I meet with my contractor tonight. I need so my little things done. I would like to be 100% once the housing market turns to be in a position to downsize. Of course, and I do repeat myself I am sure, that the only problem is for my husband and I to agree on style and location of a new home. To entice my contractor I held the large carrot of a laundry room makeover and then tacked on all the other little things. I hope we can get this all done for a reasonable amount. My guy is good, or rather he is great, but that comes with a price.
One suggesion he made the I had not thought of was to get high efficiency stacking washer and dryer. Hmmm, that was an expense I didn't think about and with a wedding this summer I don't know. But now he has me thinking. Discussed it with my spouse and we are going to look. It would give me floor space not to mention the energy savings. And I am all about energy savings. Sometimes my kids tell me I am greener than they are and that is saying something.
I am also having a utility sink put it which will be great. No more cleaning paint trays and such in the kitchen sink! It will be great for my stained glass work or when dying reed for baskets. I am excited even if we don't do the washer and dryer. Fresh, nice new drywall, new cabinetry/shelving, no more dropped ceiling, new floor......are you getting a visual of how ugly my laundry room is.......this time I will have to definitely remember to take before and after pix. I think it is the only room I have not done anything to but paint in the 27 years I have lived here. It's a selling feature! Right, I can rationalize anything. Watch for posts on my project......
April 29, 2009
April 25, 2009
A day without stitching...
What what what! A day without stitching!!!! Say it aint so. Well it happens sometimes but I do feel a withdraw and a jonesing for the needle and thread. I am so addicted. I feel like I need to stitch each day or it is like an arm is missing. So, you ask why then have I not stitched?
Today was a community event....Christmas in April....where a team from my company assisted someone less able or less fortunate with much needed house and garden work. It is a very rewarding this to do.....to help others. The turn out, about 40, or about 1/5 of the employees, was great. The homeowner was so appreciative and you know, it is the kind of work that does not seem like work. Of course there was the whole beautiful day and being outside with girlfriends that didn't hurt.
So now......showered and in my jammies and with a big old cup of coffee...........things like dishes and laundry can wait. I am unzipping the vinyl bag and popping out the fabric, needle and thread as I type. I admit it....I need my fix.
Today was a community event....Christmas in April....where a team from my company assisted someone less able or less fortunate with much needed house and garden work. It is a very rewarding this to do.....to help others. The turn out, about 40, or about 1/5 of the employees, was great. The homeowner was so appreciative and you know, it is the kind of work that does not seem like work. Of course there was the whole beautiful day and being outside with girlfriends that didn't hurt.
So now......showered and in my jammies and with a big old cup of coffee...........things like dishes and laundry can wait. I am unzipping the vinyl bag and popping out the fabric, needle and thread as I type. I admit it....I need my fix.
Ye-Ha
Finally a day of beautiful weather ahead. I am off to help at a community project related to work. Christmas in April. We all help with an 'extreme makeover' for a deserving family in our service territory. There are 10,000 volunteers from different companies helping different families. It is one of those exhausting but rewarding things........got to go, I am driving the 'bus'.
April 19, 2009
Taking care of things long overdue!
I have been on a mad tear around the house and yard. Scrubbing woodwork, weeding flower beds, painting trim, rearranging furniture, cleaning closets....... I had a conversation with my sister because I was wondering if there were a greater plan that I was not aware of that was moving me to get my 'house' in order......twilight zone type stuff.
It took a few weeks because I am slow at putting two and two together. Rather than analyze I just bumble along in my own little focused way totally oblivious. Kind of like Mr. MaGoo! or as a Ding Bat as my husband fondly calls me. So, it finally dawns on me that I am no longer working tons of extra hours at work and not bringing hours of work home each week. And not only are my hours at a normal level I do not have that dark cloud shrouded around me that never seemed to go away no matter how much time I spent at work. There was that insurmountable sheer rock face climb looming. It really beats one down after a while. The difference.......I have a temp at work helping. Unbelievable. I used to feel snobbish or that I was acting superior passing on my grunt work to a temp but I finally got over it. It is great - copy this, file that, shred this, bind that - and it gives me time to orchestrate meetings, take minutes, keep my boss on track and more. It is like anything else, you don't realize how overwhelmed you are until you are back to normal. It has taken me 8 weeks of her help to get to a point where I caught up and can keep current.
Next I will be the digging into the projects that have been put aside for so long. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and the company but I was beginning to think I had a brain tumor or was losing my mind because I just could keep up. It was the old - "What is wrong with me" because of course it had to be Type A me not working to potential. At one point this winter, I actually contemplating a visit to our HR department to request a leave. I was that overwhelmed. You all know that story.....take this task on for a month til we retrained someone and one task becomes 10 and a month became 3 years. Oh well all behind me now............
