Tis the Season........

Yes...tis the season....for stressing over shopping, baking, wrapping, and money! I really dislike this time of year. For me it always means stressing over money and making sure I get everything that needs done done. Not always easy thats for sure! It somehow always gets done but I still stress over it!

On another note...my son who has been camped out on my couch for the last few months has finally started to move stuff out and into the place he is moving (sharing with a friend).....wait...whats that I hear....oh I know....IT ME DOING MY HAPPY SONG AND DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the boy to death but man he gets on my nerves at times! He has some growing up to do thats for sure! His 23 year old dreams....don't exactly match up with his pay cheque thats for sure! Oh well he will live and learn....and we all know if he needs to come back home for a bit the door will be open......as much as he drives me crazy I will miss having him around...even tho he isn't around much...(and if anyone tells him I said that I will deny it!).

Other then that not much to report. My great "plan" has certainly fallen to the wayside thats for sure. I do have some ideas for getting back on track but so far thats as far as I've gotten. Its too hard this time of year with all the baking and food and drink and such.....I mean it IS Christmas! :)

I did have an exciting night on Sunday! I was home alone eating my wonderful homemade spaghetti sauce and pasta. Shortly after I finished eating I noticed a strange feeling in mouth and throat...interesting I think to myself........then a short while after that I feel like my tongue had doubled in size....huh......isn't that weird.....finally it got a bit difficult to breath...OK now I panic! So off to the ER I go! No idea what it was but I definetly had an allergic reaction to something! I have been making that sauce for years exactly the same way with exactly the same stuff....the only thing I did different was used fresh mushrooms and added a few spices and a bay leaf...all things I've eaten before. Well I will be carrying Benydryl in my purse from now on thats for sure! It certainly scared the crap out of me! Needless to say my son has a LOT of spaghetti sauce to eat! haha

I haven't been doing much stitching lately. I did organize my stuff to start my Angel of Healing by L&L. I was in my local stitching store a while back and I over heard on of the ladies talking about projects and getting bored. She said what she does is she has 4 projects on the go and changes projects every week....that way she never gets bored and yet sees progress on her projects. For months that have 5 weeks she uses the 5th week as "free" week to work on whatever she wants. I thought that was a really good idea so I am going to start doing that after the holidays and I'm not so busy. The Angel will be one, I will continue working on my Ink Circles project and plan on digging out a couple smaller projects as well. It sure sounds good in theory...lets hope I can put it to good use!

Well I must run and get a couple things done. It will be an early night for me tonight. I'm beat since I didn't fall asleep till very late (or should I say early this morning) and was up early for work...so a nice early night of going to bed early and reading for a bit sounds like just what I need!

Until next post.......don't forget Santa is watching! :)

Its Begining to Look Like Winter!

Snow snow snow and more snow!!! The Santa Claus Parade was tonight and the weather was actually kinda nice for it....by that I mean it started snowing...you know those great big snow flakes that you love to see on Christmas Eve...the only difference is on Christmas Eve I'm not standing outside getting wet and freezing my behind...I'm inside looking outside admiring the snow flakes...with a nice hot beverage! Oh well the sacrafices you make for Grandkids! They sure had a great time. Watching their little faces and smiles as the floats went by was worth freezing over :)

After the parade I drove my son and grandkids home...my daughter in law was going out with her friends (something she rarley does). What a miserable drive home after tho! Between the traffic and the bad road conditions I thought would never get home...the usual 15 minute drive took almost 40 minutes! I was very happy to see my driveway!

