A Happy Birthday Day

It's a Happy Birthday for my DS Matthew - he's 22 years old today. Where has all the time gone? Nope....... not going to think about that one, it gets too depressing. ;0) I was going to post a baby pic of him but they're all packed away in the loft at the moment, so he'll be glad that's saved him the embarrassment. LOL
I asked DH to get a small cake on his way home tonight, as it's become a bit of a tradition that we have one of those Cadbury's Chocolate Gateau cakes with a candle on the top. Only DH couldn't find one so guess what he's brought home instead: a rather large (11" x 7") Cadbury Buttons cake. DH is diabetic so can only have a small piece........... guess me and DS will be having an awful lot of cake for the rest of the week, unless I can get him to take some round to his friends or something. Hhhhmmm - maybe not. :0)

It felt like it was my birthday today too, as the Carrie's threads arrived this morning. Here are the threads (Twinkle and Blueberry Pie) and fabric (Pol's Sky High) I'm using for the Long Dog Sampler Rosemarkie piece.

The Blueberry Pie thread has come out very dark but it's actually a really lush mix of purples with a hint of blue. I owe Jayne a big thank you for suggesting the thread colours - they're gorgeous and it's going to be a real pleasureto stitch this.
The other pic is of the Carrie's Tanglewood pack with the fabric I'll be using: Pol's Heirloom 32ct Belfast linen, another of Jayne's suggestions. Now all I've got to do is decide which goes on the frame. Karen: I'm not sure what size frame I'd need but I'm trying not to give in and get another one. I already have on the go: HAED Mother Earth, Egyptian Tablet and Loopylou's Mistletoe (SAL piece I fell behind with) on large frames; plus Alchemy's Copper Beech, my Christmas Card exchange piece and Heirloom's Love Is You on smaller frames. I think 7 pieces will be enough to keep me busy and out of mischief. :0)

I also had a nice parcel from Jenny, a fellow member of the Stitch'n'Stash Forum, that had the 4 hand knitted cravat style scarves, in eyelash wool, I ordered from her recently. I bought 2 bright pink ones as Christmas presents for DH's nieces, a chocolate brown one as a stocking filler for my DSis and another for me, to go with my winter coat. They are great, I love mine and hope the girls and DSis will like theirs too. If you read this: thanks again Jenny. :0)

I had a surprise visit from my DBro this afternoon, as he'd been working out this way and decided to call in for a coffee and a natter on his way home. He's doing OK, looks brighter and is feeling much better in himself now he knows his health issues are being sorted out. He's looking forward to having a couple of weekends away with his family, as they're taking their tourer to Chatsworth for the final sessions of the year. Bbbbbrrrrrr, they're hardier souls than us, as ours has already been bedded down for the winter.

BTW, I did stitch on ET last night (just in case Mr Stick was limbering up) but I want to do more tonight so won't post a pic until tomorrow.

Well I'd better go and hunt out some cake candles ready for DS getting back from the theatre.

Thanks to all for taking the time to visit and for the kind comments. :0)

Birthday Card Blitz

Stitching on the Christmas card for the exchange is coming on, as I made it a priority last night. Have to say that I'm disappointed with it as the material I chose, although pretty and sparkly, is too light and the design isn't standing out as it should. I shall complete it but won't be sending it and will just have to stitch it again on a darker material. Oh well, you live and learn. >sigh<>No, not the H word, I did some of that yesterday - I meant the fun stuff.

Today is UFO Tuesday so guess what I'll be doing later? Eheheh. :0) Will post an update later in the week. Meantime it suddenly dawned on me that it was DS's birthday tomorrow and DH's on Saturday, so I got my cardmaking goodies out and had a play this afternoon. This one is for DS: as well as having roles and doing sound and lighting with the LTC productions he also helps out with set building, so I came up with this theme. This one is for DH. He enjoys an occasional tipple of the amber nectar, so I made an appropriate card. ;0)
The scanner has done it's usual trick and made these look quite flat - they are more dimensional, as I've used 3-D embellishments and dome stickers, and they also sparkle much more IRL. I should make a start on my Christmas cards soon........... but am not in the mood just now and have too many other things I need to get done first.

Jayne rang me today: her Carrie's thread order has arrived which means the threads for Tanglewood and Rosemarkie will be on their way to me shortly. WhoooooHoooo! One problem though: I only have one scroll frame available for use, so which do I start first? Decisions, decisions!

