Marvelous Monday Update 11/24/14

WHERE DID AUTUMN GO?
Sadly, the nice autumn weather has been replaced by brutal cold winds and a bit of snow.  Here a bit of snow... Buffalo, NY now that's a whole other story!  Before the cold weather set in, I was going on daily walks during my lunch hour....

All those pretty colors have been replaced by leafless, stark trees and foliage.  :(

This guy was hanging out in a tree enjoying a snack!

GREEN THUMB
I can't remember if I've ever talked about my Mom's green thumb.  She LOVED plants... and when I say that, I mean LOVE...LOVE...LOVED them!  Ever since I can remember, she always had plants and flowers.  At one time, my parent's house had so many that you'd swear it was a greenhouse.

Much to my Dad's chagrin, to enable her us kids would buy her trees, plants, and bulbs for her to plant outside.  She loved them, so what was the harm, right?!

Mom's favorite plant was the Christmas Cactus.  Or Thanksgiving Cactus. Or Easter Cactus.  When she was living with me, she insisted we bring her large Christmas Cactus so she could see it.  Of course, we complied and I set it at the foot of her bed.  Every day, she'd tell me to open the shades of the window so it could get light.  She has had this cactus FOREVER and it's huge.  It's just starting to bud out right now and when it blooms, I'll share a photo.  Meantime, I have another one of her cactus that bloomed a few weeks ago:

Pink/Fushia/Burgundy were her favorite colors.  It's like a little piece of Mom is still with us through her plants.  I just hope I can keep them alive!  Incidentally, my brother is going to have that photo put on his arm as a tattoo tribute to Mom.


NEIGHBORS
As I said in my previous post, my neighbors are "in the process" of moving.  Going on three weeks now, they're still moving stuff!  They own the house and it's not been put up for sale so I imagine they're taking their sweet time.  They started to dismantle the dog kennels, but apparently got tired or something because they stopped after getting most of it moved.

That white stuff you see isn't snow.  It's dog hair!  For days, I wondered where all the large pieces of dog hair came from.... on my outdoor steps, in my hedges... everywhere!

This is their crap between our garages.  It's actually a lot better than it normally is.  They have stuff strewn all the way to the back as you can see and even shoved behind their garage.  Stuff that should be taken to a junk yard.


STITCHY STUFF
I've been putting stitches in on Balloon Glow during my lunch hour.  It goes pretty fast since most of the stitches are halfsies.

I've also started an ornament for an exchange I signed up for.  No pics, though.  Can't show until it gets to the recipient.  I will say that I must be insane to stitch it over-one on 28ct... 'nuf said.


SILHOUETTE PORTRAIT

Guess what arrived last Monday? The Silhouette Portrait I won on CraftGossip! It only took 2 weeks from notification to delivery.  I've been so busy finishing up the exchanges I'm in that I haven't even had time to take the Portrait out of the box. How sad is that? Hopefully, after next week I can play with it. Anyone have this or a Cameo that can share some tips/tricks? New toys.... gotta love 'em!

STASH FOR SALE
The other day, I innocently started looking through my stash.  Next thing I know, I was purging stuff I liked but knew I'd probably never get around to stitching.  I ended up with a huge pile.

My purging might be your gain!  I've listed all this stuff on my Stash For Sale Facebook page HERE.  All prices are in USD and I will ship internationally with a minimum $20 order.  I also have a bunch of stuff listed on my Stash For Sale blog HERE.

TREASURE HUNTING
Not my usual type of post for "treasures", but I was so proud of my shopping skills I had to share.  For a while now, I've been complaining about contemplating replacing my 15-year old Black & Decker iron.  The poor thing has been put through the paces over the years, including being knocked on the floor a time or two.  The teflon coated sole plate started peeling a couple years ago and last year, I peeled some of it off because it was annoyingly bothersome.

