Monday, March 30, 2009

Life in the fast lane

Have you noticed the older you get the faster time seems to fly? Sometimes I think the world is spinning faster and the clocks are somehow keeping up. I know I can't keep up, I think there should be more stitching hours in the day!

Life seems to be moving at the speed of light towards this weekend. Now if I was anticipating something fun this weekend, the hours would drag on, but since I'm dreading this weekend, I'm almost getting wind burn from the speed of time passing. Why am I dreading this weekend you ask? LOL This is the "Passing of the Torch" weekend. Hockey season is ending and Baseball season is beginning. I'm cursed...I mean blessed...to live near two cities that have venues for watching these two great sports. *rolling eyes towards heaven searching for help* Being the only female in my household, if I want to spend "quality" time with my guys, I have to learn to appreciate their favorite sports. The final home game of the regular series for the Washington Capitals hockey team is Sunday. The opening day game of the Baltimore Orioles is on Monday. Saturday is the "Fan Fest" for the Baltimore Orioles, and Santa has blessed us with tickets for all three. yay (I think) LOL Ok, lets be honest here...I really do like those sports, I'd rather watch them then say.....car racing, or golf, they are much more exciting, and let's face it, they take a great deal of cerebral planning and agility in execution. Hockey CAN be a really graceful sport, if you can overlook the fights and other intense contacts that can be gruesome sometimes. Baseball is another sport that I at least understand. I'm hopeless with football, all I see are grown men jumping on an already out of shape ball. So at least they picked sports I'm willing to watch. It's just going to these games can be an excercise in patience and an education in curse words...LOL All I can say, is this weekend helps excuse my guilt for going on a stitching retreat in a few weeks. I sat through their games, being the dutiful wife and mother that I am, so my reward is a piece of heaven on earth when I go on the retreat! I'm suddenly not dreading this weekend after all, it's just one weekend closer to my sanity break! So.... Rock the Red! And Let's Go O's!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Saturday at the zoo!



Hello Everyone!

Just a quickie here to let you see what I've been up to! I've been working on a March Mystery SAL found on this blog http://mahelia.canalblog.com/ . She has had other cute patterns but I've never had the time to participate before. Anyway, I'm almost done, I have to show her that I've made it this far and then I get the next piece of the puzzle. I THINK it's an Easter Egg...what would your guess be? I'll let you know when I'm finished!

Yesterday was a very strange day. I got a call from DS just after he got to school telling me he needed his sheet music for a Band competition later that day, without it he wouldn't be able to attend. So I had to search the house for his music, then run it over to the school. Since I was up and about so early, I thought I would go run some errands. But First (remember that disease?) I had to call a friend to ask her a question (her answer would determine where I started my errands). While talking to her, the phone beeped indicating an incoming call (don't you love call waiting? LOL) so I took the call thinking it might be DS needing something else. It was another friend who is trying to get ready for her daughter's wedding and wanted me to run some errands with her. I had to go grocery shopping first so told her I would meet her when I was done. Shopping (which usually takes about an hour) took almost two because the line for the checkout wrapped across the store twice (commissary shopping is NEVER fun!!), I was in line longer to check out then I was to shop!! Good thing I had already had an early start to the day! The rest of the day was spent in giggles and oooohs and aaaaahs while we put our creative thinking caps on and tried to imagine wedding decorations and favors. We even got to do some clothes shopping! I dearly love my friend Sonya, she makes everything fun and I was thrilled she included me!

It's a rainy day here today. The Cherry Blossom Festival is going on in Washington, DC this weekend but they are having a rainy day. I feel sorry for the folks who decided to turn out this year. You would think that living this close I would have been to see the festival at least once, and one year I will! I have a hard time with crowds, so maybe I'll see if I can go Monday after the "tourists" go home! LOL!! I've seen some lovely pictures of the cherry blossoms near the basin by the Jefferson Memorial. One day I'm going to get some pictures!

I just want to mention the folks near the Red River in North Dakota, and the folks in Mississippi and Oklahoma (and perhaps other states in the south) who are dealing with flooding and severe weather (tornadoes and hail storms). I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose your homes in such a way and they are all in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you'll join me in my prayers for them.

Thanks for checking in. Have a great day! *Hugs*

Saturday, March 21, 2009

The Gremlins are at it again!

