Promise, last one...

Memorial Day weekend we went to Baltimore's Inner Harbor for a family wedding.    It was such fun to be with family and friends and the wedding was pretty cool.....both bride and groom are sports fans and the bride, in particular, is an Orioles fan so what better venue then Camden Yards.

 My son's stepson all dressed up.  Kids sure clean up nice.

 Not like her mother, my daughter kept popping up every time I got my camera out.

 Here we go, entering Camden Yards.  Cocktail hour to be on the 7th floor with the reception following on the 6th floor.

There she is again.....in front of the plaque that says the statue is Babe Ruth.

 The wedding was at the Orioles Walk of Fame (above the black section on mid-right).

The back of the scoreboard as we entered the complex

 Of course because of breeze and hats ..... I couldn't get any decent pix of the actual ceremony. There were a couple of times her viel was straight up in the air when it wasn't obscuring her and the groom!

 Missing my late sister-in-law this day, the day of her son's wedding.

 View from the cocktail hour.

 Pretty flowers.

The newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sharpe

 The happy couple visiting our table.

 My son managed to serve as a groomsmen on crutches 

without the boot but needed to get comfy by night's end.

 OMG!  There she is again!  I have to post these because most
pix I have of her she is pulling a face.

 And yes, there were some not so complimentary pix taken when I left my camera unattended.   Thankfully my kids only posted that knowledge to FB and didn't post the pix before I could confiscate and delete them.

 See what I mean!  And this one is mild. 

 And this one that needs an explanation!  Sister and brother comparing broken ankle surgical cars.

When we checked in, we were given awesome gift bags with bottled water, snacks, candies, 

a tin of Old Bay seasoning and goodies.    

Wedding reception over, some guests boarded a party bus that took many on a pub crawl with the bride and groom....we decided to walk the inner-harbor instead. It was a great weekend with family and will be remembered partly as the weekend of the best elevator ride ever! (you had to be there) and the weekend I lost my son's stepson (we got on the elevator and he didn't...causing me several scary minutes. This WAS NOT the best elevator ride ever.) 

And I promise, this will be the last non-stitching 

post for awhile....next up, a finish, an healthy start on a 

finish, a new project and fabulous new fabrics.  

Updates

Stop now if you are looking for a stitching update.  I can count the number of stitches I have put in on the last ten days on my finger and toes.  After long days at work, I have opted for a little time in the yard weeding and prepping for mulch.

Rich is second from the right, kneeling, in the second row.

First an update on my son's surgery.  He had surgery at 7:30 Tuesday morning to repair the break to his left leg.  Hmmmm, not three breaks as indicated on the X-ray.  Five breaks repaired, one plate the  length of the leg from the knee to the ankle and 13 to 15 pins later, he was out of recovery and home by 3 p.m.  That's my boy, don't just break your leg, make it epic and break it in five places!  See, they broke his arm during delivery and I tease him that I should have returned him since he came broken.   From that point it has been a revolving ER door that I feel responsible for the ability of the hospital to add a new wing!  His surgeon is the team doctor for the Penn State Ice Hockey team and feels he will have a 100% recovery and be skating again by the fall.   He is not on the college team, just fortunate that he lives in State College and had a great sports medicine doctor.  Rich sounded a bit rough with the post surgical pain last night on the phone.  PT starts next week.   So because he was always having surgeries or hospital stays and was such a trooper and was soon a favorite of the technicians and nurses I used to buy him the same Dakin stuffed dog for each visit which we named Dr. Dog.  The hospital staff would put a hospital bracelet around Dr. Dog like a dog collar and let Dr. Dog go right into surgery and recovery with him.  I searched the internet and found a Dr. Dog on eBay and bought it and am having it shipped directly to my son.  I really hope it cheers him up.

