Help Me Fight Breast Cancer & Vote

This will stay at the top until after the walk. Scorll down to see today's post.

Please check out my Personal Site http://va05.endcancer.ca/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1000&px=1115602 and make a donation. Let’s not let anymore women come down with this disease. I'm right now at $715 so that means I have $1,285.00 left to raise. This is a cause close to me as I've lost my Grandmother to Breast Cancer.

Make Sure to Vote
With our Provincail election just days away don't forget to vote. Hopefully NDP will NOT win, but we all have to do our part, and vote.

Stitching Question of the Week.

"Given the option, would you rather buy a chart and get the material and floss together yourself, or buy a pre-packed kit?"

I readily use both. I don't mind either. I'll buy a kit, and use both the fabric, and the floss. I've since decided that evenweave is my fabric of choice, so from now on I MAY swap aida for evenweave, but I'll always use the floss. I've never had a problem with kit floss. Damp sponge run the floss over it before you stitch & voila it's nice & tame.

Stitching News
Good ness I can't count. Wonder how I can do counted cross stitch....sigh. Three times doing this silly border, and it's still not right, but I'm saying screw it, and I'll fudge it...lol

I'm nuts I'm requesting another model from Sally at Stitch'n Inspiration http://www.stitchinspiration.com/ I was asking myself what's the draw? Why stitch something for someone else? I know it's more than the stash. And I decided, it's the thrill of stitching something no one else has stitched, the rush of starting a new project, getting to play with neat fibers, and the pride of seeing my stitching on the front of a chart. Even though I only stitch for a few designers they can still keep me busy....lol.

One in 9 Women You Know Will Come Down With Breast Cancer & Poor Kid

This will stay at the top until after the walk. Scorll down to see today's post.

Please check out my Personal Site http://va05.endcancer.ca/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1000&px=1115602 and make a donation. Let’s not let anymore women come down with this disease.

I'm right now at $715 so that means I have $1,285.00 left to raise. This is a cause close to me as I've lost my Grandmother to Breast Cancer.


Poor Kid…..

I have a very close friend whom I’ve known for 17 years. She has two children. Her oldest is just finishing grade one. Or should I say should be finishing grade one. What a drama school has been for her, and I’m sorry to say a lot of it is her own fault. I’m normally not someone who passes judgment on other Moms. We all do the best we can with what we have, and we all protect our children. Or I at least hope most Moms do that. That being said….I have issues with this one girlfriend. He’s been in two schools in two years, because the first school didn’t “get” her son. She pulled him out of Kindergarten for part of the year because of it, and said she Home Schooled him. I think Home Schooling is wonderful, and works well for many many families. I’m in awe of Parents who can Home School their children, BUT my girlfriend didn’t really Home School (read on). So I see my girlfriend Sunday, and she is distraught, as the School that Jonathan is in now wants to keep him back to repeat Grade One. Girlfriend is convinced that Jonathan has a learning disability, and needs to be assessed. OK this may be true, BUT the child needs so stability. After talking to her I discovered that 1 the poor kid never had a year of Kindergarten. When my girlfriend pulled Jonathan out of Kindergarten to Home School him she didn’t get the official BC Curriculum, she bought a few workbooks. She also keeps Jonathan home with not only each, and every sniffle, but even if he doesn’t feel like going to school. Now I’m not one to make a child go to school if they are sick, but there has to be a balance just because the nose runs doesn’t mean they get to stay home. Some kids would never go to school that way…lol. Now I came down on her. I told her to stop blaming the school when due to her own actions her child is missing out on valuable parts of his education. I told her that Jonathan may very well have a learning disability, and all her actions have done is delayed him getting the help he may need. As now the school is saying he hasn’t attended enough school to be able to access him. Poor kid. I also told her she can either work with the school system, or pull him out, and home school him but properly! I strongly suggested she get the proper BC Curriculum for grade one, and at the least home school him in that over the summer. That way he’s at least caught up. So if she takes him back to the school she can at least say he’s done grade one again. Man we can sure be our children’s worst advocate in some cases.


