Feeling Really Proud

I have finally finished one of my finished projects! All by myself! I realize that most of you will not find this very impressive, but this was a really big accomplishment for me. I want to send out a huge Thank You to Needlework Tips & Techniques for the incredible instructions that made this possible. I know it's not perfect, and I have a ways to go, but for a first, I am really proud. I think my mom would have been pretty proud of me too.











I'm also pleased with my work on this week's project. I knew I was going to love this Flower of the Month with the beautiful blues, and I am so happy I decided to use a soft pink fabric. Because of my lack of finishing ability, I've not done anything with the previous six FOTMs and was planning on trying to finish all of them at the same time when all 12 were completed. But I may try to frame this one first since it is definitely my favorite so far. Should be able to finish it the next time it comes around in my rotation.

And last, but not least for this week, I've decided to join the Totally Useless SAL being sponsored by Daffycat. You can find the link here. So here is my March picture of my ORTs. I just recently emptied them, so I'll be able to watch their development along with everyone else!

Well, thanks for visiting! Feel free to leave a comment. I really enjoy them.

Quiet End to a Crazy Week

This week was our AAALAC visit at work. Let's suffice it to say it is a huge inspection that is very important. If that does not make it stressful enough, the head of the department gets so crazy that the hysteria trickles down to the point everyone in the department reaches what I call 'psycho level'. By the time the visit started on Thursday, most of us were running on empty. On Friday, it didn't matter who you spoke to, the answer to the question, "You doing okay today?" was a standard, "I'm okay, just so tired." Honestly, I cannot tell you how many times, I received that exact answer!

The good news is that it was worth it. We received a wonderful debriefing report. The site visitors told us numerous times that we had a wonderful program and should be proud of it. They specifically mentioned several sections, and felt our training (my department) was one of the areas we excel in. A rewarding experience in the end, but so exhausting.

As a result I didn't have as much time to stitch this week as I would have liked. I did stitch a little each night in an effort to unwind, but I didn't get as much done as I had hoped.

Today is my 50th birthday. The plan is to do nothing! Well, nothing but fun things, or at least the things I want to do. I've decided I am going out in the backyard as soon as it gets warm enough - might be there now actually - and I will enjoy listening to the birds while I stitch on my July Flower of the Month. Maybe have a glass of wine...

Thanks for visiting! Leave a comment or two if you like, I really love reading them!

Moving On

Leaving my mom's apartment last week and handing in the keys turned out to be harder than expected. Even though I haven't lived there for 30 years, it wasn't just her apartment, it was still my home. That was where I grew up. Seeing it empty and walking out knowing it was no longer ours... I still can't put into words the feeling. For at least 40 years she would sit in her kitchen window at breakfast, lunch, and dinner and wave to her neighbors and the people in the building as they walked by, or entered or left the building. So many have told me they look up everyday, still expecting to see her. Others can no longer enter through 'the ramp' cause she isn't there. But the new people moving in won't even know she existed.

But I am trying to move on, and accept the changes in my life. But it's not easy. I'm never sure when a wave of sadness and loss is going to come over me.

I'm sticking with my stitching for the most part, which is bringing me some peace and relaxation. Since my last entry I worked on 12 Days of Christmas for another week, and then moved to the Faces of Joan Elliott SAL for the past week. I'm pleased with the progress I've made on both projects, and I'm more confident that I will finish them in time for Christmas and my cousin's birthday, respectively. The question still is will I be able to finish them off into pillows. But I think that will be a story for a future entry.

Hoping to finish this face this coming week (except for back-stiching and beading) and then spending another week with my July Flower of the Month. 

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