At this moment, I am in Quebec City with my older son's hockey team (that is why it took me a few days to finally get Shoo-fly posted). Tuesday was an all day of travel and today, the first full day here, was full of getting the team checked in and then getting them to their first practice. I am blogging about their adventures here in Quebec, so that the parents who are not going to be able to fly up here to witness some of this will be able to get a view of what their son is doing. If you are interested, you can read the daily blogs at: http://pwaaquebec.blogspot.com/.

Well...it is well past midnight - so I need to go to bed in order to be ready for another full day with the team. I am thinking about packing my stitching, because there seems to be a lot of "hurry up and wait" which is a wonderful time to sit and stitch.

Hope everyone is doing well...I haven't had time to catch up on any blogs lately. Until next time, remember to Live, Love, Laugh often and stitch on...Lisa

Out the door again...

Well, once again my stitching projects are packed up and my suitcase is ready to go...for tomorrow I will be heading out with Robert's hockey team to Quebec City. Fifteen pre-teens (11-13 year olds), 2 coaches, one other parent (who is a doctor) and I will be boarding a plane tomorrow morning. I have created a blog http://pwaaquebec.blogspot.com/ to journal this adventure - especially since many of the families will be sending their child to this 2 week tournament and they are staying home. For many, this is the first tournament that they will not be accompanying their child. I am going as the team manager - but it is still but pure choice as I do not have to go. The boys will be staying with different host families (2 players per Quebec family)...so I will technically not see my son. Since I am sure that I have written all of this, before, I will stop now.

Regarding stitching...I have finished stitching the white squares on the "Shoo-Fly" project (hopefully I will find a moment tomorrow evening to post a photo). I like the way it turned out and hope you will too...yes, I promise to post a photo soon. I have packed that project because I would like to create a black border around the design, which I believe will make it stand out even more. In addition to that project, I have filled my stitching bag with an old project (the boys skating outside - posted back in December) and a new one (the Friendship Sampler for my RR - first send is due at the end of February).

I know...I know...all this typing is boring - so I will stop right now and hope that I haven't bored you bad enough that you won't return. Let me get to Quebec and get settled, then I promise to get some photos posted!

Take care...remember to....Live, love and laugh ofter and stitch on...Lisa

A drive by posting....

Got my stitchin' stuff packed up...the duffle bag in car along with Robert's hockey gear and we will be on the road after I get him and his brother from school. Matthew will be staying behind with dad so that he can go to school tomorrow. We should be in Los Angelas around 10 maybe - if traffic getting out of here isn't bad and the rain stays away for awhile....

Robert's first game isn't until 4pm tomorrow afternoon, so we will have the majority of the day to veg in the hotel room - I with my needlework and him with his homework...

Thanks for all the visits lately - I love reading the comments.
Lisa

Go Red For Women - "It's Our Hearts. Our Choice"

National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 6th - wear your favorite red outfit or accessory this Friday and raise the awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women. Some companies will actually have a "go red day" where employees donate $ and wear red...the money going to the American Heart Association.
Aside from the $ and the wearing of red...it is also a reminder that it is important for us women to take time and take care of ourselves. Just like remembering to take time and have a mammogram, please remember to have your heart checked out - to eat a healthy "heart" diet and to move around for 30-60 minutes (or more) a day. For more information, here is the link: http://goredforwomen.org/
_______________________________________________________
Snipets of the other life threads....

I "enjoyed" a very crazy hockey weekend and spent yesterday organizing another one coming up. Last weekend Robert's (older son) hockey team finished in 1st place in the playoffs and advance to State Finals, which starts this Friday down in Los Angeles. So that means another trip, another hotel and more juggling of the "2-kid-hockey-family" for next weekend. As to not bore anyone reading this, our plans for next weekend include me driving down to LA w/Robert on Thursday after school lets out (it is about a 7 hr drive). I will be there Friday to do my "team manager" stuff and to see, what should be, one of the more challenging games. I will also be there to see the Saturday 7am game and then will jump on a plane to get back home. DH is flying down Friday, late afternoon, leaving Matthew (youngest son) at a friend's house. On Sunday...DH and Robert will drive home, assuming that they make the championship. If your confused...just know that I am happy about the way things are working out for this weekend - for I will be able to be apart of the State Finals celebration for at least 2 of the 4 games with Robert and then be able to be home to be with Matthew & get organized for the upcoming Quebec trip...which is coming up on Feb. 10.