Good Afternooon!

It's a lazy day in our house today. I'm glad because yesterday was a bit too busy for my taste. But one of the good things yesterday was....*drum roll* the strawberries arrived! DS was having a fund raiser and this time they were selling fresh strawberries. They are picked fresh and send immediately (according to DS) to HIS school! LOL! Oh the gullibility of childhood! But I do have to admit, they are pretty good! So, we've been enjoying strawberry shortcake, strawberries on our cereal, and strawberry fruit smoothies. Yikes, I think I'm turning into a strawberry! Another sign of spring, even if they are fresh from Florida! LOL

The big adventure of the day yesterday, was the alarm system in our house was having technical difficulties. Remember the Verizon incident with the TV and the wireless connection to the computer? Well now the gremlins have attacked ADT. I did learn some interesting things though...for instance, each and every entry point of our townhouse has a sensor, and each sensor has a battery in it, and when the battery dies a message is sent to ADT telling them we are not "secure". Now a battery can die at 6:30 AM, at 2:00 PM, at 8:00 PM, at 9:30 PM and at 11:30 PM, just ask ADT or check our phone records to see when we got our phone calls yesterday until we finally got a savy person on the phone who can turn off one particular sensor at the main office so we can get a peaceful night sleep! LOL I'm not sure what is going on with this particular sensor (I did run out and get a battery to replace the one in the sensor), but we'll be having one of those friendly conversations with the tech department soon, and perhaps a visit from a friendly repairman who can check/replace the sensor. *sigh* Sometimes I wonder if our house isn't ... how shall I put this ... well perhaps we are not alone in this residence. It just seems the oddest things keep happening. At 1:30 in the morning I heard a noise on the back deck. Now I don't know about the rest of your spouses, but my spouse (I expect it's due to Army training) will fall into the deepest sleep on the planet at the drop of a hat. It's nearly impossible to wake him up. Knowing in my mind that one of the windows is "unsecure" and that there are now noises coming from the back deck is not a comforting feeling. It took me nearly 10 minutes to wake him up and get him to go downstairs and check this out (chicken that I am LOL) Only to find our garbage can had fallen over in the wind. I think it would have been better to have ADT call us at that time then to hear noises and be spooked! LOL Ok Gremlins, you have my attention, but please stop with the scarey stuff! Just tell me what you want so we can all live in peace!

I didn't mention that we had trouble with our sump pump? About two months ago or more, our sump pump started up. Now it usually runs for a few seconds then shuts off. It's LOUD! Well one day it started up and wouldn't shut off. At first I wasn't sure it was the sump pump, I couldn't exactly figure out where it was coming from, so it ran for a few hours until I found the plug and unplugged it. We called for assistance and they sent out a friendly repairman who told us it was merely stuck, rattled it around a bit, charged us $89.00 and left. About a month later, it did it again, but we knew what to do. Since then it has behaved itself but I'm wondering what all the electrical weirdness is that is happening around here? And it's usually something "easy" to fix. *shaking head*

Other news....I'm still working on my spot sampler...and even finished two spots since the last known picture! Today I'll have to concentrate on my Christmas Quaker though! It's slow going though, between all the phone calls yesterday.

One last parting thought. DS and his friend found silly cat videos yesterday while goofing off and I thought I would share (what I thought was) the funniest one of all. You can find it here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTasT5h0LEg&feature=related If you like cats, or even if you don't, you'll find these entertaining (if not a little disturbing at some points). Have fun!

Friday, March 20, 2009

First Day of Spring!

Goodmorning!

It's the first day of Spring! Too bad it's so chilly out there, but that really doesn't matter, it's a lovely day, sunshine and sparkling, the perfect "look" of spring. I saw a flock of robins in my front yard a few days ago. When I was a kid living in NY state my mother would always tell me it was finally spring when the robins arrived. The last time I talked to her, the robins still haven't arrived up there, but I can tell you, they are on their way! The sign of fall was the geese flying overhead, I still get a flashback to crisp, cool, fall days when I hear geese flying overhead.

