anniversary

Four years ago today, dh and I were married at his parents home in historic Franklin, Tennessee. It seems much longer than just four years because so much as happened since that day. I can’t begin to detail all the dramatic and some subtle changes that have occurred, but I believe we’re a stronger couple because of those changes. At least I’d like to think so.

Even though he can sometimes get on my very last nerve with his corky behavior and those never-ending farts (pardon me) I coined “The Orchestra”, I still love him all the same. He’s a man…say no more, and I love that man for heaven’s sake. God Bless him!

[Click on collage to enlarge photo.]

Happy Anniversary, Honey! Here’s to many, many more years together.

Talk soon!

8 years & waving

Today marks 8 years dh and I have been a couple. It was 8 years ago today that our relationship went into high gear and was made official ~ we were a couple. We decided on June 14th we’d be monogamous and that’s just what we did. Here we are eight years later, married with two children with the possibility of more in the future. We don’t celebrate this day or make any special plans, but we do acknowledge it as I’m doing right here. (Our wedding anniversary is in July.) This photo is dh and I during our dating years. We always have fun and we laugh A LOT and this still holds true today.

This day is easy to remember because it’s also Flag Day. Our US flag waves each and everyday atop our porch and our flag waves in our hearts.

Talk soon!

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from the babbling brook

Ahhhh!!! I’ve got so much to blab about it isn’t even funny. Ever since last Wednesday I’ve been rather busy and not just with stitching because I really don’t have a whole lot of stitchy-news, but just life in general. My Uncle and grandparents came to town for a visit on Wednesday and just left yesterday morning.

Sunday, April 19 was my Aunt Pam’s birthday and as far as I can tell she received a lot of lovely gifts. My mom sent her a Rascal Flatts CD along with a discontinued Vera Bradley bag called Little Traveler. This bag is genius for stitchers, let me tell you!

30 ct. Straw linen by WDW
DMC threads listed by designer

I stitched and assembled primitivebettys My Favorite Kitten Pinkeep for my aunt. I even added my own personal tag to the side of the kitty. My aunt’s home is a safe haven for cats of all denominations. :o) I think at one point she might have had 12 cats, and she has a dog too. She’s an amazing feline mother and thought it only appropriate for her to have one of “my cats” for her “studio” (as she calls her room). She loved it and I’m happy that she does. It may even be her first “primitive” piece. My aunt’s specialty is samplers. Her walls are like a museum of sampler art from the last 20+ years. She does amazing work. She received other wonderful treats from her friends and daughter too. I think she had an overall fantastic birthday. Happy Birthday, Aunt Pam!!!

28 ct. White Monaco (coffee dyed)
DMC colors of choice

Awhile back I stitched my mom primitivebettys Spring Time tulip freebie design as a just-because-I-love-you gift. I made moms into a wall hanging and used yellow and gold tones as the primary colors. I liked hers so much that I made myself one. I changed the colors just a tad, added some buttons, fabric on the back and made it into a pinkeep. I really like how it turned out. And I must admit that I’m getting better at whip stitching which is a much needed relief . The navy blue, flowery fabric in the background is what I used as the finishing fabric.

4o ct. White linen
DMC threads listed by designer

I have begun a dainty piece from Blackbird Designs called My Needle Book. It’s from the My Heart Is True booklet that was released earlier this year. I decided Tuesday needed to be filled so BBD took its place. Wednesday is still open, can you believe that? In addition to this project I decided to take a stab at the contest piece that Alma and Barb are having. It’s a sweet, sweet piece so go check out the details on their blog.

An outside report ~ Spring is definitely in the air and so are my allergies. I am miserable! Can’t say it enough. When I was younger I used to get shots in both arms twice a week. This went on for sometime, but now I have nothing to help me cope. I need to get on this and soon.

Aside from this, there is a robin that is making quite the home atop one of the columns on our front porch.