BTW...I am suppose to be choosing 8 special blogs to pass on the Friendship Award too. I have been thinking about who I would like to nominate and I come up with so many that it is hard to come up with only 8...so, while I hate to sit on it right now, I would like to - and then full-fill my duty around Feb. 14th.

Hope everyone is doing well...remember...Live, Love, Laugh and don't forget...to stitch on! Lisa

Blog Friend Award

What a wonderful way to begin the month of February - the month of friends, love and hearts...thank you so much Beth from www...crossedpurposes.blogspot.com. This nomination comes with this meaning...

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

This means a lot to me, because it signifies one of the main reasons why I started blogging back in November '08...to share a part of me with others...and the reason why I read others' blogs, to show support for others - in their accomplishments, challenges, and disappointments whether it is with a needlework project or just with life in general. So again, thank you Barb for your nomination.

In turn, I would like to nominate 8 more...but, please forgive me, as I would like to do this on the 2nd of February (tomorrow). It has been a crazy weekend and I need to get caught up on a few home related things before we start the week.

So...remember to live, love and laugh...and of course...stitch on! Lisa

"Shoo-Fly" Update...and other life "threads"

A Stitching Update....
Here is where my "Shoo-Fly" project is...the white squares between the "Shoo-Fly" pattern has been filled in with a combo of satin stitches and eyelets in black. This has left a shape that looks like a cross with a square in the middle. So, what I have decided to do is:
1st - fill in the little middle square with "reversed scotch" stitch in the middle using the lighter shade of all the colors
2nd - fill the arms of the cross in the mid-shade of each color (corresponding to the light color in the middle) using some other kind of satin stitch
3rd - using the darker shade of each color, weave the floss through the eyelets, making some sort of flower shape. BTW...I am creating (aka "making this up") as I go. So, I, too will be interested to see how it turns out.

Over to the right is an attempt of an shot upclose to one of the squares...trying to show the detail. This is a fun thing to take to the rink and stitch, while being able to look up every once in a while to see how the boys are doing.

A Hockey Update...
This weekend has been somewhat crazy. Yesterday, my youngest son stayed over at a friends house for a bday slumber party, while DH, Robert (older son) and I, left for Robert's hockey playoffs in Vacaville, CA which is about a 45 minute drive from where we live. We stayed the night there so that he would be able to get up at 5am - to be at the rink at 6am - for a game that began at 7am. They won 11-2. After the game was over, I drove back home to pick up Matthew (younger son) from his party and brought him home so he could rest and eat lunch, in order for him to be ready for his 4pm hockey game...which his team won 13-0. If I haven't lost you yet...DH and Robert are in Vacaville at the hotel and Matthew and I are at home where we will sleep in our beds (yeah!). Then tomorrow morning, Matthew and I will join the rest of the family in Vacaville to watch Robert's last game of the weekend...then we will drive further NE near Sacremento for Matthew's noon hockey game...then around the time the Superbowl starts, we hope to be home (ready for a nap!).

Assuming that Robert's team will win their last game, they will be going to State Finals, which will be next weekend in Los Angeles...so we have another weekend of travel - getting back home late Sunday evening...2 days before we take off for Quebec. So the next 10 days are going to be very, very crazy...while I plan to update you (for it is very theraputic to blog), if I don't get a chance to sit and post, I hope that you will forgive me. The nice thing is, I will have a laptop & stitching projects with me when I am in Quebec!

Until the next post...live, love and laugh often...and stitch on! Lisa