Not else much to report really...I'm still working on the cross stitch and will post pics once I figure out how! I've also started knitting some dishclothes...figured I would throw one in with some Christmas presents this year...the knit up quick and I can do them while watching TV in the evening.....when I work on my stitching I need to focus a bit more...and I'm not very good at that haha

One of my stitching sistas was the hostess at our retreat a couple weeks ago and gave us all a journal of gratitue....each day we are to write 5 things that we are greatful for...its funny when she first gave it to us I thought I would have a really hard time finding 5 things every day..other then the usual...health, family, friends, etc.....turns out......I don't have any problem at all! Its nice to take some time at the end of the day to relax and think back on my day and write down my greatful things....I have also started jounaling again in my book that I had started a long time ago....just writing thoughts and feelings...I find it helps me put things in perspective sometimes when I do that....been working on some things in myself lately...the healthier eating had kinda taking a back seat...as for the exercise....well its not happening either! I really need to get off my butt and get back on track...I am eating better but sure but still need to get more exercise in.

Every year at the end of the year I make a list of things I want to do the following year...I try to get threw as many as I can but rarely get threw the whole list...so what doesn't get done in that year goes to the top of the list the following year....2 of the things left on my list are going to a movie by myself and going to a restaurant by myself...a real restaurant where they serve you...fastfood places don't count...so I'm gonna work on those in the next month and hope I can at least cross one off....the rest will happen...I just have to make up my mind and do it....just like when I quit smoking....I made a decision and have stuck with it for 22 months....if I can quit smoking I can't see why I can't do the other things! So baby steps and slow moving might be the way I go.....but at least its moving! :)

Until next post....laugh till some kind of drink comes out your nose! hehe

Stitch N Beach!

Well another very successful retreat has come and gone! The name of our little getaway is new..its now called "Stitch N Beach"...isn't that the cutest name! You could really have some fun shuffling letters haha!

Because of the holiday we decided to go up a day early...OMG an entire extra day of stitching, laughing, talking and of course eating! It was beyond wonderful I can tell ya! The only thing that would have made it even more perfect is if the one stitching sista that wasn't able to make it could have come....she did however come up Friday and join us for our ritual supper out! It was great to see her even for a little bit tho! Hopefully she can make the spring one! Oh yes...we have already booked our cottages for our Spring gathering....do you think we are excited about these weekends! haha

And let me just talk about the weather! OMG!!! It was soooooooooooooo beautiful! Saturday some of the girls actually sat outside in tank tops and...are you ready for this....got a little sunburn! Can you imagine..a sunburn in November!! It was absolutely beautiful...no jacket required when walking on the beach, we had a couple windows open and there were even mosquitoes! It was more like a beautiful sprng day then November! After all the rain we have had it was a most welcome change!

I was able to get quite a bit of work done on my current project...if I knew how to post picks and links I would but I am challenged in that area...(HELP PLEASE!!!!). It is a project by Ink Circles....I love it more and more as the progress continues! That is always a highlight of going to retreat...seeing progress on everyone's projects..and a couple of the sistas are actually very close to finishing their projects!

Well I'm off today but am sitting around waiting for some phone calls to be returned....damn insurance adjusters and car dealers! Yes I had a small fender bender a week ago (I was rear ended). Not alot of damage to my new (to me at least) SUV (who I have named Bluebelle) but it will need a bit of TLC. I have had a sore back and neck but it is improving thankfully!

Until next post...be happy, smile often and laugh lots!

Happy Thanksgiving All!

There are no words to describe how happy I am to have a nice 3 day weekend! I'm exhausted for some reason and just can't seem to catch up on my sleep no matter how much I get. So the plan for this weekend (besides eating lots of turkey) is to just plain relax and do as little as possible! Hopefully that will let me catch up on my rest and recharge my batteries.

Sunday I am going to my daughter in law's parents for Thanksgiving dinner with the rest of the crew. I have to bring a veggie dish, rolls and pop...I can certainly handle that! I always look forward to Thanksgiving dinner....the weather is cooler and I'm ready for a good old fashioned turkey dinner after all the BBQ and salads of summer. Its supposed to be a nice fall day and my DIL's parents live in the country so I'm hoping for some pretty scenery to take some pics of the grandkids and family. I'm sure it won't be a late evening since nothing makes me sleepier then eating a turkey supper haha