DS went to a rehearsal last night and found out that he now has two songs to sing in the panto. He was not a happy bunny, as singing isn't his strong point, but realises he doesn't have much choice. It should be easy enough to learn though: it's Abba's Take a Chance. Roll on performance week is all I can say, am so looking forward to it. :0)

As for the hypnotherapy/Past Life Regression Julie: I've always fancied trying this but there's a niggle I have about it and that's what if I find out I was a Nazi Death Camp guard, or something equally appalling, in a previous life? I asked the therapist that question and she said you have to ask yourself what lessons did you learn from that life and realise that you don't have to repeat the same mistakes or ever do anything like that again. Fair enough, but you still have to live with knowing that. As you can tell I'm split: yes, I'd like to go ahead and do this but am not sure I'm ready to deal with any possible negative experiences, so keep hesitating. My usual decisive self. >rolleyes< Watch this space.....

Family Friday and Weekend Wanderings

No stitching done since Thursday so no updates I'm afraid. I have some good excuses though:

On Friday we had a day out visiting DH's Dad and Step-Mum over in Derbyshire. His Dad is 84 and had been poorly recently with what the GP thinks was a bacterial infection (the blood tests they did were pretty inconclusive). Poor man was knocked off his feet and stayed in bed for days and that's so not like him at all, as he's usually very active and everyone who meets him thinks he's in his 60's.......... wish I was wearing as well! LOL As we were quite concerned about him we went for a visit - pleased to say that he was looking quite well again and seems to be almost back to his old self. We had a good day, catching up with all the family news.

Saturday DS and Alex had a trip over to the Lincolnshire Showground to the final Mind, Body and Spirit event of the year. Meantime DH got on with that flippin' kitchen cupboard while I did some of the dreaded H word. That cupboard seems to be turning into another of DH's long drawn out DIY sagas: why do something in a couple of days if you can make it last for a couple of weeks? This happens with every DIY job - it's why the house still isn't completed even though we've lived here for over 22 years. If anyone knows of a good odd job man who is happy to tackle any DIY job, no matter how big or small, in my area please send him round - I have enough jobs here to give him a full-time job/income for quite some time.
Saturday night we packed a bag and went over to my DSis's to stay over. Our Aunty and Uncle from Barnsley came over for a couple of hours visit as well, so we had a good natter with them.

Sunday the three of us went to the Mind, Body and Spirit Show at the Lincolnshire Showground. I love these events: lots of alternative therapies and treatments, Pagan stalls, Tarot readings, jewellery and all kinds of other interesting and needful things. :0) We solved the "What do you want for Christmas?" problem as I spotted some nice silver/amber goodies there that DSis and DH bought for me and we bought a lovely silver, marcasite and amethyst pendant for my DSis, to go with one of Mums' rings that she wears.
We didn't have any therapies or treatments this time - it was just too busy and humming to relax to anything like that - but DSis had a lotion made up by an aromatherapist specially for her, for her swollen feet, and I bought some Australian bush essentials organic/natural creams to help with dry skin patches.
I also came away with a leaflet from a female hypnotherapist in Lincoln who does Past Life Regressions - something I have been thinking about undergoing for some time. Anyone else done this?
When we got back home later that night DS had had his bonfire and fireworks with his friends, a pre-birthday celebration - amazingly enough he had even tidied up!

An enjoyable weekend all round - hope everyone else had the same. :0)

Stash, Stash, Glorious Stash!

Big apologies to Sally and Karen: somehow I managed to delete your last comments instead of publishing them. Good job you couldn't hear what I said after that mistake........ it definitely wasn't Doh! ;0)

Today has been a great stash day with the arrival of two pink parcels. The first one opened was my monthly clubs from Jayne's Attic which was another rainbow of Carrie's Creations and a piece of Sugar Maple Fabrics called Quicksilver, a gorgeous opalescent that begs to have a snowman design stitched on it. One of the Carrie's is called Halloween which made me smile, as I think it'll go lovely with the Black Ash fabric I got earlier. I've already chosen and printed out the freebie design I want to stitch, which is called Coeur Halloween and it can be found here.

The second package contained a surprise for my exchange partner (don't think she reads my Blog but didn't want to risk spoiling the surprise, so didn't put it in the pic) and some other goodies that just happened to fall in the basket as I was ordering the gift. ;0)
There's the beautiful Scented Rose Tree Ornament chart by Polstitches - now who could resist it? Then a piece of Pol's Pearl fabric that I wanted to try and a skein of Camphor Laurel Kaalund Silk yarn to add to my collection. Not a bad haul.

Tuesday night was UFO Night and I didn't manage to do any stitching then but made up for it last night and got on with the background area from the point of the collar downwards. This is where I got to:

Tonight I made a start on the stitched card for the Christmas exchange and will concentrate on that the next day or so. It will need some concentration too, as I'm stitching it 2 over 1 on 27ct opalescent - hope my eyes cope OK.

