Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all!
We had a wonderful family get together today. We went to my sister's house for lunch. My 2 nieces, future nephew in law, sister, BIL, and mom along with our furry family, my sister's dog, Gator, my niece's dog, Macy and of course our own special dog, Honey. My dear husband even had the day off (the first weekend since my birthday in February)and got to share the day with us.
We had so much fun that we forgot to take pictures along the way. Here a few we took just before the fun:



It was a very windy day, but that didn't keep Mom from sitting in the backyard all day!
Thanks to my sis for all the work she did and for having us over. So much fun!
I wish I could show you some stitching but I seem to be back in that slump.
In any event, I wish you sunshine and Easter eggs! Hope you and your family had a good Easter!

Happy New Year

Let me start with a New Year's video from my family and me!

And if that wasn't enough fun, here are a couple of photos to make your day!


When my dad passed away 14 years ago, we realized we had very few pics of him. Because he was always behind the camera rather than in front. And while we have many, many memories of him, sometimes you just want to remember by seeing a photo.
So I made a vow to never let that happen to my family. And to make sure that my grandsons would remember the fun they had with their great grandmother, Papa James and myself, along with everyone else.
One of the best gifts my DH got me a few years ago was a Flip Video. If you are not familiar with this check out "The Flip" on Google. It is a small video camera that does a nice job, can fit in your pocket and at the end of the day, simply plugs into your computer for a simple download.
I want to wish you and your families a VERY Happy New Year. I pray this next year brings you peace and joy and lots of stitching!
Thank you for being my online friends. Each of you are very precious to me!

Did you have a good Christmas?

Hope you did! I know I sure did!
I went to my daughter's house on Christmas Eve to share Christmas with them and brought my grandsons back with me for this week to celebrate New Year's Eve with them along with my husband and mother.
Here is a video of my grandsons on Christmas Eve:



My mom, James and I went in and got each one of the kids a big gift. We got my oldest, Trent, a Legos Harry Potter Mansion set and the youngest, Craig, a Big Foot the Monster animated toy.
Here are some before, during and after photos:



They really liked their gifts. We woke up at 7:30am to find the oldest in his room. He had completed 7 of the 10 levels for the Legos Mansion and was on the 3rd instruction book (out of 3!). We asked if he had slept and he assured us he did, but who knows how early he got up!
The Big Foot monster was enjoyed by all. If you haven't seen it, type in "Big Foot the Monster" on Google and watch the video. Then imagine that it is twice as funny because it is!
This year was particularly special to me. My daughter's family got a new house this year and she has her own living area (they live with her husband's family). She has a fireplace and lots of space to decorate.
I brought down ALL of my holiday stitching, from Christmas through Valentine's Day through Easter and on through the Fourth of July, Halloween and Thanksgiving. I also brought a framed sampler I had made for her in 2000 that I had been waiting to have her have in her own home.
You can see some of the stitching in the photos (the little bears and the stockings). She also received all of my stitched ornaments, some of which were made from friends that are no longer with us (and with whom my daughter grew up around).
It was quite fulfilling to pass along my stitching while I am still around to see her enjoy it.
I pray this next year brings all of you plenty of great needles, patterns, fabric and threads and that all little froggies that would get in the way of your stitching stay away.
I wish you happiness and peace and all the good things life has for you.
I thank you for your friendship and support. You all are the best!

Another finish

I finished this little piece off this weekend. It is the last Stitching For a Cure project I will do for 2010. I still have to do the binding around the piece and put a bow on it, but the stitching is done.
Again I changed the fabric and the colors for the freebie, C is for Cure from Just Cross Stitch Magazine by Lizzie Kate.
If the fabric and colors look familiar, they should be. I used the same fabric and threads on Lizzie Kate's Chicks Rule.
I just loved the colors and thought they were very appropriate for Relay For Life.
I can now focus on some stitching "just for fun". We have a new recruiter in our office and she is expecting a baby girl at Christmas. I have been really wanting to do some stitching, esp. for a baby girl. And since I think my daughter is through giving me grandchildren, harassing the office staff to have babies has become my new hobby.
I found the cutest patterns to stitch and am going to do a little pair of white lace shoes, a hooded towel, a diaper cover (so cute!) and a little sign that says "Shh! Baby's Sleeping". I really hope since she is new and doesn't know me as well as the others do that she won't think I am a cross stitching stalker!
On another front, the cooler weather (if you can call 94 degrees cooler!) has made my garden go back into full bloom. I have a BUNCH of grape tomatoes and a couple of larger tomatoes on the vine, the peppers (yellow banana and green) are growing like crazy, my basil is just taking off again, the strawberries are in bloom and I have the tiniest little mint leaf starting. And oh yeah, I have this giant "Jack and the beanstalk" bean plant that is taking over everything. It has blooms all over it and I hope it produces some beans.
I even sat outside this morning with my DH and had our coffee in our lawn chairs without dying from a heat stroke. It is so nice. Rain is on it's way tonight and will cool off things even further.
Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Happy 70th Birthday to my Mom & Happy 5th Anniversary to my husband James