Next weekend I am leaving to go to a scrapbooking retreat. Now I know I'm not much into that but I will make a few cards and observe the others. I love watching how the pages come to life. And if I get to bored I will go for a swim in the pool at the hotel and then go do some stitching! I'm not gonna put any pressure on myself that I have to scrap or anything...I really am just going to relax and spend the weekend with 3 of my good friends...and really thats the most important part of the weekend for me :)

While I was out running errands today (yes I got to drive my new to me car today! haha) I made some decisions about the healthy living Phase of my plan I have discussed previously. So I went to a local gym and picked up information on cost, classes, etc and will make a decision on that this week. I also decided to go back to Weight Watchers. In the past it really is the only thing that has ever worked for me....when I follow it! So I thought I would just run up to the centre to see if there were any specials for joining and sure enough! Today was the last day for waiving the registration fee (a $30 saving)! So I wasn't planning on joining today but I couldn't pass up the deal so I joined! So here I go folks! I have decided I will allow myself one day a week as a "free day". If I want something I will have it on that day. It will give me somthing to look forward to and help me stick to the plan the rest of the week. So I guess I am moving forward slowly but surely...eventually I will be where I want to be...baby steps but steps non the less!

The other area of my life I have been giving a lot of thought to lately is my single status. I would truly love to meet someone and get married. BUT I am not in so much a rush that I will settle for something I don't want either. I think the bigh thing in that area (in my opinion and applies only to my feelings for me) is that until I can get my own life straightened around (mentally, physically, spiritually, etc) I really don't think I will meet the right guy for me. So I am making every effort to get myself in order so that I can open up my heart, mind and my life to let someone in. As the saying goes....good things come to those who wait......my problem (as you know) is I am probably the most IMPATIENT person on the planet! haha So it will be a learning experience for sure!

Well I guess I've spilled and rambled enough for today..sometimes I think if I put things here in writing I will follow thru more because I feel a responsiblity for sticking to it after knowing others will read my thoughts...might be crazy but thats ok!

So for now have a great and blessed Thanksgiving one and all...I'm on my way to a friends to stitch for the day! :)

Onward I go!

Not much going on these days...work, home, work, home work buy a new car, work......oh did that catch your attention! haha...Yup I broke down and bought a new car! Well not new new but new to me! Its a 2007 Hyundai Tucson...a small SUV....very pretty blue :)
My old car was a 2001 so it was time to let it retire and move on to something else..and who knows...I might actually get to drive it sometime!

Yes my son is still here on the couch! He works long hours then goes out with his friends so I dont' see him much. However, he is going to have to make some changes to his lifestyle. He is 22 and has managed to give himself an ulcer! He goes on 4 hours MAX of sleep, works 12 hours, doesn't eat much cause he would rather run the roads. So we are going to sit down and have a very serious chat about his lifestyle ways thats for sure! Can't wait for that haha

So a few things are coming up that I'm looking forward to. Next weekend I am going to a scrapbooking retreat for a weekend with some friends. Now we all know I'm not a scrapbooking fan...however...I am going to go and attempt to make some cards or something...and if it really drives me crazy I'm bringing my stitching hahaha......Then in November is our Stitchy Beach Retreat! OMG there are no words to describe how much I am looking forward to THAT! And we are going up an extra day this time because of Rememberance Day holiday. Not everyone is coming up the extra day...2 or 3 are not the rest of us are tho....I can't wait! I need that weekend away with my stitching sistas......to laugh, talk, eat, stitch, laugh, laugh and laugh some more! I always come back feeling so relaxed and energized...even tho we dont' get a lot of sleep haha

My eating healthy plan is going ok....just ok tho....I certainly am not being crazy about it but I am trying. I'm also getting some walking in and planning for the Phase II of my master plan...so stay tuned! An update is coming soon on that!

I think my friend and I are going to go to that bar I spoke about a couple blogs ago...I have been craving one of those delicious drinks ever since I had one a couple weeks ago....YUM!!!!!

Well thats it for now...until next time...stay out of trouble haha

Still Plugging Along!