While out an about over the weekend, I looked at irons at JoAnn Fabrics and Shopko.  I looked at B&D's, Rowenta's, Shark's, as well as others.  I decided to go with the Shark Ultimate Professional Model GI505.  It was "on sale" for $54.99 with no rainchecks *gasp*....

I'm anal all about researching and contemplating products before buying.  Of course, I do my research online.  Lo and behold, I found the same iron for sale on Amazon for $49.99 plus free shipping with a no cost 30-day trial subscription to Amazon Prime -and- $30 credit if I applied for a Amazon Rewards Visa card.  I was all over it! 

Final price for the iron:  $19.99!  Woo Hoo!!

Until Next Time,

 



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,

 

Marvelous Monday Update 10/15/12

WEATHER
The temperatures are getting cooler and the rain has set in.  The leaves are changing and the cold winds have picked up.  Fall is definitely in the air.  Two weeks ago, my only tree in the backyard was filled with beautiful golden leaves. Now all the leaves are on the ground soaked with the rain we've received over the weekend.

COOKING
When it's cold, rainy, and dreary outside, what's better than some yum-yums in the tum-tum? I made a humongous crockpot full of soup. What kind of soup, you ask? I call it my "everything but the kitchen sink" soup. I pulled all the vegetables out of the refrigerator and freezer and threw them in -- broccoli, green pepper, potato, spinach, onions, mushrooms, green beans, tomatoes, celery. I also added a can of rinsed chili beans, a couple chopped chicken breasts, beef broth, leftover crushed tomatoes, a handful of barley, along with various spices. As the BF put it, "It's awesome!"

I also had a few bananas that needed to be used up so I made banana crunch muffins. Out of two dozen, I have none left! No, I did not eat them all... I sent a few home with my Dad and some home with the BF.

HEALTH
For the past 5-6 months, I've had numbness in my thumb and pain in the medial area of my palm. Last Friday, I had an EMG done on my wrist and found out that I have carpal tunnel syndrome. While performing the test, the neurologist asked me if my elbow had been hurting me. When I told him it hadn't, he touched my elbow by the funny bone area and asked me again... "Yeah that hurts!" He did some testing of my elbow and told me that I have a compressed nerve in my elbow. Ya know how it feels after you hit your funny bone on something? Well, that's how my elbow feels almost all the time. The neurologist wants me to see an orthopaedic surgeon to determine the next course of action. She offered to prescribe me some drugs, but I said I'll just manage with ibuprofen or motrin like I have been. The drugs she wanted to give me are also used as anti-depressants. She also said to continue to use the wrist glove and ice, if necessary.

NEIGHBORS
Last week, I forgot to mention the backyard breeder neighbors. The female dogs were in heat again and for over a week, I endured the whining and carrying on by the males. After calling the police 5-6 times over the course of a week, I finally signed a complaint against them. Now we'll all have to go to court over it. The last officer I talked to "said" he was going to get animal control involved. My guess is that it didn't happen. However, while I was away at the stitching GTG last week, the neighbors decided to move the plywood in this photo:

They moved it to the fencing between the two kennels that butt up to each other (Ever see a male try to hump a female through a chainlink fence??) so that males can't see the females, and the females can't prance in front of them or stick their hoo-hoo's in the males faces.

It looks terrible! I feel like I live next door to a bunch of rednecks! We'll see if it works... and BTW, the neighbors don't look at me or say anything to me, LOL.

STITCHY STUFF
I did do a bit more on JG, but not enough to warrant a photo. I have a new start to share, though. Donna at By the Bay Needleart is hosting another SAL. I did the summer and now the autumn one. I started it a week late, but am almost caught up with Part 2 already.

I did a few color changes: I swapped the WDW for two GAST that I blended together. I also changed the Ecru to white for the clouds so they show up better on my fabric.

Until next time,

Marvelous Monday Update 7/2/12

Welcome to July!

WEATHER

Over 16 states are currently under a heat advisory.  My area isn't as hot as others, but we're going into our second week of steady 90-100F temps.  Normally, I'm not one to use my AC but it is just so darn HOT! 

