fanks!!!

Awww shucks! I feel so important guys. I want to thank all of you who have emailed me personally and/or left a comment on my "toto?" post. It's nice to feel a concern for and I especially appreciate your concern for the welfare of my children. Thanks for your friendship and stitching companionship! It is much endured in my heart.

Happy Stitching!

[I want to call my cousin, Kari, in Ohio sometime today. She used to be a weather enthusiast (and still might be) and I know she'll want to hear my story first hand. ]

toto???

In my previous post today I mentioned that we were to have extreme thunderstorms with the possibility of tornado and boy did we ever! Me and the boys got home just in time before the "crud" really hit the fan. It was before 5:00 CST and the weather was intensifying. According to the radar, the storm was heading in a northeast direction ~ we were right in the path. Unfortunately, the majority of homes in Middle Tennessee (and maybe other regions) don't have basements. Middle TN sits on rock so if you want to dig you have to blast your way through using dynamite. Anyway, lightening was intense, the rain was pounding, the thunder crashing and every 5 minutes seemed to get worse.

Cameron and Jose were standing at the front door and I at the dining table. It was pretty loud and all of a sudden it got extremely quiet ~ a very strange kind of calm came over the house. I yelled for both the boys to be quiet so I could hear something, anything, but I didn't. From where I was sitting I could see the TV and out the front of the house. The tornado sirens began to scream and scream loud - even Cameron stopped to observe the noise. The weather lady, Lisa Patton, demanded with urgency for people in our area to "take cover." I immediately went to the front door where the boys were and all of a sudden a white wall of water and wind dropped from the sky and was racing to our left. Jose and I shouted, "OMG!!! CLOSE THE DOOR!!!" There was a loud howling noise and tremendous lightening. We couldn't even see out of our house - nothing but a white sheet. We went into the interior of our house, which is merely a hall and just kind of stood there.

Within one minute things settled down. It wasn't until about 20 minutes later did we watch on the news that a tornado had touched down on the street behind our house which is Murfreesboro Pike. It tore up the McDonald's, Advanced Auto Parts and other various structures. The storm tore down light poles and knocked out all the power to this area behind us. Big trees were down, but not on our stretch of road. The UPS guy shows up at our house to deliver a package (those guys are amazing!) and rushes to the house and I meet him on the covered porch. He asked if we were okay and if we still had power. Yes! Yes! He just came from the street behind us and adjacent to us and said 'no power up there, really large trees are down and the main road (Murfreesboro Pike), well, there is something really wrong up there.' He left.

We focused on the TV again and already the news crews were out on M'boro Pike and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Not total devastation, but enough to make the weather people say that a tornado touched down on Murfreesboro Pike. O--M--G!!!! Tell me she didn't just say that a tornado touched down behind my house??? Tell me this isn't so??? Sure enough! Me and my boys had just witnessed the outer bands of a tornado impeding towards the ground. It basically surfaced in our front yard. One second nothing was there and the next this white racing wall of white began hitting our front door. This same storm hit a town a little further south of Nashville called Franklin (Historic Battle of Franklin during the Civil War) and touched down. It also started a fire at a nursing home. Then it came our way and touched down. Then proceeded on its original path and touched down in a town a little further northeast from us called Donelson near the Nashville International Airport.

We are expected to get more thunderstorms either tonight or in the morning I think. I'll be watching the news at 10:00 tonight - you can count on that! I'm glad we're safe and sound. I've never seen anything like this and even though I'm not completely comfortable saying "it was a tornado," that is what it was and I don't want to see that again. Whether it was the outer bands, the eye of the storm, the squall line or the tail, a tornado is a tornado...and my husband better be home next time this happens (praying to God it doesn't).

Thanks for listening!

fun freebies finished

I cannot believe it’s April already ~ AHHH!!! Where is the year going??? Spring has sprung here in Nashville. We’re finally having more normal weather ~ the 60’s to 70’s. This evening will be unpleasant though. We are going to have severe and high risk thunderstorms with the possibility of tornados. This is the second time in a week. It’s terrifying and we still have a few more months of this type of weather and it’s only going to get worse.

