Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Catching Up

Ahem...you know what they say about going away for the weekend being a test of a new relationship? Well, it's true. Things didn't go necessarily as planned with me and the beau and so now we are "on a break". Definitely not how I thought my birthday weekend would go and despite the abundance of wine and chocolate...which helped to sooth some of the pain...I've been sad. We've decided to hang around though so maybe after a little bit of time, the stars will realign again...properly this time. In the meantime, I've been determined to keep busy. God knows, I've thrown everything to the wayside the last few months and so now it's time for me to focus on some home projects. The closet purge and re-org, thinking about home financing (scary!), stitching and blogging (I've missed you guys something fierce), return to the gym and develop a true routine so that I can properly thrive instead of walking around sleepily bumping into everything hoping someone will buy me coffee so I can focus. Yes, being single isn't as easy and cracked up as people think...neither is being in a relationship.

I'd talk about my birthday weekend but it is still overshadowed by the sadness that followed the remainder of the week. I didn't get very much done which is probably good I was off from work. So hard to focus when you're emotionally influx.

Oh but I can't forget to mention the birthday kindness I received from Carol R and Sweet Carol. Carol R sent me her new pattern, Sew Buttons. It's lovely and I can't wait to stitch it one day. I can see it being a lovely Mother's Day gift for my mom provided I can get my act together. And Carol sent me a wonder Halloween pillow and a chart from my wishlist. I just love it! Being an October baby, I am a huge Halloween fan. Huge! I'm thrilled to have another pillow to add to my decorations this year. And isn't that pop of yellow wonderful? Thank you Carol!


When I could, I would stitch on my LHN Pumpkins for Sale. I started this project last month. I needed a seasonal small to lug around with me to work and such. It just doesn't feel right to not be working on something Halloweeny or Christmasy this time of year. Pumpkins for Sale is the only project that has been getting any stitchy love.

This past week, I dug out my Halloween decorations and knick knacks and put them up to get me into the spirit. I have to say it's working. I love my Halloweeny stuff. I even headed to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival this past weekend and acquired a new decoration. Isn't this Trick or Treat Cat Lady the best or what?!

And a "candy corn" "mommy" glass pumpkin! I wanted a glass pumpkin that was a bigger size than the three I acquired last year and this one was just calling to me. Next year, I'm shooting for a "daddy" one to make my pumpkin patch family complete. I better start saving now. The "daddy" ones are not cheap!



And here is my display in my living room.


This coming weekend is IHSW! I am hoping to hermit and try to at least finish the "PUM" in Pumpkins for Sale. I hope I succeed!

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and sticking with me through my absence. I've lost a few followers but it means a lot to me those who stick around during the bumpy roads and the occasional absence.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Until next time...

39 comments:

cucki said...

Hello deary your Halloween decoration is looking so lovely ..and your stitching is coming along so cute too
All the gifts are very pretty
Have a lovely day
hugs xxx

Julie said...

The kitty is great but I love the glass pumpkin, that is really special. Super gifts from the Carol's.
(Big hug) xxx

Kaisievic said...

I really like your Trick or Treat Cat Lady. So sorry to hear that your birthday weekend did not go well with your new beau. Fingers crossed that your break is only a short one. I am an October baby, too (although quite a bit older than you, I think). I am having an 11 Days of Kaisievic's Birthday Giveaway - so please check out my blog and join in the fun, if you like - it might cheer you up.

hugs, Kaye

http://kittenstitching.blogspot.com

Kaisievic said...

P.S. Happy Belated Birthday.

Giovanna said...

Sigh, I'm so sorry about the break... keeping my fingers crossed that things improve, whichever way. Your pumpkins are so pretty, and what great gifts from Carol. Happy belated returns for your birthday :-)

Chris said...

Hey Valerie.
I am sorry that you are having some saddness. I hope that there will be happiness soon.
Your Halloween decorations are so lovely. I love your current project. You have to smile when you see a pumpkin I think.
What a lovely ornament from Carol.

