MIA

No pictures today.  I just wanted you to know I'm still around and still stitching but making slow progress.  What's been going on?

DS has had a lot of extra activities.  I think this has been our busiest Thanksgiving/Christmas.  I'm not complaining because a lot of the activities are things he is helping with in a volunteer capacity and I really love that.  Just busy!

Then both DS and I have been sick.  I think I missed about a week of work.  I had two doctor visits and DS had one.  Both of us are feeling better. DS is totally recovered.  I wish I could recover as quickly!!!

To top everything off....several years ago my Dad had a stroke - it was pretty bad.  Right after the stroke he couldn't talk or walk.  But he has gotten much better.  You can still tell he's had a stroke - he can talk but sometimes it's hard to understand him.  And he can walk with a cane.  He still can't write at all.  But he's been doing so well and made such wonderful progress.  We recently received the news that Dad has cancer.  He's scheduled for surgery on Monday.  It's kind of scary since he is already weak from the stroke.  He's a fighter, but I'm still really worried about him.

So that's what I have my hands full with.  I'll be back when I can.  Keep stitching!

Progress

I have made some progress on the stitching front.  Not enough.  Is it ever enough?

I thought I better set aside my Christmas SAL to finish my Thanksgiving turkey.  Didn't take long to finish that up.  Here's a picture.

And then I went back to work on the SAL.  I have to say I love this piece.  I loved the cute snowman and bird in the first section.  And I love the warm looking fireplace with the stockings in the second section.  But I have to say, I had to frog and frog and frog again in that second part.  That's why I didn't make more progress.  Gaynor, don't look to close because it's still not exactly right!  I just refused to frog any more.  I don't know what was up with me.  I just couldn't count.  Still so far behind! And I'm not done with this section either.  Still a little more to do. Part 4 came out Sunday.  Oh well, maybe during the Thanksgiving holidays I can catch up.  I have several days off work then. Thank you so much, Gaynor, for making this available to us free of charge.  I'm having so much fun with this (except for the frogs)!

Sorry for the wrinkles and the quality of the pictures. 

Parental Initiation?

I guess I have been initiated into the land of high school for parents.  This morning my son's high school was put on lock down.  It's so crazy and stressful.  I really don't understand all the violence and threats of violence.  The biggest thing I remember from school was just someone pulling the fire alarms.  Harmless compared to today's world. 

Why?

Why do teens think the world revolves around them?

Why are sons so much like their dads causing them to always be butting heads?

Why does each one - father and son - swear I take the other's side?

How did I become the enemy?

I really don't expect an answer...I just needed to get it out.  But if you do have some insights I'd love to hear them.

Absolutely no stitching to report.  At least it's the weekend. 

Victorian Christmas SAL

I'm a bit behind but I'm loving this SAL. 

Part Two came out Sunday so I need to get my needle flying.  Thank you so much Gaynor for this SAL.  It's not to late to join in the fun!!!

Unwelcome Visitor and a SAL

The weekend was super busy for us.  The fair started last week and continues this week.  DS is in 4-H so we helped with a display.  The display took second place.  Then Homecoming was also this weekend at the school DS attends.  He marched in the parade on Friday and then went to the dance on Saturday.  Yes, DS went on his first group date.  They had a great time and all went well. 

Since it was so busy, I really didn't have time to stitch until Sunday evening.  As soon as I started I realized I had made a mistake in the turkey and had to frog.  So I'm back to where I was.  No real progress. 

I'm super excited about a SAL.  It just started and will run for 9 weeks.  And it's a Christmas SAL!  Christmas is my very favorite time of year!  You can find details about the SAL here.  Well I'm off to get everything together and hopefully start stitching soon.  This is the first time I've done a SAL and I'm really excited.  Please join us!!!

I'm here

I know you've probably been wondering where I was.  Maybe even given up hope that I would post again.  All I can say is that life tried to take a bite out of me, but I survived!  I still have some loose ends to tie up, but I'm trying to get back to normal - whatever that is.

I had really lost all of my stitching mojo.  In fact, I stopped for awhile.  I started back a couple of weeks ago.  But I really needed something simple so for now I've put my HAED to the side.  Never fear, I will go back to stitching on it.

I just finished this simple little Halloween freebie.  Sorry for the wrinkles.  I plan to frame it and put it in my office.  Of course, I need to get on this or it will be too late!

Then I started another freebie for Thanksgiving.  My plan is to stitch something for each month and rotate them in my office.  Again sorry for the wrinkles....

That's all for now.  I'll try not to be gone for so long again.  It's good to be back.