Friday, August 30, 2013

THOUGHTS

Doesn't it seem like just last week we were talking about the long Memorial Day Weekend being the beginning of summer? 

I can't believe this is Labor Day Weekend already and for most, it means the end of summer.  I get a little sad and depressed when I think about the end of summer.  Oh, I know there will still be beautiful fall days, but I just don't want summer to be over. 

School hadn't even started yet when all the school supplies were removed and the Halloween stuff placed on the store shelves.  Really?  It is still August for goodness sakes! 

I've also been remembering this time 22 years ago.  It just so happens that the days of the week fall just like they did 22 years ago -- and that Labor Day Weekend was a weekend to remember! 

I was expecting my first child and my labor started early on Saturday night (August 31).  After many, many painful hours and an emergency c-section, my baby girl finally came into the world at 5:30 pm on Labor Day Monday, September 2nd!

Two Weeks Old

Happy 22nd Birthday, Baby Girl!

and 

WISHING ALL OF YOU A
SAFE & HAPPY LABOR DAY!


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

DO YOU KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS?








Thanks to Geico (and Hubby reciting it this morning), I have this going through my head today.  It has been one of "those" weeks and yes, it is only Wednesday. 

I'm spending my lunch break writing this post since...

well, you know, my laptop died last week. 

I'll start by showing you my latest progress on the next Bride's Tree ornie.


I'm really enjoying using the recommended silk threads.  I didn't have good lighting when I took these pics so you really can't see how gorgeous these threads are, but they sure make stitching these ornies a delight!

I really can get myself into a pickle sometimes.  I was asked to stitch something that will be given as a gift and I guess I have a hard time saying no.  Darn it, though, I've started this BAP four times!  Yep, I said FOUR times.  The first time, the design was started on super stiff 14 count aida.  Not by my choice, but by the person who asked me to stitch this 16 x 24 inch BAP.  There are some really strange fractional stitches in this piece and I was having a horrible time trying to get the fractional stitches placed correctly on that super stiff aida. 

After having stitched several hours, frogging almost as much as I stitched, I was able to convince her that stitching on evenweave would be a better choice.  So, I purchased the fabric and got busy with starting again.  I was whizzing right along, not having a problem with the fractional stitches at all, when I discovered this:

I'm two inches from the bottom of the fabric and there's still about another inch of stitching to go.  I looked back at everything -- counted the stitches, measured and remeasured the fabric, double checked the design size.  Stupid me measured the fabric wrong!!  If this were a piece for me, I'd keep going with it and make do, but since I'm being paid to stitch this for someone else, I feel it needs to have adequate fabric on all sides for finishing or framing.

Literally back to square one.  I purchased more fabric and started again.  About 150 stitches into the new start, I looked at my progress and discovered that I had the fabric turned the wrong way!

Seriously, this is not working out the way I planned it.  After removing the stitches, I decided to partially grid the fabric before starting again.  I've been able to get almost to where I was when I started this for the first time.   


We had beautiful weather here before it got hot and humid this week and I just had to be outside.  I was sitting on my swing watching all the activity around me.  It was perfect with a nice breeze, warm sunshine and cool shade. 

 The butterflies were all over the Butterfly Bush!


As I sat on my swing, the Hummingbirds were buzzing back and forth to the feeder just a few feet away from me.  Of course, I just had to get some pics!

But everytime I lifted the camera, 
I was too late and they were gone.
So I sat on my swing, with my camera all ready to go...
and I waited...
and waited...
and then finally...
This Hummer must have known I was waiting and waiting because it was in no hurry to leave the feeder.  
It stayed perched right there.

  Drinking

Spreading it's wings, looking around

Drinking some more!

I was surprised to see that it looks kind of scruffy and it's feathers aren't as smooth as I thought they would be.

One last thing before I go.  You may have seen or heard about this, but I just had to share the link to this story.  Be sure to watch the video at the end.  It is heartwarming and if you're like me, you will need tissues!

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1343094983/Peorians-song-to-late-wife-goes-viral

HAPPY HUMP DAY!





Sunday, August 25, 2013

IF YOU'VE HEARD IT ONCE...

YOU'VE HEARD IT A MILLION TIMES!

Backup your data.

And I did ~~ a few months ago.

It is Murphy's Law!  My laptop died last week.

The problem is apparently a very common one with HP laptops.  The video card is faulty in that it runs too hot and causes the board to warp and break the soldered connections.  This excess heat also causes other components on the motherboard to malfunction and become permanently damaged.

In the case of my laptop, it will not power on.  My trusty computer geek has diagnosed that the motherboard is so severely damaged that it cannot be repaired.  At least my trusty computer geek was able to pull the hard drive and install it in an external hard drive case so I can access all my files, pics and music.  WOO HOO!!

Now the hard task of looking for a new laptop.  For me, that's about as bad as shopping for the perfect purse, new shoes or a properly fitting bra, lol.  It's just one of those things I dread.

Well, that and the fact that I don't want to part with my money!


We had a "little" rain on Thursday morning.

Tomatoes, cucumbers and a zucchini from my garden.

Notice the tongue!  
This is how Dottie Dog spends the dog days of summer!
What isn't seen in this pic is that there is a 
fan blowing directly on her, lol.  

 I've never seen a dragonfly like this one.
This beautiful dragonfly stayed around my hostas 
and other flowers all afternoon.
DD was using my camera, so I took this pic with my phone.


The kids are back in school full time this week and of course, our temps are supposed to be in the 90's and very humid!  My oldest DD's classroom is on the 3rd floor of a 100+ year old school building without air conditioning.  I'm not complaining about the hot and humid weather, but I do feel bad for the students and teachers that have to be in hot classrooms.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK & STAY COOL!





Saturday, August 17, 2013

A FINISH AND A WALK

I actually have a finish to share!


Wishes
Bride's Tree Ornmanent
Design by
Brooke's Books Publishing
Completed August 14, 2013


A WALK AROUND THE HOUSE & GARDEN

Banana-Zucchini Bread
I spent one morning grating zucchini for bread.
I baked 6 loaves and packaged 10 cups
 of shredded zucchini for the freezer.


Tupperware lids galore!
Please tell me that you all have a drawer 
with an explosion of lids.

I discovered that someone had spilled something 
in the lid drawer and all the lids had to be washed.  

I didn't realize there were so many 
lids in that messy drawer!


One of the things I love about this time of year is how 
almost overnight there are flowers.

 I'm not sure what this flower is, but most of the time it just looks like grass until one day there are 
buds and flowers.
I think the flowers are so pretty!


The Resurrection Lilies appeared the other day.



This is most definitely my favorite color!


Take time to enjoy the beauty around you!



Monday, August 5, 2013

A BIRTHDAY GIVE-AWAY

Nancy over at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a birthday and giving 100 followers a gift!
Drawing will be August 14 so you still have 
lots of time to enter!

Happiest Birthday Wishes, Nancy!