GARDENING

My poor garden is hanging in there with my diligent use of the water hose.  I've got baby green tomatoes and peppers. The squashes have flowers galore.  And, I can now see my onions after a tremendous amount of weeding.

If you remember a while back, I mentioned I started a compost bin.  I'm happy to say it's coming along nicely!  The shredded newspaper and food scraps are actually breaking down into dirt-like compost.  To answer people's questions:  It doesn't smell and there are no flies.  Some spiders have taken up residence in the corners, though. LOL  I figure by fall, I should have a nice pile of compost to add to my garden for next year!

NEIGHBORS

I have mentioned my backyard dog breeding neighbors a time or two.  Their entire backyard (which isn't that big) comprises of dog kennels.  This year, the two females had 13 puppies between them.  Add in the two males and you have 17 dogs less than 20 feet from my house.  Over the course of the summer I have called the police numerous times because of whining puppies.  Other times because one mama would get too close to the other mamas babies.  I couldn't even take a nap in my living room because of dog noise! 

There is no ordinance in the city that prohibits dog breeding.  There's a limit to the number of dogs over the age of four months that a person can have... and that's four.  Since puppies are under four months, it's perfectly legal to have 13 of them!  Oh, did I mention they are Siberian Huskies??!?

This is the kennel minus the "temporary" puppy kennel that took up one car size of their driveway. In addition to the noise, it's an eyesore!  I came out one day to find remnants of plywood and wood planks leaning up against MY garage!

THEATRE

Over the weekend, one of the local community theaters put on To Kill A Mockingbird.  Having read the book and seen the movie several times, I was really looking forward to the play version.

The director took liberties I really didn't care for, but overall the play was really good.

GIVEAWAY

Shelley from Shelley's Artsy-Fartsy Life is hosting a Britty Kitty giveaway on her blog.  She recently finished them all and has shown them on her blog as well. Go check out her recent finishes!  They are so adorable.

STITCHY STUFF

It took almost a week for me to get back into the groove of life after getting back from the Colorado retreat.  I managed to get unpacked, restock on groceries, and do some stitching.

Sampler aux Bouquets

I did some stashing right before the retreat.  This kit is called Woodland Friends.  I think it's so adorable.  I will probably switch out the aida for an evenweave, though.

I found this afghan fabric at a thrift store for $3.99.  When I got to the counter, I found out certain colored housewares tags were 50% off that day!  What a deal!!

RAK'd

I received a recent edition of a magazine called Oriental Cross Stitch Favorites from Sue.  She is so generous!  She had emailed me that it was coming, so I politely stalked the post office waiting.  There are so many awesome designs in it :)

Debi sent me one of the 6 Fat Men charts from Lizzie Kate.  It's so cute!

A big THANK YOU to Sue and Debi!!

Until next time,

Marvelous Monday Update 8/22/11

SCHOOL
Whew! Last week was rough. Despite spending the last week of my summer "break" reading the 93 pages for the start of school, the tough schedule had me beat by the end of the week. I managed it all, and got ahead start on this week's homework. We have a quiz this week and I have to start my 3-page descriptive essay on Monetary Policy, so we'll see how IT goes. I'm sure the instructor is on crack thinks students don't have a life outside of the online classroom.

Only 7 more weeks to go.... 7 more weeks

SHOOT THE DOG -OR- THE OWNER?


Now ya'll know that I love animals, right? Right. My northern neighbors not so much. Last year, they decided to take a foray into dog breeding become backyard breeders. They built two small kennels and put two Siberian Huskies in each one. These dogs rarely get to leave the kennels... no walks, no runs, no nothin'. Over the weekend, the female must've gone into heat because the other dogs would not SHUT UP were carrying on something fierce. Finally by 4am Sunday morning, I called the police (Yes, the dogs carried on all day and all night!). Sunday and this morning, the dogs were still whining and yelping because they couldn't get to the female.