Danielle said...

Oh, so sorry to hear about your relationship troubles. Yes, you hit the nail on the head with it is not easy being single, nor in a relationship. I hope things work out for you. Great stitching and decorating! I have missed your blog posts.

Theresa said...

Sorry to hear about your break. I hope everything will be ok soon.
Love your Halloween decor!! So festive!!! Hopefully that will keep your spirit up. Take care!!

Catherine said...

So sorry that things went so that you are taking a break. Sounds like you have a good plan to get back to a routine and if it was meant to be, it will be. Hugs...
Great gifties from the Carols! Cute stitches and fabulous decorations. Those pumpkins are fabulous!

stitchersanon said...

No man is worth feeling sad over...use this time to work out what you want from life and of course stitch and create and come chat to us bloggers. Sending a soft squishy hug from Ireland (((((((hugs))))) and a cyber night of wine, chocolate and bitching about men and their inequalities xxx

Margaret said...

Oh Valerie, what a bummer about the guy. :( I hope you're over your sadness now. I love your Halloween decorations -- that cat lady is fantastic, and your glass pumpkins are so much fun! I'd love to attend anything at Half Moon Bay. You're so lucky to live where you live. Love your stitchy progress too. And the presents -- so nice! Hope you get all the organizing and prioritizing and stuff done and feel good about things again.

Anonymous said...

(((HUG)))

...you halloween decorations are adorable. The gifts you got are awesome and things will realign and all will be well again in time. You have some very good things to do to help in making that time move a good pace too lined up. I wish you much luck. Do what is necessary and everything and every ONE will fall into their place proper....all comfy and cozy like. ;D

another (((HUG)))....before I dash....

Barbi said...

Well poop about the new beau! But you never know..right? I love the new glass pumpkin! I love the little ones that you got last year. At least I think it was last year. I remember when you bought them anyway..and I loved them :) I don't do much decorating for halloween, but I have a couple of things and I'll be putting them out this weekend.

Deb said...

I hope that things realign themselves with the beau. Not a good thing to have happen on your birthday weekend though.

Your decorations look great. I never do much Halloween decorating (well, exactly none since the kids are grown), but I always love seeing what other people do.

Carol said...

I'm hoping that you're pampering yourself and enjoying nesting a bit, Valerie... Time will tell what direction your relationship takes and a break may give you both some time to think things through and really decide on the best path. Sending you a warm hug--wish I could be there to hermit away the weekend with you (this is my weekend to work at the library both days--sigh!).

So glad my little pillow made you smile--your Halloween decor is gorgeous. I'm amazed at those stunning glass pumpkins and your newest kitty is adorable. Hope your Halloween is filled with treats, my friend. Hang in there...

gracie said...

You will kiss many frogs until the right prince comes along....

Stitchinowl said...

Sorry to hear about the bumps in the road with your beau. Hope things work out for the best. I love all of your Halloween decorations!
Carolyn

LoriU said...

Oh I love your Halloween decorations! And that little pillow that Carol sent you...sooo cute!!

Sorry about the Not-So-Dear boyfriend.

Good to see you post. Happy Belated Birthday! Mine was Oct 3rd so I am right there with ya!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Sorry to hear your Birthday weekend way didn't work out too well. It sounds like you've got the right attitude!

Your Halloween decorations are adorable!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Sorry things didn't go as planned, there's not an easy way to get back to the way things were, it just takes time. That and keeping busy with nice things that you enjoy doing:-)

Cole said...

Your place is looking pretty festive! Your pumkin guy on the tv is pretty awesome :) I don't think I saw your bday posting, but I hope it was a great day for you regardless and that the coming year brings you all the happiness you deserve & then some! <3

Cindy said...