Not much to report these days. I'm still busy stitching (but haven't taken any new photos...keep watching this space though!) I'm finally beginning to show some progress on my spot sampler. I've reached the half way point so now it's downhill all the way *yeah right*! I've found a new SAL that is starting up, you have to sign up for their newsletter but it sure looks to be a beauty! http://histoiresdelin.canalblog.com/archives/2009/03/15/12978617.html

Isn't it great how needlework sort of transcends language barriers? It seems the people who love the needle arts love to share, love to inspire and help others who are learning. I'm so grateful to those designers who make some of their patterns available for free, especially in these economic times. They are keeping their passion alive, while inspiring us to keep stitching. They have to know that eventually we'll buy their patterns when we're able.

Well, DS is planning on inviting someone over tonight so I need to get some cleaning done, think about something nutritous for dinner, and try to get a few stitches in before the barbarians begin knocking at my gate.

By the way, the lovely orchids at the top of this post is a picture I took at the Botanical Gardens in Washington, DC just before Christmas, aren't they beautiful? I wish they were growing in my house, but at least I can admire them when I visit the gardens.

Have a wonderful first day of spring!


Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Foggy Day

Good Morning! *rubbing eyes*

Isn't it strange how the weather affects you? It's terribly foggy out there this morning. It's like the perverbial pea soup! But I do love how it muffles the sounds around you. The odd thing about fog is it makes me sleepy...but it also brings back a flood of memories of my "fog" experiences. LOL

I remember when I lived in Pacific Grove, California. I was walking home from work one day when I walked into a "wall" of fog. It was the strangest thing. The sun was shining on the sidewalk and warming my skin, then the "wave" of fog hit. The sun was suddenly blotted out, sounds became muffled and sounded like the cars passing only a few feet away were miles away, even the birds stopped singing. I could feel a dampness permeate me, not just my clothing but it felt like it soaked into my skin as well. It was chilly, a noticeable difference from a few moments before when I was in the sunshine. It also felt a bit creepy and even the air smelled different. We lived right on the ocean, and could hear the fog horn which began sounding almost as soon as I stepped into the cloud, which lended itself to the creepiness. It was a feeling I'll never forget.

I also remember one morning while living in Louisiana. I woke up, blurry-eyed and sleepy and wandered to my kitchen table to read my Bible quietly before beginning my day. I looked out and saw a white billowy "mist" encircling our mobile home. I thought nothing of it as I'd seen foggy mornings here in the past. Before long I was engrossed in what I was reading when my thoughts were shattered by the siren of a firetruck. It got closer and closer and suddenly turned into the driveway and started heading for our home! That's when I realized what I thought had been fog was actually SMOKE! Scrambling for some clothes I rushed to get dressed and ran outside to find my neighbor talking to the firemen about a brush fire. The mobile home we lived in was parked on our landlords property which backed up to another person's property. During certain times of the year, they have controlled brush fires to burn off the underbrush. There are several reasons for doing this, one of which is to chase out snakes! EEEEK! I saw dozens of them after that and stopped hanging my clothes out on the line! Anyway, they thought they had the fire out from the day before but apparently didn't, and it had burned through the night, meandering closer and closer to our home! I am so thankful that my landlord saw the smoke, recognized it for what it was and called the fire department. By the time they got there, the fire was only a few feet from my front door. I never smelled the smoke or saw the fire, it just goes to show me that I should be more observant!

Enough nostalgia, but thanks for taking a walk down memory lane with me! Yesterday was a fun day. I learned from a lady on one of the yahoo groups I belong to that a group of stitchers meet at a library near me once a month. Believe it or not, I'm typically a shy person...No REALLY I AM! Anyway, I had other obligations until last night, so decided to get my act in gear and go. It was a hard thing for me to do, but these ladies made me feel right at home. I truly believe that needleworkers are a different kind of breed! They invited me in, made me feel a part of the group and I spent a lovely evening stitching with these wonderful women. I can hardly wait for next month! It's so much more fun stitching with someone else, and now I see why quilting bees were so popular in the olden days! It's such a shame that our society has gotten away from gathering together and we have truly lost the art of conversation. Hopefully the stitchers of the world will at least keep this civility alive!