Before she accomplished her temporary home she had one hell of a time getting the initial twigs and debris to stay up there. We’ve had many, many storms come through and to say that it hasn’t been windy would be an understatement. As you can see, she made quite the mess on the porch, which I’m leaving there in case she needs extra insulation for her babies, but I believe she’s a good mama. She never quit. She kept on persevering until the job was done. Day in and day out ~ she never stopped gathering whatever she could fit into her mouth and find on the ground to stack up on that column. Yay for mama robin!

On Saturday morning the older boys were doing “manly” things outside while Cameron and I stayed inside. (I could barely take the outside because of my allergies.) It was perfect weather, but I couldn’t handle it. Once I stepped foot outside, it took at least 30 minutes to recover once I returned inside.

Jose mowed the front and backyards. We are almost on a full acre (.79 to be exact) and that may not sound like a lot to some, but when you live within city limits, 8 minutes if that from downtown, that is a gracious amount of property…and we’re paying for every shard and blade of grass too!

DH played with his Cobra Mustang while the child worked his tail off (he did assist though). DH does this every spring because he stores the car through the winter, so it is time to get Sally out and play around with her. He’s had this car a long time and has spent many, many nights, days and mornings with her. She’s been driven like 10,000 horses and treated like a baby all her life. She is a beauty though and she is extremely and violently fast. The torque is insane in this thing. There is some work to be done in the rear so DH is going to sell one of his guns in order to pay for it.

I have really been on a reading kick lately. Ever since I dove into the Twilight saga I have been so curious to read as many novels as I can cram into my life, for the rest of my life. I’ve read books here and there in the past, but never religiously or diligently; not like I have with the Twilight series and not how I want to continue from this day forward. I also met a really neat girl named Annie on Goodreads. She writes and has amazingly articulate reviews to what she reads. She is a read-aholic in my book and I love reading what she has to say. I find her opinions insightful and comprehensive.

my 'to-read' shelf:

I joined Goodreads dot com in October 2008 and have recently added more and more books, especially in the last week. I’ve taken a few quizzes and read reviews. I have found numerous quotes that I simply adore if not stand true to myself. I’m a bit philosophical myself at times. I have a few friends and hope to gain more. I really need help and insight into the storytelling world as I’m fairly new to this arena and wouldn’t know what was good and what isn’t. Tanya is another great source of reading insight too. I don’t know how she crams all this reading into her already abundantly busy life. :D

Anyhoo, I’ve added numerous ‘to-read’ books on my sidebar and quotes that really mean something to me now or struck me when I read them, especially Stephanie Meyer. So far she is my favorite author, and she’ll always be a favorite but there are other favs of mine, but she takes top-spot right now. I love the quotes from Twilight.

I’m nearly finished with Breaking Dawn by Meyer (on page 601) and I believe I’ll pick up The Host by Meyer after BD. I hear The Host is excellent and that Meyer only gets better in tune with her writing. Since I cannot afford to buy all the books, I’ll need to head to the library. Hopefully, it’s available.

Ugh! I’m finished. My babbling brook has arrived at the precipice. Talk soon!

easter weekend

Me and ALL my boys had an uneventful weekend, weather wise. We had a rather gorgeous Easter weekend. The weather was warm and pleasant and the sun was out the entire time. On Saturday, DH and Jose assembled a rocket to launch in the backyard which worked splendidly. They had lots of fun doing this together. And I cannot believe I actually got a snapshot of the rocket taking off. I must have clicked the button at the perfect time (maybe NASA would be interested!).

Easter Sunday was calm and quiet. We hung around the house in the morning and after noon time we headed over to Nana and Papa’s house for Easter baskets and an early dinner. We had baked ham with all sorts of side dishes and strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was really, really good!

It was nice watching the boys hunt for their baskets, although it didn’t take much hunting to find them, and by the time they did it was all over. Me and DH even had a basket from my parents which was really cool. My mom got me a bag of Spring Time M&M’s and a chart called Bluebird by The Victoria Sampler. I didn’t get to work on my Long Dog Sampler at all on Sunday, but I did get to work on the Traveling Stitcher by LHN ~ the ‘needles’ portion anyway.