Better times with her bike

More family news, my daughter had her motorcycle stolen right from her sidewalk during the early morning hours Monday.  Since the bike was reported stolen and found and stolen again in one morning  Philadelphia's finest explained.   The"bad"guys report it stolen and then when they steal it, report it found.....this way when reported stolen for real the reports cancel each other out and if  sighted it appears as though it has been found already.  Pretty slick.  When I was telling the girls at lunch on Monday I said it was probably chopped by now.  They had no idea what I meant and then were incredulous when i explained.  Really.  Love you girls but let's be realistic.  At this point we would rather it not be found.  Heather feels so violated as anyone who has had anything stolen does.  She put it in perspective by Tuesday night saying that no one was hurt, the bike could be replaced and it is not like she broke her leg in five places and had to have surgery.  She and her husband are going out to the dealer this weekend to 'look'. A motorcycle you say.  She's a city girl and this is her main source of transportation if not on public transportation.

Me, I notified my other daughter if she felt the need to contributed to the family timeline this week, it had better be that her cat had kittens!  I didn't want to hear anything more exciting than that from her corner of the world.

For myself, it has been crazy mad at work.   One girl was terminated, I am training a new girl for the position, one girl had a heart attack and I am covering her position and of course there is my department to maintain so I am weary.   No stitching?   Hell no....I am zombie like when I finally arrive home and manage to sit down.   I manage to fool myself and believe I was holding my own for over two weeks but now the the little messes around the house are starting to get to me.   Could this be why I announced my retirement date!   74 months/1480 work days, give or take a few.  I know!    74 months.   Before you know it, I will be in the 60's age wise and remaining months-wise!  LOL  My boss said he'd better get his plan in line then.   Of course, I told him we have to leave at the same time since everyone thinks we don't do anything anyway.

Watching the news just now, I put it in perspective too.   The tornado season has started tearing its way across the south last night.  I pray for the people that are and will be in their paths.  I am fortunate that my only issue is making through the latest work push time.  OK, off now for another 10 -12 hour day!  Ye-Ha!

Conversation with my son

Son:  We are looking forward to your visit.
Me:   Me too.   I am excited to be coming out to see all of you. (Exciting about seeing, not so excited about the drive alone.)
Son:  What time are you leaving your house?
Me:   I plan to get up, pack the car and head out early - by 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Son:  Call when you are an hour out.
Me:   I will text you from the rest stop on the turnpike when I stop for coffee or gas.
Son:  Well,......after you are off the turnpike, call before you get to the mountains.   We are expecting  a foot of snow and the pass maybe be closed.

This is what I envision my drive will look like!

Me:  Ummmm, OK.   (ACK!!  #@$^#&%(@!!! The pass?!?! WTH Sounds like I am driving into Pike's Peak or something.  Fleeting thought of the Donner Party.)
Son: You will have to drive north at the capital, get on the interstate and come into the valley from the other direction. It could add an hour or so to your drive.
Me:  ......ok.....(An hour in good weather probably.  Double ACK!! I have about 6 inches of ground clearance and drive a flipping hybrid!!)
Son:  Don't worry, mom, we have great snowplows out here.  It will be an awesome drive.

Oh boy, this is more than the typical snowplow.  I wonder if this is what he is talking about.

Me: .....ok.....(his idea and my idea of awesome are quite different.   Let's hope this one of the times when he tends to exaggerate right?)

Good thing little red just got a new battery and four new tires! If a fat man in a red sleigh can make it through Monday night, I guess a fat woman in a red car can too.  In typical fashion I will pack all kinds of water and snacks and fruit for the drive and in case I drive into a snow bank never to be seen again until the spring thaw.

Done did wilt already!

I am not alone having been hit with this heatwave and I know many of us are ready for a break which I am hopeful has arrived today.

It has been a busy busy weekend. My daughter came in from Boston. She had Phillies tickets and took me to the game on Friday night. It's the first time I have been to the new stadium and we went in style....preferred parking, seats in a suite, watching the game in a/c and being waited on with food and drink,  I could easily become a sports fan.   Yes, I know, next time I will be in the cheap seats!

Daughter No. 1 and her husband arrived Friday evening as well. Now we three girls together means laughter and silliness! And not to disappoint, we carried on the tradition. More friends and good food on Saturday with my son-in-law manning the grill. The was a lot of pool time but believe it or not, the water was so hot in the pool it was not really refreshing. Ran that good ole garden hose in it for an hour to no avail.  We suffered through it by floating on rafts and hanging onto noodles and drinking cold beverages.

