Apr 30, 2007

Stashy Stuff




The postman has been really nice to me in the past few days. Last Thursday, I received a needlebook that was made by Jennifer as part of the STO Needlebook Exchange. It looks even better in person. I love the design Jennifer chose! Lynne in Australia received mine.


Today, I received the second and final package for the CSE Stitching Buddy Exchange. Roberta really spoiled me rotten this time. Today's package contained:



From my wish list:
Three skeins of Six Strand Sweets floss
• Chocolate Covered Cherries
• Grape Slushy
• Latte





Checkered Love Kit by M Designs
I can't wait to start this!!
It looks so much better up close.





More from my wish list:
DMC Linen floss









Spot of Summer by The Drawn Thread
Another pretty chart, which I want to do!






Lastly, a cute little Mary Engelbreight
photo album and a bag of Jelly Belly
Jelly Beans - My fave!! Mmmm... Yum.

Latest Graduation News


I picked up my cap, gown, tassel, and invitations last Thursday! The school colors are brown and orange, so the gown is an ugly brown color. As I was reading through my graduation packet, there was a bit in there about the Phi Theta Kappa. It’s the national honor society for community colleges, kinda like the Dean’s List I suppose. I became a member years ago, but I digress. Since it was mentioned in the packet, I thought I’d better call the school and find out if there’s anything special I need to do since I was a member of PTK. This morning, I received a phone call and found out that I am indeed graduating with HONORS!!! Just like in high school (Yes, I graduated HS with honors, too!), I get to wear a special stole over my gown indicating that I am an honor graduate. There’s also a special honors ceremony prior to graduation.

Some may think graduation is not a big deal, but for me it is. I am the first in my family and extended family to graduate college. Back when I graduated high school, it was a far-fetched idea and it was my only goal, other than to be married and have a family. For the past 20 years, I've worked full time the entire time while attending college, and sometimes held a second part time job at the same time. It’s been a long, difficult road full of personal and academic struggles, but I’m finally here and I’ve done it with honors!

It was pointed out to me that I’ve neglected to say what my degree is in. In May, I will be graduating with a degree in Business Administration. When the advisor did my degree check, he informed me that I am two classes away from a second degree in Accounting. I will be finishing that one also, probably by the end of the 2008 school year.

Monday Update 4/30/07


Whew! What a weekend...

I picked up my 8yr old niece on Saturday. We went to a rummage sale fundraiser for the local animal shelter. I found a bunch of cross stitch leaflets and a kit (all for 50 cents!) and a small trash can that matches my bathroom dΓ©cor. Another 50 cents. Big spender I was! She found a bead kit that made 4 different projects and a tin for her overflowing crayons and markers that she HAD to bring to my house.

We spent the next 3 hours making all the bead projects in the kit. She was really excited to have made a hand-held mirror, a night light, a clip board, a flower ornament, and a mobile! Then we went to the park for some rollerblading. She’s not very good so when I tried to help her, I ended up falling on my behind... which of course, was quite amusing to her! Afterwards, she says to me: “I wish I could stay over night.” So after I called her Dad and got the green light, and she was all smiles.

I started a new antibiotic on Friday night and around 8pm Saturday night, I started having severe cramps and well you can guess what followed. I was in and out of the bathroom until about 3am. (I’ve had an upset stomach ever since.)

On Sunday, I woke up tired with a sore midback. I’m guessing my back was hurting from the spill I had while ‘blading. After lunch, we went back to the rummage sale (It was fill-a-bag for $1 day) and found a few more things. She got a little girl praying figurine, and I got a scroll rod and some needlecraft books. The niece and I worked on some needlework for a few hours before I took her home. I gave her a couple of the crewel embroidery kits that I received as a RAK a couple weeks ago.

It was really amusing to me each of us sitting side-by-side on the sofa working diligently on our needlework. She was very proud of the progress she made, and even commented on how she liked my Gingher stork scissors she’d seen the last time she was at my house. Then she kept telling me how she’d like a pair. LOL! So, I think I’ll get her a cheapie pair when I go to Hobby Lobby next time.