Well its be a bit so thought I better keep up with my committment of updating my blog on a regular basis.

My son is still sleeping on my couch. He has been spending some time with the ex gf so I'm not sure what is going on......I'm trying very hard not to ask or comment! But those who know me know my tongue is severely bruised right about now! haha
I'm hoping he realizes that its best for him to move on and focus on himself. He is 22 almost 23 but I swear there are times my 3 year old grandson acts more mature then his uncle! He has been driving my car more then me and I'm going to have to start putting my foot down a bit with that. I don't mind when he uses it to go to work or even in the evening if he wants to go out...but at least ask me first! I think he is just so unsettled in his own mind that he can't seem to focus on anything these days. I'm going to try to very subtlely get him realize these things...either that or smack up side the head! I'll let you know which way it goes! haha

I had a busy weekend...but a good one. I am more of a homebody then I like to admit. So this weekend a friend and I went out Saturday to a Baby Boomer conference here in town. It was interesting to see all the booths with some interesing information and of course the chance to win some really great prized (including a cruise for 2 which would be awesome!). Then we went out to one of the newer bars downtown with a couple other girls. It was nice to get out and I must say the atmosphere at the bar was very nice. It was modern and new and very "Sex and the City" sort of haha I also discoverd my new favorite drink....Pink Paraise! OMG!! It was delicious! Sort of martini like but not as strong. It was so good! I had 2 and could have had a lot more haha It was nice to get out and I would most definetly go back again! Plus we had a driver...I figured if my son was going to drive my car so much I might as well get him to drive me around haha

Phase 1 of my "plan" is going ok...not great but I at least didn't give up! I am still plugging along and making some positive changes. Eating better is not my favorite thing but I'm doing better and better. I have been able to walk to work often so I'm getting some exercise in. I am also making some changes to get rid of some of the negative crap in my life...that seems to be the one giving me the most problem..because it means letting go of people in my life. Even tho I know they are not good for me they have been in my life for a long time...I know its the right thing to do but its not easy. I will continue to try tho :)

so thats it for now.....till next time!

Moving Forward!

So Phase 1 of my master plan has been going ok so far. I have been walking to work as often as I can and when the weather pemits. I am eating better...although not fantastic....but making much more of an effort. At the very least I try to stop eating when I feel full instead of continuing shoveling it in...which I usually do! But lets face it....I LOVE FOOD!!!!!!!! I like to eat....alot! One change I have made is I eat something for breakfast during the week days. Not so much on the weekend. I've allowed myself the weekend to do what I want as far as eating and being lazy...after all.....I can't be good all the time! haha

Now that Phase 1 is underway and going along ok I have been thinking of starting to move toward the second phase.....update coming soon on that one!

My youngest son is still sleeping on the couch. Which is fine. I am enjoying the company although I really don't see much of him (or my car!). He has been spending time with his buddies which is good but also spending a bit of time with the ex GF....not sure how I feel about that...I personally think it would be in his best interest to move on and some day meet someone else. He did tell me she is thinking of moving to Alberta in November with a couple of friends...he thinks she's crazy...of course my first response was "tell me your not going too" haha...he assures me is not....lets hope!

My oldest son has been looking for a more challenging job for quite some time now. Last week he went for an interview with a large company and they called him at the end of last week to tell him he made "the very short list" of applicants to come back for a second interview with the VP of the company. That interview took place yesterday and they told him they were very impressed and the next applicant had big shoes to fill....a pretty good compliment! Now....here is the bad news.....the job in in Nova Scotia!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is a small chance he could work from here but they may need to move. So you see my delima...on one hand I hope he gets it because it would be a wonderful opportunity career wise for him...on the other hand I wouldn't be able to see my grandsons near as much as I do now...and that makes me very sad :(
So he will know by the end of this week one way or another....I hope he gets the job and can work from here....how selfish is that haha

