June 15, 2019

Trying to stay in contact....

I've got to admit I have been a slacker on blogging, blog following and floss tube viewing.    Just not enough hours in the day.     My time has been filled with being in the garden, reading, going out with friends and a stitching.      I think I need to learn to watch floss tube while I stitch to see all the good floss tubers that everyone talks about.

Of the books I have read lately I can highly recommend "The Only Woman In The Room" all about the life of Heddy Lamar.   A brilliant woman who you should thank every time you use your cell phone.  Also, "Beartown", story of a small town youth hockey team and sides taken when bad things happen.  This was written by the same author of "A Man Called Ove" which I read several years ago.     I also read "Lay This Body Down", a true story of plantation owner/s and peonage workers in the 1920's-1930's in Georgia.   It was somewhat nostalgic to read as it was all about the town my brother lived in and places I have seen in Georgia.  I also recommend "Inside the O'Briens" by Lisa Genova.   She has done another outstanding job capturing the progression of a disease (Huntington's in this book) and how the family copes.  And a tear jerker, "Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng.   The prejudice felt by a Chinese-American couple as youth, how it formed their view when they become parents and tried to shape their children lives and the tragedy that resulted.  Lastly, back in January I read "Where The Crawdads Sing", never expected the ending.

I can see some Friday's relaxing here
Since I have lamented about work, I will give you the fabulous update.   I finally have the right person that I am training for my job!    Jen is a dream come true.   She is me, 30 years ago.   I keep trying to reign her in and tell her favors done are rights expected because I don't want her to burn out.   I negotiated to stay an additional 6-months with the caveat of a normal length workday and a four day week.   YeHa!  So nice to have a couple of extra hours each day.   It's only week two and I am not quite used to the 3-day weekends but I will suffer through.

Willie wanted pancakes, he got pancakes!









As for family, I had a fantastic visit from William last weekend.   He brought his mom and dad with him but you know I only had eyes for him.    Wow - starting at about 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day he never stops.


A trip to the playground to try to tire him......

Willie ate crabs with us
Such concentration on filling Dam-mom's pond

We finally did wear him out.

 For stitching, I finished Easter Peep Parade from Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle and Thread.    I stitched this on 18-count Fiddler's Cloth and think I will finish it as a pillow.     It was nice to be able to stitch without cheaters.

I started working on this SAL with my EGA Chapter.   It is called Hooray for the Red, White and Blue.  What I enjoy about my EGA is learning new techniques and trying things I might otherwise be wary of......I am learning to use a laying tool for the Neon Rays fiber I choose for the bunting.   It was cumbersome at first but once I got into a rhythm it is going well.


 Look at the fun, cool fibers I am working with.....

And now I must sign off and get back to cleaning closets......not as horrible as one might think and it will feel so good to have everything in its place and a place for everything.  I don't know about you but I get overwhelmed when everything is a mess and that is what happened with my craft closet(s).   Both spare bedrooms upstairs have small walk-in closets that house most of my crafts.   One is large enough to have a chest of drawers in it with much of my fabric.  The shelves hold large plastic tubs with everything from stained glass to basket weaving to Stampin Up to finishing supplies to WIP's.....you get the idea.    The one in my sewing room had become a catch all for anything and everything I didn't have a place for or I wanted to stow away quickly.   It is long past time to get these into a more logical order so I don't have to hop from room to room to search for something.    And I have recently received some crafty items from a friend that is downsizing not to mention my items from Prim Stitchers Retreat arrived and there is no where to put this items.  I didn't quite need a backhoe to get in there but close.  Between the two closets, I jumped into moving some items from one room to the other.   Today, I probably need half the day to finish up the sewing room closet today and take that large pile of 'yard sale' items I identified out to the garage.   It will feel so good to get this done and maybe all the 'stuff' on top of my crafting bench will be able to find a new home too.  By the end of the day, the entire upstairs will have had it's spring cleaning.   The downstairs may be on a quick train called the Hot Mess Express, but I will feel better knowing the upstairs is in order.

Thanks for stopping by.....and I promise to try to take an evening to catch up on all your posts.   Keep on stitching!

5 comments:

  1. Super post to read, Robin! I like your blog header with the potted plants with the flags. It looked like you had a terrific visit with William. He is a cutie. Congratulations on your finish and your Hooray for the Red, White and Blue is looking good. How do you like the Neon Rays thread? Have a wonderful weekend!

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  2. First, William is adorable and I know you so enjoy your time with him. Glad things are working out with your job..may the next 6 months fly by! I love the patriotic piece and your stitches look perfect!
    Enjoy the weekend and your purging!!!

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  3. Great post! William is getting so big! I know you had a great time with him.

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  4. William is too cute.
    Love your EGA piece, so Patriotic.
    Have fun organizing & purging!
    Marilyn

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  5. You are off to a great start for the summer.
    Will is so adorable.
    I have always loved canvas work. I originally started with that
    and crewel work almost forty years ago and that lead me to
    cross stitch and quilting. Love your Neon Ray's color choices, have
    not worked with them.
    I'm so happy for your work situation and the extra time off you have.
    Have a great week.
    Shirley

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Thanks is much for stopping by. I so enjoy your comments even if I do not always reply. Have a great day that hopefully includes a bit of stitching.