Stitching News

Figured what the heck I was doing wrong in trying to center a border around the Vermillion freebie. So it’s frogging for me tonight…sigh. Other than that he is such a nice freebie, and stitches up so quickly, even with the ¼ stitches.

Well Here I Go Again…..

Here I am again trying to keep this thing updated. Last past has been February. Yikes.So what’s happened since then I’ve had a birthday I’m now a year older…lol. Bill is weeks away from finishing school, and going off to start his new job. I’m both happy, and sad. Happy about his new career, but sad that we’ll be apart for a while.

Trying to think what else has happned. Grandma got moved to a care facility. My idiot father didn’t even phone to tell me. I had to go to the Hospital, and they told me. Took weeks of me calling Dad for him to get back to me…sigh.

My Fund Raising

Coming along slowly it seems. I’ve reached the $700 mark. So only $1,300 to go http://va05.endcancer.ca/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1000&px=1115602

Stitching

Well currently I’m trying to get some charity squares done by the end of May. So I’m working away on those. We are stitching the Fantasy Bear Freebies from Vermillion. They are very cute.

Here is my latest finish it's a model done for Stitchin'Inspiration http://www.stitchinspiration.com/

LAST NIGHT WAS FUN

Here I am mid 30’s, and am excited about making new friends. I’ve always loved getting to know new people, and have heard from others it gets harder as you get older. I never really understood that. I understand that as we get older our world can sort of shrink. Ya work, home & family kinda becomes your world *shrugs.* Not that I’m that different, but I’ve still never had a hard time making friends even as I get older. Perfect example is the lovely lady I met off a message board. Crazy but true, it’s a cross-stitch message board so right away we have something in common. Right now we get together once a week stitch, bitch, laugh what have you, and I enjoy it, and her company. Bill thinks it’s great gives him more quite time to study….lol. Jeremy is usually in bed (or close to it) when I leave. Yup I have a great life.

THE WEEKEND TO END BREAST CANCER
Got another donation today for the draw woo hoo things are looking up just have to get my family donating…lol. Training needs to be kept up, but it’s coming. Please check out link on the right.

STITCHING NEWS
Tried working on a model last night. Frogged more than I stitched which is discouraging. Going to do a mental health-stitching day & work on a RR piece…sigh.

As for the modelstitching message board I need to contact Loretta today & see what’s going on. With MSN Down (AGAIN) this is difficult to do. I’m already thinking of forums, possible moderators etc. I hope to do a good job, and have a message board that attracts both designers & model stitchers give a little Hitler a run for her money….lol.

Well when it rains it pours.

Here I was just innocently complaining about a certain Yahoo group, when wham bam I’m now going to be running a message board to directly compete with said group. I secretly hope I do better. Just a short note today.


The Weekend to End Breast Cancer

Got another donation today woo hoo $40. Training needs to be kept up, but it’s coming. Please check out link on the right.

Stitching News

Finished commissioned piece. Yip hee. Plus taken on another I’m silly. Will work to get model done for a designer. Yup I’m busy.

Last Night Was Interesting.

Jeremy is registered for kindergarten starting this September (where does the time fly.) This is a Discovery School non-competition very touchy feely school. The school is offering Discovery School for parents. These are parenting classes that mirror the school’s philosophy. So I signed up for a few reasons:
~ they are FREE
~ gives Jeremy a chance to check out the school
~ I get to meet some of the parents
~ heck I might actually learn something

So last night they had a potluck for the first class, and it was lovely. The kids after went with a bunch of the Teachers for childcare, and the parents settled in for their “school.” Well after a long week at work, working late I was tired but pushed through. The introduction stuff, and the conclusion stuff I truthfully found BORING I did enjoy the small group work though. Last night the theme was Birth Order, which is an interesting topic, and am now seeing clearer the reasons why Bill, Jeremy and even myself act in certain ways.

THE WEEKEND TO END BREAST CANCER UPDATE

Well continuing on with training. Walking every day for at least an hour. Trying to work in some cross training if I can wake up early enough. Please check out the link (lower left) to learn more about it, and to support me. If you are a stitcher there is also a link to a really cool Draw as well.