I'm still trying to figure out this blog thing cause I really want to put up a cross stitching gallery to update my progress on my WIP(s) but so far I haven't figured out how...any help is much appreciated! I really need to work harder at doing more stitching and I figure if I post progress once in awhile it will encourage me to get my butt in gear haha Our fall retreat is coming up in November and this year we are going up an extra day....OMG!!!! I am so excited! I can't wait to go and relax and stitch and laugh and talk and just be there! I really can't explain the feeling of being there...its like every good holiday and feeling I have all rolled into one! haha

So thats it for now...I have to go figure out how I'm going to watch 3 shows tonight at the same time! I would really like to know who's bright friggin idea it was to put Survivor on Wednesday night! They totally screwed up my TV schedule! I'm very excited about the season premier of the Tudors and Hell's Kitchen....thank God for time shifting on my satalite dish...its gonna be a late night!

What a Great Day!

So...today is my birthday and what a great day it was! Had a great day at work, supper with a friend, it was a lovely day! I feel very loved thats for sure!

So as promised a couple posts ago I am going to let you in on my Phase I of my plan to improve my life! As I said it may not seem like much to some....but to me it really is a big first step. A beginning if you will. Something good for me!

So the first 3 things I am going to work on are:
1. eat healthier...not 7 days a week but at least 5 and really make an effort too!
2. get some exercise 5 days a week...might only be walking to work but something to get me moving
3. cut out as much negativity as a I can! I really believe that if you put positve vibes out you will get postive vibes back! I

No all this to say I will more then likely have my share of bad day. I will bitch and whine and complain once in awhile.....and thats ok! But I am going to do my absolute best at really working at those 3 things....for the next littly while then slowing add to it. I really want to enhance my life and be healthy and more content. I was going to say happy but really I am happy...I just want to enhance the life I have.

So there you have it...in writing so I can't back out haha.....may not seem earth shattering to some but everything starts with a first step...and this is mine! I have other things I want to add but for now I will stick with these 3 and add to them as I go......now if you will excuse me I hear a big bag of chips and some dip callling my name!!! hahahaha kidding :)

What a Night!

I had the absolute best evening last night! My good friend Irene took me to see Randy Travis here at the Casino. OMG!!!!! Her husband even managed to get us tickets to the meet and greet...so yes I met Randy Travis and got my picture taken with him to boot! He is really very down to earth....gentelmanly is the best word to describe him I would say. He put on an amazing concert. It was an early birthday present for me...she is a great friend! I will remember this birthday thats for sure!

Another friend Sue met us at the Casino after for drinks and something to eat. It was great seeing her as she has been away for the last week. So we had lots of catching up to do. We enjoyed some great food, many laughs and wonderful friendship.....really what more could you ask for!

My youngest son is still here with me....I know he is holding out hope that things will work out with his girlfriend...however she asked him to bring more clothes here last night and early today I went to go in the trunk of my car to get something and it was loaded with stuff of his.....I may not be a relationship expert but that doesn't look like a way to say "maybe things will change". I am torn between staying completely out of it (not easy) or trying to talk to him and encourage him to move on....I feel bad for him cause I know he really wants things to work out but I have to be honest and say I don't think its in his best interest.....not offense to his ex girlfriend...she is sweet girl but just young and confused....much the same as I was at her age! So for now I will sit back, and be here if and/or when h needs me. He did get a new job which he seems happy about so that will be good for self esteem and keeping busy.

I'm hoping the weather is going to clear up tomorrow! Its been a rainy, cold few days...not that I'm complaining about the cool weather.....I could do without all this rain tho! My kids and grandkids and I are hoping to go to the balloon festival tomorrow. A family day that is long over due! None of us have ever been to the festival before so we were really looking forward to it....so lets hope the weather clears! If not we have a plan B.....bowling! That should be fun....I'm sure my 3 year old grandson will put me to shame! haha

So I have finally picked a date to begin Phase I of my plan to make things better in my life......this coming Monday! Which also happens to be my birthday :)
I figure what better way to start a new year then to do something good for me! So I am taking the steps necessary to put Phase I in place......so stay tuned for Monday....Phase I will be in place and revealed! Its nothing earth shattering but it is a step in the right direction...and everything starts with a first!