I’m trying to learn how to build my own photo light box so photos of my stitching will look more crisp and clean. My camera’s flash is too much and me trying to manipulate that is not enough, so lighting is my flaw. I just need something that gives an overall even appearance. I like consistency and I’m not achieving that on my own. I’ve done a couple searches and have found at least one helpful tutorial. In case you’re interested click HERE.

That’s it for now. I believe we’re having Hamburger Helper for dinner tonight. Yep, sounds easy enough. 24 is on tonight too. 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!

so many things…so little time

I have many things to talk about and it's been awhile, so first things first...

Twilight review…I read the book and have finally witnessed the movie. First, I did enjoy the movie. Let’s not forget that; however, I was disappointed a little. It was missing something. Maybe it was the director. I felt the movie missed so many topics that the book hit on that I felt were important to the story line. I felt the movie to be choppy and too “piecey”. It jumped from one scene to the next without the fade of that particular scene having a conclusion. For example, the girls are at school discussing prom and driving into Port Angeles to buy prom dresses. Bella wants to go and all of a sudden they are there trying on dresses. Less than 2 minutes later we see a book being handed to her and now she’s being barraged by strange men; Edward appears. It just happened all too quickly for me. I felt like the movie was sped through.

I understand that “Hollywood” has to take a hundreds plus page book and mash it down to 90 minutes and maintain substance, but other movies have fared better with WAY more complexity in the story, such as The Pelican Brief, The Firm, The Da Vinci Code (just to name a few) that had a tremendous amount of conspiracy and twists and turns, and those directors managed to keep the content. I feel Twilight lost this. Twilight was such a success with words that it didn’t stand a chance at losing its audience on the silver screen. People were going to almost automatically like it no matter how bad or good it was. There was a bias.

The only thing from this movie that remained faithful to the book was Bella and Edward. I think the two actors playing Edward and Bella were perfect for the part. What I wouldn’t kill to be Bella, really! The amount of intensity and passion these two share. The anticipation of “taking” each other, but having to endure such restraint, especially when Edward softly commands her to be still, don’t move…OMG!!! He had me there. A line like that floors me. What a turn on that scene was. I would have made him take a bite. Heehee

I hear that New Moon is also being made into a movie and that it’s getting a different director. I’m glad if that’s true. Maybe the next movie will be right on topic. I am glad I saw the movie. I own it and plan on watching it over and over and over again to get my Edward fix. There is enough of him to go around ladies. :o)

"My heart belongs to my husband, but neck belongs to Edward." Anonymous

Saturday…I went to moonlight stitching with mom at our LNS and it was really fun. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. My mom saw an old friend, Katie, from the original sit ‘n stitch evenings from years ago so that was a treat for mom. Melissa joined the party as well and brought along her two table runners. Go to her blog and check them out ~ so beautiful!

Crafting area…I am making great progress in my creative-domain! This is where I do everything - rotary cutting, piecing, sewing, ironing, sorting, organizing, and looking for projects, etc. You name it; I do it there, except for stitch. I either stitch in the living room with my Ott-Lite or in bed.

I finally alphabetized my single charts into magazine holders and they have been relocated on the new lower shelf. I like this a lot better. This isn’t all the charts I own though. I have scissor fob kits and singles, smalls, etc. These are just in other places in my area. Since I’m still not done repositioning everything I can’t show photos just yet, but I will in do time. I am happy with how things are turning out.

Groupies…I recently joined another Yahoo! group. (The photo is clickable.)

I started contributing to the Blackbird Designs blogspot so go and check out that little place. I’ve always been familiar and an admirer to BBD, but just until recently have I become addicted (hence BBD addict sidebar photo) to the designs. In my very humble opinion I feel the designs have changed over the years and I really like the new look. I don’t know if it was intentional or even noticeable on their part, but I really am enjoying the new look of all their designs. I see a new design and have this aching feeling that I have to have it. What about you?!