I can finally post another finish and another one on the way to be finish-finished. I stitched up primitivebetty’s freebie called Tulip Time. It’s so springy and cheery. I made a couple adjustments via color choices and I added initials. My dear mom needs some cheering up and I wanted to give her a little gift from my heart to hers. She so deserves special treatment and I’m honored to be the one to dish it out. She stopped by my house this afternoon and brought lunch for us and Cameron. She had no idea I had a wee tiny surprise for her. She loved it, by the way! She even shed some tiny little tears (I love you, Mom!).

I stitched this on 28 ct White Monaco and used my mom’s favorite colors of yellow, gold and mauve. I made two bunnies brown and two a soft black. I had fun with this and had it stitched in two days. I finished it off with two big black buttons from my own lot, fabric from my stash, and the lacey material is actually from my late-Grandmother’s stash. Can you keep a secret? The lace isn’t lace (nodding my head) ~ it is hem binding. (HeeHee) I made it into a wall hanging by inserting ½ inch thick natural batting, so now my mom has something cheery from me to hang in her stitching room.

I’ve completed my punchneedle carrot. The pattern is from one of my punchneedle books by Cheryl Haynes and daughter Sarah Haynes Knoerr called Punchneedle Embroidery and Wool Work. The pattern originally was created to be made with wool felt, but I don’t create with felt (at least not yet I don’t) and I changed it to my liking. It’s punched with DMC and WDW’s Carrot (how appropriate, ugh?). This was fast and easy. Next on the agenda is to secure the edges with tacky glue, cut to size, stuff with fluff, and lay in a basket for Easter. I have a cute little bunny waiting for his carrot too. :D I’ll post photos once I’m done assembling it.

Now I have two more days open for projects: Tuesday and Wednesday. Oh the possibilities are endless!

I’m on such a Twilight kick (can’t you tell? – see sidebar of Edward Cullen). I’m half way through New Moon. I’ve never had mood swings like this over a book. One minute I’m depressed. The next I’m hopeful. Then in an instant I feel reassured that Edward will suddenly jump back into Forks, but then devastated by his no-show. O—M—G!!! He needs to show his beautiful self or I’m going to die (screw Bella!). I’m livin’ the nightmare here. Anyway, Jacob is becoming more likeable. At first I wasn’t pleased with them getting close, but there is something down inside me that is relieved Bella has “something,” but I am still not happy with the development.

My favorite part so far is when Edward whispers demands to Bella when she is seen by Laurent. Lordy! I was frightened for her and I actually thought for a split second (a girl can only hope and dream – ugh!) that Edward would fly in and save “his” damsel in distress. Man, this book is getting good now! It’s been slow moving since it started, but I can’t put it down now. I stayed up until 3:00 am last night reading. I can almost feel Bella’s pain and her pit of despair. It’s excruciating to read. I know…you don’t have to tell me I’m crazy. I’m fully well aware of this fact.

Gotta run and pick Jose up from school. Happy stitching!

cameron + monkey = mama going bonkers

Today I heard clicking coming from the back bedrooms (aka: Jose and Cameron's rooms) and looked into the living room to see if Cameron was with Jose. No, he wasn't, so I instantly assumed that Cameron had crept into Jose's room and was playing in what Cameron believes to be heaven. I told Jose to check his room because Cameron was in there playing. Jose looked and I looked and noticed that Jose's door was closed so Cameron couldn't be in there. This meant I had to go and see what all the clicking was about. I went down the hall and before I could enter into Cameron's bedroom there was Cameron up on his changing table flipping the light switch off and on. He had the biggest grin. What an accomplishment this was!

I told Daddy about Cameron's new venture so we decided to catch it on film, just this once (we don't want to go an encourage monkey business!). Click on the video below. Sorry it's a tad bit dark, but you'll see 'the light'.

tag update

I finally assembled MY "E" is for Edward floss tag. You can pick one up at Paulette's blog ~ it's a freebie.

