Western Finals

Well today Saskatchewan plays BC for the Western Finals. In my house this is a big game as Bill is from Saskatchewan. So he's going to be plugged into the TV all day watching that. Then after there is some sort of Wrestling Pay Preview that with the dish we now get. Ask me how excited I am about that.....lol. The Football is one thing, but I totally can't stand wrestling. So I'm heading up to Edmonton to Michaels when the Football game starts. Hmmmm do I have to come back? LOL I guess so.

Oh my goodness good news Jeremy got his report card on Friday. He got mostly 3's which is basically doing average work, some 2's and even a few 1's, but the break down for these marks is really high for Grade One, to get a 1 (1 like an A) he'd basically have to get everything right 100%. Keep in mind that tests Jeremy has brought home he has only gotten one or two questions wrong and that's if he has gotten any wrong at all. He was still given an average mark. If he was in Grade Three giving the same effort his average mark would have been all 1's. So this is the break down for Grade One:
Work meets standard of excellence 96 - 100% 1 passing
Work exceeds acceptable standard 90 - 95% 2 passing
Work meets acceptable standard 80 - 89% 3 passing
Work is below acceptable standard 65 - 79% 4 approaching but not passing
Work is significantly below standard 64% & less 5 below passing mark

Yes I was very thrilled with Jeremy's report card as last year in Grade One he was 4's and 5's that this is a huge improvement. That 3 mark that he's given is a high 3 as if he gets anything wrong on a test he still ends up with an 88 - 89% mark.

Now in Grades 3 - 6 here is there breakdown:
80 - 100% 1
70 - 79% 2
60 - 69% 3
50 - 59% 4
less than 50% 5


Stitching News
I got some work done on both the model and the UFO RR. Today I'm going to work on the RR and then mail it out tomorrow. I'm off tomorrow so I vision a lot of work done on the model. Which reminds me I need to take a pic of it to show the designer. Just killing me that I can't post pics of it...sniff sniff.

I'm getting excited about the new Blog. Guess the first things I'll need to start posting about are Christmas Ornies, because it's right around the corner. So if anyone has any kewl Christmas Ornie finishes that you'd like me to see please let me know. I'm looking for the all over the board from elaborate to fast and quick......hmmmm sounds like another part of my life, but that more often fast and quick and less often eleobrate.....roflmao

Thank You Hockey Night In Canada

So Bill came home last night with Hockey tickets for the Edmonton vs Calgary game. At first I was like woo hoo as I haven't been to an NHL Hockey game in years, but omg the look on Jeremy's face when he saw them. 'Daddy can I go?' Bill was like it was up to me, and I'm like yeah Jeremy you can go with Dad. You would have thought it was Christmas morning he was jumping up and down saying thank you, thank you, thank you. So now BOTH my men are going to be out of the house at the same time. What is a girl to do? Hmmmmm just to much fun.....lol.

So I gave my notice yesterday, and those things are never as hard as we build them up to be. They are not happy to see me go which I guess is a good thing. My boss did ask if there was anything she could say to make me stay, and I was like no. Bill thought I should have said yeah pay me $17.50/hour, move me off the front line, and give me full-time hours. Now I knew that scenario was impossible so I didn't say anything. I said no, because I knew what I wanted from her she couldn't give me. She did say if I needed to come back that I could so that is good I guess. I hope I don't have to go back. It's nice to know that they are not happy that I'm leaving.

Stitching News
Got some more work on the model. In two weeks I'll be able to start showing it off. I can't wait as it is looking so pretty. My mail date is Monday for the UFO RR so I'm posting a pic of what it looks like now. I may post another pic Monday if Bill hasn't flown out by then, and take the camera with him.


Also the new blog seems to be starting to take shape. It's going to be under the domain of I already have sites I want to link to, and even ideas of stuff to write myself. I'm thinking that right now I want to focus on finishing techniques that don't require framing. Other more creative ideas. I may eventually link to some good framing instructions, but at first that won't be the focus. So some of you people out there like for example Emily at The Floss Box be prepared that I may be asking permission to link to some of your finishes, and maybe the occasional gentle nudge to write up a tutorial on how the heck you did that....lol.