STITCHING NEWS

I have just one rose left on the commissioned piece left to do woo hoo. I’ll then need to get my butt in gear to finish a model I have. I’m thinking that when I finish a model/commissioned piece I may try, and take a month off in between. That’s if they plan on paying in stash…lol. As my friend Loretta has a possible commissioned piece for me to do that will pay $50. Right now with fundraising I can’t turn down $50….lol

Haven’t Written in Awhile.

Thins are going well on the home front. Bill’s in his final term at school yip hee, the annoyance now is that the support workers are on a rotating strike so that sucks. Jeremy is all registered for kindergarten I can’t believe how old he is already.

News about me.

I’ve registered to do The Weekend to End Breast Cancer. It’s a 60 kilometer walk over one weekend, and I’m committed to raise $2,000.00. Please check out the link at the side. Which trust me neither I’ve done before. I’ve so far raised $110, and training is off to a great start. As part of my fundraiser I’m offering a draw for all my stitching buddies. So for every $ they donate they will their name entered $10 donation = 10 entries. I so far have some excellent companies contributing to my Draw please check out the link to the Draw information on the side bar. Thank you.


Stitching News

Trying to finish a commission piece quickly so I can get final payment, and donate that for The Weekend to End Breast Cancer. Actually getting to two stitching gtg’s a week. Go me.

I Just Feel Yucky…

Was informed by Bill my lovely Husband that I can’t be grumpy. I need to pretend. I’ve told him before that I’m not going to just smile and bounce around like a deranged idiot. So I’m kind of on the fence on this one. I have a problem with people who are fake, and I don’t want to be fake I also don’t want to be seen as miserable either. I’m a passionate person, and this means I feel things deeply, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. So there are times that Bill & I butt heads about this. He at times feels I take things to seriously, that I need to lighten up, and at times he’s right. Today it dawned on me though the reason I take things seriously is because of my passion. It’s that same passion that loves him, stands up for him (with my Step Dad), defends him & Jeremy. So yes I agree there are times I may take innocent teasing too much to heart ie I’m either grumpy, being passionate whatever. But to be told I can’t be grumpy, by the guy who during the school term is grumpy and defends it by saying I have tests, assignments due or just being tired, and we are expected to understand. Well I want the same understanding. I too get grumpy (See I’m such a bear…lol and I’m working on it), tired and stressed. This has been an issue for years with us, but this is also one of the things that make us special. He’s even tempered not much gets under his skin. I’m passionate, admittedly moody at times (come on with women’s hormones what women isn’t occasionally moody), yes I easily cry, but I also easily laugh (hence I wear my heart on my sleeve). I’ve always figured we balance each other out, but there are the times we just don’t “get” each other, and I guess that’s what was happening this morning. Wasn’t a major fight just frustration that was all fixed by the time I got to work except now it has made me think. As I don’t want to be thought of as a miserable wife, and mother. So I guess I do need to work on my attitude a bit. Heck no one is perfect, and if I were then there’d be trouble…lol.

Tonight is dinner at my Dad’s so keeping a positive attitude that everything will go smoothly.

~Stitching News~
Last night model night started on the border, and wow I love the floss the designer chose. It is gorgeous. I’m going to use it to make myself a bookmark. It is wonderful.

Not much stitching planned for tonight as I’m going out for dinner.

Dinner Would Have Been…..