For those of you who don't know, I got married on my Mom's birthday. So on May 28 we have two celebrations in our house!
First off, tomorrow is my sweet Mom's 70th birthday! She is a fiesty 70 year old if I do say so myself. I hope she has the best birthday yet!
Her grand daughter Jennifer and more importantly, her two great grandsons, Trent and Craig are coming to see her this weekend to wish her a happy birthday. She will enjoy that, along with the turkey and dressing I am making on Sunday for Memorial Day (yes turkey and dressing for Memorial Day. Go figure!).
My sister Brenda and my Mom's other grand daughters, Sabrina and Sierra will be over to wish Mom a happy birthday I am sure. Sabrina just finished another year of college and Sierra starts high school this next year. And my sister is almost finished getting her degree and is an honor student. My mom is so proud of them all!
And I made cupcakes for a bake sale, but left her a few on the side.
Second off, it is my 5th anniversary with my hunk of burning love husband, James. I waited 44 years to get married. I was waiting on James.
He is the love of my life, the one I waited all my life for, the man of my dreams. I am spending the best years with him. He holds my heart in his heart.
Thank you James for 5 wonderful years.
So I hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend. I know I will!

Happy Valentine's Day (and my trip)

Happy Valentine's Day to all!
My dear, sweet, adorable husband and I went to Austin for Valentine's Day. I can truly tell you this was the best Valentine's Day EVER!
We left early and went down 6th Street. This was the day of the Austin marathon and there were a gazillion people there. They even had a live band playing on one of the side streets.
Then we went to my husband's favorite comic book shop. For those of you who don't know, my DH collects comic books (mostly old ones). No trip to Austin is complete without a trip here.

It is a fun store and I love people watching there!
And I saw Austin's Blood Bank. I am in the blood business and just love seeing other donor centers. Here are some pictures:



I just love the way they have parking spaces marked for blood donors with the little hearts by them. And that vehicle! I can't wait to ask our director if we can paint our hospital services vans like that!
Then we went back down 6th Street. For those of you who don't know, 6th Street is downtown Austin and is, err, quite eclectic to say the least!
We were going to the Ritz (putting on the Ritz!) which is one of Alamo Drafthouse's locations in Austin. We tried to get a picture of the theater and us, but it was impossible with all the traffic on the street and such. But here is one of the two of us and as you can see we are quite happy!

At the Alamo we saw the new movie, Wolfman, with Anthony Hopkins. But the Alamo isn't just any theater. It is a dinner theater, with a complete bar and an excellent chef. We rented the balcony suite, which had two leather recliners and tables to put our food on. We were ALL BY OURSELVES! There was another suite halfway across the top of the theater from us, but basically we were in a world all our own. We did the Ultimate Package, which included a bottle of Champagne (yes Champagne in a movie theater!), an appetizer and 2 entrees. I got the salmon with a lime-mango-curry marinade, jalapeno-garlic green beans (fresh) and basamati rice. It was OUTSTANDING! James had a gourmet bacon-cheeseburger and fries and he said it was fantastic. We had potato skins for an appetizer (and yes, for those of you following my weight loss program, I had planned for this! I had 2 skins and used some, but not all of my bonus points for the week).
Once you see a movie in this setting, well, a normal theater just doesn't cut it. I suspect we will be watching DVD's at home for some time!
We had a beautiful day, with the weather much like springtime. That is until we came out of the movie theater! A Northern was blowing through and the temps dropped at least 10 degrees, probably more. The wind was crazy and was crazy all the way home.
I will leave you with this last picture. As always, Keep Austin Strange is most important there. This article was in The Onion, a newspaper. I couldn't help but bust out into laughter!

Click on the picture to read the article headline. Were you someone that contributed to this amazing fact?
Hope I gave you a giggle this Valentine's Day!

Another year, another NATIONAL HOLIDAY!

