2014 New Year's Resolutions

Not resolutions really but my 2014 Goals -

We I have a tendency to set unattainable goals and set ourselves myself up for failure so I am keeping things simple this year.

• Continue the weight loss (hopefully the holiday cookies and candy did not reverse ALL my progress to date).
• Be more consistent with my fitness routine striving for small changes.
• Stop wasting time.
• Curtail my extensive side-track issues.
• Stop putting off things. 
• Concentrate on two WIP projects at a time to get them completed. Alternately adding another WIP  or a new stitching project as a reward for each finish. [What a hoot!  Maybe a better challenge would be to organize/count ALL the WIP's I have ;-) ].
• Stitch from my stash.   There is an internet challenge some are doing but I am not putting the 'challenge' pressure on myself.   This is just me, on my own, planning to shop my stash.
• Finish two quilt projects - both are so close! - and only then start another.
• Just simply Finish! some already stitched items in the basket o' finishes.
• Sort, organize and purge 38 years of marital/homeowner paperwork.  This is a job I start at least once a year but seem to get distracted before I finish. Why why why do I have owner's manuals for appliances I no longer own?  In my defense, I did manage to cull down from 5 xerox boxes to 2 and did sort all the family photos last year.  Now to finish the job in 2014.
• Make a list and hire a handyman to fix all the 'little' things around the house. 
• Read 12 books.   In 2013 I set my goal at 12 in Goodreads and managed to read 18. 
• Purge closets, drawers, attic spaces of items that haven't seen the light of day in years and send it all for Goodwill or somewhere similar! (I am sure there will be enough to outfit a consignment store booth!)
• Last but not least - Be kind to Robin this year - Just like my friend Shirley has decided to do. I am the only one that can make this happen by setting my limits for what I allow myself to get roped into by others.  Learn it is OK to say no.

Rereading my list it may sound ambitious but it is downsized from what I usually expect from myself!  I will have to re-visit the list same time next year to see how I did!

One last finish for 2013 to share.   This was enjoyable to do and I am sure there are more like this in my future.  It is from Lily Anna's Designs.

 That is the backing fabric to the left that included in the kit.

 I hope to snag an hour or two on New Year's Day to do the finishing.  

Used my fancy pants new camera for these shots.

So happy new year one & all and one & all be kind to yourself too!

Happy Holidays One and All

Well I am just about there.   I just couldn't seem to get myself into gear this year.  Got some things going on after the first of the year but more on that later.   Grocery shopping tomorrow after work, pick up lottery tickets for stocking stuffing and buying some spirits, and we will call it done.     Funny, I put up only about a third of what I usually do and it looks just fine.   Funnier still is that I probably put up more than most others.   Time to pare down the holiday decorations for sure.   So here's a quick pictorial tour of the little vinyettes I like to create.

 My kitchen desk.   A place to drop my keys and cell phones when I get
home but also a little corner to cozy up to the season. 

 Close up of my new shadow box (Thank you Carol!) with my 

consignment store Christmas Teddy Bear towels/$0.25 each.

 Anna Lee Carolers brighten up the kitchen counter.

 Inside the berries is a candle in a glass cylinder.  (Oops! Dishes drying in the background!)

Some sparkles on the kitchen table.

 I like a little bit of glitz.

 My desk that sits in the Dining Room just waiting to hold dessert.  These are my few
pieces of Lefton.   The square candy dish with the lid was my mother's.   I see a lot of
Lefton in consignment stores and pick up the pieces the 'move' me.

 Table is ready. I actually took this with the lights off.

 Just a little sparkle in the corner.  Love the tree on the left and should have bought more 

when I made this purchase.   Guess another day trip to Lancaster County is in on the list.

Much laughter, good food and good times to be shared here.

 Good enough to eat!

 Center stage - a little something from my friend.  (Thank you Shirley!)

 Some greens and glitz.

 All the boys are dressed and ready.  

 It disturbs my son-in-law that I dress stuffed animals.  Not only dressed but 

decked out and arranged.  He could be on to something.  

 Almost all the presents are wrapped and in place.  I have an excuse - I ran out of tape!

 Don't you just love the glow the holiday lights cast?  

 The Byer's Dolls are set up somewhere different this year 

since Mr. Buddy Cat has taken over the fireplace mantle.

Ah, a hard days work and some homemade baked 

potato soup with bacon and cheese.  Yummo!

A joyous and happy holiday season to one and all.

Status Check

A while back I was wondering what was up with the blogging world.  Seemed like everyone had slowed down or became non-existent on posting.   Others noticed too and we all made vows to post more regularly....but alas I have fallen short.    Can't tell you where I have been or what I been up to because if I look back over the last few months, nothing really stands out.

I seem to be in the go to work/come home/go to bed/get up/go to work rut with a meeting or dinner or three wedged in every now and again.    Not even stitching on a regular basis!  What is up with that?  All is in a dither in our world when we don't stitch regularly.

I do have a tiny bit on progress on Grace Mason.   At one time I had her in 'time-out' but now I fear she may want to run away from home if I don't get my needle in motion!  I am enjoying this piece.  I just am not dedicating the time to it.

 I used the wrong green for the "f" but I don't think I will change it.   It fits right in with the other irregularities stitched by Grace Mason in this design.   Heck, she was only 10!

I can post some tiny progress on another mission I have been on.    Since July 1st, I have lost 15 lbs as of this morning (in disbelief, I actually got on and off the scale 3 times).  Trouble is, I can't see it when I look in the mirror.   Must have lost it in my ankles or wrists.  I actually believe that I will wake up one morning and find it has all been a malfunctioning scale and no pounds have been lost.  Not doing anything special - portion control, more water, using the stairs and not the elevator, parking further out in the parking lot, keeping busy around the house and not flopping on the sofa when I get home.  I'd like to loose another 15 lbs by next July but with the holidays and a cruise in January, I will be realistic in my ridiculousness and simply hope I don't put all 15 lbs back on!

Here is my wool piece that I take to work to sneak in a few stitches at lunchtime.  I made a nonchalant comment at work that I bring it because it is mindless work.   While you and I may think it mindless, non-sewers find it as foreign and difficult as I view learning to write in Chinese!  I am humbled by their Ohs! and Ahs! at what I think is nothing special....just keeping my hands and mind busy.  I think we stitchers never give ourselves the kudos we deserve so give yourselves a collective pat on the back!

I hope to finish the stitching this week and then we will see about the 'finishing'.

 It's hard to see but all the tulips and some of the leaves have been blanket stitched.   Next up, the blue berries.

OK, busy weekend coming up.....I hate to even admit this.....I think it is time to actually bring out the Christmas decorations!  OMGosh, I have never been this far behind in decorating OR shopping.   I just haven't been in the mood to lug it all out.  By now, all the trees should have been done, all the shopping completed and presents at least halfway wrapped.  Where did the time go?  I guess I'd better get focused or I will be called Mrs. Grinch!

Silent Sunday

We were supposed to be on the rain side of this storm.

I love the silence of a day of snow.