Jan 4, 2010

Marvelous Monday Update 1/4/10


First, I'd like to say Happy New Year! Hard to believe we're a decade into the millenium, isn't it? My wish is for everyone to have a prosperous 2010!

And now, on to my latest news...


WEATHER
Temps have been downright frigid this past weekend. Subzero temps and single digits. Today, I woke up to 5F! Later in the week, temps are supposed to rise to about 30. It'll seem like spring. I heard Indiana got a lot of snow over the weekend. I'm glad it was there and not here.


CAR
For the past year, the blower fan on my car has intermittently been acting up. It was one of those things where it would make the screeching sound every now and then. I think Nancy heard it once when she came to visit. I didn't want to take it in to the shop and then it not "act up", if you know what I mean. Two weeks ago, it finally started acting up *all* the time to the point I didn't even want to use the heater. Thank goodness for heated seats, lol. As the temps got colder, I finally made an appointment to get it looked at. A new blower motor and $245 later, the 'ole car is back to normal.


SCHOOL
After much contemplation and struggle, I've decided to take out student loans and go back to school. I'm considering myself lucky that I qualify for subsidized loans, which means the government will pay for the interest on said loans until I graduate. I've signed up for two classes this semester and the textbooks I ordered have arrived. Classes start next week. Wish me luck.


STITCHY STUFF
I spent a good part of the holiday weekend working on TMQ. I've noticed that if I just sit down and "just do it", it really does go pretty fast. Here's what I accomplished:

Other WIP pics can be seen HERE.


I wanted to start ABC Lessons, but I still haven't decided what fabric to use. I may just stitch a little bit on two of the fabrics and see what they'll look like.


GIVEAWAYS
Julie of I'll Cross That Leg is celebrating her 50th follower. Surf on over to check out what it is.

Karen of Sunshine Stitches is hosting her first ever giveaway. Go on over to see what it is, and while you're there check out her stitching.


BLOG LAYOUT
As you probably have noticed, I've changed my blog layout. I'm still fiddling with it as it's not quite to my liking. Three columns is pretty neat, but I'm thinking it's making my blog a bit too "busy" Plus, everything seems crammed together. What do you think?

45 comments:

Karen Walker said...

TMQ is looking fantastic Meari you have made great progress on it over the holiday

Karen

Emily in NC said...

Making good progress on TMQ, really like your new layout, especially the slide shows. Good luck with school as well.

CJ said...

Hi Girl!!

Good job with your stitching. I did not get any done this weekend. We had family visit, Jeff and I went to a BB King concert in town -- great experience. Then Jeff went to the Cowboys game while I took the kids and his sister to see the Chipmunks and eat Chinese.

As for your blog, I like three columns and plan to try one myself. The only thing I am missing in your blog is color. On my end when I read your blog I get a totally white background which is so not like you. That is my feeling on the blog issue.

Stay warm, it is freezing cold here as well which is unusual for us.

CJ

Sunshine said...

Have you thought about adding some color to your Blog? I see a BAP finish coming. Great Progress!
TY for mentioning the giveaway!

Rene la Frog said...

TMQ is lookin' really good.

I liked you other blog layout better, but then that was what I was use to and knew where to look for things.

JessB said...

TMQ is coming along, and it looks so pretty. Glad you got your car fixed up.

I like the flowers on the back of your blog, but I do think that 3 columns is a little much. Might just be me though, since a lot of people do it.

Great update!

Mel said...

Great looking stitching Meari!
And so glad you got that car fixed. I had visions of you stuck in the snow all cold. So glad that the car is good now! :)

Rachel S-H said...

Good luck in school!

Keep warm.

Kathy said...

Lovely progress on TMQ.

Stay warm and good luck with school.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on going back to school, I want to do a part time course when DD starts school..another year yet. Took me a while to get used to 3 columns as well. I love the paper at the sides.

Jo
http://boosmummy.blogspot.com/

Blu said...

TMQ looks great.
I'm one of those who thinks that 3 columns is a bit busy.
Good luck in school!

Daffycat said...

Sheesh, it has been very cold here too. I'm so tired of winter and it has barely started.

Good for you going back to school! Best of luck and study hard!

Julie M said...

Congrats on going back to school, much luck with that!

You made great progress with TMQ! I hope school won't interfere with your stitching time too much!

I like the 3 column look. It can get a bit busy though if a person isn't careful but I don't think yours is too busy.

I hear ya about the temps. I think we made it to 4 today. They are talking no school on Thursday due to the windchill.

Shari said...

the stitching looks great! Congrats & best wishes on going back to school. Hey, keep the snow in ILL will you?!?!??!

Vicki in CO said...

TMQ is really coming along! Lookin' great!

Good luck to you---the education can definitely make a difference in your career and salary. It is a challenge to balance work and school, but I have no doubt you will succeed!

Donna said...

TMQ looks wonderful. I am proud of you continuing your schooling.
The cold weather is hitting us in Texas late this week with temps around 15. They say this will be the coldest Texas has seen in a long, long time.

