Nov 6, 2014

Terrific Thursday 11/6/14

NEIGHBORS
For over two years, my sanity and peace has been disrupted by the backyard dog breeding neighbors on the north side of The Homestead.  More about them HERE.  Two weeks ago, I was pulled from my slumber at 10:30pm by one of the dogs barking... and barking... and BARKING.  After 20 minutes, I called the local constable office.  When the officer showed up, the dog was still barking "very loudly" (his words).  He tried to contact the neighbors (who were not home).  He issued them a citation.  The dog did not stop barking until close to midnight.  About 10 minutes after it stopped barking, the neighbors arrived home.  Last week, one of the dogs was howling.  This incident went on for over an hour.  Again, the constable was called and another citation issued.  I am SURE the neighbors are highly PO'd at me.

About a week and half ago, I observed the neighbors moving furniture from their house.  I had suspected they were moving.  Since one of the dogs was still outside in the kennels, I didn't dare hope too much.  However, the second officer confirmed to me that they were "in the process" of moving.

Can you say GREAT BIG HAPPY DANCE?!?  All the dogs are gone now and the neighbors are in the process of tearing down the kennels.  Woo Hoo!

HALLOWEEN
Most employers state morale is important to the success of the company.  Few do much to boost employee morale.  My employer is the only company I’ve ever worked for that actually does support and promote it.  We even have an employee driven Morale Committee!

One of the moral boosting activities is the annual Halloween Costume Contest, parade, and trick-or-treat. 

The morning starts off with the parade throughout the entire office for those who have “dressed up”.  Photos are then taken and voting commences through an online survey.  At the end of the day, “individual” and “group” winners are announced.


(Clickable for larger images)

The winners this year were:  One Night Stand and Hooters Alumni (These three ladies do group costumes every year and have won every year for quite a while!).

Then between 4:30-5pm, children and grandchildren of employees are invited to go from cubicle to cubicle to do trick-or-treating.  This year, I provided candy at my desk for the kiddos.  There were quite a few Captain Americas and Princesses!

Here's some TBT (Throw Back Thursday):

 My siblings and I - Circa 1977-78

My neices - Halloween 1997

STITCHY STUFF
I haven't had a lot of time to stitch since I've been spending a good part of every weekend at my parent's house cleaning, organizing, and packing up things.  Hard to believe it's been two months for my Mom and four months for my Dad.  Memories of being with them both are still so vivid.

I've put some time in on Balloon Glow during a couple lunch hours at work.

Other WIP pics can be seen HERE.

I've had one quick finish.  I stitched up another Sledding Friends Penguin.  I used miscellaneous cotton threads leftover from kits.  I think it turned out cute.

Design: Sledding Friends
Designer: Foxwood Crossings
Fibers:  Unknown cotton threads
Stitched on 14ct brown perforated paper
  
MORE THOUGHTFULNESS
As most of my readers and stitchy friends know, both my parents passed away in July and September.  After my Dad passed, my siblings and I were so busy trying to help Mom.  Things were crazy, to put it mildly. Things fell through the cracks.  I just realized today that I didn’t share the lovely things sent to me after my Dad’s passing.

First, are these lovely fabric angels from Karen A. They have been hanging in my dining room since I received them.  I have never seen them before and think they are so pretty.


Thank you for thinking of me, Karen!

While on vacation, Debbie B found beautifully embroidered zippered bags.  They're perfect for scissors, needles and other gadgets.  I was the lucky recipient of one.

Thank you Debbie!

GIVEAWAYS
Nancy over at Victorian Motto Sampler is doing 25 Days of Christmas giveaways. Click on over and see the wonderful things she has.

WINNER! WINNER!
Back in August, one of the Yahoo groups I belong to hosted “flash giveaways” for about a week. It was a lot of fun to see what was going to pop up as a giveaway and like the lottery… to see if I won.  I won an adorable Lizzie Kate chart pack and an Artecy chart.



This week, I was SO surprised to find out that I won a Silhoutte Portrait from CraftGossip.  From over 550 entries, I was one of two winners.  I never thought I'd win, but figured, "You can't win if you don't play."  Right?  Right.  I am so excited... can't wait to get it!


In case you're wondering, the Silhouette Portrait is an electronic cutting machine.  Like a printer, It plugs into a computer via USB cable.  It has the capability of cutting paper, cardstock, fabric and vinyl up to 8" wide and 10 feet long.  Unlike the Cricket machines, the Silhouttes don't require purchasing design cartridges (which are costly at $30 a pop).  Instead designs can be purchased from the online store for 50cents to $1.99 each.  Or, your own designs can be imported.  A $10 gift card to the online store is included, too!  I am so looking forward to playing with this.

Until Next Time,
 

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad your neighborhood will be quieter now. It's hard to believe you've been at the Homestead for 2 years already. The Halloween at your office looks like fun! I don't think I've ever dressed up for the office. :) You have been very lucky lately in your giveaways - congratulations!

Karin in CA

Sue said...

Dear sweet SD, your updated blog looks wonderful, as usual! Loved reading about the Halloween happenings at your office, looking at all of your 'stitchy' updates; however, the best news was that your horrible neighbors and their barking dogs have moved on to places unknown! LOL..........Love ya, your SM

Cricket-bug Corner said...