It's Not You It's Me

Well the good news is I got the job with the city yesterday. It's offical and everything I went in, and signed papers. I can't believe the pay difference right now I make like $13.50/hour at a bank where there is a lot more to know, a lot more to learn (we have to take classes etc), and a lot of stress/pressure. For the city I'll START at $17.50/hour, and after probation I'll go up to $18.50/hour. Not as much to learn I'll be answering the phones, first contact to the public, and selling Dog Licenses. I'm not saying it's not an important position that first contact always is. I'm pretty excited about this new job I start on Dec 3. This means I have to give my notice at the Bank which I'm feeling a little uneasy about as I like MOST of the people I work with there. Our Manager is brand new to that position. Now I know these things are not my problem, but like I said I like these people. I will go in a few mins early, and drop the bomb so to speak. Can't I just send Bill to do it for me....lol. I always get that uneasy feeling like when you have to break up with someone it's not you it's me....lol. I know this is a much better situation for me that I'm going to less stress and more money. It's also more hours like double the hours not sure how I feel about that, but I'll make it work. I'm just glad that someone in this clickly town gave me a chance.

Stitching News
I decided that I was bound and determined to learn the reversible stitch for blackwork. Imagine my surprise to find out how simple it is. I found that I had to keep really close attention to what I was doing when I tried it, but it does work. Not sure I'll do the rest of the model reversible as she doesn't require it stitched reversible, and right now doing the backstitching stitch works for me, and is faster. I will try the reversible stitch at points I'm sure.

Ok I have an idea for a stitchy blog. A blog that is about finishing, and has links on how to finish for example a flat fold or a biscornu. Not sure how popular it would be, but I'm always looking for neat new ways to finish ornies and other stuff. Going to have to give this some thought.

Oh Happy Day

I got a call back from the job I interviewed at last week. Woo hoo. I was at work all day so I didn't get the message until like 5pm last night. I don't know exactly why she called me back as she just asked me to call her at my earliest convenience. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's good news. Oh I so hope they offer me the job. Yeah ok it's full-time, but it's more what my back ground is. Not to mention it's close enough that I could walk to work. I'm going to give her a call this morning before I have to run out to the bank. Oh good thoughts please my less than ten readers.....lol.

Stitching News
Well Tuesday I was out all night, last night I was recovering from Tuesday....lol.....soooooo tonight I'll be working on a model. Woo hoo.

Just Call Me Leopard

Yeah whatever the rash I have or hives or whatever is now moving up to my chest yikes. Last night was actually fun, and everyone looked great. The food was good, the drinks flowed the company was pretty much interesting. Got home late, but hey that's ok. Had to work all day today so I'm paying for that tonight as I'm pretty sleepy. So no stitching for me tonight and early to bed.

Busy Day

Well today is the Gala, and I have a bunch of stuff to do around the house this morning so I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I'll post more tomorrow.

Which Jane Austen Heroine Are You?

You are Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice! You are intelligent, witty, and tremendously attractive. You have a good head on your shoulders, and oftentimes find yourself the lone beacon of reason in a sea of silliness. You take great pleasure in many things. You are proficient in nearly all of them, though you will never own it. Lest you seem too perfect, you have a tendency toward prejudgement that serves you very ill indeed.

Take the Quiz here!

It Turns Out I Do Windows

It's funny what you will do when it's your house. We bought this house just over a year ago. Other than redoing the upstairs bathroom, and eventually changing some carpet we are pretty happy with it. Can't find the exact furniture I want, but that's another post for another day. Bill was commenting not that long ago that I keep this house cleaner than any other place we rent. I couldn't say the other places were messy or gross just untidy. I said well I guess it's different when it's our house. Heck the other day I even washed windows. Ok I just did the inside ones, but still I haven't done that in like 10 years of being married lol.

Found a really cool site Crafters I have been on there occasionally since I found it in October. Wow if you can think of a craft they have it there. Plus they always have monthly contests & such. That's the site where I got the idea for the feather wreath. They also have an excellent search function so you can look up like coffee cans & find a bunch of ideas for them. Great for inspiration. Had to admit doing the last two wreaths felt great to doing something and finish it the same day lol.

Stitching News
Worked on the RR yesterday, and today I need to sew the trim onto my shirt for tomorrow, and work on the model.

Feather Wreath

So here is my Feather Wreath. I used a grapevine wreath, two white feather boas, white snow flake ornies and blue snow flake ornies. It was pretty easy to put together. I'm about 80% happy with it. If I were to do a white feather wreath again I'd go with a white Styrofoam base so that I'm less worried about coverage. I also could have used a third boa, but at $11/each um no thanks. Actually I think the pics turned out well. I'm going to take this to work on Tuesday, and if they like it I'll be doing a version for the Bank for some sort of Silent Auction thing.