So, back to diligently stitching......photos of my progress to follow.
So as I said, the spring housecleaning thing......I am on a two or three year plan to put my house on the market. It is time to downsize but the housing market is no place for a seller right now. And then there is the little problem that my husband and I strongly disagree on what we want. I say downsize! He on the other hand wants acreage.
So anyway I just finished painting my stairs. I sanded the tops and scrubbed with Murphy's Oil Soap and then used one of those orange glow or whatever products to revive the wood. They may not be as nice as refinishing the hardwood but they look 100% better. I painted the trim and risers white and I am left top paint the spindles on the banister. Yucko! Has anyone every taken on that tedious job? There had to be a trick or a fancy brush.
I sewed tie back curtains for my powder room and hemmed and put them up. I also made new valances and hung sheers in my 'new' dining room.
I didn't just rearrange furniture, I flipped rooms. The computer room is now the dining room; the sun room now the family room and the living room - the living room with a TV and furniture from other rooms. I am left with a sofa and chair - both over 25 years old, that other than needing to be cleaning are decent. I am donating them to the local Habitat for Humanity Store. I need to coordinate my schedule with theirs to allow for the pickup/delivery.
Still doing the Facebook thing but only one day a week.
Lastly, I am diligently stitching on my stitch along project and will post photos before the weekend is over. I have a stitcher's retreat in 3 weeks and I can't wait.......stitching and the beach. What could be better? And I just signed up for a two class in September through my guild.
It took a few weeks because I am slow at putting two and two together. Rather than analyze I just bumble along in my own little focused way totally oblivious. Kind of like Mr. MaGoo! or as a Ding Bat as my husband fondly calls me. So, it finally dawns on me that I am no longer working tons of extra hours at work and not bringing hours of work home each week. And not only are my hours at a normal level I do not have that dark cloud shrouded around me that never seemed to go away no matter how much time I spent at work. There was that insurmountable sheer rock face climb looming. It really beats one down after a while. The difference.......I have a temp at work helping. Unbelievable. I used to feel snobbish or that I was acting superior passing on my grunt work to a temp but I finally got over it. It is great - copy this, file that, shred this, bind that - and it gives me time to orchestrate meetings, take minutes, keep my boss on track and more. It is like anything else, you don't realize how overwhelmed you are until you are back to normal. It has taken me 8 weeks of her help to get to a point where I caught up and can keep current.
Next I will be the digging into the projects that have been put aside for so long. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and the company but I was beginning to think I had a brain tumor or was losing my mind because I just could keep up. It was the old - "What is wrong with me" because of course it had to be Type A me not working to potential. At one point this winter, I actually contemplating a visit to our HR department to request a leave. I was that overwhelmed. You all know that story.....take this task on for a month til we retrained someone and one task becomes 10 and a month became 3 years. Oh well all behind me now............
So, back to diligently stitching......photos of my progress to follow.
So as I said, the spring housecleaning thing......I am on a two or three year plan to put my house on the market. It is time to downsize but the housing market is no place for a seller right now. And then there is the little problem that my husband and I strongly disagree on what we want. I say downsize! He on the other hand wants acreage.
So anyway I just finished painting my stairs. I sanded the tops and scrubbed with Murphy's Oil Soap and then used one of those orange glow or whatever products to revive the wood. They may not be as nice as refinishing the hardwood but they look 100% better. I painted the trim and risers white and I am left top paint the spindles on the banister. Yucko! Has anyone every taken on that tedious job? There had to be a trick or a fancy brush.
I sewed tie back curtains for my powder room and hemmed and put them up. I also made new valances and hung sheers in my 'new' dining room.
I didn't just rearrange furniture, I flipped rooms. The computer room is now the dining room; the sun room now the family room and the living room - the living room with a TV and furniture from other rooms. I am left with a sofa and chair - both over 25 years old, that other than needing to be cleaning are decent. I am donating them to the local Habitat for Humanity Store. I need to coordinate my schedule with theirs to allow for the pickup/delivery.
Still doing the Facebook thing but only one day a week.
Lastly, I am diligently stitching on my stitch along project and will post photos before the weekend is over. I have a stitcher's retreat in 3 weeks and I can't wait.......stitching and the beach. What could be better? And I just signed up for a two class in September through my guild.