Love the costumes! What fun! Wow do you have contest luck - I can't win a contest when i'm the only entrant haha. Good riddance to the neighbors!

rosey175 said...

Ahaha I love the Where's Waldo costume. So cute. :D

Hooray for noisy neighbors (or rather, their pets) moving away! Hopefully they aren't bothering some new people though.

That tiny sled is adorable and your gifts are very lovely; love the blues in the zippered bag.

Mouse said...

excellent news all round from start to finish :) lovely goodies you got from peeps ... love love love the wee penguin :) and here's to more stitching time for you :) love mouse xxxx

Denise SA said...

A lovely post Meari
I adore your angels and you deserve your wins

cucki said...

Aww so much fun
Lovely costumes ...
Great stitches...have a lovely weekend
Big hugs xx

Unknown said...

Wow - what blessings you've had this week. Congrats to you on winning the Silhouette and other prizes!
So happy the dogs are gone - noisy neighbors for sure!
Beautiful work on your projects - love the balloons and their colors.

Emily in NC said...

Wow, glad those dogs are gone, you have spoken about them before. Lets just hope someone worse does not more in. Glad you are still happy at your job and that they do fun things like that to keep employees happy. That new gizmo looks neat, will have to hear how it works.

Faith... said...

So glad to hear the crazy neighbors are finally a thing of the past! Hopefully the new people will be better!!

Cute Halloween costumes - great choices for the winners! Your job seems to really care about the employees which is a great thing in these times.

Cute TBT pictures :) Your neices were certainly little cuties.

Beautiful gifts from your friends and how lucky to win that Silhouette Portrait, I have looked at it but can not justify purchasing one right now.

Hope you are almost finished at your parents. I know from experience it can be lots of work!

Vickie said...

Hooray for you! I have called the police on barking dogs a few houses down that those neighbors leave out while gone too.
What to do about our immediate neighbors though. They keep the dogs in the bedroom right by our kitchen, all day while they work. The dogs can be heard barking all the time. Thank God we both have our windows closed for months now. But what about next spring and summer again? When the windows open again. :( It is because they foster one dog in addition to their two. Nuts!

Melody said...

It's nice the noisy neighbors and their dogs have moved away. Congrats on all your wins. The Silhouette Portrait machine looks wonderful. I'm sure you will have fun with it.

Jennifer M said...

Great post Meari, glad things have quieted down on the home front. Great pictures to share and Woo Hoo on your wins!

Ruth said...

Wow -- congrats on so many fronts, but especially the neighbors!!!!!! Yahoooooooooooo

And I love your company!

Anonymous said...

Meari, glad you are having some peace and quiet now with the neighbours gone from your area and hope you get some nice neighbours.

I wish I had great employers when I was working.

Congratulations on all your wins, you are so lucky.

Marl

Kay said...

Wonderful photos form Halloween from work and from when you are your siblings were children! Hope you had a good Halloween. Your stitching, all of it including your past posts are always beautiful. Looks like you had some wonderful things sent to you by many that was thinking of you during this difficult time. It has been since April and little by little still helping my MIL with getting my FIL's stuff sorted to sell and to give to family members. It is hard, it stirs up so much.

stitcherw said...

So glad for you that your neighbors finally moved, having some peace and quite will be wonderful for you. Balloon glow is lovely, the coloring is so pretty, and the little penguin is adorable.

Anonymous said...

That's quite an update, Meari! So happy for you that the neighbors have moved. Here's hoping you absolutely LOVE the next neighbors to move in. You deserve some good fortune to come your way.



The Halloween activities are your job look like they were a lot of fun. Before our company was sold, we used to have that sort of fun on Halloween. It was even combined with a kick-off party for the United Way fund-raising campaign, and there were all sorts of prizes "auctioned" off. That's how I got the chance to see Blue Man Group when they were at the Venetian, by winning one of the auction prizes. One year, I did face painting for employees and their kids during the fund raiser, which was a carnival that year.



Your stitching is lovely as always. I think the little sleds are adorable!



Memories of your mom and dad are going to be popping up a lot for you in the coming weeks. Know that you are often in my thoughts, with continuing prayers for God's blessings and comfort.

Betty W.

Katie said...

I hope your next neighbor is a million times better. I know you've had so much headaches due to this one. Love the Halloween costumes and love that your work has fun. I would want a job like that instead of being treated poorly everyday.

Glad you got some stitching in. The balloons are too cute. Love the sled! Congrats on the finish!!

Anonymous said...

Wow Meari!! It's about time you had some good news and some fun!!!! The costume contest looks like it was a lot of fun! I think I'd have voted for Thing 1 and Thing 2! LOL!! So glad for you that your noisy neighbors have moved!! I hope whoever moves in are wonderful neighbors!

Happy Trails,
Pam K. in TN :o)

Debs said...

Great news on the Neighbors. I hope you get some really nice quiet ones move in this time. Nothing worse than noisy neighbors.

Anonymous said...

So glad that now you will be to live in peace!!! Your company sounds like a great place to work. A place where you don't mind having to go to work. Your finish is adorable. Going through your parents things is very difficult. Just try to remember the fun, good times you had with them & your siblings.
Congrats on the win of the Silhouette Portrait machine. Sounds fun.
Betty in AZ (ILCS)