Finishings…For the last few days I’ve been busy finishing up a couple projects. I have cleared another current rotation project – Stacy Nash’s Hallows Eve Sampler Pillow.

Design: Hallows Eve Sampler Pillow
Designer: Stacy Nash Primitives
28 ct Autumn Fields (front/back)
DMC 301, 310, 612, 730, 838

This took way too long! Granted, every Friday wasn’t a good stitching day; therefore, no stitching was to be had, but it is done…finally! I loosely stuffed it with Poly-fil. I didn’t want it to be stiffly stuffed with fluff (I’m a poet and didn’t know it). I added my own touches by attaching a black key to the front and added my initials in a ‘hallows eve’ kinda way, along with stitching one of the keys 1 over 1. I didn’t coffee stain or use walnut crystals because the Autumn Fields is over-dyed. I didn’t free hand cross stitches either. I like how it all turned out.

I’ve mentioned a couple times about making a punchneedle case for my new Cameo needles. I already have a needle case for my Russian punchneedles with a needle punch design atop the clear plastic container. It’s an Erica Michaels design I received when I took her punchneedle class years ago. The container houses my Russian needles perfectly; threaders and all.

The dilemma was I didn’t want any ole’ plastic container case for my Cameo. I wanted something a wee bit nicer. Besides, the threading needles are much longer than the Russian threaders, so I was going to need something more substantial in width ~ at least 7” wide. Since most of the designs I punch are folk art and/or primitive, I thought it only appropriate to use my Civil War fabrics. I am extremely fulfilled with this accomplishment! No pattern. No design. I just went with the flow and my result was perfect for me.

Design: Pig and Chicken
Designer: Hooked On Rugs
Thread: WDW
Fabric: beige weaver’s cloth

I added several little touches after my brainstorming of the needle case. I free hand stitched my initials on the wool inside. I added two buttons; one for decoration and one to hold the case closed. I used walnut crystals to stain a piece of hem binding that came from my grandmother’s stash of lace and hemming pieces. I used the blanket stitch to attach the wool. I used interfacing and a 1/2” thick piece of batting between the main fabrics; both to give stability, and it worked! I used Mod Podge to affix the pig and chicken to the top/front of the case. I’m really happy! In fact, I did a little dance last night!

Oldies…I wanted to share the very first needle case I ever stitched and finished by myself.

The design is from Olde Colonial I picked up from CATS back in 2004-2005. Since I was a ‘virgin’ at this kind of thing I didn’t notice until after I assembled it that I’m off by one stitch on the “5” of 2005 ~ I went too far. I was really upset at the time, but now it doesn’t bother me so much. It’s funny to look at it, but it’s also a reminder at how far I’ve come and where I started. I love my little scissor and needle case. I wouldn’t change a thing. :o)

Cameron speaks…FINALLY!!! Cameron is saying ONE word. He is saying “Mama” with intention. And when I answer him, ‘yes,’ he has the most excited grin. He knows he’s speaking and I’m so proud of him. It sounds so sweet to finally hear. I’ve been waiting a long time to hear his little voice utter sweet little words like ‘mama.’ It’s music to my ears.

On a very different note, Cameron is throwing things…ALL things. It’s a difficult phase to address. I’ve sought out some mommy advice from Tanya and she’s been very helpful. Jose went through this very same thing, but not to this extent. Cameron throws the tray from the highchair which can really hurt someone. It also makes for a very loud crash. Even though this phase isn’t funny, the other night we were eating dinner and had smoked salmon dip as an appetizer. We’re happily enjoying our meal, and as if God wanted to throw something down from heaven, a pacifier came and landed in the dip. SPLAT!!! It made quite the interesting indentation in the dip. We had a very difficult time controlling our laughter. It was surprising to say the least.