And I'm finally successful in getting the front side of my January floss tag to lay vertically. Before the photo was horizontal and I could only show off the back side of the tag. I'm happy now!

I'm off to get some stitches in while Cameron naps. Have a graceful Sunday! Talk soon!

never do today what can be done tomorrow

That’s my newly adopted motto and for good reason. Today, March 28, marks my DH’s one whole year being smoke free. I am so very proud of him! He has gone through more in the last 4 years than most people do in half a lifetime and to quit smoking only gave him more of a challenge, but he kicked that ugly and thieving habit. Way to go my DH!!!

I was supposed to do filing today but me and DH went target shooting and then had a late lunch with my parents at our neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Then we were shaken a bit by tornado sirens. Those things went off at least ten times and funnel clouds were spotted in areas around Nashville. I hate tornado season and it is underway.

I’ve rearranged projects from the rotation. Long Dog’s Ages of Man has moved from Saturday to Sunday because I am eager to start the Traveling Stitcher by LHN, which I got together today and hope to start stitching after this post. I moved my “secret” project from Sunday to Monday and I still haven’t decided on Wednesday yet.

My parents bought me the Twilight soundtrack today. I can't wait to put this in and play it loud! They and Jose surprised me with the James Bond Quatum of Solace DVD. I'm the biggest 007 fan! I've seen the movie, but I have to own it like I do all the others. :D

G’night and talk soon!

finishing fridays

I haven’t put one stitch in today except for beginning a finishing project which consists of back stitching a border to ready it for floss tagging.

This is the backside of the tag and for some stupid, stupid reason the front side image kept rotating during download. Why does Blogger do that? UGH!!!! This is the only photo I took of the front so I’ll need to take more and re-download tomorrow – sorry. Anyway, I did assemble the January Primitive Floss Tag from The Needle’s Content today. I have February and will soon get March and will continue to get the remaining months.

[Not the best photo in the world. My camera sucks at taking close-ups.] I’m still not ready to show my fully assembled kitty, but here is yet another sneak peak of the backing fabric. I’m going to be honest. The kitty is for my Aunt. I mentioned to my Aunt awhile back that I was stitching a kitty for her but she hasn’t seen it; and I know you’re reading this Aunt Pam. :D This was a fun stitch and easier to assemble than I first thought.

Call me crazy! “I am unconditionally and irrevocably in love with Edward Cullen.” I know what I said about the movie not being as good as I thought it should have been even though the book was an amazing read. I enjoyed the movie, don’t get me wrong, and since owning Twilight I’ve watched it three times. I know, call me crazy! I’m so in love with the vampire that I cannot help myself from learning about Robert Pattinson who played him. He is smoken! Then add in his British accent ~ OMG! Double smoken! He is soooooo young though, but even still he needs his cradle rocked. LOL STOP!!!

I am stitching a border around the design and I believe I’ll make it into a floss tag; therefore, it’ll get used just about every day (hee hee). This was a freebie from Paulette and it’s still available if you want one. I stitched it on black Belfast, 2 over 2. I was able to stitch it in one night; last night, but started the assembly today. I’m using a red fabric for the back to compliment the red apple.

I made a decision for Friday’s position. I took The Heart’s Content Seahorse Fob & Scissors out of the WIP’s basket and transferred to the current rotation. I started this last fall during ‘Celebration’ in Louisville, KY and shortly thereafter stopped. It’s so cute and vibrant and done 1 over 1. Maureen Appleton’s over 1 techniques really prove themselves and I enjoyed the outcome thus far, so I’m looking forward to getting this done. Besides, it comes with seahorse scissors which are really neat. You can never have too many pairs of scissors, right!?!?

I haven’t made a decision about my other opened days yet. I’m thinking I may start the Little House Needleworks The Traveler. My mom ordered the finishing companions from Mary Kathryn and they arrived so quickly ~ thank you Mary Kathryn! Ours are the spring collection and are green instead of the pink that sold out and they are truly lovely.