Well I'm off to enjoy the rest of my day....a good book is in my future I think!

What..or Should I say Who is on my Couch?!

Why that would be my youngest son....heartbroken after a break up with his gf of over 4 years :(

He is pretty down in the dumps and moping around for sure....and thats ok he is entitled...for a while at least! I'm trying to be encouraging and supportive without over smothering him...as a Mother its hard not to when you see you kids hurting. The fact is they are both young (he is 22 she is 19) and they both still have a lot of living to do. I know right now it probably doesn't feel like that to him (it was her idea to break up) with a little time I'm sure he will see life will go on.

I'm not too upset with the ex gf...I think she could have handled things a lot better but she is young so what can you do. So I will have some company for a while. Not sure how long but my small one bedroom apartment is going to feel pretty cramped for a bit! haha....it will be nice to have the company tho :)

I'm trying not to jump to far ahead but me being me I wondering if this means I will have to move to a bigger apartment! I sure hope not!!! I love my little apartment and really don't want to move! So I will take it one month at a time and see what happens...she did this before a year or so ago and after a couple weeks wanted him back. Personally I would like to see him get a bit of a backbone and tell her to go pound sand! but thats me.....he will have to do what he thinks is best for him.....

in the meantime my place will be crowded but thats ok...I'm glad he feels he can come home to Mom!

Planning the Plan!

Now isn't that a crazy title! Who plans a plan?!!! hmmmm I guess I do! haha

In a previous post I had said I wasn't very satified with some things in my life right now (notice I didn't use the word unhappy...I am happy..just not satified with things). So I am taking this week to figure out where I want to start, how I want to start and what I want to accomplish....ONE THING AT A TIME! I can not tackle everything at once. I know me and if I try that I will simply and very quickly give up. So I am going to reveiw my list of things I want to change and see where I can start and will give me the most satisfaction. Then I will move on to the next one and so on and so on and so on. It may not be the most impressive plan in the world but its mine. And with a good attitude, determination, and a bit of luck I can move ahead with the first part and move forward from there! So......stay tuned :)

I love not having to work on Mondays! There is just something about not having to get up and go to work on a Monday that makes me very happy haha...Trying to make up for the day off however does not make me happy :(

Work lately has been so crazy busy. I could work 12 hours a day I'm sure and not be caught up. It will be nice when things settle down a bit. I like being busy but this is a bit much! I guess it keeps me out of trouble tho haha

Spent a few hours yesterday doing one of my most favorite things....visiting the grandkids! OMG!!! I can't even begin to explain the feeling when I am just getting ready to walk in and I hear the 3 year old running and hollering "Nanny Nanny Nannnnnnyyyyyyy" and then when I open the door he practically knocks me on my ass haha.....the 15 month old is usually running behind his brother....I'm sure he is just chasing his older brother...but in my head he's running to me cause he is just happy to see me too :)

I had a great few hours with them and left when they were going for their nap. We are planning a family day for the weekend coming up including my youngest son as well. He is going thru a rough patch right now with his girlfriend...short version is I may have company on my couch for a bit :( Anyway we are planning on going to the balloon festival about 45 minutes from town. I have never been and either have my boys. So its something we can do as a family which I always enjoy (its actually an early birthday for me...best gift ever...spending the day with the family!).

If anyone can help me with some hints about adding things to my blog please do! I would like to have a sort of "gallery" section for my WIPs cross stitching and would like to post some pictures too....but I have no idea how to go about it! So all helpful hint are welcomed and appreciated!

Well thats it for now...have a great last day off to all the students and school workers out there! Tomorrow life will get back to normal.....or at least as close to normal as we can get! :)

Good Bye Earl!

Well all the hype for Earl was for nothing...at least here. There was some wind and some rain but really I've seen worse! I know Nova Scotia is getting hit harder and I hope all my family and friends there are keeping safe!

