New Year...New Goals...New Starts...

Happy Belated New Year!

I kept telling myself, as I ran out of time in 2018, next year will be different.  Who am I kidding?  Can I really reinvent myself overnight?  Well I guess I can try, right?

So....here I am, it's already 4 days into the New Year and I've already broken some resolutions.  I still haven't been to the gym....but it's usually crowded this time of year anyway...I'll give it another week, or so...  I still haven't organized my stitching goals...I mean I have SOME plans, but they aren't completely ironed out, and I can't find my Discs with my JCS magazines on them *Heavy sigh*....so I can't even iron out exactly WHAT I'm going to stitch.  I'm WAY behind in some SALs I started last year....I'm almost ready to throw in the towel!!  However, Rome wasn't built in a day.  Though I'm not starting out at a dead run on January 1st, I'm giving myself permission to IMPROVE over the course of the year.  

On a positive note, I did start something new on New Year's Day.  I started the Amazing Marie Antionette's Rose Garden Caleidoscope by Chatelaine Designs.  Yep, on black but 28ct over 2.  It was supposed to be 32 ct. over two, but the person who sold it to me gave me the wrong count fabric.  Oh well, It's on the frame and has some stitches in it so consider it started!!  I was so completely spoiled by DH when he gave it to me for our anniversary.  He splurged and found all the silks and other specialty threads, and beads and whatnot.  Other than being crazy big, it's a dream to stitch with all those silks.  The problem came when the frog came to visit, then took up residency, so I haven't been back since I started that day.  I will though...don't worry!  I apologize for the terrible pictures, it was a cloudy day and the lighting is awful!!

On Wednesday I stitched on Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor.  This poor WIP has been sitting around for ages.  I keep all my projects well covered, so it hasn't gathered dust, but it could have!  haha  I'm going to continue stitching on WIPs on Wednesdays because that seems to work for me, incentive to get things done!

Yesterday I started an ornament.  I've signed up for a few challenges stitching ornaments this year.  You can see them on my 2019 goals page.  I'm hoping they take pity on me and let me overlap some of my stitching.  haha  I'm going to do my best NOT to do that, though.  Everyone hates a cheater, right?  So I started a Victoria Sampler bell pull ornament from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornaments issue.   Then I realized the first month of this year we were supposed to stitch from the 2009 issue...back to the drawing board, if I can ever find those Discs!!!!

Now...on for a little taste of what I did last year for fun.  We took a few trips and I never once showed where we went or what we did.  I have to say, 2018 was a bit of a blur.  We took a trip for a couple of weeks.  We went to Niagara Falls, then on to Toronto where we met up with Ben and his Girlfriend, then left them and went on to Kingston, then on to NY to visit my Mom.  We stopped at Watkins Glen on the way home to walk the glen.  It was a fabulous trip, here are a few pictures of the highlights.    

Niagara Falls....we took a helicopter tour, went to a Butterfly Garden, Toured Niagara on the Lake and visited Fort George in the daytime and the nighttime (ghost tour).

Toronto....we visited the Stanley Cup, went to the Aquarium, took a boat tour, and saw Jason Mamoa (you know....Aquaman?) but couldn't get a good picture of him.

Kingston...took a bus tour, took a ghost tour, and walked around the city.

Watkins Glen

We also took a trip into DC to visit the Madame Tussaud's Museum.  Yes, we are goofy, but we have fun!!  We also took in a Caps game!

I'll write about our recent travels next time!  Thanks for stopping by!

Shaking the Dust

Matthew 10:14
     "And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."

It's been one of those years, you know the kind, right?  When you walk around in a fog of hurt and sadness?  I miss Katie.  If I hear the words, "But they weren't even married." one more time I think I'll scream.  She was a big part of our lives for over 2 years and I loved her like my own kid.  Please don't tell me I'm not supposed to miss her or grieve for her.  She may not have been my daughter-in-law, but she was my daughter-in-heart.  I miss my Mom (she's not gone physically, but mentally she's not my Mom anymore...dementia is tough to watch and I feel the loss of someone who would listen and encourage without judgement.)  I watched my son go from a happy-go-lucky kid to a mature man who experienced tremendous horror that no one (let alone someone so young) should go through.  I'll be honest and say I sheltered myself for a while just to deal with all that happened when Katie died.  I won't discuss the heartache and fallout that happened back then.  I won't apologize for sheltering myself either.  

I will say a heartfelt thank you to those who were there for me, my online friends who sent gifts and words of encouragement.  Sadly, people living hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away were the ones who encouraged me the most.  I'm humbled and grateful for your kindness.

I've had people who I thought were "friends" suddenly unfriend me on Facebook, stop talking to me, avoid me at all costs, and try to alienate other friends in the process.  I honestly don't even know what I did.  I've tried talking to them but they won't even communicate with me at all!!  Honestly, I find it cruel and immature.  Who needs friends like that, right?  So, I'm turning over a new leaf in 2019.  I saw this on Facebook, and while I'm using my own photo, I'm stealing their words because this is going to be my new motto.  And I'm using a Bible verse (that keeps popping up here and there) to encourage my resolve.  I'm shaking off the dust.  This doesn't mean I'm turning my back, it means I'm no longer going to let it get to me.  I'm not going to change who I am.  I don't know if I will ever trust them again, but I'm not going to forget our past and the treasured memories I have.  If I've hurt anyone in any way, please accept my apology, I NEVER intentionally try to hurt anyone!