Whenever I see and leave my nieces and nephew, I always give them hugs. When I went to leave, my niece looked up at me with a big smile and said: “Thanks for a VERY fun weekend!” Awww...

Apr 25, 2007

The Truth of Things 4/25/07


Lisa posed this question on her blog and asked that fellow bloggers answer with their TRUTH.

"If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability or quality, what would it be?"


I would like to have gained the ability to be able to "read" people. While I have been told that I am a very sweet and giving person with a big heart, I am also straight-forward honest and that off puts some people. IMO, I think it's good to be honest and straight-forward because then at least I know where a person stands. Others, however like to live in their own fantasy worlds and not want to see things for what they are. There are others still who ask for opinions and still don't want to see reality. So, I figure if I had the ability to read people, then I'd know their mood and how to approach them about various topics without alienating them.

Apr 24, 2007

Tuesday Update 4/24/07

Movie Monday
Missing in America
I thought this was an excellent movie with a sad ending. I actually got teary-eyed! Danny Glover plays a Vietnam veteran named Jake who lives in exile in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. His only contact with civilization is through the owner of a small store, who periodically supplies his provisions. He helps other lonely veterans that live in the forest giving them part of his supplies and receiving wood in return. He’s visited by a former private of his platoon who has lung cancer and is asked to raise his Vietnamese daughter. After Jake says no, the private leaves his daughter and vanishes. After spending time with the girl, his behavior and attitude changes for the better, until a tragedy happens.


School
I submitted my power point presentation for my meteorology class a week early so I could benefit from the instructors comments, and make changes before the actual due date. Students were given this opportunity only if they submitted it by the 15th. I should know in the next week or so what I got for a grade. I was THRILLED to find out that I got 100% on my quiz last week. My last quiz is next week. I’m holding steady at 91% for the class. *crossing my fingers* On Thursday, I go to pick up my cap and gown. Woo Hoo!


Stitching
I really haven’t done much stitching lately. I finished stitching the name tag for a retreat I’m going to in June. I still need to make it into a little purse. Dual purpose! I figure I can put my ID, room key and a little money in there, rather than carry around my purse.


Get Fit Celebration Dinner
As you may know, the Get Fit Challenge ended last week. Our team captain invited the entire team to her house for a celebration dinner. She proudly told us that we were the first dinner guests they’ve had other than family, since moving to their home 3 years ago, and was very excited to have us. Dinner was excellent!! I took S as my dinner guest, as well as his 2yr old son. Being from a large family and having lots of grandkids, my team captain was prepared for “little ones” with the entire basement made into a kid-friendly area complete with toys, videos, etc. For the celebration, we each brought a dish to pass. I made Taco Dip from a recipe I found online. It was very healthy and tasty!


TACO DIP

2 (16 oz) cans vegetarian refried beans
1 (16 oz) container sour cream
1 (1.25 oz) package taco seasoning mix
¾ - 1 c. salsa
1/2 head iceberg lettuce - rinsed, dried, and chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3/4 c. chopped black olives
8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese

Place the beans in the bottom of one 9x13 inch clear glass dish. In a medium bowl combine the sour cream with the taco seasoning. Spread mixture over the beans. Spread the salsa over the top of the sour cream. Top the sour cream with a layer of lettuce, tomatoes, onions and olives. Sprinkle cheese over the top and serve.

Notes: I did change the recipe some. I didn’t really measure out the salsa. I just used a tablespoon and dropped in over the sour cream mix. Then I evenly spread it out. I used only one large tomato, a small can (4 oz. I think) of sliced black olives, and maybe 4 oz. of cheese. I sprinkled it on til it looked good. LOL


Women of Excellence Dinner
Tonight, I’m attending a charity dinner that benefits the domestic violence program for my county. It’s the major fundraiser for the program. Each year, my firm purchases tickets for the women in my office who would like to attend. The evening is filled with entertainment, an awards ceremony that honors women who make a difference in our community, and a delicious meal. Before dinner, there’s also a social hour as well as a champagne sponsor reception. It should be an enjoyable evening!