I don't know what it is about storms....I just like to hunker down with some provisions and wait it out...and by provisions I mean chips, dip, Canada Dry Gingerale and a good book or some stitching! And that is exactly my plan for the rest of the day and the evening...with maybe a movie later tonight thrown in there too :)

I am not sure where the time is going but man it sure seems to fly lately! Already into September...it won't be long and it will be time to start panicking about Christmas and the lack of time and money! I find that such a stress...every year I say it won't happen again but it always does! And yet it always works out!

The good thing tho is that fall retreat is coming up!! I am so excited about that! It is always so much fun to go and relax, eat, stitch, laugh...its like my own little version of Eat Pray Love! hahaha

If I'm being honest I was considering not going (for reasons I won't talk about here). But I thought about it and decided that that really wasn't the best thing for me to do. So I'm going and really looking forward to it! Nothing and no one will ruin it for me...if I don't let it happen..and I am most certainly NOT going to let it happen! We will be having our planning session soon at one of the girl's places...complete with supper and a bon fire after! Good times!

Well I seem to be jumping all over the place so I think I will go grab my book and maybe the chips and dip and settle in for the evening.....rest and relaxation....oh ya!

Really Doesn't Understand Sometimes!!!!

OMG!!! I could just scream with frustration right now! I was going to rant and rave but instead I think I will do what I always do in situations like this...keep quiet and back off and away...I won't go there! Its just not worth my time :)

On another note work was crazy busy but I like that...keeps me on my toes. I was very happy to be there today with this crazy heat wave that has hit here! I don't mind heat....but this humidity is a nightmare! Thankfully I l ive in a basement apartment so its pretty cool here and hopefully will stay that way so I can get some sleep tonight. I never sleep well on Sundays for some strange reason....and the alarm always rings way to early on Monday morning!

Don't think there will be any stitching done tonight. I really need to set up a corner for my stuff. I think I would get a lot more done if I didnt' have to bring everything out and put everything away everytime I wanted to stitch...not that its a big job but it still takes time to set up. Maybe that will be my project for the weekend...get my living room re-organized and set up a permanent spot for my stitching. My apartment is small and space is limited but I should be able to figure something out...right? haha

Another Wonderful Weekend!

What a great weekend! The weather was great, the friendship was fabulous, the food was yummy! Really what more could a person ask for!

My friend rented a cottage for a week and this was her last weekend there. She was kind enough to invite me out for the weekend and of course I took her up on it! What she didn't know was that I also planned a little impromtu surprise birthday party for her! I invited the "stitchin sistas" and as many as were able to showed up. We had a great afternoon walking on the beach, sitting on the deck talking and laughing and then went in to a Chinese Buffet for supper..it was yummy!

It always surprises me when the stitchin sistas get together how we all seem to mesh...I have never had that kind of bond or closeness with a group of women before. It really is something special and I am so thankful to be a part of it. I really can't explain it..and if i could I'm sure I wouldn't do it justice....so I'm just going to say they are an amazing group of women who I know would be there for me in a minute...as we all would for each other...and leave it at that! :)

So the next BIG event will be our bi-annual retreat! OMG I can not wait! And this one coming up is even better...we are going up for an extra day...Thursday to Sunday.....I am so excited about that! I look forward to that weekend. Its a great weekend of stitching, laughing, talking, sharing, sometimes crying, eating, and just plain old bonding! It always rejuvanates my soul and I come hope happy and feeling like a million dollars! I would suspect we will have our planning meeting sometime in October. We take turns "hosting" so there are always little surprises over the weekend that keep us laughing...not that we need any help in that deparatment!

We are also going to get back into meeting once a month for our stitching Sunday! We haven't done that in quite some time and I have truly missed it...plus it really motivates me to get my butt in gear and work on my project! I find at home I can be a bit of a lazy bones when it comes to getting my stitching in. I have made a committment (if only to myself) to really try and put at least one hour an evening into it...its not an unreasonable thing to committ to I don't think!