Sunday Lazy Sunday

I'm looking forward to day of not doing to much. I do have to run to Wal-Mart sometime today and get some Christmas balls for my wreath, and some knee highs for Tuesday. I want to put the wreath together today so that should be fun. I think we may also try to go skating as a family which would be great. I can't believe it in less than a week Bill has gotten Jeremy from walking on skates to starting to glide woohoo. Ok they went skating every day after school, but still.

Stitching News
I worked on the model yesterday which is good. Today I'll do some work on the RR, and add the trim to my shirt for Tuesday.

Two Minutes and Four Hair Pins

So Thursday I got my hair trimmed. I hadn't had it trimmed since August, and it was starting to look a little scraggly. I go to Jason a great guy in town here, and he just opened his own Salon. I love getting my hair done. Doesn't matter what is getting done to it, but I love it. I think, because for that 40 mins to an hour it is all about me. I don't go for massages, or manicures or anything like that. I do get my eyebrows waxed, but that's not considered a treat in my books....lol. Anything that hurts isn't a treat, but if I didn't get my eyebrows done then I look pretty scary. Jason always treats me like I'm a Queen when he sees me. I started going to him when he was at a different Salon, and followed him when he opened his own. He takes my coat off for me, and hangs it up, tells my how gorgeous I look (I just got off working at the bank all day I know it's a lie but whatever), he has the other girl make me a Latte, and then he starts washing my hair. OMG that is almost better than sex having someone wash my hair. My hair is thick, heavy and I have a lot of it. Jason is one of those stylists that massages the scalp, and hits all the acupressure points that feel so good the temples for example. So he gets me in his chair, and asks what I want. I said first off I'm not blow drying it straight any more. The wave in my hair is getting stronger it seems by the day, and I'm using the diffuser scrunching it, and letting it go wavy. Why fight nature. So I swear he cuts off 3 inches from the bottom, adds in a bunch more layers than before. But so cool, not straight across layers he cuts in the layers, and then makes the layer edges jagged for lack of a better word. I already have Jason booked to do my hair Tuesday morning for this work Gala thing, and so we start talking about that. My only rule is I want it to look soft, and I don't want to look like a bride. So Jason gets my hair all wavy and dry then walks away, and comes back with 4 hair pins. You know the black straight ones. Grabs a few sections of hair pulls it to the top of my head, and puts the pins in. OMG it looked fabulous. He's going to do something like that on Tuesday morning. I get home, and Bill looks at it thought the partial up do looked good. He's like why does Jason have to do it Tuesday morning? Can't you do that yourself. I'm like yeah it would take me 16 hair pins, and 3 hours and it still wouldn't look half as good at this...lol. That's why Jason is the stylist, and I'm a Bank Teller....lol

Stitching News
Again I did jack squat. I do have something crafty I have to do this weekend. I couldn't find the right top for this Gala thing. I've been looking for awhile. It finally dawned on me that I had seen lots of basic black tops that I liked they just didn't have anything special about them. So I got one at WalMart walked over to the fabric Department, and started looking at trims and such. I did find a black sparkly trim that I like, and a dragon fly. I'm doing to stitch the trim just from the shoulder seam down the front along the neck line. That's a dragon fly key ring I'm debating if I should take the charm off the keyring, and stitch it on the left shoulder area. Might be a splash of colour as everything else I'm wearing will be black. We are also going to Michaels today so I'll look in the bead section for something else I could use. I have a really pretty sheer wrap to wear with the top so I want the top to just be elegant. This is what everything looks like now. I will post another pic when I'm done stitching the trim onto the top.

Now That's What A Small Town Is About

So I have the Bank Gala next week. It's like the Oscars for our bank. All the branches in our region will be in Red Deer celebrating. People and branches will be voted for best of the best. We jump on a bus about 3pm and head to Red Deer. I'm bordering on excitment about this event. What I'm excited about is the dressing up part I actually really like dressing up. I'm getting my hair done, I have new slacks, I'm buying high heels wich will make me at 5'9" an actual amazon woman, and I'm still looking for a sparkly swanky top. Just had a brain storm if I can't find what I want I may have to buy a tank, and emblish it with sequins and such. The party starts on the bus on the ride down. Well even though I have been planning to go part of me was wondering if it would actually work out. With Bill working out of town a lot makes it hard to do some things. We have no family here in Alberta, and I have very few friends in town. Only last month did I actually find baby sitters. They are daughters of the Libriaian at Jeremy's school. So just to be on the safe side I called today to see if they could baby sit next Tuesday. I had to leave a message, but when I called back their Mom said she had good news, and bad news. The girls are working Tuesday, but she has no problem taking Jeremy home with her after school, then to watch her son play Volley Ball, she'll give him dinner, bring him back here to bed and stay here until I get home. Wow I could have almost started crying when she said that. Okay granted she has a fondness for Jeremy, but still. To me that is what living in a small town is about going out of your way to help each other. Now there is a chance Bill will still be in town, and Jeremy will just be home with Dad, but to know if I needed that help she's there to help. That means so much espcially as both our families are back in BC.



