Planes, Trains and Automobile

Hello dear blogging friends...

Just a quick post today to catch you all up before I go on vacation. Time is flying by as usual and I haven't stitched as much as I would like. Honestly, I've only been managing about 10 minutes per day and maybe one hour on weekends. Life is busy and if I do have the time, the chores and bills are calling me loudly. I am having a hard time keeping up. I wish I didn't have to keep saying that. I feel like a record playing on repeat.

Here is a quick look at how Jane stands. She won't be coming with me as it's more comfortable for me to stitch on her on the floor stand so I'll be taking some smalls to work on.

And here is how the TUSAL looks since I won't be here later to report on it. Lots of little threads from Jane. So strange to think she is all I've worked on this year. There is so much I want to start but fact is, I'm a one at a time kind of girl with maybe a small thrown into the mix.

I was so lucky to win a giveaway hosted by Chris. I received the package last week and am so in love! I loved this design from the minute it was released and am so happy I have the opportunity to stitch it. Thanks Chris!

I soon leave for a much needed respite to the Pacific Northwest. I'll be flying to Portland to visit an old friend. Fact is she is an old neighbor who turned into a friend. One day, we bumped into each other at the mailboxes and I asked if she was my downstairs neighbor. She was and she invited me to dinner!! And after that, I would go downstairs in my pjs and slippers to have dinner, watch tv, play with her kitties and stitch. She liked to stitch too! Now, I think she's more of a quilter but I will still be getting in some crafty time with her and she agreed to take me to Acorns and Threads. Yay! So excited!! Plus, she'll drive me around to sitesee. Then I will take a train to Seattle and meet up with a couple of girlfriends for a weekend full of sites, food, cocktails and fun. I am so glad this vacation is finally here even though I don't feel ready. If you have any fun "must sees" for Portland or Seattle, let me know.

Oh and here's a fun photo from Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt a couple of weeks ago. We were finished and headed to a place to eat and rest when we happened upon another dragon and firecracker show! It was fun to see.

Hope you all have a happy and safe week and St. Paddy's Day!

Until next time...

Sometimes Time Gets Away From You

Hi Everyone!

IHSW was a total bust. On that Friday evening, very late at night, at around 1130pm, a very good friend of mine called to tell me that his mother had suddenly passed away. I spent the following 16 hours making sure he was handling things as best he could, reminiscing and just being there for him. I was sad. His mother was younger than most moms of friends my age and it all seemed surreal. Not to mention, she was the cool mom I wished I had when I was in my early 20's. She listened to me. She allowed me to spend endless hours and sometimes nights in her home. She was a confidant. She was a wonderful person and it saddens me that my friend had both his parents pass away within four months of each other. Both much too young. I was too sad and distracted that weekend to stitch or be super social but I was lucky to spend the rest of the long weekend in the company of a friend and his super pup. Dogs have a way of being the best therapy you need. They are happy to see you. They want to run and play. They sense that you're sad and want to lick all the makeup off your face to give you kisses and cheer you up. Sometimes, you let them because in the end it does make you both happy. I wish I could have a pup of my own but I'm happy to be close to this pup by association.

Obviously stitch group didn't happen but I was able to get some stitches in and finish the top third of Jane. Here are some photos. I tried pressing that crease but it really doesn't want to come out! I know that the stretching during the framing process will fix that though so I am not too worried about it right now.

Jane in full view:

Close up of top third:

Close up of the birds and the funky planter. This part is my favorite in the top third section:

Since the news of my friend's mom, time has been a blur. I've been keeping busy to not dwell and be sad and I've upped the socialness although this creates issues with the condition of my apartment. The projects are not getting done and neither is any stitching! I've gone out to dinners. I took a short class with Jeannette Douglas who is a complete and total doll. I was even sitting at the same table with Ann of Gloriana and didn't even realize it because I am completely oblivious sometimes. Oopsie! I celebrated a friend's birthday. I participated in the Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt and had so much fun and walked my fanny all over Chinatown and North Beach in the midst of a parade in the search for clues. I watched the Oscars. I looked for and tried on many eyeglass frames. It's been busy. I kind of wish things would quiet down so I am hoping to keep this coming weekend pretty free to catch up on tons of responsibility stuff.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Until next time...

Happy St. Valentines Day!