…Well dinner I guess. The best thing I could have said about last night is I wouldn’t have had to cook which is always a good thing in my world. Well turns out that Bill & Jeremy came to pick me up I find out that my err umm lovely sister phoned at about 2:30 pm to say Josh was sick, and then my equally err umm lovely Father, and his wife decided that dinner needs to be cancelled. UM ok. Now this is the couple that sees my sister and nephew at least once a month (usually more), and us about 3 times a year, and that’s me calling them. So a chance of just the 4 of us getting together with Jeremy would have been nice for Jeremy at least. Yeah right. Can’t do dinner if Correy can’t make it. Now if Jeremy were sick I know dinner wouldn’t be cancelled. So no I wasn’t looking forward to last night. My father who only sees me 3 times a year, his wife who is holding a grudge against my Grandmother who is in the Hospital (whole other story), and then my sister on Welfare that is constantly telling us all the stuff my father buys her cell phone, DVD Player, Daycare (for nephew), and then wonders why we don’t have the same things. Um because unlike her I work full-time one income while Bill is in school, and I don’t have anyone else but ME footing the bill thank you very much. Anything we have we worked for, saved for & budgeted for. Words foreign to my sister, and my nephew. Heck my nephew has like an X-Box, and little hand held video games even. So now instead of this horror being over until next year it is looming up in the future like Thursday evening…. sigh. So was I looking forward to last night far from it, but willing to put up with the crap so that Jeremy can have some sort of relationship with my father I sometimes wonder why bother. But I know I’m the bigger person, and on my deathbed I know I would have done the right thing.

~Stitching News~
Got some good work done on my model last night seeing as I didn’t have to go out to dinner that is. I do find I need to take more breaks when working on black. Tires my eyes out more I guess. Tonight I will work on my commissioned UFO piece which I totally enjoy working on.

Strength? Along With Question Of The Week.

I was at my girlfriends last night for a stitching get together. We try to get together once a week. My girlfriend gave me a little Christmas present (early) that was a coaster that said Strength. She said, because I have more of it than anyone else she knows. I was kind of taken back. Not that I don’t have strength, but at times I feel it is lacking. All last week I was thinking how overwhelming being a woman can be. All the things we are expected to do Mother, Wife, work (in or outside of the house), keep a clean house, cook, be Dr., Teacher, Guidance counselor, Lover on top of that don’t forget to keep your finger, and take time for yourself. I kind of wonder when I’m going to fit it all in so to then get a gift like that I was a little in shock. Thinking wow all that strength she sees in me a lot of that is just a façade, and I guess I’m doing a good job…. sigh.

~Stitching News~
Started a really cute kit last night. With gorgeous silk over dyed floss, but somewhere I miscounted….lol. So it didn’t get much done on it.

~Question of the Week~
Obligation stitching. Yes? No? Maybe?

I’d have to say yes. I currently have one model, and one commission piece. The commissioned piece I’m being paid in cash for, and the model I get paid in stash. I enjoy both as I can increase my stash, and play with new stuff without it making to much of a dent into my pocket book.

Drum Roll Please…..And the Winner is ….

Red Deer. Finally found out that when Bill has finished school next year Spring 2005 we will be moving to Red Deer Alberta. This is a good move for us 45 mins from the Airport one hour from both Calgary, and Edmonton. I’m excited. They also told him that is starting salary has gone up $200 a month. Not doing one thing, and he got a raise already. Also knows his starting date is in the middle of June. So he’ll be gone for about 3 months for training sigh. It will be worth it.


~Stitching News~
Spent all night working on my model. I love the colours this is such a fun model to work on. Tonight will be commissioned piece stitching. This is such a nice easy project to work on, and coming along very well. Weekend will be spent doing RR stitching, and I should get a bunch done as Jeremy is spending Saturday night at Grandma’s.

I Can Still Look Like A Girl

Staff party last night got a chance to dress up a little wear makeup, and wow I can still look like a girl…lol It was great had a nice Buffet Dinner then got to see a show of ABBA Impersonators which was so much fun. I loved ABBA as a kid, so I totally enjoyed myself. Dinner was good (anything is good as long as I don’t have to cook it). Show was great I even danced. Jeremy spent a few hours with Grandma so he had a good time, and Bill got the evening to study in peace and quiet.

~Stitching News~
Got nothing done yesterday due to Christmas Party, but tonight is marathon stitching night as its Survivor, Apprentice & ER so I’ll be stitching for about 3 hours tonight!

I’m All For Fund Raising, But Not For Something I Pay For!

