IHSW Weekend

Hi All!

Just a quick fly-by post. Lots of chores to do which is totally interfering with my stitching time. I have no idea how the dishes, laundry and mail accumulates so fast...for one person!

This past weekend was IHSW and I was lucky enough to have Saturday stitch group which means that at least *some* stitching would be had. It was nice to see all the ladies. It was a small group of us and I got to say "see you later" to my dear friend, Natasha, who is moving to the other coast. I hope the Carolinas treat her right! Good luck Natasha! I'm going to miss you!

I decided to focus on my stitched piece which is Pumpkins for Sale. This isn't that big of a piece but it seems to be taking me forever. But it's getting there...

I just love the pumpkins! I still need to do the awning, the grass, stitch the mouse and fill in the letters in the pumpkins. This will be my focus this week since I really need to move onto Christmas stitching but am too scared to leave this one unfinished and it becoming a UFO.

I also managed a few rows in knitting but it's too late and dark to attempt a photo now. I have about 20" of stockinette to stitch and then I will be finished! It's getting there too.

It was also TUSAL so I took a quick snap of my jar. I still have Halloween decorations up! But my jar is sporting a little more orange and green from pumpkin stitching.

Thank you to everyone for their wonderfully supportive comments on my last post about my break up. I'm a little sad yet I know I made the right decision for me at this time. This weekend was wonderfully mellow and relaxing. I spent a lot of it at home which is something I haven't done in months and it was nice to be lazy, stitch, watch tv and reclaim some *me* time. The chores didn't get done but who's going to get mad? I live alone! :)

I'm not sure if I will be able to post before Thanksgiving so I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday. I will be congregating with a group of fun single friends for dinner this year since my family is scattered and I am here solo. I'm happy I have this option since I think it will be fun. I am in charge of dessert so will be baking my little heart out Thanksgiving morn and that makes me happy. Always happy to ply people with sweets.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner in blogland.

Until next time...

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

The title says it all. I fell off my NaBloPoMo wagon on day three because I was dealing with lots of emotions over the last couple of weeks trying to figure out what I wanted  to do about the so-called relationship I was in. We were on a break which I hoped would help us get to know each other and reconnect better but all it seemed to do was breed more negativity. The outcome is not what I would have liked...obviously. No one likes to break up. So much feeling, time and hope invested in one person for it to just evaporate. But settling is not at option either. I didn't reach this ripe old spinster age if I was willing to settle. I'm holding out for the one who makes my heart sing and adds to my happiness.

So NaBloPoMo is a bust. I haven't accomplished very much outside work and the housesitting duties that oftentimes seem never-ending. Stitching and knitting has been scarce but happens here and there. I am hoping that with this newfound singledom, I will get back to my usual craftiness or at least improve. I've had the lowest number of finishes so far this year that I can remember! But I've also had a lot of fun and gotten out of my box, met new people, tried a new relationship and rediscovered myself. I'd say that was good.

I am months behind on my blogging posts, reviews, updates, emails,  etc. And my unread posts are climbing beyond 800+. At this point, I am tempted to hit "mark all as read" and start over. I am sure you all can relate to that. Being so behind makes me sooo anxious!

This weekend in IHSW! I have stitch group on Saturday so I know that some progress will be made whether it's stitching or knitting this weekend. It's a must!

Until next time...

NaBloPoMo #3

I just got back from my stitchy get together and it was a lot of fun.  I got lost on my way there since it's in this hilly neighborhood I'm not familiar with. Curvy one lane roads that seems to endlessy twist and turn forever. But I finally made it and had a fun time seeing everyone's show and tell while I stitched a few more rows in my cowl. The food spread was amazing and everyone seemed to have a good time. Even better is that I re-homed a needlepoint chair and ottoman I just didn't have the space for. It went to a well loved home and I'm so glad!

I need time to edit the photos I took today so here is a favorite photo of mine to tide you all over. See the iguana?! I took it on my Grand Cayman trip. That's one of the posts I'm behind on too so I'll probably share a photo here and there. I love lizards and iguanas. I don't want to own one or anything but I like seeing them in their natural habitat and how they blend into the background at time. 

Must run. Heading out to dinner and a party and need to figure out what to wear! 

Til tomorrow!

NaBloPoMo #2

Day 2 of National Blog Posting Month...so far so good. So I said I'd give a restaurant review today. I headed to Russian Hill after work last night to meet a new friend who is also new to the city. We tried a restaurant in her neighborhood that I've been curious about for a while called Street. I'd link it and all but I don't think it was all that great. The bar was nice and I had a couple of yummy manhattans. I decided on the ahi with mashed potatoes and blue lake beans and it was all tasty but I ended up with an upset tummy afterwards. Thinking about it now, it was either because they put dairy in the mash or the ahi was a tad too rare. It wasn't a hit for me but the company more than made up for it. We told stories and shared laughs and just had so much fun. Next thing I knew it was 10pm! That's when I usually turn into a pumpkin on a weeknight. We had so much fun we hope to try a different new place next week! Yay!

I think this month will be a good opportunity for me to catch up on all those blog things I've been delaying. First up is my TUSAL report. I'm a couple of months behind but this is the latest shot of my jar. I really like this photo since it shows the oranges and greens from my Pumpkins for Sale as well as the pillow from Carol and floss tag given to me by Carol S. years ago. My jar is all decked out!

I haven't stitched in the last three weeks because I am preoccupied with my knitting project. However, tomorrow is one of my stitching groups monthly get together. I'm hoping to see pretty things I can share with you all tomorrow.

Happy Friday!

NaBloPoMo #1

Hi all...I'm going to attempt NaBloPoMo to see if I can get back to more regular posts. It may not be a very interesting month since stitching time is scarce and I continue to housesit...but I will try. I can't believe it's November! Tonight I have plans to try a new (to me) place with a new friend. So tomorrow will be a restaurant review post!

I'm glad to see the posts of my East Coast blog friends checking in saying they are ok even if they suffered a little damage and loss of power from Superstorm Sandy. Us West Coasters can't fathom the damage we're seeing on the news. I wish everyone affected the best during the clean up efforts!

See you all tomorrow! :)