March 28, 2009
Facebook and weekly stitching progress
Whew! I am new to Facebook and wow, does it consume time. I sit to see what plant or cocktail someone has sent me and before I know it, I look at the clock and 45 minutes or MORE have past. After this initial, Oh this is pretty neat tour around Facebook, I am backing off. I mean yes it is cool, but I have work to do, people to see and the need to stitch. Given the choice of how to spend 45 minutes, I would rather stitch. To each his own. For about three weeks, I did feel like I was back in High School - checking out who is talking to who and who is talking back.......it's all good and has it's place........but I'd rather stitch. As for Facebook, will I continue, yes, but in moderation. Probably next time I log in my Lil' Green Patch will be overrun with squirrels, leaves, new plants and who knows what and I will have 5 Cause invitations and many Cocktails at noon waiting for me.
Now, as for stitching............this is what I have been up to. My guild is working on a class project which we picked up at the last meeting. It is the Petite Sampler Etui. We all got the schedule of what we need to complete each mmonth. I do not want to fall behind and have dedicated one hour each day to this project......see the problem with the 45 minutes plus on Facebook? Here are two pictures of week 1 and week 2 progress.
Week One - A Petit Sampling Etui
Week Two - A Petit Sampling Etui - Look close - Worked on the strawberries in Queen Stitch
Week ? plus 1 - This is what I work on a lunchtime at work.
Week ? plus 2
This week....stitch*sttich*stitch
~~~~~
Not much progress week three so here is week four. Week three was spent with evening meetings or in the yard enjoying the weather and getting the yard and gardens ready and some painting in the house instead. Rain expected today and tomorrow so the stitching could be plentiful. I hope to complete the strawberries and at least the "M". I do dislike the stitching over one so that will explain the erratic route I take with working the alphabet. Guild tomorrow and I need to tidy the piece up a bit before our meeting. Most likely even though I think I have been feverishly stitching and have made considerable progress, most of the gals will probably be done the whole side! It is disheartening because I think I put in a lot of time and I feel like I am making good progress......then that old barometer of your progress.....the status of the others! Oh well, it is what it is and my progress is my progress.
Week 4 of the Petite Etui (4/9/09)
Week 4X of the Quaker inspired piece
Now, as for stitching............this is what I have been up to. My guild is working on a class project which we picked up at the last meeting. It is the Petite Sampler Etui. We all got the schedule of what we need to complete each mmonth. I do not want to fall behind and have dedicated one hour each day to this project......see the problem with the 45 minutes plus on Facebook? Here are two pictures of week 1 and week 2 progress.
Week One - A Petit Sampling Etui
Week Two - A Petit Sampling Etui - Look close - Worked on the strawberries in Queen Stitch
Week ? plus 1 - This is what I work on a lunchtime at work.
Week ? plus 2
This week....stitch*sttich*stitch
~~~~~
Not much progress week three so here is week four. Week three was spent with evening meetings or in the yard enjoying the weather and getting the yard and gardens ready and some painting in the house instead. Rain expected today and tomorrow so the stitching could be plentiful. I hope to complete the strawberries and at least the "M". I do dislike the stitching over one so that will explain the erratic route I take with working the alphabet. Guild tomorrow and I need to tidy the piece up a bit before our meeting. Most likely even though I think I have been feverishly stitching and have made considerable progress, most of the gals will probably be done the whole side! It is disheartening because I think I put in a lot of time and I feel like I am making good progress......then that old barometer of your progress.....the status of the others! Oh well, it is what it is and my progress is my progress.
Week 4 of the Petite Etui (4/9/09)
Week 4X of the Quaker inspired piece
February 21, 2009
One thing leads to another
You know how this happens....all of us do...how one time leads to another. How me buying Hubby a TV leads to new furniture.
Let's see if you can follow this non-sensical progression. I bought my husband a flat panel tv for his birthday in December. My first mistake was not buying but assuming it would go in our computer room. However, it went to the "Man Cave" outback or what some would call a storage building. It's all good. He spends a lot of time in there and he loves the tv but I digress.
So now with this heightened viewing ability we (or rather he) have decided we need one for inside the house as well. This additional purchase is first to be made after tour (August), then before tour (July), then before mini-tour (June), then it was to be with the tax return. So you get the picture. Needless to say, that plan went out the window and we already have the tv, it is mounted on the wall above the fireplace and has been in place several weeks. And again I digress.
So because we are now viewing tv in the family room more often, I needed more light for evening sewing. Enter the accomplice. Floor Dazor Light/Magnifier.
Today as I puttered around the house waiting for a repairman man, I cleaned and scrubbed and dusted and swept. I kept smelling the smell of marshmallows roasting. I look high and low, inside and outside to the neighbors and begin to think I am goofier than I thought. So what do I do, I light a candle. Of course, to make it smell nice for when the repair man gets here. You know that window of between noon and 6 pm.
