It Never Fails

Why is it that whenever you are planning to have out-of-town company---that's when things break down! This past summer, the air conditioning went out twice on the day people were expected to arrive. Two different units, but still---what a pain. You cannot go without air conditioning in Tennessee. Another time it was the toilet.

Why would this time be any different? This morning, our trash compactor finally bit the dust. It's had a good run---twenty years to be exact. But it chose today to die! Sandy and girls arrive tomorrow night with three of my sisters arriving on Friday. They are all coming in for Mindy's shower on Saturday.

I love the trash compactor. When we put in our first one 25 years ago in our old house. I was going to have to give up much valued cabinet space to do it. But, I trusted Connie when she told me that she'd give up her dishwasher before she'd give up her compactor. I totally agree with her. I can't live without it.

I called A1 Appliance---where we buy all of our appliances and where we bought that Kitchenaid compactor twenty years ago. I was a bit shocked to learn what they cost now-a-days. Of course, there's a premium for white too. Most people want stainless. That's not for me---a bit too industrial for my taste. I have and love my white appliances. There's just something so clean and crisp about white.

Luckily, A1 was able to order it today and will deliver and install it on Friday. Definitely money well spent---and if I get another twenty years out of it, the price in insignificant.

On a happier note:

It's been a week and this arrangement from Justin is still going strong! It is so bright and beautiful---and fragrant. I just love it and so will the family!

That's Just What Friends Do...

...so here's the deal. About once a year---sometimes twice---Connie and I will pick a stitching project to do together. We used to have a couple other friends in our little group, but now it's just us. 

A few years ago, we chose this awesome Christmas project. Size-wise, the stitched part is about 6"x8"---not too big.

Since I try to remember to sign and date my needlework,  I'm realizing now that, it's been more than a few years. It's been 6 YEARS!!! 

Here's a close-up so you can see the detail a little better. Connie never finished hers. She kept saying it was because of the beading---which she doesn't like to do. The beading on this project is the gold star and holly leaves---all beads. Since I've been a stitching fool the last few weeks, I told her to give it to me and I'd do her beading. SIX years---Connie, it's time!

Here I am thinking that all she has left to do is the beading. It almost looks like she barely got the project started. By Sunday, I had finished EVERYTHING of my own that I had going---or at least was caught up with my class project and as far as I could go with my pumpkin/spider pillow---needing more supplies (of course). Since our next class isn't until Tuesday, that gives me a couple days with nothing to do---GASP! I cannot sit in front of the tv without a project. Plus, I'm not even 100% sure I'll be able to go to class on Tuesday. We'll see about that.

I decided to start on Connie's piece. This before picture above is AFTER I'd already done the beading on the gold star---and completely re-worked the red border. Upon the removal of another stitch---apparently Connie nipped the threads of the red border. I wasn't even going to tell her about that (sorry for throwing you under the bus, Connie, but it's part of the story!). I only had to re-do about half of that. Plus, it's a really fun stitch, so didn't take too long. 

Well, I spent 6.75 hours stitching it on Sunday AND loved it just as much as I did the first time. The reason we like these types of projects is that even if you don't like a particular stitch, you only have to do it for a bit---or, you can substitute another stitch. It's nearly finished---just the background and a few details that have to go in after the background stitch. I even did the little carrot nose---and got it right the first time. That's a sort of "guess" how much thread you need and see how it turns out. I think Connie will be able to power through it now.

I think that leaves Connie with finishing the snowman family to be caught up. Oh yeah, and the current little Halloween pudgy. And did I mention she has a few things that she hasn't started yet? Okay, if I'm being honest, I also have another canvas I haven't even started. 

I love our class projects because I also do well with assignments and deadlines. I'm just good with working within time frames. I'm methodical too. I'll start with #1 and go right through. No skipping around for me. I take it as it comes---never putting off the stuff I don't like or starting something else before finishing. I do usually start the background of a piece so I can do that as I go along. Oftentimes, it's the biggest part of the piece and can become tedious to do the same thing over and over. Who's with me on that?

I've always considered Connie to be the "faster" stitcher. But she's been reading more lately. We only have so much spare time. I'm sharing some of mine with her. That's just what friends do!

PS I'm so desperate for something to work on, I pulled these out. 

I made about a dozen of these ornaments five or more years ago for all my girls and grandchildren. Each one is a different color and set of stitches. It's only about 5" tall. Next holiday season, a few of my favorite people will be getting one! Because, uhhh, that's just what friends do!