Hello my loves. I came across this little vintage postcard on the world wide web and thought it appropriate for today, St. Valentine's Day, because I find the saying so true amongst stitchy bloggers. I am always grateful for my little slice of blogland and am happy to have made wonderful friends and received much needed support in times of need. Without all of you, my life would not shine as bright.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!!

I don't have too much to share. Last weekend was busier than I thought it would be. I spent time in the city with friends...dinner, barhopping, brunch, lazed in front of the tv watching new to me shows (Archer and Game of Thrones) and saw Les Miserables at the movies. I do have to say that I was pretty disappointed in Les Mis and surprised about it. I was anticipating it especially after all the hype about the actors doing their own vocals and being very good so I was excited to watch it! But the vocals and acting in the first half really didn't do it for me. Of course, I was a bawling mess the last half hour of the movie. Perhaps I'm a tough judge. I've seen it so many times live plus on PBS and know almost the whole score by heart. 

Below is my TUSAL report. Lots more threads but they don't produce as fast when you are stitching on 40 count. There's some fuzzy ones there because I had to do a little frogging on Jane. Nooooo!!

Ugh, I hate frogging. But at least it was just limited to one motif and I will soon get back on track and finish the top third. I am almost done! I think that by the end of the weekend, the top third will be complete and I can finally iron the linen and shift it to the mid-section. I can't wait! So that's why there is no Jane update today.

Don't forget it's IHSW!! It's a long weekend for me plus I have stitch group scheduled. I hope to get lots of stitching done this weekend!

Until next time...

On Stitching By Color

Well, the last week has zoomed by and I am back to share more on Jane. I had the feeling I was in the minority with that whole stitching by color thing but was surprised that I was really one of the few. Wow! I always figured it was just easier to stick to one color at a time, especially when traveling because I just take one or two skeins of floss with me versus the whole array of colors. There are times that if the distance is too great, I change to a different color because I worry about having to frog later on down the line but I count and re-count a ton.

Last weekend was crazy social and Jane didn't get any attention. I had Thursday happy hour, Friday happy hour and dinner, Saturday brunch, beach walk, scavenger hunt at a museum (so much fun!!) and coffee with a friend and Sunday brunch and crazy fun Superbowl party with a friend and his friends. It was all so much fun (even though the Niners lost *sob*)! I think the Superbowl party put me over the edge though because by Monday I was dragging ass and sick by the evening. I had to cancel my Monday movie night plans! I've been trying to nurse myself back to health while going to work because my coworker is sicker than I am so it's been an interesting week full of meds, kleenex, sneezing, noseblowing, congestion and super laziness outside of work. Jane barely got any attention but the top third is closer to being completed. What do you think? I am really digging that funky orangey crown. I can't wait to stitch the birds! They are my favorite part in this section.

This weekend is not as social which is probably a blessing. I got things to do at home! Bills, taxes, dishes, organizing. Ugh...this being an adult thing is overrated. I wish I had some of my "I'm so bored" hours back from my late teens. Things would be so different! On the agenda is happy hour and dinner tonight and brunch/coffee tomorrow. Nothing too crazy.

Hope everyone had a good week and has an even better weekend!

Until next time...

More on Jane

Hello dear friends...

It's been about a week since I last posted so I think it's time for an update! Nothing too exciting in my little neck of the woods. I am trying to spend a little more time at home and try to tackle projects. I wasn't entirely productive this past week since I had dinner plans twice. Then I made impromptu plans with a dear friend I hadn't seen in two or three weeks since I was sick so it was time to catch up with him and see what was new. Then I had brunch plans with another dear friend and next thing I know, half the weekend is over! And then I decided I wanted to make a one-pot meal for the week. I don't really like to cook but I came across a recipe for curry shrimp chowder so I made it! It came out yummy although I think it needs something else. I don't know what even though I used 2x the amount of curry powder the recipe called for. I'm much better and intuitive about baking! Cooking...and cleaning up after takes time. Now I remember why I'm not that fond of it! :) And then I just caught up with shows, did laundry, housesat and stitched some on Jane. Oh and I finally put away Christmas. Only took 35 days past Christmas for me to do it. I am so behind in all aspects of life...not just stitching. But I vow to catch up sooner rather than later!

Here's Jane!