Stitching News

I did jack squat tonight.....lol. Watched a funny movie with Bill instead. Oh well.

Look Deep Into My Eyes You Love Me

Look deep into my eyes I know you love and want me. That's what I wanted to say to three people at my interview at City Hall yesterday. It was one of those interviews by committee. I can't stand those ones. So unlike a one on one interview where you just have to impress one person yesterday I had to impress three people. I then get home, and Bill is asking like how did it go? Well what do you say to that question. I think it went well, but my opinion doesn't count. I answered the questions to the best of my ability, and was honest. These things are so subjective did they like me? Did I make good eye contact? Enough eye contact? Did they like what I was wearing? The list goes on and on. They did ask for references so that is a good sign. I will know next week, but they just don't understand I want this job......lol. The position is for a one year maternity leave which fine I can deal with that. Job would be the receptionist for the entire City Hall, and then directing people as to where to go when they come in. I can do that. I have done that Reception/Admin is my back ground.

So here we rushed around the other day getting stuff ready as Bill was to have been flying out yesterday, and they are still having problems on the rig. So now it's pushed back until maybe Monday. Pretty much anytime between now and Monday he could get the call as to when he's leaving. One has to want his job two weeks in New Zealand where he didn't do any actual work just a four day course where he got to play in the pool as it was a Helicopter escape course. Basically what to do if a Helicopter crashes. The rest of the time they went bowling, drank beer, and drove around parts of New Zealand. So he then flies home and informs me he may not have to go into the office as he just came back from an international job. Um you mean a paid vacation. So he goes in for half a day Monday and they send him home for most of the week. Like wish my job was that cushy.....lol. Okay granted when they are working they work pretty hard, but still. Down side is if he doesn't fly out tomorrow they may have to send him on a Domestic job, and then he'd be flying to New Zealand.

Stitching News
More work on the model. That's about it.

I was thinking of those feather wreaths a lot yesterday. Even searched for some pics on a craft board. I saw one that was black boas and sparkly balls. It looked very swanky, but also thought it was missing something. I can't wait to get the stuff to make one. I wanted to do that this weekend like Saturday go to Edmonton, but not sure if Bill would be interested.

Easy Come Easy Go

Easy come easy go....lo Bill flew home Saturday to turn around and fly back well Today. We knew he'd have to go back I was hoping we'd get a couple of extra days out of it, but he got the call yesterday that they are leaving today to fly back to New Zealand to do the job they were to have done the first time they were there. Well at least he didn't have to go into the office yesterday so that's good. He hung out at the house, shoveled the back deck and walk way, picked up Jeremy from school and even took him skating.

Hey good news I have a job interview today with City Hall woo hoo. It's for Accounting Assistant. I'm so excited. Go me. So at 3pm today I'll be in there hopefully making them see how valuable I am....lol.

Stitching News
This part of my blog has been very boring lately. I think Jeremy and I are going to be going to Edmon to get the stuff to make a wreath for Christmas. I'll need a grape vine wreath, feather boa white, and then I'm not sure what else to use. I was thinking small Christmas ornies, and then what well my mind is thinking of either fake poinsettias or some sort of star garland.

I Feel Pretty Oh So Pretty

Well okay not me per say, but my blog sure does feel pretty!!!! Doesn't it look nice? Loretta Loretta's Blog was nice enough to do it for me. Her rates are great $30, and I feel like a new woman. Well a new blogging woman that is....lol.