Cameron has been enjoying the outside. He cries if we don’t let him out and I believe he thinks he’s Pink Panther, or either Mr. Bean, but he’s making attempts to find a way outside without assistance. We have to be very conscientious about locking doors around here. We were at my FIL’s a few weeks ago and he has a doggy door. I know I don’t need to tell the story, but guess where we found Cameron? Yep! Heading out the dog door. We locked that up real quick bc my FIL has a 2-3 foot deep pond. Very scary place!

Other…Not that anyone cares, but it is part of my ‘makeup’, I am waiting to receive my gun carry permit in the mail. I completed the application process, had my photo taken, background check done, and was fingerprinted. We’ve purchased the gun I’ll carry, which is compact called a Glock 19. I’m not excited per se, just waiting around for yet another HUGE responsibility to maintain.

Jose…Jose returned to school today from spring break. I’m a little relieved bc Cameron can get back into his normal routine. Not that I had him off of it with Jose around, but it gave me a challenge that’s for sure. I’m not relieved bc I’ll have to leave here around 2:30 everyday to pick him up. Not that I don’t mind picking up my son, it’s just that I don’t feel well today and going out in this sunlight makes me feel ill. I was going to take Cameron to the park today, but I feel too bad so it’ll have to be another day. It’s in the 70’s today so that’s a bummer.

DH…I’m going to end this post on a silly note. I’m sure most of us can agree that men are much different than women – much different doesn’t even begin to explain the difference, does it?! The other day I walked into the kitchen and this is what waited for me.

Why do men do this kind of thing? My DH can take apart cars and put them back together. He can do plumbing and electrical work. He works on computers and can fix any mechanical toy or machine (he’s educated for this). He’s a sharp-shooter. And can solve just about any problem even though he has no training in most fields. He can just do these things. HOWEVER, he cannot load a dishwasher to exhaust all usable space and he cannot open a waffle box. What is up with this???!!! I’m going to quote Anne Hesch in the movie Seven Days, Six Nights when she speaks to Harrison Ford and asks after they’ve crashed onto a deserted island:

Anne: Aren’t you one of those guys???
Harrison: What guys?
Anne: You know…one of those guys you give a tooth pick and a shovel to and they build you a shopping mall???!!!

That is my DH, but not with a waffle box. Ugh!!! And as if that wasn’t enough, what’s wrong with this picture?

I must have wakened in another house. Who keeps motor oil on the counter around food??? Please! If anyone knows, I’d like to hear about it. I’d like to know I’m not alone here. Have a wonderful Monday and a fantastic week!

take me away (edited)

I am really sick and tired of being sick and tired. All the sickos, including myself, are driving me bonkers!!! I can't take anymore. In the last 3 weeks I've been to the doctor 4 times (technically 5) and not just for myself. Three weeks ago on the 2nd, Cameron was at the doctor for his 15-month checkup and while there received his immunizations and a flu shot ~ all else well. Later that week on the 5th, I needed to see the doctor because I was very ill. However, I made an appointment for 2:45 that afternoon, but I felt so terrible that I came up with the idea of going to my doctor's walk-in clinic in the morning to be seen faster. I was turned away and we had to get back into the car and return home. I kept my appointment for 2:45 and saw the doctor...finally!

Meanwhile Jose was getting over a mild cough he had from Thanksgiving, but otherwise he was well. DH was fine at this point and Mom was taking care of my kids, me and my home while I was bed-ridden. After a couple days I was able to function, Mom was relieved and I was feeling hopeful. Then on the 11th (my birthday) I still wasn't at my full potential and Cameron had developed a little cough that needed attention. It was that gagging type cough. So off we went to see his doctor again for the second time in less than 10 days. Found out he had a little ear infection so she prescribed an antibiotic for that and a steroidal cough suppressant.