I stitch by color...does anyone else do that? I think most people stitch by motif so I have some incomplete motifs. I really enjoyed working with the medium green in this section despite having stitched with that forest green for months on the pine border. Once I finish this top third, I will whip it off the rods and iron the heck out of that crease. It's driving me nuts but laziness prevails when I think about ironing and then having to put it back on the rods. No fun...so I keep stitching.

As I stitch, I keep thinking about things I want to stitch. At the top of the list are BOAF A Very Fine Sampler, some ornies and Letters to Santa. I still haven't sorted a travel project so Jane has gotten all my attention. A couple more nights and she will be abandoned for social time. I have two happy hours, a possible scavenger hunt, Superbowl viewing (Go NINERS!!) and a movie night. Huh...how did that happen?! At least next week and weekend is looking pretty quiet...so far.

I hope everyone is having a good week so far!

Until next time...

IHSW Update

Hi everyone!

I was lucky that IHSW fell on a weekend where I already had stitch group planned since that meant I would actually get some stitching done. However, the funny thing is that I used stitch group to do some finishing which I can't show...yet. The ladies kept me in check and on task with my finishing despite the amount of whining and bemoaning that was coming from my side of the table. I have to admit that finishing is not my favorite thing to do but my pieces came out lovely...if I don't say so myself...and I learned a new trick or two. That's always a good thing. Never too old to learn new stuff!

Before Saturday, I managed to put in some stitches into Jane. I count the whole week as IHSW because sometimes I don't actually get to stitch on the weekend. Here is how Jane is looking so far. I have to admit that I love all the little motifs. When I finish one, it feels like a little happy dance!

I am trying to figure out what to start as my traveling small. I got all my supplies together to stitch a LHN ornie and then I realized that the piece of Tin Roof Gingham I bought is more greenish than grey. Darn dyelots! I'm not having the best of luck finding a grey-ish hued Tin Roof Gingham. If you all have any leads, please let me know! I was so set on having it look like the model that I don't want to sub for a boring neutral. So I'm in limbo until I have the time to search out the supplies for an alternate start. And when I have a few minutes here and there, I've been winding my DMC threads. So boring and tedious but it will be so worth it to have them all organized and pretty in one place. Right now, my stash is a jumbled up mess. Makes finding supplies for new starts a total drag. How did everything get so messy!?

I am finally better from my cold/flu after two weeks. It was terrible! I missed 4.25 days from work which is usually unheard of for me. Tuesday was the first day where I didn't need any meds. Yay! I do have to admit to being tired though. I have to work on my stamina and work hard at getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night. My body is apparently insisting that I need it!

Hope everyone is having a lovely week!

Until next time...

Happy Twenty-Thirteen!

Happy New Year dear friends! I had hoped to be here at the start of the year with goals and resolutions but time escaped me as usual and I've been down for the count the last six days fighting this cursed flu that is making me miserable and super cranky. Oh my goodness, I've blown my nose at least a million times and sucked on close to 50 throat drops. It has been years since I've been this sick and I even got a flu shot way back in October! I've missed three days of work so far and my co-worker is trying to convince me to stay home for one more day to ensure my recovery. She's probably right but I feel badly being out of the office so many days despite the hundreds of hours of sick leave that I have.

It's already the thirteenth day of the first month of Twenty-Thirteen. How did that happened? At this point, it's useless to list goals and resolutions. I will be super happy if I permanently lose those last five pesky pounds I've been half-heartedly working on and have more finishes than I did in 2012. It was my lowest number of finishes in years. Only five. A little sad I think. This year, I hope to finish Jane Pattison and Fairy Moon and get them framed and hung on my walls. I hope to continue my path to more happiness and friendships. And everything else, will be icing on the cake. I want to keep it simple. Life is too busy and too pressured and I've been pulled in many directions and spreading myself too thin. I hope to find the balance between quiet life and social life that pleases me and provides me with the amount of rest I need.

Nothing too exciting has happened since my last post. For New Years Eve, I went to a fancy schmancy dinner with my social group and was able to see the fireworks show over the bay up close. It was a little weird since my ex was there and it wasn't how I had hoped or imagined NYE would be but I made the most of it and had a friend ensure that I had a good time and I did. I put on a party dress, curled my hair, put on fake eyelashes, made myself up and wore red lipstick. I had fun! It was a great time and I am glad that I went. Not sure if I would do the same scenario again but it beat sitting at home alone watching videos...not that that's a bad thing...just what I have done for a few years running now. Nice to do something different for  a change.