Favorite Halloween Pictures---Updated!

We only had 9 trick-or-treaters this year. Actually, that's about 4 more than last year. At least the rain held off for them.

It was always about the candy for us when we were growing up. Anything for candy---hunting for soda bottles to get the 2 cent deposit---spending every cent of our allowance for the maximum candy benefit and walking miles, far and wide on Halloween. No matter how much candy we got, we ate it all within a couple of days.

I don't think candy is quite the "big" deal it once was. Kids now-a-days get more candy than when we were little. Still, I think they like dressing up and going out on Halloween. 

When my girls were growing up, I hated Halloween---or I should say---the pressure of costumes. I do not sew and am not particularly creative when it comes to costumes. My happiest days were when the girls were old enough to figure out their own costumes----AND when they took over dressing Mindy! One good advantage of a big age difference!

Here are my favorite costumes this year:

I love seeing photos of the little nieces and nephews on Facebook---that's what I look for there. This is Nathan "Spiderman!"

 And his big brother, Travis. That's the best pumpkin costume I think I've ever seen!

 I'm pretty surprised that Nathan kept that skull cap on.

Scarlett---she's growing up way too fast---as they all are! Just stop it!

Looks like she made quite a haul.

 Stephanie was stressed because everyone at work decided they needed to dress-up. Her team came up with the emoji idea. Perfect---and easy!

 Not exactly Halloween, but close enough. One of Nicky, Steph, Justin and Mindy's friends turned 40 and had a "Back to the Future" party. Justin had the best costume as Marty McFly---in the back.

 A very cute and "hip" Alice in Wonderland---Elizabeth.

 Nicky and Stephanie went to their friends annual costume party as a pair of rednecks. I don't really get it. Don't they always look like this?

 I'm pretty sure Steph wears this outfit to Walmart!

There's no guessing with this costume---it's "Mindy Mouse!"

 Little cupcake Evie!

And little cherry pie Josie! Couldn't you just eat them up??

Although this is no family dog---found the photo on Facebook---I thought it was so clever. My sister in Texas has a dog, Gus like this who has to "coned" regularly---or as Janice refers to it---the "cone of shame."

And this. I never knew. I think I'm going to do it next year and add it to my decorations. Plus, it looks like a fun activity. People make fun of candy corn, but I like it. Well, hey, it's candy! It's always about the candy!! 

Can't stress that enough!

Friday Funnies

Hungry?
La Petit Chef

I saved the best for last:
Ellen and Adele

And that's why I love Ellen!!

Look Out Greg and Nicky....

There's a new boy in town and he's become my number ONE son-in-law!!

Thanks, Justin, for an awesome surprise!!

They'll be in full bloom in three days!

The Hazards of Stitching

Being laid up is giving me plenty of stitching time. I'm probably averaging 10 hours a day. I've already completed many smaller things---witches hats and a mummy, a witch and a dracula 3D sitters---complete with beaded dangly legs. I've already sent them for finishing without taking photos, so I'll have to wait and photograph the finished projects when I get them back. It won't be any time soon because I told the finisher to not worry about my things until after Christmas. After all, I won't be enjoying them right now anyway. It's always more fun to stitch holiday related things during the holiday season. I don't want to stitch Halloween at Christmas, or Christmas during the summer. That means that you have to wait a full year to enjoy the finished project during the appropriate season. I'm okay with that. Usually, by the time a year goes by, I've forgotten all about the project, so it's all new and exciting again. Little things make me so happy!! Plus, by delaying my finish work, some people that did not meet the Christmas deadline of October 1st, just might have a chance to get their things before Christmas after all.

I'm completely caught up on my latest class---a 5 panel Halloween piece that will make a 3D cat. Here are the panels that I've finished:

Each panel is about 10" tall and about 5" wide at the bottom. When it's all put together, the little spooky cat will be about 8" tall. It actually has a name---I think it's "pudgy cat." The stitch on the gables took me three times to "get." After seeing Connie's, I realize I still didn't get it right. One thing I've learned through the years with stitching---even if you do it wrong, as long as you do it wrong consistently, it will look okay!

Those spiders on the background drove me insane! First, I spaced a row incorrectly which threw off the pattern. I couldn't live with it and had to tear out a row and a half. It takes LONGER to take out than to stitch. Since that's a metallic thread, it just shredded and was nearly impossible to remove.  I have to use tweezers. Then, once I did that and re-stitched it correctly, I forgot to stop midway for the bottom part. I had both rows on the left go all the way down to the edge. That gave me another evening of "take out." The spiders are so cute, I just had to use them. 