Ok, off my nostalgic soapbox for today. Thanks for listening to my rambling.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Good Morning Everybody and Top 'O The Morning to the Irish!
Well It's St. Patrick's day here in my household. That mean's everybody's wearing green, the corned beef and cabbage is simmering in the crockpot, the Irish Chocolate Mint Dessert (recipe found here is out of this world http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/stpatricks/irish-chocolate-mint-dessert.htm ) is resting in the fridge and we are ready to celebrate the day! I always loved St. Patty's day! I attended a college in upstate NY where there were a lot of Irish descendents. I remember the celebrations there with such gusto! Takes me back to the good old days...
A few years ago my DH and I studied our ancestry and learned that there is Irish in both of us! I've always known that a wee bit, but it was nice to have it confirmed! It's funny, when you study your "roots" you find a lot of "skeletons" in the closet LOL We won't go there, but I guess the point of that was, it's fun to trace your "roots" but take care to realize that there aren't always "saints" in your history!
Yesterday I discovered buds on my hybiscus plant, I'm so excited. I got this plant in the spring of last year. It bloomed all summer long, there were almost always blossoms on it. Then the shorter days came along and it went dormant. It didn't lose it's leaves, but it didn't bloom either. The winter seemed to last forever without any blossoms on this plant, and then yesterday while I was watering it, I spied what looked to be a blossom. I looked closer, and there are more than just one! I'm so excited I almost did an Irish jig a day early! LOL
Now that the indoor plants are starting to show some life, I'll be watching the outdoor plants. Usually the Azalea bloom first and that's by my front door, so I'll be checking on that daily, poor thing! I love spring in Maryland. The woods come alive with pinks, purples, white and yellow as the Cherry blossoms, Apple blossoms, Dogwood and Forsythia begin to bloom. The designers of our subdivision planted cherry trees all along the streets here and another kind of tree I haven't identified yet. In the spring the pink blossoms abound and in the fall the leaves turn a vibrant shade of ? It's not red, it's not orange, but a combination of the two. It's our little oasis in the midst of the jungle living between two big cities. I do love where we live!
I'm progressing (finally) on my spot sampler. I cannot tell you how relieved I was to finally finish that one "spot". I spent two days going over and over the same place, stitching, then reverse stitching. Finally yesterday I got past that area and finished two other spots without incident. Whew! I just hate the futility of frogging!!
Well, just wanted to wish you all a happy day and though it takes a few hours, do try the Chocolate Mint Dessert, you won't regret it! *Dancing an Irish jig*
Erin go bragh!

Friday, March 13, 2009

TGFO!


TGFO! (Thank God Friday's Over!)


I won't go into detail but I'm thankful that today is over! When I wrote earlier today, I thought it couldn't get worse...but it did! Let's just say that I'm going to bed early and putting this day behind me. I know how this little kitty feels! ROTFL. But tomorrow is another day and though it's going to be a busy one (I have to be at our church at 8 in the morning!) I'll have had a good night's rest to help forget today and let's hope there isn't another Friday the 13th for a LONG LONG while!
Good night everybody!

Friday the Thirteenth

Good Afternoon!

I just want to say from the beginning, that I do not believe in good luck or bad luck, but it's days like today that give Friday the 13th it's reputation! I'm ready to head back to bed and put the covers over my head! LOL

I've been frogging today. It's like I'm putting in one stitch and taking out two! I've been trying to finish one particular spot on my spot sampler for almost two weeks now, and when I'm about to use the last strand I'll need, things are going wrong. You can't see me, but I'm banging my head on the keyboard here in frustration! I'll get past this, but I'm guessing today is NOT that day! So...when the going gets tough...the tough go shopping! I'm going to pick DS up from school (hopefully he'll have had a better day than I have!) and I'm going shopping. He needs new shoes (due to an achillies tendon injury) and I need a new perspective...so here I go! Wish me luck...the good kind! LOL Good thing St. Patricks day is only a few days off, I'm part Irish, I'll get my luck back! Tootles!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Am I crazy or what?

Good Evening!

Just thought I would add photos today of all my Stitch A Longs along with web addresses where they can be found. Some of these you need to pay for, the Christmas Quaker and the Spot Sampler. I'm trying desperately to keep up, but have fallen behind in the Spot Sampler, and the Spanish Sampler. I'm doing ok in the rest though!