Sunday brought two more picnics at friends, more food and continued heat. All these picnics mean good salads, good desserts, too hot to bike and I will not be getting on the scale this week.

I arrived home last evening from a picnic in DE and Mr. Wonderful had arrived home for a four-day respite. 

Some may see the RV, I see my poor grass suffering in the heat!

Hmmm, doesn't look like an 18 wheeler to me,

Ever present stuffed squirrel that is always on the dash board of whatever he is driving. 

He saves the parking passes every year and nails them to the ceiling of his man cave.

This is his home away from home....not driving a tractor and trailer on tour this year but rather driving the RV advance vehicle. About an hour out of the housing site, he distances himself out in front to arrive and get the lay of the land, to be ready with doors opened, with parking instructions, sending the kids and staff to lockers rooms and sleeping quarters, etc., when they arrive with the rest of the convoy  I guess it is like living the fantasy of running away and joining the circus if only for just the summer except he has a/c and satellite TV.   

Once he is back on the road again Friday, I will rearrange my bedroom and start to put into play all my restyling ideas with my new purchases and the ideas have been incubating ....my fabric arrived and has been just waiting for me to take scissors to the bolt and start the curtains.

On the stitching front, it has really been rewarding to work on some smaller stitching projects and see finishes happen in a week's time. I think I might have to re-evaluate my choice of patterns when shopping in the future. But alas, I am just delaying the inevitable and need to refocus on two of my larger WIPs if I hope to complete at least one of them by September. I do this all the time - create timelines for myself...self inflicted deadlines. Somehow in and amongst all entertainment and pool time, I managed another finish. 

Look at all the 'scary' things that are part of the finishing.  

This is from the crazy January 2011 challenge. I look  forward to finishing this finish.....maybe I will get on a finishing spree in August....got several that I should make it a mission to complete before September.

And remember that IRS mess I was working on for my non-profit?   The 12 months of sorting 25 years of records and financials and filling out the required forms and application; the 6 to 9 months of waiting for a response.....got a letter from the IRS that we need to amend our Articles of Incorporation (doable) and send them a copy showing the State's seal of acceptance (doable) and I have 20 days to do it (near impossible when one works and just can't traipse off to Trenton (like I would even know what office to go to!!).   Oh I love my little ladies but they will be the death of me yet!

As hot as it has been I am thankful that  I have been so very fortunate to have not lost power.  I am fortunate to be able to find relief in my pool, I have a/c to keep me cool and allow me to sleep in comfort. I am thankful today brings a break in the heat for us.  Who would have thought we would welcome 90 degrees?  Hopefully it will also curb the damaging storms we have had.   And hopefully those who have been victums of the wildfires will see relief as well.   It is time for Mother Natures  to shine fairly on everyone.

Between IRS and a bedroom re-do, I am may be in absentia for a while.......

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  I hope you had a fun day!  

1950's? Look at the car he is
standing next to.

I lost my father over 20 years ago and as time has passed, I remember my father all through the year....I think about him when I see a particular antique or knick-knack that now resides with me; or when I need advice on how to refinish something or plant something, I miss him; or when I look at the family tree he wrote and see his printing; or just the other day, I caught myself laughing at a prank my brother pulled on his girl friend's son and I thought instantly he was his father's son and was doing some corny prank like my father would have done.  So while I know Father's Day is the special day for 'dads', I remember mine at the strangest times and without a moments notice all through the year.  

Guests for the weekend

I found out mid-week last week that I would be treated with a visit from my son and his family.   They were traveling back east to spend time with her dad on Father's Day and for a fitting for a wedding next year.   I got to meet my newest 'grand' too!   The newest addition to the family, Etta James - named such because she 'sings' or as I would call it, 'howls'.  

L-R Troy, Gavin (my son's step-son), and Etta 

Stitching Progress
So with my son and his family in....pool time and not much stitching going on.  I am pleased with my progress but I had hoped to be done this weekend.   I am sure I will be able to wrap it up in another couple of nights of stitching.  

Just have the garland of flowers to complete!