Whew! It seems like my birthday was just the other day! And now it is time for another.
Some of you may wonder why I have a groundhog on my blog. Well that is because my birthday is Feb. 2, Groundhog's Day! This year I turn (excuse me while I gather myself to say this) 49! At least it is not 50. At least not yet!
And just like last year I am going to have a giveaway to celebrate!
But this time there is a twist!
Birthday Bash Blood Drive and Fundraiser
Help me collect 49 units of lifesaving blood and help me raise $490 for our Relay For Life Team on my 49th birthday! My birthday is February 2nd! Donate blood at any Carter BloodCare donor center or blood drive and use Sponsor number: SPON048845 or donate at any blood center and shoot me an e-mail to let me know. If you can't donate, then go with someone to donate and let me know!
If you would like to help me raise the $490 for my Relay For Life team, you can easily donate as little as $5 online at: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/donnakarl
Now here is where the fun begins!
Leave me a message stating whether you think ol' Phil will see his shadow or not! I will put all the names in a drawing and draw a name on Feb. 2, 2010. The prize you might ask?
Well, it is just 5 skeins of your choice of Sampler threads AND a 13 by 18 cut of your choice of Expressions fabric (your choice of linen or evenweave, count and color).
And here is the twist:

If you donate blood or take someone to donate or you donate to our Relay For Life team, I will enter your name twice. We are on the honor system about the blood donation. Just leave it in your post or leave me a message at dwooleybooger@yahoo.com and let me know.
Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me... You know how I feel about birthdays! They are National Holidays

November

Well, November kicked off with a bang. I have felt really bad for several days. No fever, coughing or runny nose, but plenty of general achiness, sore throat and ear ache.
Feels like the flu, but with no fever or coughing.
But right now, I feel better. Just a sore throat and a slight headache.
I started a new SFAC project. It is always so exciting to start a new project to raise money for cancer patients.
And now I need to start a ornament for an exchange party I have here. But what to do, what to do?!
I guess I will dig through my patterns and fabric and decide. And probably look online and find a new pattern and then rush to get it done. This year I just can't seem to get into the whole "holiday" thing. Usually by now I am planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But Thanksgiving is less than a month a way and I don't have a clue what we are doing.
And Christmas? I haven't bought a single present and have no idea what my grandsons even want. All I know is that they will be here the day after Christmas and will stay with us for a week by themselves. I know they want to go bowling and the oldest wants to make a snowflake craft of some sort.
How are you all doing on your holiday plans? Anyone else in this same sort of standstill that I am in?

Happy Halloweenie!

Just wanted to wish all of you a Happy Halloweenie!
Whether you are trick or treating with little ones or going to an adult party please have a simply marvie time but also be safe out there!
And don't forget for those of us in the States, we get an extra hour of sleep on Sunday due to the clocks rolling back for a hour.
So party til the cows come home. You have an extra hour to catch up on those zzz's!
BOO!
PS: Check out my SFAC blog for a new project! Click on the link on my right sidebar!

The Boys Are Back In Town

Have you seen this pattern?

It is by Just Another Button Company and is free with the purchase of the button pack. It can be found at several ONS or at your local shop. Just too cute!
Next Friday is Relay and is the debut of the tree. If you don't know what I am talking about you must be living in outer space because it has consumed me for the past year. Check out my SFAC blog link located on the right side of my blog for my final countdown.
I have committed to another Relay For Life at the end of April. I am going to do a quilt and will be offering up squares on my SFAC blog for anyone who wants to stitch one of nine squares. Check it out in November for details.
As for me, I am holding on. My MIL is doing better, but still has not been able to get any real financial help. SSI is still pending and food stamps said since she worked some last month she is not eligible for emergency food stamps. Crazy. She didn't earn enough before she got sick to hardly make a living and they want to deny her now?
My DD and grandsons are coming next weekend to help me with Relay. I can't wait to see them. I told the oldest I was going to give him lots of wet kisses. He hesitated and I said "how about a big hug instead?" That seemed acceptable to him. He is 7 and the other one is 5. Soon they won't want hugs or kisses at all. They grow up so, so fast!
Hope this fall is finding you all well. Thank you for following my little blog!

Oh Christmas tree...