Linda K's Stitching Corner said...

Hi Meari

I just love the TMQ Pattern...what magazine or pattern is that? I would love to get a hold of that one.

I wish you the best of luck in College. I'm thinking about going back this summer myself too.

Take care & Happy Stitching

Anonymous said...

Wish you all the best in your continuing education. Your TMQ is looking very nice.

Marl

Deirdre said...

That is great you are going back to school! I LOVE education! You will do great! I like the new blog look.

TMQ looks really good.

Carol said...

Happy New Year Meari! TMQ is coming along nicely! I've been plaing around with my blog lately and I tried the 3 column layout but I had the same thoughts as you, it was too busy and squished up. I think yours looks great though. I just got tired of playing with mine and left it 2 column.

mbroider said...

TMQ is doable Meari!!! I think you should advance the deadline too:)

Good luck with your studies...

Mary Ivancicts said...

TMQ is getting there, is it a kit? You do beautiful work.

Carol said...

That is wonderful that you've decided to go back to school, Meari--you won't regret finishing up!

Your blog looks nice--I'm too lazy to try to change mine into a 3 column!

Debra said...

Great progress on your wip.
Older cars can be a pain, but they are paid for. LOL!
Good luck with school, I was going to ask you about that.
I like white back ground, makes it much easier to read. But it a bit full.

too_busy_to_stitch said...

TMQ looks great, your weather doesn't! But most of all - Good Luck with school - wow, I admire you! I could do two years after I finish this qualification to become a fully qualified accountant, but at the moment I don't think I've got the staying power. You go girl!

Mylene said...

TMQ wip's is looking great, Meari.

Goodluck with your studies.

Sharon said...

Happy New Year! TMQ is coming along nicely - lots of progress!
Glad your heater is fixed - this is NOT the time of year to not have heat. If it makes you feel any better, we're even using our car heater here in Florida - it's freezing!!!
I think you're making a great decision to attain more schooling. Any knowledge gained always puts you ahead of the game -
I don't think education is ever a bad use of resources.
I like the flower background on your background - maybe a bit more "punch" of color would be nice though? Have a great week!

Shelleen said...

good luck with school. I was thinking of doing 3 columns on my blog but glad I didn't. it does look a little busy.

Anonymous said...

Hi Meari,
Your TMQ is lovely! Happy New Year to you too and thats great about going back to school. I know you'll do great.
See you on the group.
Love Sandy P.

Courtney Short said...

I had to change my 3 column layout too.. I felt, like you, that it was just too busy...so much going on on either side it was hard to focus on the posting.. so I pared down and cleared out old stuff..

Good luck in school - I know you will do well :-)

Shelley said...

Your progress on TMQ is crazy. Love the way this piece is coming together. Going back to school, huh, You Go Girl!! Hope your weather warms up soon. 5F is way too cold for me and I love the cold. We've been battling fog for the past few days and it is keeping the temps too low for me. Happy New Year!

Carolyn NC said...

Dude, you guys are cold! We're whining down here because it's been in the 30's! Love the progress on TMQ. Blog looks fine to me. :)

Carol R said...

Good for you going back to school- I wish you all the best.

Your new blog look is pretty.

EvalinaMaria said...

Happy New Year to you also! Your stitching is awesome as always, car should go for checkup, congrats on enrollment in new classes (what are you taking?) and I think that 3 column blog is looking OK, I'm not finding it "to busy". Cheers.

Akila said...

Wish you a very happy 2010.
TMQ looks very very pretty. Love the colors in it. Great going
I think I like the new layout. That was the first thing I noticed when I came in today

Nancy M said...

Yep, I remember your *fan*!!! Good luck with the schooling. Your quilt is making nice progress. I have to ask.....how's the Chatelaine coming along? Hope you had a great New Years, and we both hope for a short winter!

Lillie said...

Happy 2010, here's wishing you lots of success and a great year ahead. Good luck with school.

Jenna said...

Happy New Year, Meari! I hope that all of your endeavors are successful and rewarding.

Lainey said...

Your stitching piece looks great. Wish you all the best in going back to school. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog and the lovely welcome to the group. Hugs!

Gabi said...

TMQ is looking great. Loving your new layout too. But than again, doesn't look messy on my screen. Looks just fine.
Good luck with your school.
And thank you so very much for your beautiful card. It arrived yesterday in the mail :)

Katrien said...

TMQ looks great.

Kristin said...

Wow, you really made progress on that piece.

Congrats on starting school again. What classes are you taking?

Thanks for the heads up on the giveaways.

Carol's Stitching said...

Congrats on going back to college. I am also contemplating this in my life. I like the stitching progress and the LK piece should be a fun stitch.

socialsue said...

Your TMQ is progressing very lovely. Congratulation on going back to school! What are u going to major in?

socialsue

glenda said...

Happy New Year! I have also noticed how much stitching gets done when I plant my butt down and actually do it! Wild!!!!!!!!!!! ;)