So... Do I shoot the dogs? Or, the owners?* LOL


STITCHY STUFF
Since school sucked up and destroyed consumed all my free time last week, I only have a little stitchy "finish" to show. I managed to finish Part 1 of the iStitch SAL.


I did put a few stitches on Blossom Splendor, but not enough to warrant a photo.

Until next time,

*Disclaimer: I would never shoot anyone or anything. It was a rhetorical question

Marvelous Monday Update 7/12/10

STITCHY STUFF
A couple weeks ago, I saw that Donna at Stitching for a Cure needed some volunteers to stitch ornaments to be given as gifts to the Relay for Life volunteers. I decided to help out since I've been wanting to do something for a while. Last I knew, Donna still needed a few more ornaments so if you want to help out, I know she'd be grateful. You don't even have to finish it if you don't want to... She will do it, if you do the stitching. Go ahead, go for it! :)

I finished the stitching in a few hours. Now all I have left is some beading and construction of the ornie itself.

The floss looks red but it's really a dark pink


I've had a few people ask what Gentle Menagerie is supposed to look like when it's finished so I've scanned a photo from the magazine. You can click to see a larger pic. They are supposed to be the American country cousins to the fabled Brementown Musicians.

I finished the cow, and have set the project aside so I can work on other things -- the breast cancer ornament and frogging JG.



WEATHER
We had some strange weather on Saturday. It had been HOT and sunny, blue skies with a few fluffy clouds. On my way back from the grocery store, I noticed a black ominous looking cloud, yet the skies around it were blue and it was sunny. Within 20 minutes that cloud had moved over the city and let loose.... heavy winds, rain, thunder and hail. All the while, I could see blue skies all around it. Within 30 minutes, it was all over. Weird!



TREASURE HUNTING
I was on the other side of town over the weekend, so I stopped in at the thrift store to do a bit of treasure hunting. This cute little shelf caught my eye:


I thought it would look cute hanging in my spare room/craft room.


I didn't really give much thought to the bath products inside -- a bonus as far as I was concerned. Turns out there was shower gel, bath salts, soaps, and a candle. After I got home, I found out they smell heavenly!!


Upon closer inspection, I found out the pulls, hinges, and decorative grates are all attached via screws. A new paint job will be a breeze!

Almost forgot... My new "treasure" only cost $1.99!


GARDENING
Flowers and vegetables are growing like crazy! Due to the wet weather, I didn't get the garden in on time so everything is behind. I'm surprised the corn is still growing considering how many times the wind has knocked it over!

Other flower pics can be seen HERE.



NEIGHBORS
Do I live next door to redneck neighbors???

It's bad enough that the neighbors have shoved placed every bit of extraneous piece of crap stuff they don't have room for (or can't find a place for) in between our garages... think 2 1/2 ft wide space. This keeps me from spraying the vines that grow on the side of my garage.

Over the past week, a lovely rust bucket of a car has showed up next door.


They have proceeded to yank everything off the car except the engine. I don't know if they are trying to make a stock car or what (Haven't worked up the nerve to ask... maybe I don't wanna know!). You can't see in the photo, but the extra car pieces are next to the driveway by my garage. You also can't see into THEIR garage... how full it is of stuff!

See that chain link fence in the background? They have made two dog kennels in their backyard... two dog houses and FOUR dogs. From what they have told me, the city has been out several times because of this. Nice. Personally, I don't think it's right that at all times only two of the dogs have access to the dog houses. Oh, and let's not forget that the dogs will howl and howl at certains times... in heat maybe? There *are* two males and two females... because they're planning on breeding them. Again, nice.

Remember the above mentioned storm? When it started pouring, the neighbor seems preoccupied with covering up the car parts and neglecting the fact that his "good" car's windows were down, LOL. The good neighbor I am, I yelled out my door that his windows were down.

Might Be A Redneck If... (Click HERE)

GIVEAWAY
Bette from Reflections of a Desert Rat is hosting a giveaway. She's been working on some beautiful poppies. If you're interested in seeing her work, click on over.