As for other stuff: I had a chat with my DBro yesterday. He's had the camera procedure done and it turned out they decided to have a looksee both ends. DBro told them he hoped they were doing his throat first, which had the team laughing and assuring him they used different cameras for each procedure (he is so like our Dad, a chip off the old block). The upshot of this is that they found some scarring, redness and possible infection in his duodenum? (where the stomach meets the bowel) and his stomach acid is too strong. They took a scrape to send for testing and he goes for the results next Friday. Meantime he's on a course of anti-biotics and antacids which they feel should sort out his problems. BIG relief all round. :0)

DH and I have had a couple of garden tidying sessions in the last couple of days. The lawn has had what should be the final cut of the year and DH gave the mower a good clean off and oiling before putting it away. The kitchen shelf is just about done but the cupboard needs another coat of paint, or so I've been told, so I won't be having that sort out and putting things back just yet.

DS's rehearsals for the panto are going OK and he's learning his lines well. He recently bought himself a replica of Frodo's sword Sting (LOTR) from that well known auction site and the panto Prince is going to borrow it to wear on stage. It should look pretty impressive - I'll find out when we go to see the panto.

Thanks again to all who take the time to visit - hope you're all having a good week.

Weekend Update and More......

I haven't disappeared off the face of the planet, I just haven't had much time to myself for Blogging these last few days. Time for a catch up on news now........ so I recommend making yourself a cup of tea/coffee and putting your feet up before starting. ;0)

Saturday DH got on with the shelf for the kitchen cupboard while I pottered with house and garden jobs plus keeping him well supplied with copious cups of tea.
I also got out all of my DMC threads and found all the ones needed to stitch the Christmas card for the exchange I'm in - that's a first, as usually I need to buy at least 1 skein for a new project.
Seeing the disorganisation of the 3 separate bags (a mix of whole and partial skeins), 3 floss boxes (2 of which are only partially filled) and the bag of empty plastic bobbins waiting to be filled gave me a guilt trip. Sorting this little lot is a job I've threatened to get around to many, many times and haven't. So I made a start Saturday night, instead of stitching.

Sunday we went over to my DSis's in Doncaster. We had dinner out, then visited the Crem to see our Mum and Dad's new memorial plaque on the monument and lay flowers for them. The plaque is lovely - they would be proud. :0)
We went for a drive round afterwards and ended up at Bawtry Caravans. We got a few bits we needed for our tourer but spent most of the time in the gift shop and cafe. DSis bought a lovely little angel ornament to tie in the branches of the blue spruce tree that is close to where our parents ashes are at the Crem - we'll do that on our next visit.
DH and I couldn't resist a decorative filigree metal fire screen that has small hoops attached to the back that hold glass tealight holders - it looks lovely on our hearth and it can be "dressed" with ornaments for the festive season.
In the evening we went to the memorial service for Dad and all those who had passed away this last year in the parish of St Peter's Church. It was well attended and we realised why when all the names were read out: we couldn't believe how many there were.
We all had the opportunity to go to the front and leave a lighted candle, in memory of our loved ones, on the marble steps in front of the altar area. When we were seated again they switched most of the lights off for a few minutes silence and the effect of all those little tealights plus the pillar candles on the altar was lovely, almost magical. I found it moving but not upsetting and was glad we'd attended.
Many thanks for the kind thoughts over this, they were much appreciated and did help. :0)

DH has got this week off as a holiday. We had originally planned to go away but decided against it, as it's an ideal opportunity for us to get some of the outstanding DIY jobs done that got backed up while he was so busy at work over the summer.
Monday he continued with the shelf while I did my usual house jobs, ready for Alex's regular Monday visit, as well as keeping the cuppas flowing. BTW, what is it with men, DIY jobs and tea? Is tea to men what oil is to a car: forget to put it in and the whole thing seizes up? LOL
No stitching on Monday night but I did do some more thread winding and sorting. That goes well until I get a knot in it *@!!#**!....... I told DH that's why it's called cross stitch. ;0)

Tuesday got off to a good start with a pink parcel containing the Sassy's Black Ash fabric bargain from Jayne that I got for some Halloween ornament stitching for next year.
We decided to go out and about today, so went to the Kirton Lindsey garden centre for dinner (their tuna cheese melt baguettes are yummy!). We had a look round afterwards and came away with a heavy duty garden sack, a bag full of ordinary tea lights and two boxes of scented ones, a couple of Christmas gifts (for MIL and FIL) and a small birthday gift for DS........ I call that a good haul. We didn't find what we'd actually gone looking for: a decorative but useful bird bath for the garden, so we set off to Brigg garden centre.
No luck there either, despite there being lots more choice, but we did get: a nice decorative wall pot for the front of the house and a beautiful deep red cyclamen plant to go in it; a mini scrapbook wedding kit, and a couple of pocket tags to go with, which I'll make up for DS's friends who married last month; I treated myself to a book (Witch Child by Celia Rees) and a Heritage cross stitch kit called Night Watchman - I love owls and at a tenner off it was a real bargain. ;0)
Part of today's haul:

I shall, hopefully, do a UFO Night update and have a catch up day with everyone's Blogs tomorrow (Wednesday).
DH plans to get the shelf finished - hope so, because we'll then be able to sort out all the stuff we took out of there, Freecycle what we don't want/need any more, and re-organise what's left as it's put back......... there's something very satisfying about getting things like this sorted then crossing that job off the list. :0)

Funny Friday

I failed to make a start on the hardanger SAL last night, though it wasn't for lack of trying. For smaller projects I like to use Siesta bar frames and have quite a few different lengths to mix and match, as appropriate, for each project. I thought I had two lots of 5" bars but haven't and didn't have anything else suitable for holding the fabric taut while I stitch......... guess that'll mean having a bit of a shop on the SewandSo website then. It'll be hard work but I'll force myself to do it. LOL ;0)

My DBro was working out this way today so popped in for a coffee and a natter. He brought the forms we need to sign for registering Dad's house with the Land Registry and signing it over to our DSis. This is just part of the legal things we've had to do since Dad passed away but it's the last one and it's on the final stretch now - once these forms are back with the solicitor and she's done her bit the house will legally become DSis's. It'll be a relief when it's done and it'll also mean that DSis will then feel she can go ahead with some of the plans she has.
DBro also confirmed that his tests came back fine and there was no sign of any cancer markers in his blood - I felt like having a party when he said that. :0) He still has to go for the camera procedure (I thought he'd already had it but it was the scan he had done) because the other results haven't explained a couple of his ongoing symptoms - the GP wants to make sure he hasn't got a blockage anywhere that might be causing them. At least he's being very thorough.

I'm not sure what the plans are for tomorrow but Sunday we're visiting DSis and going to the Crem and the memorial service, so I'll have a catch-up session with blogs next week.

Hope you all have a good weekend and here's a little something to start it with a smile, courtesy of the local Entertainment magazine:

SPECIAL CLASSES FOR MEN

Class 1: How to Fill Up the Ice Cube Trays.
Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday & Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00pm.

Class 2: The Toilet Paper Roll. Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturdays 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3: Is It Possible to Urinate Using the Technique of Lifting the Seat and Avoiding the Floor/Walls and Nearby Bathtub?
Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturdays 10:00pm for 2 hours.

Class 4: Fundamental Differences Between the Laundry Basket and the Floor.
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00pm for 3 weeks.

Class 5: After Dinner Dishes. Can They Levitate and Fly Into the Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday & Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00pm.

Class 6: Loss of Identity - Losing the Remote to Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 weeks, Friday & Sunday 7:00pm.

Class 7: Learning How to Find Things - Starting with looking in the right place instead of turning the house upside down while screaming.
Open Forum. Monday at 8:00pm, 2 hours.

Class 8: Health Watch - Bringing her flowers is not harmful to her health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00pm for 2 hours.

Class 9: Real Men Ask for Directions When Lost.
Real Life Testimonials. Tuesdays at 6:00pm, location to be determined.

Class 10: Is it genetically impossible to sit quietly while she parallel parks?
Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturdays at noon, 2 hours.

Class 11: Learning to Live - Basic Differences Between Mother & Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing. Location and times to be announced.

Class 12: How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion. Relaxation Exercises, Meditation & Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours, beginning at 7:00pm.

A Belated UFO Night Update

I stitched again on Tuesday UFO Night but, as it was Samhain, left posting until today. Egyptian Tablet is really showing the benefits of all this added attention as I've finally finished the jewelled collar section, and get to move on to the background next. Despite that being all dull colours I'm actually looking forward to it, as much of it is in half cross stitch which means it tends to grow quickly.

This week I also received another small pink parcel which contained the materials pack for the Stitch'n'Stash beginners hardanger SAL. The threads Jayne sent are a lovely coppery colour - so me - and the SAL begins today, so I think I will probably stitch that tonight. Thanks to previous SALs on there, making a hardanger bookmark and Christmas Trees, I'm not a beginner at this anymore but I do enjoy joining in as they are a lot of fun.

I'd better fess up as well: Jayne was having a clear out of some hand dyed fabric at a bargain price and I succumbed and ordered a piece. I couldn't help it as there was a lovely piece called Black Ash, just perfect for Halloween designs, and it just kept shouting "Buy me! Buy me!" ........ I never was one to resist a bargain, so I did. So, OK, it's too late for this year but I'm definitely prepared for next year now, aren't I? ;0) LOL

So how many trick or treaters knocked at your door last night? We had four lots, a total of nine children, and most of those were escorted by much older siblings/parents and they'd made a real effort to dress up. It was a pleasure to see them enjoying themselves and, as they were also very polite, it was fun doling out the goodies to them all.

Many thanks for all the lovely comments about my parents photo, you are very kind folk.