Jeremy’s Daycare is doing some fundraising in December. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t mind supporting causes, but fundraising for the Daycare? I already support it. I fork out $500 a month, and this includes food, and Preschool. So yes it’s a good deal, and I understand that. But with Bill in school full-time, and only one income I need a good deal. So now they want us to fundraise for the Daycare. I don’t get it? This is not a not for profit Daycare, because if it was I would assist in fundraising. This is a for profit Daycare. So the way I see it I’d be fundraising so that the lady who owns the Daycare has more money in her pocket. I don’t think so. When asked if I’d be selling pies this year as part of the fundraiser I replied not this year we’ve already decided on our Christmas Charity to donate to. Which I’m sorry a for profit Daycare is not a charity. O.K. vent over….lol.

I was much better this morning the bear was hibernating for the most part. So that is good.

I have my Christmas Party tonight, which means lots of driving. Pick Jeremy up from Daycare drop him off at my Mom’s for a few hours. Go to my party pick him up after, and drive all the way back to Surrey. By myself as Bill will be studying for finals tonight L

~Stitching News~
Woo Hoo got Santa’s Magic along with my first model for http://www.stitchinspiration.com/ . She has some wonderful designs black work along with regular cross-stitch. I can’t wait to get the model back to Sally so that she can put it up on the website. I jumped right in, and started stitching it. The Tuck saga continues…lol…I just need a break from them for a day or so, and seeing as I won’t get any stitching done tonight that will go a long way in helping with that.

I signed up for the TWCOE, and sent out 4 ornaments, but I’ve only got one in return so far. I’m sure most of the delay is due to Customs or Canada Post, but part of me wonders if the ones coming to me were mailed on time. I hope they arrive quickly.

I’m Such A Bear……

Woo hoo new look for my Blog. I like this much better, and hope this helps to keep me more dedicated to posting more often.

For some reasons in the morning I’m such a bear. The fault I know lies with me all I need to do is get organized the night before, and then the morning goes smoothly. I just need to get into that habit. I feel for Jeremy as he’s the one who gets barked at “Get Dressed,” “Quick,” or “We are running late,” none of which is his fault that his Mom can’t get her act together the night before. I am getting his clothes ready the night before so baby steps. That helps as soon as breakfast is over I can say ok go get dressed I’m just tired of being a grumpy bear in the morning ;-). Need to do an attitude adjustment in a few areas… but I’m human.

~Stitching News~
Well last night was a complete waste of time. Tried making tuck pillows for the SECOND time, and they didn’t work out again. Followed the directions this time even. I should have ended up with a 4” tuck with a 3” squared opening, but what I ended up with is a 4” tuck, and a 1” opening. Um no good so I’m not sure what I’m going to do now. I need to finish some of these for an exchange, and if I can’t figure it out I’ll have to send back DMC floss that I’m being sent to make a couple as well. I’ll try ONE more time tonight, but this is just picking my butt. So an hour and a half wasted. Just kind of threw in the towel, and worked on my commissioned UFO piece. Which is coming along nicely.

Question of the week.

What has been your most interesting stitching related injury?

Other than getting stuck with a needle I haven't injured myself.

Lord Save Me From Perfect Mothers

What a weekend I had. Went on an emotional roller coaster due to Bill, but that’s a whole other story…..lol.

Here’s what happened Sunday I took Jeremy out to play. One of the local malls has an excellent play area. We get their lots of kids running around. Off Jeremy goes to play he discovered that one of large play pieces was more than just something to grab and run around. It had 3 animals divided into parts Cat, Bunny & Squirrel. Jeremy figured he could line them all up which he did. Then proudly came over to show me. Just as he did a little girl went over to play with the toy that Jeremy just lined up. He went tearing back, and pushed her. The little girls Mom told him to stop. I was right there, and took him over to me, and gave him a talking to, and instructed him to go say he was sorry. He looks for the little girl, and finds her. Doesn’t get within 10 feet of the little girl when the Mom jumps up runs across the pay area grabs Jeremy, and tells him to stay away. I jump up go over, and say let go of my son he was just coming over to say he was sorry. Jeremy then ignored the little girl the rest of the time we were there, but if during play he even dared to go near that little girl that Mom was right there. What I couldn’t believe was this little girl more than once pushed other kids. Did that Mom do a thing…..um…..NO. I was very happy when they left I must say. What is it with Mom that feel their child does no wrong. They have eyes for only wrong other children are doing, but not for what their child is doing. I’m sorry every child as some point does something hit, bite, push or whatever. It's almost like girls get away with it more than boys, but maybe that's just because I have a boy. This just boils my shorts as I've been experiencing this for like 4 years.