Please don't take this as me having a pity party.  I'm really not!  Nor am I looking for sympathy.  I honestly don't need it.  This is just me, writing my new resolve for next year.

Here's to a Happy New Year, one full of unexpected blessings, renewed strength, and better memories.

Twas Two Days After Christmas...

Twas two days after Christmas

When all through the house

All the men folk had vanished

It was quiet as a mouse

I sat in my Pj’s

Contemplating my navel

When a small thought occurred

I should shop all the sales

I created a breeze

As I rushed up the stairs

Jumped in the shower

And then dried my hair

I checked my list

To see what I’d need

Jumped in the car

And then turned the key

The lights on the dashboard

Were dim as could be

I sighed with frustration

This just couldn’t be!

I sat in the driveway

The car battery was dead

While visions of sales items

Danced in my head.

I started to fret

Then I turned with a jerk

I’d call my favorite shop

I’m sure that would work!

I ordered some floss

I ordered fabric galore

I ordered the beads

From my favorite store.

The crisis averted,

I fled to my bed

Donned my Pj’s

And then I said

It’s a great day to stitch!

It’s a great day to view

All the Christmas movies

I had recorded…whooo hooo!

December Gifted Gorgeousness

Whew!!  What a year this has been!!  But here we are in December, and it's time for Gifted Gorgeousness again.  If you haven't seen Gifted Gorgeousness before, this is a challenge that Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching has been organizing for a few years now.  I love this challenge because it gives me a chance to look for those items that has been gifted to me and gives me incentive to work on them.  I have such generous friends and family!  We showcase the stitchy gifts we have been given (of fabric, floss, patterns or finished items) or that we have given to others.  We post these items on the 15th of the month and then link up on  Jo's blog.  If you want to read the official rules you can find them here.  Or if you want to see what others have been gifted/gifting, you can find the links here.

I received a lovely gift from my friend, Mouse, over in Merry Ole England!  It was birthday and Christmas combined.  She makes the most wonderful ornaments and included a project bag with my gift this year.  She truly spoils me!!

I sent her a gift too, and included a few ornaments and a new little buddy, Morty.  I found him at a local craft fair....and am so sorry I didn't get one for me too.  Isn't he cute?

I'm participating in a 12 Days of Christmas gift exchange.  We are only on day 3 but I can show you what I've been given so far... a cross stitch guage, a bookmark to stitch, and the easel.

And these are the gifts I have given so far...

I've made a few last minute gifts of ornaments this year.  I'm going to an ornament exchange tonight, I was a guest at a Christmas stitch party and made one as a gift for our host, and another "just because" gift....all three the same pattern (JCS Ornament issue 2016 by Blackberry Lane Designs) just finished differently.

These are for my son, just not finished yet...

And this is for DS's girlfriend....not finished yet either.

I sent this one to my friend I've known since 2nd grade.  I guess it's a new tradition to send her an ornament every year.

This one I gave to my hairdresser.  She has it hanging in her shop!

Last is Through the Window by Ship's Manor.  This was a SAL I participated in this year and was a gift from my husband.  I'm going to miss this SAL!!  It was fun watching it all come together.

Just because it's Christmas I thought I would throw a few pictures up here of my hand made ornament tree.  These are ornaments I've collected through the years that I've been given or have made myself.  The new ones I have received so far this year are on there too.

I have done so much more stitching....and even travels this year, but never seemed to have enough time to post everything.  I think I might do a year end wrap up and show everything I've left out over the year.  So hopefully you'll hear from me one more time before we ring in the New Year!  Thanks for stopping by!!

Advent Calendar Blog Hop Day 6

Hi There!  And welcome to Jo's Annual Advent Calendar Hop!  If you wonder what I'm talking about, please head on over to Jo's blog, Serendipitous Stitching.  Every day during the Advent season there will be a new blogger who will share with you their favorite Christmas Song, the theme for this year's blog hop, and a picture of something we have made for the season.  

I've been assigned day 6 and I'm excited to share with you my favorite project that I finished this year!  I waited patiently for the creches to appear in the stores so I could finally display my Mill Hills Nativity.  I stitched these pieces on fabric instead of the perforated paper then had them finished into stand ups so I could have another Nativity to showcase (I collect them!)  

I love this time of year!  (As long as I stay away from the mall...haha).  I love decorating for Christmas, and as always, each year there is a debate on how early we can start listening to Christmas Carols.  My son thinks we should wait until the week before Christmas, and certainly NOT before Thanksgiving.  But....my husband and I could listen to them all year if my son would let us.  This year we started the week before Thanksgiving just because!  haha  I have so many favorite Christmas songs, but I have to say, my absolute favorite is called "Move Me Closer (A Shepherd's Prayer)" by one of my favorite artists, Evie.  Here is a link to the song, if you've never heard it before, it's definitely worth a listen!

Move Me Closer

From my family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the coming New Year!

If you would like to continue the blog hop, the next in line is Mary over at Le Coeur Celtique.