Hang in there. I hope the stars align properly soon. I have been married 31 years and will say that I am still thrilled beyond the moon to have my wonderful husband. It takes work. No relationship is easy. It really made my marriage better when I appropriately aligned my expectations.

Hope you have a great rest of your birthday month.

Christina said...

Oh, I'm so jealous of your glass pumpkins Valerie! I remember when I saw them last year I had a look on the net to see if any were available in the UK but I had no luck. :0(
Fingers crossed that your beau turns out to be Mr Right after all.
I've never seen Pumpkins For Sale before. It's definitely one I'd like to stitch. You and I have very similar taste Valerie! ;0)

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday. Sorry to hear about the relationship issues. Hope all works out soon.

Pumpkins for sale is adorable. Can't wait to see it all finished up.

pj said...

Val, sorry so hear of the "break" but it may just take another look and time to think things over. I agree with the saying about Kissing many frogs before the prince. I did learn one thing while dating tho...don't give up everything in your life to date someone. Many do this and find there is no going back so keep some time for you and enjoy what you love. Hard to do sometimes.

Love the glass pumpkins!!! Enjoy October and each moment as it comes.

Jackie's Stitches said...

So sorry to hear about the break and that it cast a cloud on your vacation week. Bummer.

I love the pumpkin. The part that my eye keeps going to is the stem. LOVE the green streaks.

barbara said...

So sorry about your relationship setback. But I love your Halloween decorations!

Melanie said...

Well............damn it. I'm so sorry things didn't work out. :(

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Just love the "cat lady" and all your other decoratins. Hope you're starting to feel a little better.
Linda

Joysze said...

:( Crap... I'm sorry to hear about the 'break,' Valerie. (((((((HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGS))))))

Love the colors in Pumpkin Love. That white is there is such a nice surprise. :)

Cute Halloween decor. :D Right up my alley... nothing ghostie or ghoulish. ;)

Carm said...

Sorry to hear your B-day week-end ended badly. Your stitching displays are so cute. Take care of yourself and stitch stitch away this week-end!!!!!!

Lois said...

Sorry to hear that your birthday weekend didn't go as you would have wished. Love your Halloween pieces and what lovely goodies from Carol and Carol R. Hope you have a stitch-filled weekend!

Jeanne said...

I'm sorry your birthday weekend did not go as well as hoped for. If you used to watch Seinfeld, they had some episodes of the pitfalls of those weekends together and it appears they were spot on.

Your Halloween decor is lovely and the glass pumpkin just too cute. I hope stitching gives you a bit of comfort during this stressful time. We've missed you but understand we all need a break now and then (I'm still on one...)

Marie said...

Happy Birthday. Isometric that your weekend was disappointing. 1000 years ago my then BF and I took a break for 3 months. We got back together, married 2.5 years later and celebrated our 27 wedding anniversary in May. Never rule anything out.

I too love Halloween and all the wonderful decorations. Your new Car and punk in are great.

Mice work on Pumpkins for Sale!

Sally said...

I'm really sorry about the break and hoping that it will turn out OK in the end.

Your stitching looks lovely and I love your Haloween displays.

Berit said...

Your displays and stitching look great! Nice score on the cat lady and big pumpkin!

Sorry things are so bleh for you; hope they improve soon!

Anne said...

Oh Valerie, so sorry to hear about the weekend that didn't go so well and the break :( BIG HUGS to you my friend!! I truly hope things turn out for the best for you.

Lovely gift from Carol. She is the sweetest lady, and so talented! Your Halloween display is cute and I adore the mommy pumpkin!! Your glass pumpkins are so lovely.

I hope you got some stitching done on your pumpkins for sale! It's good to have a small to work on and to lug around.

Hugs

Anne

Myra said...

Happy belated birthday! Lovely gifts for a lovely lady I say. :o) Enjoy your stitchy weekend.

mbroider said...

Dear sweet Val,

Hugs to you... Hope things sort out for you. Good thoughts your way to find your soulmate

Love
Sharmila