Above is my Spot Sampler which you can find here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spot-sampler-mystery-2008/

Above you'll find my Alla Turca which you can find here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StitchersHeaven/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1


Above is my Band Sampler from Sticktreff which you can find here http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sticktreff/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1


Above is my Carnation Sampler which you can find here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wiehenburg-samplers/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=3


Above is the Grand Abecedaire from Gazette 94 which you can find here http://gazette94.blogspot.com/


Above is my Christmas Quaker which you can find here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wiehenburg_christmas_quaker_2008/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1

Below you'll find the March Mystery stitch a long which you can find here http://mahelia.canalblog.com/


And last but not least is my Spanish Sampler which you can find here http://periphaeria.com/community/news.php I haven't progressed too far with this one. You can't see from the picture, but it is done on black and isn't showing up as well as I would like, so I've put this one on hold until I decide what to do.

I'm not sure which is my favorite, I think it's whichever one I'm stitching at the time. I'm enjoying all these designs! I hope you enjoyed peeking at my stitching.

I haven't added much to my blog lately, mainly because my life has taken an unexpected turn in the fast lane. Hopefully, I'll get my life back in order and will be posting more regularly again. Til then...take care!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

The Tea Cup

I have a friend who loves tea, and who is struggling at this point in her life. This is for you, Sonya, with hugs and prayers...

Love this story or not, you will not be able to have tea in a tea cup again without thinking of this.

There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, "Don't do that." "I don't like it!" "Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said; "Not yet!"

Then WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick!", I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; 'Not yet.'

He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. "Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'.

When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please, Stop it, Stop, I cried. He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'.

Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded I screamed. I cried I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next?"

An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!!! Quietly he spoke: 'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held.

Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you.'"

The moral of this story is this: God knows what He's doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will. So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this. Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.

Friday, March 6, 2009

T.G.I.F



Thank goodness it's Friday!!!

This has been an extremely crazy week, and I'm so thankful it's over! DH has been sitting on this beach all week while I've been dealing with the terrible twos (that's what I call this stage in DS's development...the double digits of teenagerdom) Actually, the truth is, he hasn't been sitting on a beach, though he is in Hawaii. He's been in conferences in a building with no windows, he could be in Alaska for all you can tell from the inside of this building. But the commute to the conference is like heaven on earth! I actually took this picture two years ago when I took my two week mercy trip to Hawaii. I went to visit a friend whose husband was serving in Iraq. I told everyone it was a mercy mission but I never said who's mercy it was for! She and I visited this beach at sunset just so I could take this picture! LOL

This week was "Feeder concert" week. DS plays the clarinet and bass clarinet. The middle schools that "feed" into the main high school in the area, got together with the high school band and orchestra and they all played together in a concert tonight. We've watched DS in every concert he's ever played in since elementary school, we listen to him practice, and we've watched his improvement over the years. But I have to say, I've never heard his "band" sound so good as it did tonight! I really enjoyed this concert! It's a shame his Dad had to miss it! DS has had practice in the mornings before school and for two hour rehearsals twice this week. Between getting his homework done, eating, getting him to rehearsals, and even a field trip to a theater in the round today, it has been a wild and whacky ride! I'm so glad it's over. I'm exhasuted, and I think he is too!

I have to say though, I was invited to a "stitch in" today! It was WONDERFUL to be with friends who understand the frustrations, can make you laugh through the insanity, and who have the tastiest meals on the planet! I didn't get much stitching done, but it was the best therapy session I've had in ages! There is something about fellow stitchers, and I'm sure you understand this, they are generous, helpful and inspiring. I'm so very thankful to have them in my life, they make life worthwhile!! I had to leave early because of the concert tonight, but I wanted to pack them up and take them with me! In my opinion, we don't get together often enough! BUT!!! I have a stitching retreat weekend coming up the first weekend in May and I'll get to spend the whole weekend with these phenominal women.....I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Well, it's late, I'm babysitting the dog next door and it's time he had his nightly constitutional, and DS and I have a date in front of the TV watching a show tonight. I guess it's time to make my way off this and go spend time in the real world. Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Mom Song

DH called this morning from Hawaii. He was listening to the radio on his way to the conference today and heard a song called "The Mom Song" and told me I needed to google it as fast as I could. And so I did! I swear someone has been following me around, copying everything I said, and made a song from it. If you don't believe me, scroll back until you find my entry about teenagers! LOL Please go to You Tube from this link and watch this video, you won't regret it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESe-AysF9mw .

Love of the sea

Good Morning!