It's hard to tell, but the pumpkins are solid beads. We learned a new beading technique, so they were fun to do. Mostly beading used to be just tedious. The cats are done with a fiber called "fuzzy stuff." You stitch it and then take the needle and "rough it up" so all the fibers stick out like fur.

I wasn't able to finish this one because I ran out of the threads. Our class is on Tuesdays, but I'm not able to go right now. Since there are only 3 of us in the class, the teacher/owner was more than happy to push the class out another week. The woman is brilliant, but not very organized. When we get there, she doesn't have our assignment ready. She's typing and printing as we go along. Connie is going to run by and pick up what I need to finish this one. The witch and broom are not stitched yet. We haven't been assigned that yet, so I have no idea what we'll be doing there.

This is the final panel---actually the front/face of the cat. You have to picture cat eyes on the face at the top. There will be little black felt ears coming out of the top. The most fun thing about projects like this is if you do not like a particular stitch, you do not have to do it for very long. Everything is in small sections. Plus, if you don't like a stitch, you can change it all together and not do it all. It's all the decorative stitches that make these projects look so rich.

When we were at our class last Tuesday, I fell in love with this! I just love that spider perched on top of the jack-o-lantern. I'm so glad I bought it because little did I know that the very next day would put me down completely!!

 I'll be having this made in to an awesome pillow. I already have a vision.

 So far, I've completed the entire checkerboard table top.

I've done all of the black on the jack-o-lantern too. I did a double brick stitch inside the mouth with a sparkly fiber. I really like how it turned out---so much texture. I'm pretty sure I'm going to use "very velvet" on the spider for that feel and look. The owner is going to recommend a few other stitches and the fibers to do them with for me. She said she has a lot of wallpaper patterns for the purple background. I can't wait to see what she comes up with. I even thought about those spiders, but I don't think I want to do that many!

And now we come to the reason for this post. What's wrong with this picture?

 Look a little closer...

I drop needles all the time. They blend right in with the carpet. Sometimes I'm aware that I've lost one, but most of the time---not. 

They are supposed to be parked on the magnet. But sometimes they escape. I try to remember how many needles I have there, so I'll notice when one goes missing. But my brain is just not "sharp" enough to remember. A little stitching humor.

Actually, I keep myself in stitches in more ways than one!

All in the Family

Let's start with Sandy. She is a MAJOR Kid Rock fan. Here is here official fan club package. 

She goes to at least two Kid Rock concerts a year---traveling out-of-town to do it. She'll stand for hours and hours. Normally, she's not a pushy person. But when it comes to those open seating festivals, she has no problem working her way to the front.

This year, there was a new Kid Rock event in Nashville. Since he owns a home here now, he did a weekend event at Fontanel (former home of Barbara Mandrell---now event space). Sandy specifically wanted to do the whole package---fish fry, concerts and pajama party---with Kid Rock! Unfortunately, it was the same weekend that Butch was coming to Charlotte for Jeff Gordon's last hometown Nascar race. Mitchell was home for his birthday and the race. AND Victoria had her fist homecoming dance---then a Confirmation retreat. 

She really could not get away. But the fact that she even considered it is a "HUGE" deal. She does everything for her family and puts herself second---except when it comes to Kid Rock. When they travel to concerts, she's been known to make the kids just "suck it up" in the hotel room! She's determined to attend during 2016 and has even planned how to justify the money---no Christmas, Valentine's, Mother's Day, birthday or anniversary gifts!! I do hope she gets to do it---at least once. It will be interesting to see how she reacts when she meets him---compared to Stephanie's reaction when she met the New Kids on the Block---"Are you gonna' rock it tonight?" OMGosh, that was lame!!

On to that Homecoming dance at Charlotte Catholic High School.

She went with her friend, Kevin. They have a lot of fun together. Plus, since Elizabeth had to tag along, he didn't mind! Notice the picture in the parking garage? I guess that's the best they could do.

 At the dance.

As it turns out, the race was rained out on Saturday. That ended up being a blessing as the weather on Sunday was perfect! Jeff didn't win, but that didn't seem to put a damper on Mitchell, Greg and Butch's enthusiasm.

 Last weekend the did a fall family outing to the pumpkin patch and corn maze.

They look like it was chilly. Hard for me to believe as it's still pretty warm here. Of course Greg is in a short sleeved jersey.

And that's what's happening with Sandy's family.