~ Stitching News

Got my first UFO commissioned to stitch, and I’m so excited. I’m actually being paid money to finish it. Stitched models, and got paid in stash which is great, but it’s nice to also get some money.

Started thinking very seriously about dyeing my own floss as a home based business. So I’m in the initial stages of that. The trial, and test period. I have some floss dyed that I’m going to be giving away to get some feedback so I’ll see what happens. You never know there may be The Painted Floss released into the market one day.

Tonight I have to stitch tucks that I messed up on, on the weekend…sigh…lol.

Hope to be much more discplined in keeping this up to date...lol

Question of the week.

Do I think Cross Stitch Requires Patience?

I think I'd say no. I'm normally not a patient person, and yet I cross stitch. I do find it takes attention to detail, perseverance, and committment.

Can't Believe Tomorrow is September

Next week Bill will be back in school, and Jeremy will be back in Day Care. I'm not looking foward to dropping him off that first morning. I'm thinking he may start crying which just breaks my heart. Once he's there he has loads of fun, and has lots of friends. My other concern is last year he was so sick, flue, colds, 2 ear infections. The Day Care attempted to blame me (not enough vitamins) after talking to my local Pharamist I went back to the Day Care, and asked how often they washed the toys....surprise surprise there were no more comments made to me. Jeremy continued to get sick though....go figure. Plus we discovered with the last ear infection that there is a good chance he is allergic to Antiboitics. Oh what fun. I'm going to be trying garlic ear drops on a regular basis this year to try and prevent ear infections.

~ Stitching News ~
Well still not back working on the model I should be working on. Finished part of my piece for a RR that has a mail out date by tommorrow. Gees I need to get busy. I need to find an alphabet tonight so all can sign their square, stitch mine, and then get it ready to mail out tomorrow.

Feeling Almost The Same

The best thing I can say about today is that’s its Thursday. This means tomorrow is FRIDAY! I’m slowly starting to get out of this funk. I hope it doesn’t last for long, because I don’t like how I act when I feel in a funk. Bill’s friend from school is moving out here from Edmonton. He was here this week looking for apartments. He’s going to be moving into our building. It will be a good thing I think. As they can very easily get together to study. We can have him over for dinner, videos etc, so he doesn’t get too lonely. He doesn’t have any family out here. Not only that Bill doesn’t have many close friends out here so this will be good for him.

~Stitching News~

I did jack squat as far as stitching goes…..lol. My stomach was upset last night so I just curled up on the couch for the evening as per Bill’s suggestions. I did feel slightly guilty, but I wasn’t feeling well. My stomacher seems better today so I’ll hopefully get some stitching done tonight.

Just Not Feeling Like Myself....

I'm just feeling out of sorts with myself the last couple of days. I think part of it may be the weather. We've gone from very hot (in the 90's), and sunny to rainy, and cool. I think it is affecting my mood :-( Got home last night, and the Laundry was not done. UG! Bill was home all afternoon he could have done it, but waited for me. Lovely. NOT. So that added to my mood last night. Work this morning don't even get me started. Men being men & all of that.

~ Stitching News ~

I'm getting some really good progress on my UFO RR. I can't believe it's over. It has been the most unstressful RR I've been in. OK I've only been in two (including this one), but it was great. We are doing a second round. This time it will be a theme RR, and a ufo RR. We'll see how that goes. I hope we do a third round, and if we do I want it to be a UFO one again.