In the evening of the 11th, DH was feeling rather terrible and running a fever. He wasn't looking too hot either. This was also the evening of his company's Christmas dinner at a nice restaurant called Maggiano's - great Italian food, btw! But DH was insistent we go and off we went to dinner. I was still coughing up a storm from my illness-can't even laugh without going into a coughing frenzy. DH barely ate and he felt ill the whole time. Friday came and DH still went to work, but was weak, achy and feverish; and according to him he had to be at work for an install at an important client's office. It had to be done by him. He managed to get off work early and as soon as he got home went to bed. Saturday came and he refused to go to the walk-in clinic even though he was running a 102 degree temperature. He was in pain, nauseous, coughing profusely, couldn't sleep, couldn't eat and on and on and on. He kept me up and is still keeping me up...so his Cameron.

Over the weekend, come to find out that my mother is really ill with bronchitis - thanks to me and my wonderful boys! I feel so guilty because she's ill. If it weren't for her coming here, she more than likely wouldn't have caught the crud from us. The weekend has been exhausting. Yesterday, was my 5th trip to the doctor. I drove DH to the doctor where he was tested for flu and strep. Thankfully both negative results. However, his fever is difficult to control and the doctor diagnosed him with a sinus infection and bronchitis. We talked "guns" with the doctor (let's leave please), got our prescription and off to Walgreen's we went.

Here we are and Mama is clinically insane. I'm tired of ALL the coughing. We're all coughing! Jose has a little party going on in his nose so he's all nas-ly and congested. I'm still coughing and have been getting my little friends...headaches. Chris is coughing something terrible and he's been home for 2 days now from work. It isn't just a cough either. It's the gagging, spit up cough that is loud and hard. He's also a terrible patient. He doesn't listen. Doesn't do what he should do to get better. Men!!! And then there is poor Mr. Cameron who still has his little cough (I need to call the doctor about this today), but his cough is nasty. He coughs, gags, then vomits. Yeah, I've been literally catching vomit in my hands, paper towels, napkins, you name it, I'm doing it. Last night Cameron threw up twice at dinner because of coughing. And then there is the other stuff I'm dealing with too ~ you know, "crap." And I'm tired of keeping track and looking at all the medicine laying around the house.

Ohhhhhhhhhh......I'm at my wits end with all this sickness. I'm frustrated because I can't visit my mom nor help my mom in the way she helped me. I've got all these sickos, including myself, to take care of. Boy, I need a vacation!!!

Yep, I need a vacation. Cameron just pushed the table that has our tree on it away from the wall....Cameron, look out!!! OMG! Calgon...take me away!

what's up with cameron's head these days?

Some know that Mr. Cameron took a nasty spill on the 2nd of November. He really bonked his head something terrible. In fact, so terrible that it warranted taking him to the ER just to be sure there was no internal damage. I took him to the ER, he had a CT scan and he checked out perfectly fine, with the exception of having a really humongous knot on his forehead. I will save you the gorey details and spare you the image of Cameron's poor little head. Anyway, after much debate my DH conjured up a pretty nifty way to protect Cameron's head from further undue stress and harm. DH searched long and hard and found the perfect solution... one of Jose's old bike helmets. These photos are priceless. I don't know if my child is a genius or just dumb but he realized immediately what the helmets' purpose was and started banging his head on the stinking door. Let me tell you...what a bugger that Mr. Cameron is! What is cute about the helmet is that he reminds me of Dark Helmet in the Mel Brooks film Spaceballs ("Make way for Dark Helmet", taken from the movie Spaceballs). After trying out the bike helmet, they decided to make things even better (ohh goody!) and put Cameron in a basket and slide him around the house as if in a race car. We have video, but I won't bore you to tears. I just can't keep up. These boys are driving me out of my mind, but I love, love, love them all the same. :-)

[No baby was harmed in the photographing of these pictures. And no, Cameron will not be wearing this bike helmet for real...but it would be a good idea, wouldn't it?.?.]

*Special Note: Thanks to everyone who cared so much about my little boy. I received so many thoughtful comments and I appreciate each and everyone one of you.