So Jeremy had his first night of Hockey last night. Oh what good Canadians we are our kid plays hockey, Bill plays hockey. Actually now that I come to think of it there's not a man in my family that at some point hasn't played hockey, and all us kids know how to skate. I did figure skating for years. Okay I'm off topic here. Jeremy's skating isn't as strong as it could be so he was the weakest skater out there last night, but omg did he try his little heart out. By the end he was almost getting some speed going....lol. So Jeremy and I are going to be getting some practice skating in. I promised him that as his skating gets better so will his Hockey. I have to hand it to the little bugger he spent more time on his behind than standing/skating it seems yet he didn't give up, he didn't try to get off the ice, and when we asked him if he had fun he said YES. Okay do you want to come next week, and he's like YES. Mom we just need to practice my skating. Okay kiddo is your bum sore. Yeah a little. There's this one I can only call him a brat that has been sorta picking on Jeremy. He slapped Jeremy across the face in the Summer at one of the Day Camps so brat isn't a to strong of a word for him. I got the school involved as this Brayden was making school miserable for Jeremy where he just wouldn't want to go. We I think Brayden has just given up, and they just don't talk now which is fine by me. Well this little brat is at hockey last night. I guess he was taunting Jeremy. 'Jeremy is so slow he can't even score a goal.' Poor kiddo. So I was trying to come up with something Jeremy could say back that wouldn't be totally mean. The best I could come up with was just tell him not to talk to you. If it continues I'll have to talk to Brayden's Dad, but right now I'm going to just wait and see what happens. I WANT to tell Jeremy well just call him a cry baby as Brayden cries in class a lot I guess if he doesn't understand the work being done. But I'm an adult, and two wrongs don't make a right.....dang maturity anyways...lol.

Stitching News
Just a few stitches on the model that's about it. Nothing overly exciting.

Another Contest To Enter

Craft Blog Chart Give Away
Craft Blog is having another contest for a chart. A pretty Christmas chart From the Sudberry House Designer Series. Chart #115 by designer Donna Vermillion Giampa and is titled Santa’s Forest Surprise. I love stitching Christmas themed charts. Well keeping my fingers crossed for this one...lol.

I'm Under Construction

As long as I've had this blog I've been wanting a pretty, fun and well just pretty blog. At first I would try to change colours, fonts etc of existing templates offered, and well it just wouldn't work out the way I wanted. That or I'd get to frustrated at my own lack of knowledge on how to do it properly. So the other day I was reading my friend Loretta's blog, and she had just changed her template to a Christmas theme. Okay Christmas you say it's to early for Christmas now I would generally agree with you, but you'd have to know Loretta to know that it isnt' just any Christmas theme. She did a Nightmare Before Christmas theme header, and wow it is so cool check it out Thoughts Out Of My Head So when I read that her rates are reasonable I jumped on board, and asked Loretta to pretty please jazz up my rather dull looking blog. Or at least in my opinion it's dull looking. I was so surprised that she got started right away. I'm going to have a stylized elf, the colours are a bright purple, blue and grey. I'm really excited. Will just reflect more of my personality.

So after two weeks Bill is back home for a week. They never got out on the rig in New Zealand to many problems. So they have to go back. Now how's this for Murphy's Law the night he gets home it starts to snow a bunch, and wake up this morning with a sore throat. Welcome home sweetie....lol. But the good news is I'll have my good camera for a week so expect a bunch of pictures.

Stitching News
I did stitch yesterday which is wonderful on the model that I can't show off until next month. Going to work on the RR this morning.

Can You Blog For 30 Days?

Well I can. At first I did a 30 day blogging challenge on STNA, and completed it. Now I'm playing with the big guns I've joined NaBloPoMo
where one blogs for 30 days for the month of November, and could win a prize so here it goes. If anyone joins the challenge through my blog I'll add your links to blogroll for some linky love during November.

Good luck to everyone.

Stitching News
Haven't done anything for days, but am going to today....so....woo hoo.

My Brain is Just Spinning

So I'm the balancing teller this week at work, and WOW is my brain just spinning. It's not something I'm used to doing every day to begin with not to mention it has just been a crazy busy week at the bank. So I can't like put my sign up at 10 mins to closing to start counting as we still have a huge line. So my brain is just spinning at the end of the day. I'm doing great at counting all the money it's the entries I'm missing. All the debits or credits to the different GL's. If I either remembered to do those or did them correctly the first time I'd be balanced first go each night.

Stitching News
Stitching this week nothing. It's calling to me....lol. Saying Stacey PLEASE WORK ON US WE MISS YOU. I'm just mentally spent at the end of the day that picking it up would probably push me over the edge. I of course only have projects on the go that are large, and require lots of my attention and colour changes. I should have a smaller thing on the go with large blocks of colour for times like this.

Isn't It The End Of The Week Yet?

I'm going to be so glad when it's Friday. Just to much going on at work that I can't wiat for things to just slow down. I've hardly done any stitching all week, and I feel bad about that, but I've just been crashing when I've been getting home.