An Engagement and a 40th!

Thank you for your supportive comments on my last post. I am back for a quick fly by post to share some good news. I'm engaged! My boyfriend (now fiance) popped the question on Saturday, September 26th and I said YES! I was quite stunned since I wasn't expecting it yet but we are both very excited! We have decided to enjoy the engagement for now so no wedding date has been planned yet. Here is a photo of the two of us that evening. We went to a favorite spot in the East Bay to celebrate with dessert and cocktails.

And then on October 1st, I celebrated a huge birthday milestone. The BIG 4-0! I gathered a group of friends together for a fun meal at Original Joe's in North Beach; complete with Italian cake! Yum! After dinner, we migrated to a fun little bar and enjoyed craft cocktails with friends and fun music. 

It was a wonderful way to celebrate. It's hard to believe I'm already 40!

Hopefully next time I stop by, I can share some stitching! :)

Good News and Sad News

Hello Dear Friends! How is everyone?

Wow. I never shared my big news, which is now over six months old, but at the beginning of March, I was promoted to a new position in a different department in the same organization I have worked for. After almost 10 years in the same position, I just needed a change and said change has been keeping me on my toes. I'm doing completely different tasks which is challenging and has me in learning mode. Being the new person and constantly learning new things has me pretty tired and brain-dead at the end of each workday. I didn't think it was possible but I am stitching even less than before and haven't had much time to read up on blog posts either. I try to read a handful here and there and comment if I can but haven't had many changes to do so. I think I understand why people have turned to Instagram even though I still like the idea and therapeutic act of blogging.

I have the original Lizzie*Kate Christmas mystery sampler on the scroll rods and am about halfway done with Part 3. I am hoping that I can find time to finish it in the next couple of weeks so I can move onto another project.

Little by little, I have been going through my insane amount of stash since my tastes have changed some and I have more than I can go through in a lifetime. I am thinking I will post on Facebook Stash Unload to try and sell some of the items I know I will never get too.

On August 28th, my dad passed away. Even though his health was failing due to complications triggered by dementia, I was shocked and stunned. I managed to get on a plane that night so I could attend the services and burial in Nicaragua. I am still in a fog some days just trying to go through the motions of "normal" life and trying to concentrate on work, life and a relationship. We won't talk about the overwhelming tasks looming with getting my dad's affairs taken care of and switching accounts over to my mom. One step at a time...

Here is one of my favorite photos of me and my dad that I came across. Obviously my dad is pooped and trying to watch tv but I climbed in his lap. It's hard to imagine that I won't hear his voice anymore. My dad dying was always my biggest fear and now it's a reality. But despite the sadness, there are so many memories to smile at. Sunday morning donuts, random drives, amusement park visits where I'd ride and he would eat his way through the concession stands. Road trips, hanging out with him while he tinkered in the garage and I played with my dolls. Lots of lap sitting while watching tv. I am so lucky to have had him as my dad. He always supported me and let me be who I wanted to be and I never felt like I was without. I love you, Dad!

New Year, No Resolutions

Happy New Year folks!

One month and a few days into 2015. Crazy! Life hasn't slowed down for me and I am keeping very busy. Sadly, I've been sidelined by a cold in December and then the flu in January which has knocked the wind out of my sails a bit but I have been Netflix bingeing with the best of them.

I've been hesitant to write a post. It's hard to know where to start after a good amount of time away. How do I catch you all up? I always feel like I need to apologize and I miss visiting this space but life is what it is. It's busy and hectic and stressful and fun and social and frustrating and happy. I anticipate this year to be my Year of Change. The first change may happen as soon as next month but I'll hold off on sharing it until it's official. It's exciting but scary especially for a person who has always hated change. But sometimes change is necessary and good. Right?

Even though I don't blog much, I do visit blogs just to try and stay connected with everyone. One of the major themes recently is how blogging has died down in lieu of Facebook and Instagram because it's faster and offers more immediate satisfaction than blogging. I think that's pretty valid altho I rarely share my stitching on Facebook and don't even have an Instagram account. I still like the journaling aspect of blogs plus it's how I met so many wonderful and supportive stitchers. Call me old school but I still plan on blogging even though it will be on a more sporadic basis.

Following is the stitching I managed from the last half of the year to now. There's a major Lizzie*Kate theme going on. I find her designs fun yet comforting. The colors are bright and the pattern is not difficult which is just what my poor brain needs if I manage to find some time to stitch. I usually only decorate for Halloween and Christmas and I love stitching those types of designs.

Lizzie Kate - Hats Off to Halloween 2

32 count Amber Linen

Lizzie Kate - Snowman '10

Either 28 or 32 count Dirty Linen

Lizzie Kate - Tiny Tidings

32 count Amber Linen

Lizzie Kate - Holly and Hearts Mystery Sampler (Part 3)

32 count PTP Doubloon Linen

Looks like I am going to  have to figure out when to try and schedule a finishing day! Well, that's all I have to share for now. I'll be back soon to share more.

Until next time...
Valerie