I don't have much worth sharing on the stitching front. However, I did manage to put the final stitches in the piney border of Jane Pattison. I was so happy when it matched up! Whew!

Excuse the bad photo. I really need to take the linen off the rods and press it. I have that annoying crease that won't straighten out! Now it's time to add some color and stitch the motifs. Of course, the color I start off with after all that green is brown. Figures! Not too exciting!

I've been stitching on a little something as well but I can't show it yet. It will be for show and tell at a later time.

And I have my TUSAL to report. I think I waited until after the first of January to remove my old threads from the jar so I have a puny amount to show.

Can you see them? Green from Jane and the rest from the secret stitching.

That's all for today. I hope you've all had a good start to the year and that fellow sickies start feeling better soon too!

Until next time...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my wonderful blog friends. I wish you all a very warm and happy new year, full of joy, smiles and stitching.

I will be back in 2013 to fill you all in on the holidays and stitching. :)

Merry Christmas + Catching Up

I wish you all the merriest of Christmases surrounded by friends, family and fun. I had hoped to come back to my little blog space earlier but as you can imagine, life just does not slow down no matter how much I think it might. It has been mostly fun and I cannot believe tomorrow is Christmas Day. It's finally here!

In case anyone was curious, I did not end up going to SantaCon the weekend before last. The weather here was terrible...40's and rainy. Ugh...terrible weather to be traipsing all about San Francisco dressed up in a cheap red felt Santa costume. So I bailed and am kind of relieved I did. Instead, I hung out with my stitching group at a friend's house, eating yummy food and drinking red wine in the warmth and comfort of a glorious home while stitching my little heart out and chitchatting. I had an amazing time and even made progress on my Pumpkins. So much so that I finally finished it yesterday afternoon. About time!!

I think it came out really cute. Stitched as directed on 32 count Antique Ivory Belfast. But wow, was it a lot of stitching!

So IHSW was stitching on Pumpkins at stitch group on Saturday. Sunday was a blur of dim sum, coffee plans and socialness in the city that by the time I got home, all I could do was lie down and stare at the tv. Being so social is tiring! I'm exhausted. :)

But I did take a snap of my TUSAL...here with my Christmas tree snowglobe.

All the threads at the top are from Pumpkins with some frogging I had to do. Thankfully it wasn't much. I am so happy that Daffycat is continuing TUSAL next year. I can only hope I am better about posting on time. I just love seeing the colors change in my jar and it's validation that I did manage to stitch even if it's not as much as I would have liked. I did realize this year that I don't have as many Christmas decorations as Halloween ones so my goal next year is to stitch Christmas smalls in between BAPs so I can put out a few more stitchy things. Looks slim pickings this year since I have no tree so hence, my ornies are packed away.
Since I finished Pumpkins, I pulled Jane Pattison out of my wips basket and slapped her on the stitching stand. I hope to stitch faster this year. I didn't take a photo since it's just more green border but that pine border sure is fun to stitch at Christmastime!

I was a lucky girl last week as I won Melanie's giveaway and she sent me some Christmas goodies!

How fabulous! A BBD stocking pattern, cute little ort container and a snowman bead. Love it all...especially the card. Thank Melanie. I love it all!

And to those who sent me cards, thank you so much! It has really lifted my spirits to receive cards and be able to post them on my door and look upon them from my stitching nest.

Merry Christmas to everyone. Thank you for your visits and friendship over the years. I am forever grateful to this blogging community for its kindness and support. Much love and hugs.

In Denial...

How can it be Christmas in two weeks?!

Really? I swear it's still September. How can it be December already?

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Lots of social time since I realized that if I dawdle too much at home, I have too much time to think, can't concentrate on my projects (stitching/home) and then waste too much time on the computer and realize there is no one I want to even date online. Ugh! Luckily, I met this really fun girl and so I've been introduced to her friends and have been just having a blast in the city. It has been so much fun! Although, I do have to say...I am whooped and some days, I just want to crawl under my desk at work to take a nap. I am that tired.