It is hotter than Hades here in Texas. Today it was a mere 101 degrees, with a heat index (whatever that is) of 106 degrees. Too hot to go out, too hot to do anything but complain about the heat.
But here I am in my air conditioned house (thanks again Mom & Brenda for fixing it). And I am in my favorite Christmas t-shirt. Yes t-shirt. Here in Texas you can wear a short sleeve t-shirt with penguins and snow flakes and Christmas wreaths on it at Christmas time because we only have one day of winter and that is on January 26th or February 2nd depending on when I have scheduled a pedicure that I have to wear sandals to.
You may also ask why I would be wearing a Christmas shirt in July. Two reasons. One is that the thought of cooler weather makes me think of Christmas and the second is that this is Saturday, the day before laundry day and this is what I have to wear around the house. Really, it is just a comfortable shirt that I enjoy wearing around my house.
But back to Christmas. It dawned on me that this is August. A week into August, nearly half the month has passed. Soon it will be September, then October, then November and THEN! December! And Christmas will be here.
Now actually my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. It is the start of the "holiday" season and before I get tired of Jingle Bells and a thousand decorated trees. It is a time to reflect on family and giving thanks for what God has given us. Cooler weather is here and there is a Christian group that has a children's festival every year the weekend of Thanksgiving that I love to go to.
So for all of you that are going through the dog days of summer here is a thought:
THERE ARE ONLY 10 MORE PAYDAYS (if you get paid every 2 weeks like me)UNTIL CHRISTMAS!
Have a good weekend. As for me, where is that fan???

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July to all! And to all those who are keeping us safe this 4th of July and all their families, THANK YOU!
Please stay safe this holiday. I had a minor accident yesterday while with friends. We were hit from behind and all of us were jarred up quite a bit.
It was due to simply not paying attention. The young woman had a dog with her, talking with her friend that was with her and had her leg propped up on the side of the door.
Throughout the day yesterday and today I have observed many people swerving in their lanes, one even going up on the curb. It was most likely not due to drunk driving, but rather texting and talking on the cell phone and not paying attention.
And because of silly behavior like this and because we know there will be fools out drinking and driving and because of the sheer volume of traffic on the road this holiday weekend, there will more accidents on the road, some quite severe.
During this season, there is a greater need for blood. And because people are out of their routines and because school is out, there is less blood available.
So, if you can donate blood, please do so now. Donate and donate often. You can make a REAL DIFFERENCE!

6 more weeks of winter, but we do have a winner!

Unfortunatly Phil saw his shadow and we will have another 6 more weeks of winter.
But it is still my birthday (the national holiday) and so we will celebrate. We drew a name in the birthday giveaway and the winner is Andrea from Deep Fried Cupcake.
She has won her choice of 10 GAST colors. If she will contact me at dwooleybooger@yahoo.com and let me know her color choices and mailing address, I will get them right out to her!
By the way, I purchase all my GAST threads along with some fabrics from a wonderful seller on E-Bay. Her name is Cindy and her site is http://www.bubbacandance.com I have always been very happy with everything I have purchased from her. She allows me to purchase items and then have them sent to other addresses, like how I am sending Andrea's winning threads. Check her out if you get a chance!
Congratulations!

The next national holiday is almost here!

On Feb. 2 the nation will celebrate a holiday. Yes, it is Groundhog's Day but that is not it.
It is my birthday! And just ask my husband, my daughter or any of my closest friends, I do truly believe it is a national holiday. I love birthdays. Everyone's birthday! But esp. my birthday. (My daughter feels the same about hers. Her husband thinks it is genetic).
And I don't celebrate my birthday, quietly, alone. NOPE! I invite friends, family and everyone to celebrate with me. I am a recruiter in a not for profit blood bank. Year before last I called all my donors. I told them that on my birthday, since I was turning 46, I wanted 46 blood donors to save 46 lives (actually more than that since 1 unit of blood can potentially help save 3 lives). And they turned out. We had 37 donors that day. Not too bad considering I dreamed up the idea 2 days before.
Last year, I held a party at a spa. Invited 5 friends and family to come join me for pedicures and manicures, on my dime. Then we let the "boys" (husbands, sons, grandsons) join us for lunch at my fav Italian place, Luiggi's. The picture is of my daughter and I at the spa on my birthday. Notice my "crown".
My husband treats me like royalty on my birthday. And I love it!
Ok, now on to this birthday. This year I want to celebrate it WITH YOU!
So here is the deal: Since I must share my birthday with Groundhog's Day, then we will have fun with it. Leave me a msg. on this post and tell me whether you think the groundhog will see his shadow and run back into his hole, projecting another 6 weeks of winter or will he not see his shadow and stay and play, projecting spring is around the corner.
I will randomly draw a name on my birthday, Feb. 2 at 10:00 am CST from all who participate. The winner will receive 10 skeins of Sampler Threads, their choice of colors.