IKEA
I love IKEA shopping and my sister and I are going tomorrow - I've got a vacation day!   I love shopping IKEA even though their style is far from my country decor.   I think it is my Scandinavian heritage that draws me to their ingenuity.  I just found a new website - IKEAHackers!  They take off the shelf IKEA items and make them better.  Every year when Mr. W. goes away I get the urge to makeover a room.   Usually he is long gone before I think about it, but this year I couldn't wait for him to get out the door.   Tomorrow I am picking up this bed frame and whatever items strike my fancy.  Some new accessories, rearranging furniture and a stop at Home Depot for some crown molding......and I don't know what else....I'll have to post some before and after photos.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a happy week of stitching!

Rotten Potato

As promised, some updating....since there has been much going on and little blogging, updating will have to evolve over several posts.....one part stitchery, mix in one part travel, blend with family and friends = ahhhh! life is good.

Travel and Family
My most recent trip was to visit my daughter in Lowell, Massachusetts.   I used to tell everyone she lived in Boston because I figured most people never heard of Lowell.....wrongo I was.   Seems if I say she lives in Boston it is followed by someone saying something about UMass, the mills in Lowell, or whatever...but enough.

Outside her condo the ground was covered with pink snow that swirled with each passing car.

Gardens at the House of Seven Gables

Whenever the three of us get together....we laugh and giggle, stitch and knit, eat well, shop and have a glass of wine or two.  Each time I visit, we pick some local tourist attraction.   We went to Salem, Mass. this time.   We visited the House of Seven Gables which was really cool.   We took the sightseeing trolley around the city and did the witch tour thing.  I've got to hand it to Massachusetts, they do their museums and attractions right.

House of Seven Gables - not perfect weatherwise but perfect in every other way.

I've got one more photo to upload from my phone that is a better shot of the house....on the to do list.

Hearth and Home
I am doing something new this year.....I am planting a vegetable garden.   I never have had a vegetable garden before.  I've had a couple of pepper plants and a couple of tomato plants along the way and then there were the strawberries that eventually took over a whole corner of the year..... It has nothing to do with messing in the dirt because I am a hands in dirt without gloves type girl.   I say this because I know some women who would not put their hands in the soil for all the tea in China.   I can't bear to think of what they are missing.  I just love this time of the year when you can come home from work and take the high heels and pantyhose off and put the sweats on and get your hands in the dirt and more importantly be outside for a couple of hours.  I have always been a flower gardener.

A new venture

 The flower gardens and landscaping are so well established that after the initial weeding and mulching, it is just some deadheading and pruning here and there.  Since I think my days of digging and moving scrubs from here to there are done  I thought a veggie garden would be fun.   So I asked the lawn guy build me a 4 x 8 timbered area.  I could have built is myself but it would have been September by the times I was done.   I guess I am a gentlewoman gardener!  I do hope I can produce (LOL) some veggies and good ole jersey 'matoes.  Please don't laugh at my wonky posts and goofball wire clothesline.  I followed the instructions from a girl at work......"oh just put some posts in and put clothesline back and forth for the climbers" .... I am just hoping to get my starter plants in this weekend and they grow quickly to hide my kindergarten attempt.   Now I am getting worried that I won't have enough room for all the plants I bought.   Not only did I prep my garden for planting, I power washed my deck so it will be dried out by Sunday for a quick coat of stain.

This is my usual type of gardening.

Stitching
A little teaser of what I have completed.   I already gushed about my Ellen Chester class in April.   I finished one of the class pieces - Long May She Wave.    I think this is the fastest I have ever completed a class piece.    I may devote my Mother's Day afternoon to a nice big glass of green tea on my deck and start the finishing.  This really doesn't count as far as reducing the number of UFO's but it is a finish just the same!

Pocket and label for the back of the needle book.

Ellen shared photos of someone who stitched a cat instead of a dog so I attempted.  I think I did OK.

Pieces for the pin keep and the needle page.

Front of the needle book

.

 Each stripe is a different stitch.   I didn't think it would make such  impact but it did. 

Little point of reference on the size compared to quarter and dime.

And as for the rotten potato.....I kept smelling something.....kept looking in the same places.....did Miss Baby Cakes, the cat do something in the house.......and then I found it, the liquified potato, YUCK.   Potato mess cleaned up and disposed of and candles are burning and I am ready to put my feet up and put needle to fabric.