I do have to admit that I am not really into the holiday spirit this year. I don't feel low...I just feel too busy to take in the holidays and am a little sad I am familyless this year since my folks are still traveling and I just couldn't bring myself to pay the high fare to visit my sister. So I anticipate the last two weeks of the year being quiet and maybe, just maybe, I can catch up on some stitching and home projects. I managed to drag out my Christmas decorations and realized that I don't have that many stitched Christmas items so I think I may need to remedy that this coming year. No tree this year...so the stitched ornies will stay packed up until next year.

Since social time is high and stitching time is low, I am still working on Pumpkins...if you can imagine that. I am still determined to finish it before I start stitching Christmas. I signed up for IHSW this weekend but am not sure I will succeed in the progress department. If I go to stitch group; maybe. If I go to SantaCon; probably not!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. I'll be back before Christmas for sure!

Until next time...

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! :)

IHSW Recap

Hmmm...late again. But I know you guys forgive me! I am still backlogged with all the things I threw aside for the last few months but I'm happy to say, I've been stitching a lot more. Eh, the closets can stay messier for a few more days...right?

I did not have as much stitching time as I thought last weekend though. The closer I get to the weekend, the more plans were made and next thing I know, I'm was in full blown social mode.

However, last week, I started a knitting class for the Trixie Cowl. I had seen the model at my local knitting shop stitched up in Smooshy sock yarn. Let's just say I'm the only one in the class psychotic adventurous enough to do the same which means I have been knitting my little heart out trying to keep up with the class. Holy cow! So.much.knitting! And I am still on the first phase! But it's coming along. I can't wait to get to the stockinette part so that I can see the stripey effect this variegated yarn will achieve.

Right now, I am working on the lace section and it requires more attention. I even created a little spreadsheet to help me keep track of the rows in the pattern which not only makes me the overachiever...but the nerd in the class. So far, I have 21 out of 30 inches stitched...almost there. Then it's onto the stockinette.

Since I was distracted with the knitting, I didn't stitch as much. I managed to finish the "M" pumpkin and start on the "U". Perhaps this weekend will show some more progress when I take a break from knitting.

The one dangerous thing about taking a class at a knitting shop is that I see models of things I want to knit and buy fabulous yarn that I have no idea what to use for. As much as I enjoy knitting, I still don't feel very adept at it. I'm no good at fixing my mistakes and my hands also get crampy after a short while. Does anyone else have that problem?

I have been trying to be kind to myself and allow the time to just relax and putt around my apartment. Now that the weather is cooling down and the nights are getting longer, my urge to hermit is great. This can be dangerous because I can then hermit indefinitely (outside of work; rent still needs to be paid somehow) so I am being conscious to be social. I spend one day/night a week with the beau (do I still call him that?) and so last night we went to dinner and I tagged along to his chorus practice. I really enjoyed this because while he practiced, I knit and got free entertainment out of the whole deal. Nice! The men in the chorus are very friendly and I chitchatted with a wife that always goes to the practice to catch up on her magazine reading or work on her own needlework.

This weekend is shaping up to be a quiet one and I am hoping it stays that way. There is so much home stuff I want to do. Crockpot cooking, start on big closet re-org, farmers market, knit/stitch and go to the gym. I have the feeling I will be distracted by the World Series. Go Giants! I hope they continue to play well.

I just realized I forgot to take a photo of my TUSAL jar. I'll try to remember for the next post.

I hope everyone is having a good week!

Until next time...

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...

They Say It's My Birthday!

I'm on vacation with the beau...drinking wine, relaxing, visiting the beach and hoping that I can score myself a scrumptious slice of chocolate cake!  Love and hugs. I'll return to regular blogging soon. =)

My...How Time Flies!

I can't believe it's been a month and a half since my last post! I've gotten a few emails asking if I've given up blogging and if I am ok.

No, I haven't given up blogging...and I am ok. It's just that life has been hectic and most days, I feel like I am juggling more balls than I can handle. It's exhausting. Work, managing two households, chores, errands, being social and dating. There just has not been any time for blogging...or stitching.

Mind you, I shouldn't whine too much. The summer has been lots of fun. I've gotten lots of sun and have had a wonderful time in general.