I thought I would show you some of my absolute favorite pictures that I have stitched. After we were first married, DH and I lived in Hawaii. We've been thanking our fellow taxpayers since then for our 4 year honeymoon in Hawaii! I guess you could say we were there on the taxpayers dime since he was stationed there and I was fortunate enough to live there with him in government quarters. It was the best time of our married life. That is were I fell in love with the sea. We first lived in a small apartment across the street from the beach. We would watch the sun set into the ocean every night and listen to the waves crash against the shore. There is something so soothing about the sound of water, whether it be the babble of a brook, the thunder of a waterfall, or the crashing of the waves. I slept the best in my life listening to the rhythm of the sea there in Waialua, Hawaii.

I woke up one morning to hear a lot of commotion down on the street. I stepped out on our lanai and peeked out over the ocean to see the fluke of a whale, then another. They were not far from shore, and were feeding off the bottom. It was a mother whale teaching her offspring to feed, I guess, but we were getting the show of a lifetime while they waved their tails at us. Since then, we've had a deep love and respect for whales as well.


We lived in Arizona for a while, too, and learned to appreciate the Native Americans and their philosophy of life. I have a deep respect for them, and their love of the Earth. This pattern is from the Stitching Studio and the artist usually depicts a "totem" in her artwork. It ties the love of the sea with our respect for Native Americans together. This was a Christmas present for DH last year.
We've lived in many places near the ocean and for some reason I have a fascination for lighthouses. While living in California we heard of one farther up the coast that was for sale. I would have loved to live in a lighthouse! Wherever we live we try to visit them. One trip took us up the coast of Maine where we stopped to see quite a few of them. They are such a beacon of hope, a place of refuge, a guiding light. There are many unique ones here in Maryland that I hope to visit sometime soon. We are looking for something special to do for our 25th anniversary this year, maybe that will be our gift to ourselves. Time will tell.
I have a few more whale charts that I hope to one day get to. If I work things right I might get one done for Christmas for DH this year too. I'll let you know if I get there. Thanks for stopping in, hope you enjoyed the "tour".

Monday, March 2, 2009

Snow Day!









Good morning!

It's a snow day here in Maryland! The school called last night to tell us that there would be no school today. Only in Maryland, with barely a dusting of snow on the ground, would they call the night before a school day to tell us there would be no school the next day! We call them weather wimps, but do not complain much when they give us a free day! We actually did get some accumulation overnight and the kids in the neighborhood are having a field day with sledding, snowball fights and snow people dotting the neighbor's yards. This is a shot out my front window before the kiddies have "hit the slopes"!

Well I did my good deed yesterday! I hauled myself out of bed before the crack of dawn to take DH to the airport. He left before the big snowstorm hit, thank heavens! We had gotten a little snow that night, enough to make the streets and sidewalks a little treacherous, but I still made it to the airport in time for his flight. He's going on a business trip to....*drum roll please* .... Hawaii. No, DH is not a big executive for a failing bank, nor the head of an American automaker. Worse! He's a government employee going to a conference. Don't get me started with wasting taxpayers hard earned money! (It would be another story if I were able to go with him! Paying my own way, of course!)

He has gone without us, of course! I did beg to go with him, but DS has too many things going on this week to leave him with an "attendant". I won't call them a babysitter, since DS is no longer a baby, well most of the time he's not *wink*, but he is "high maintanance! Ha ha. DH will be missing the biggest snowstorm of the winter, the spring band concert, the school field trip to the theater in the round, market day pickup, DS's doctor's appointment and the parent/student basketball game *dusting off my gym shoes and roller skates*, but I feel sufficiently able to handle all these superhuman tasks. *striking my wonder woman pose* I do wonder, however, how much stitching I'll be getting in. With yesterday being the first of the month and all those "new charts" coming out for all 7 SAL's I'm working on my fingers are itching to stitch. Ah well, Mother's work comes first *darn it*.

Uh oh, DS is awake and is asking, "What are WE going to do today, Mom?" I did rent a few movies to keep us occupied (smart Mom that I am *grin*) anticipating the snow storm. Hopefully that will keep him busy for a little while so I can get a few stitches in. I do know that I will have to eventually be playmate for a little while, not that I mind. I enjoy spending time with my son, he's great company! In the meanwhile, I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of my weekend stitching. I'd also like to leave you with a little Chinese pearl of wisdom. Confuscius say, "He who fly upside down have crack up".