I’m getting really excited about April. Country Sampler just announced that Stacy Nash club members will be receiving the second cross stitch kit for the year. We have no idea what it’s going to be, or at least I don’t think anyone does, but it should be here as soon as April arrives. Woo-Hoo!!!

That’s it for now. Talk soon!

*meow*

It’s been a rough few days, but I do have something to show for. I have another finish. I finished primitivebetty’s My Favorite Kitten last night. I’m not showing it in its entirety because it isn’t “assembled,” but I will at some point soon. Now I have Monday, Wednesday and Friday opened for new or WIP projects. This is quite exciting! I haven’t looked through any charts or WIPS yet to see what’ll take those places, but by next week I’ll have another day freed up. WOW! I’m currently rotating and that’s the point. I actually got half the laundry done today and that was the plan too…so far so good!

Talk soon!

progress underway

My needles must have flames behind them because I have finished another project and I’m half way done with my carrot. I don’t know where this fire is coming from because lately I haven’t been feeling well. I’m not ill; just not well. I’ve had my migraines and headaches for days now so I’m heavily medicated and regularly. I’m not having such a good time either. I am faint-like, light headed, run down, a bit slow even, and a tad on the confused side. All I can do is lay around and luckily I’ve been able to stitch once the pounding subsides and then it’s time to take more meds to keep myself functioning for Cameron’s sake. I keep crossing my fingers hoping each new day will be a brighter one. Onto stitching though…

I finished the January Primitive Floss Tag by The Needle’s Content. I hand-dyed 32 ct natural linen with walnut crystals and sprayed distressing solution on it, then baked it. I did this before stitching because I used Gentle Art Sampler Threads and as we all know are not colorfast. I’ll assemble this little cutie in the next couple days. I’ve already purchased February and March floss tags and they are really cute. Annemiek is designing floss tags for all 12 months ~ so cool!

This is my progress on the carrot. I used two DMC colors (green and rusty orange), but I’m using WDW Carrot for the body. The pattern came from a punchneedle book of mine. I traced the pattern using an iron-on pencil and then transferred it onto plain weaver’s cloth. I should have given more thought to this little project. From the beginning I planned to stuff this carrot and lay in a basket for Easter or something like that (who knows!), but what I should have contemplated was the color of weaver’s cloth. I should have used a spring color like pink, yellow or purple. I mean, I have those colors. I just didn’t think all this through. Oh well, you live and learn!

This morning I was resting on the couch and Cameron nestled up on my side. He must have been really comfy (although it doesn’t look that way) because he fell asleep before his actual nap. He looks like a little monkey all rolled up.

I'm excited that I have another finish in one week. This means I have two days open now for something new or something old. Decisions. Decisions. That's it for now. Talk soon!

blog award

I received this award the other day from Melissa. You are so so sweet, Melissa, really! I appreciate your taking time to visit my blog and feel it worth mentioning. Again, thanks!

I recall that when receiving an award it is nice to pass that award onto others. Of course, everyone I know deserves an award, but because there are so many I cannot possibly list ALL of you. That would take me a century ~ I have so many blog-buddies!

I am going to do what Melissa has done and nominate 8 fellow stitchers and quilters that I don't know very well and reach out to them by nominating their blogspots. Here goes...

1. Gazette94

2. WeeBird

3. All the Beautiful Things

4. Dany88

5. Black Sheep Prims

6. Suburban Stitcher

7. Taylor's Farmhouse Attic

8. Auntie's Quaint Quilts

The Instructions are to:

A. Copy the Blog Award logo onto your own blog
B. Make a link to the one who awarded you
C. Nominate 8 blogs

D. Add their links to your own blog

E. Leave an FYI on each nominee's blog so they are aware they have been "chosen"

Melissa, thank you again for this award! For my 8 nominees, I hope to open many Internet windows getting to know you. :D