Some people have guessed that I met someone and it's true. Mind you, I am not ready to label it as anything because, even as the beau has said, I am hesitant and jaded and I can't shake that. However, it's been more than wonderful to have someone to talk to, listen to old jazz and swing music with, explore the city with and be close to. And it's nice to be surprised with pretty things like these once in a while.

I've forgotten how time consuming dating is though. So with managing my stuff and my parents many crisis' and issues, I have very little solo time. I've been managing about 100 stitches a week. Not nearly enough...I am going slightly insane and am trying to figure out how to build a routine to have time for stitching plus the gym.

I missed my TUSAL and IHSW updates and it is pointless to post one now since so little progress has been made and it is so late. The little bit of stitching I have done has been on Jane Pattison. I've been working on the border since it's quite easy to remember without having to refer to the chart much.

I have quite a ways to go for the border to meet but I really do like this piney border. Excuse the wrinkles. I've been working on this one in hand since I drag it with me everywhere.

I wish I could sit here and type away but I have a pile of mail staring me in the face. How this mail multiplies, I have no idea but someone has to go through it!

I hope to be able to blog more often and stitch more often and visit with you all more in the very near future.

Much love and hugs
Until next time...

IHSW & TUSAL...Super Late!

Hmmm...I'm starting to wonder if I should just resign myself to the fact I will always be late and my grand goals for stitching will always come up short. Although, I shouldn't act so glum and upset about it. Fact is, I've been having a lot of fun and a fantastic summer so far. The days are long and the options are high.

I did manage to stitch a little bit on Friday night and Fairy Moon received a bit of attention. I finished the section of dress I was working on and have moved onto her hair. Doesn't look like much other than a dark brown blob but it's getting there.

And here's my TUSAL post for the month. Not very much has been added to it.

Last weekend was a flurry of activity. I saw To Rome With Love which was an enjoyable film. Classic Woody Allen...not fantastic but entertaining enough with some fantastic shots of Rome...a destination that happens to be on my bucket list. Afterwards, a group of us had a late dinner and hit the karaoke bar. It was a lot of fun. I wasn't brave enough to do my own song on the stage but I had a lot of fun singing along from my little perch at the bar. Sunday was a fun day starting off with brunch at my favorite spot along with lots of lounging around in the nearby park and then hitting a wonderful jazzy set at a local jazz club. It was a fantastic weekend. No surprise that I got very little stitching done...right?

This weekend is setting up to be just as busy...although plans aren't necessarily set in stone. I just know I won't be home much and things should be fun.

***

So I thought I would do a little recap on my little weight loss journey. I didn't start off with much to lose. The goal was 15 pounds. I just wanted my pants to fit better, feel better in general and tone up some. I haven't been able to get to the gym much since things have been quite busy and I found it really hard to find the time. I like to go after work since that's most convenient but things like alterations, chiropractor, shoe repair always gets in the way since the shops are only open until 530/6pm and I get off work at 5pm. If I stray from the work to gym journey, I am apt to forego it altogether. Shame, shame. 

Since February, I've lost 10 pounds and have managed to keep them off. Yay me!

**Ok, this is where it might be tmi for guys so I'll wait a bit for anyone who wants to hit the back button.**

I've noticed the 10 pound loss in certain areas. Areas, I'm not so happy about losing. Like my chest and bum. Hello...those are the nice parts. Why won't this weight drop off my tummy and thighs?! It's been noticeable in my face and neck (which are already skinny parts) also so I've been getting quite a few comments. Last week, I realized that my bras just weren't fitting right anymore. I was dreading having to go shopping. C'mon...how many women really like going bra shopping? Yea, I thought so. So this week, I got re-measured and tried on about a million bras to come out of it with 4 new ones in a whole new size. One in a band size I don't ever remember fitting into...ever. It's so strange. I also spent last night trying on every single bra I had and I managed to keep...drumroll...1 bra. 

Hmmm, I like seeing the weight loss on the scale but do not like spending the extra money to supplement my wardrobe. Bras are freaking expensive! I'm a little scared to lose the extra 5 pounds I want to lose because I wonder if that will mean I will need to go out and buy all new pants! Although, I do have some pairs that fit but a bit too snugly still. Perhaps, I'll be ok. 

5 more pounds...I can do it...right??

Well, time to begin the weekend. Happy Weekend to everyone! Go out, have fun and be safe. 

Until next time...