My cleaning has progressed from the computer room, to the kitchen, to the bath, to the living room and now I am tidying up the family room and then I see it......a hole burnt into my sofa cushion from the sun shining through my magnifying glass. For a moment it took me back to the Lord of the Flies and using the eye glasses to start a fire......
Follow the progression below, #1 the culprit - the tv, #2 the accomplice - the magnifying light, #3 - the resulting burn in the marshmallow foam stuffed cushion and last #4 the solution to avert further tragedy - the cover aka the quilted tote bag. And that is why I have to go furniture shopping. Not really. I can plump and tuck the burnt part to the back and no one will be the wiser!
Let's see if you can follow this non-sensical progression. I bought my husband a flat panel tv for his birthday in December. My first mistake was not buying but assuming it would go in our computer room. However, it went to the "Man Cave" outback or what some would call a storage building. It's all good. He spends a lot of time in there and he loves the tv but I digress.
So now with this heightened viewing ability we (or rather he) have decided we need one for inside the house as well. This additional purchase is first to be made after tour (August), then before tour (July), then before mini-tour (June), then it was to be with the tax return. So you get the picture. Needless to say, that plan went out the window and we already have the tv, it is mounted on the wall above the fireplace and has been in place several weeks. And again I digress.
So because we are now viewing tv in the family room more often, I needed more light for evening sewing. Enter the accomplice. Floor Dazor Light/Magnifier.
Today as I puttered around the house waiting for a repairman man, I cleaned and scrubbed and dusted and swept. I kept smelling the smell of marshmallows roasting. I look high and low, inside and outside to the neighbors and begin to think I am goofier than I thought. So what do I do, I light a candle. Of course, to make it smell nice for when the repair man gets here. You know that window of between noon and 6 pm.
My cleaning has progressed from the computer room, to the kitchen, to the bath, to the living room and now I am tidying up the family room and then I see it......a hole burnt into my sofa cushion from the sun shining through my magnifying glass. For a moment it took me back to the Lord of the Flies and using the eye glasses to start a fire......
Follow the progression below, #1 the culprit - the tv, #2 the accomplice - the magnifying light, #3 - the resulting burn in the marshmallow foam stuffed cushion and last #4 the solution to avert further tragedy - the cover aka the quilted tote bag. And that is why I have to go furniture shopping. Not really. I can plump and tuck the burnt part to the back and no one will be the wiser!
February 15, 2009
Finishes
Flying Colors - Just Nan - Really went out there on a limb - at least for me - with my color choice for this pillow but I like the final result. Debating about replacing the buttons with larger ones.
This other finish is from a rediscovered completed cross stitch project. This is part of the months of the year from Shepherd's Bush. I completed the stitching on 6 of the 12 and put them away and never did the finishing work. I like the whole upholstered block look but I am no so sure about the bow. Another view showing the dimensional view.
This other finish is from a rediscovered completed cross stitch project. This is part of the months of the year from Shepherd's Bush. I completed the stitching on 6 of the 12 and put them away and never did the finishing work. I like the whole upholstered block look but I am no so sure about the bow. Another view showing the dimensional view.
February 4, 2009
February 1, 2009
Calling all UFO's
I mean to tell you I didn't realize I have so much sh&% until I started sorting. I know I have STUFF but I really didn't remember all that I had.
It was almost like window shopping to dump and sort and let me fingers flip through charts as my mind raced at what to do next. Somewhere along the way I came across a jumble of projects that I finished stitching but I didn't do the finishing itself. So one stop and $58 later at Joann's, I have an assortment of fat quarters of which I will use to do the finishing.
Not wanting to do the same old thing and frame this and that, I found a neat little stand to sew and stuff and display. I hope I can accomplish as easily as the directions make it seem. That's the plan anyway for these three Shepard's Bush monthlys. I have the Feb and March complete, April is somewhere and I need to stitch Jan, and August through December! I was quite proud of myself that I kept up with the autoship for six months but alas.........
So, while millions, I mean MILLIONS, are watching the Super Bowl.....I for one will follow my own drummer and be content to stitch, stuff, tuck, turn and hopefully complete a couple of projects.
PS The best laid plans......I curled up on the sofa and watched the commericials on the new flat screen tv. My drummer was not drummer too loudly I guess.
January 28, 2009
Wedding!
My son was engaged at Christmas and the date is set. August 28, 2009. We are so excited. All the fun of making the plans. Wedding and reception at Brantwyn Estate, a duPont Mansion, in the Brandywine Valley of Delaware. We are going to have fun over the next few months AND be busy!
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