Happy Birthday to my Amy

Children - Amy's birthday brings all the normal memories.   It is hard as a mom to have your child so far away on these special days.   My memories go to last year when she turned the big '30'.  Her sister and I were in ka-hoots with her boss.   We pre-arranged our secret surprise visit since Amy travels for business.   I was afraid we would drive 350 miles to surprise her and she would be in Denver or wherever.    We did manage to pull off the surprise, cake and all had a great weekend of girl stuff, drinks, shopping, drinks and stitching.  Since I can't be with her, I sent her a little electronic happy birthday surprise as well as the new coat she picked out when we had the little Stampin Up Big Shot snafu.  So I am impressed with my bits of computer knowledge.   I found a you tube rendition of The Beatles, "Say its your birthday" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztoSUhbNntQ and I  beamed this electronically to Amy on her email and Facebook account.   Who said you couldn't teach an old dog new tricks. 

This year, Amy and her college room mates are having a spa weekend.   You go girls! Work hard and relax just as hard.   (??) 

PIF - I received my PIF from Meari yesterday.   I already have an idea for the pretty fat quarter.   I have had such an obligation ridden week, it was nice to receive a surprise and to open and explore the goodies.  Hmmmm, what neat Halloween stitchy thing can I use the spool of Krenik on?

Posts - As I reviewed all the recent posts on the blogs I follow, I found that I was not the only one that was time challenged this week.   Here on the east, we were all pre-occupied with the nor'easter.  It helps to know that it is not just me suffering from my own poor planning.   I think it was the planets being aligned wrong.....  I for one have realized that the computer, the internet, the email, the blogging rob me of precious stitching time.  I am trying to limit my time to quick reviews during the week and a more thorough following on Sunday mornings of what all you talented people have posted during the week.  Yeah, it's a plan but then there is the execution of the plan.   Hmmm, I know myself all too well.   I will be sucked in my the need to *see* what is going on. 

PartyLite - I managed to buy the champagne candle glasses at half price.   No one on the list for these but I know they will make a fantastic shower present for a blushing bride.   These are so pretty.   There is a hollow center you place votices or tea lights in and keep the integrity of the wine glass.   When lite, you can see all the bubble trapped in the gel.  They make such pretty reflections.  I purchased red wine glasses for myself last year.   Each time I pass my pie safe where there are stored, I can smell them.   yummy!

I need to make a decision

It is the economy? maybe......  I put out a Pay It Forward and have not gotten any interest.    I got me wondering if it is economics.   I listed I would name winners this weekend and so far no takers.   I don't want to not do my obligation (as a PIF winner!!) and not continue with the pay it forward concept but I think I may be pulling my offer until the spring.   I guess there is not a timeline for me to actually offer the PIF other than within 365 days.  Yeah, that's what I am doing.  Moving out for 6 months.   I have a Blogoversary coming up and that will generate more traffic and perhaps followers so check out my PIF in April 2010!  What I have bought so far certainly won't spoil.   lol!  This whole economic depression hit just as the last of the kids moved out so while $$'s are tight the utilities and food bill are lower.  That's not to say I am rolling around on a bed of money either.  We have tightened our belts like everyone.     Those 30 minutes showers kids take!  Putting a shirt in the dryer for 10 minutes to get the wrinkles out!  Not to mention their ravenous appetites.    I actually have a half quart of milk that will spoil vs. the gallon a day consumed previously.  If you have kids, you know what I mean.

So that's it.   I made the decision.  Stay tuned for a Pay It Forward in April 2010.  Hmmm, that may even give my time to stitch a little something something to include.......may give me time. 

Pay it forward

Random acts of kindness are the best.   To do things with no motive or hope for any personal gain is truly selfless. Have you ever done something nice for someone without expecting something in return?  Or, has someone done something for you just because?  Didn't it make you feel warm inside?  That is the premise behind paying it forward. When something good happens to you to share that good fortune and good feeling with someone else is to pay it forward.

In the spirit of PIF'ing, Meari of Meari's Musings offered to Pay It Forward. I thought it sounded like fun, so I commented to her post and said please count me in.....and I was one of her lucky winners.  It is now my turn to Pay It Foward!  It is easy. No sewing involved, and I have have 365 days to send out my Pay It Forwards surprises.

To Pay It Forward here's what you need to do:
1. Send no less than 5 stitching related items per person within the next 365 days.
2. Items can be DMC, other threads, stitching needles, straight pins, buttons, scissors, ribbons, etc. - a combination of items such as 3 threads, 1 pack of straight pins and 1 pack of stitching needles or just 5 threads.
3. The items must be new and not used. Send things you would be happy to receive.
4. If you win, you must be willing to post this PIF on your blog and do the same for at least 2 people.

To be included in my Pay It Forward -
I'm going to draw for three winners. If you are interested in Paying It Forward, please comment on this post.  Feel free to tell your friends too. Remember you have to be willing to reciprocate on your blog. If there are more than three comments, the names will go into a drawing to determine the winners.  I'll announce the PIF receipients Halloween weekend and you can reply at that time with your email address.   Good Luck All!

PS  I am just as excited to do the planning and the shopping.
If you haven't seen the movie, put it in your Netflix que and get out the tissues.

PIF

I wasn't even going to log in this morning.  I thought a better way to spend the next 45 minutes before I start to get ready for work would be to stitch.   But the laptop is sitting here beckoning and alas I have no will power over it. 

I am so happy that after a quick check of emails for verify meetings and dinner dates, I jumped to my blog.   What a pleasant surprise to see some fantastic news today..... that I was picked by Meari on her PIF (Pay it forward) blog post!   How cool.  I can't remember when I won anything.  Maybe an office 50/50 but this is better.  It's stuff!  I will receive 5 stitching related items in the next 365 days.  I will have to check out the rules and see if they all are to be sent at once or spread out over the year.   This is fun and imagine how exciting to come home from work and find a surprise in the mail.

Now it's my turn to give it to three other people!

I'm gonna be drawing for three people to do this for. Please watch for my post with instructions. Remember you have to be willing to reciprocate on your blog.

If you haven't seen the movie, put it in your Netflix que and get out the tissues.