I'm still trying to figure this blog thing out...I have no idea how to include links to the site I like for cross stitching or how to post pics....I'm hoping to figure it out so I can create a little section for my stitching...maybe if I post progress pics it might motivate me! haha So if anyone reads this and can help me with figuring this out I would really appreciate it!

So now I am off to get some laundry done and get ready for the work week...sadly my amazing weekend is coming to an end...but I know there are many more ahead!

Vacation is Over! :(

Thats right...vacation has come to an end and its back to work for me! I can't complain (well I could but I won't haha)...I had a great time! Spent a lot of time with some great friends, got some stitching in, relaxed..it was just what I needed! I think I may need to take more time off in the next few weeks...just to relax again haha

So I've been doing lots of thinking lately and have come to some conclusions...I'm definetly not happy with the way things are going in my life and I know the only person that can do something about that is me...so thats what I'm going to do! I have a plan or at least a draft of a plan and now I need to make it a reality! I didn't put any unrealistic goals on myself because that would just set me up for failure. So I made very real, realistic obtainable goals. I'm not ready to share them yet but I will soon. I know I won't do anything until after labour day for sure.

And what brought this on you might ask? Well its really quite simple...I'm not happy with the way my life is right not and need to make some good positive changes for ME! Thats not saying I am unhappy because I'm not. I have a nice life with great family, wonderful friends, a good job, an apartment I love and of course my cat haha...but there are just other things I want to have in my life and for my life.....so stay tuned!

I've worked a bit on my stitching project during the evenings. I really need to make more of a comittment to that. I'm trying to do an hour an evening on it as often as I can...so far so good! As soon as I figure how to put links in my post and post pics I will let you know and see my progress and where I got it from :)

Until next time..keep on smilin and stitchin :)

Its Been a Stitchin Couple of Days!

Yup I've been stitching up a storm the last couple of days! Yesterday I spent the day with a dear friend I haven't spent much time with over the last while. Life gets in the way sometimes and its easy to drift away from the people that are important. Anyway we had a great day yesterday stitching and talking...I'm working on a piece I just love..its from Ink Circles...so it was nice to put some stitches in on it!

Today I spent the afternoon with some of my stitching sistas. They are for all intents and purpose a sister to me..each and everyone of them holds a special place in my heart. I have never been around a group of women I can be so comfortable with. There is just something special about our group...I tried for a long time to figure out what it was and in the end decided I didn't care why it was the way it was...instead I am extremely grateful for these wonderful women in my life who can make me laugh like no one else and they put up with my craziness haha

The week is speeding along (I'm on vacation) but its been a great week...wonder what tomorrow will hold.......

Its Been Forever!

I'm back! A great friend of mine has started blogging and after reading hers it has inspired me a bit to get mine going again. Hopefully I can do a better job of keeping it up this time! :)

I had a great time this Friday night. I get together with a group of wonderful women to cross stitch but we have become so much more then cross stitching friends...we are truly sisters of the heart. One of the girls has a cottage not far from town so those that could make it went out there Friday for the night. I can't say the details (we embrace the "what happens at the gatherings stays at the gatherings policy) but I can tell you the laughs were a plenty! It was just what I needed to start my vacation...I couldn't think of a better way!

I have never in my life felt such a wonderful bond with a group of people as I do with the stitching sistas...it never ceases to surprise me. They are the best!

I'm not sure what I will be doing for vacation. I was supposed to go away for a few days with a friend but she hurt her back and is in too much pain to travel. I'm happy to just take each day as it comes and enjoy the time off from work. Maybe I'll pack a small cooler and head to a park with a good book and a blanket....maybe I'll go take in a matinee (I really want to see Eat Pray Love)...maybe I'll go spend the day with my grandkids (ok this is a for sure!).....the possibilities are open and I am looking forward to some much needed R&R.

Thats all for now...I have no clue what to write about at times so I feel like I'm rambling..but thats ok...hopefully I will keep it up and become more inspired with my writings!