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!

A break from ABC's

I am not really taking a break from ABC's. Rather I am adding a new post not related to it.
Every year, the past 3 years, for my youngest grandson's birthday, we have gone to Grapevine Mills Mall Rainforest Cafe to celebrate. The kids and their mom come here to Waco and then we go up to Grapevine for his birthday.
We always take a picture in front of the Rainforest Cafe sign with James (my DH), the boys and myself. It is my main picture at the top of my blog. I have been amazed at how much it shows the boys' growth over the years.
Last year my youngest (and my tallest) grandson was just under my shoulder, a little higher than breast height on me. This year he comes up to my chin. Same photo each year, but just a little different. Soon he will be taller than me. He is 7 this year. The oldest will turn 9.
They are growing up so fast, esp. when I only see them about 3-4 times a year.
We had such a wonderful time. This year my son in law was able to join us for the first time. We rented a mini van and all rode together. We were all very tired at the end of the day, but it was a lot of fun.
Here are some photos:
James & I

Jen & Chris (acting like they were in love. LOL)

Jen & me (Wearing matching shirts. We got these for Valentine's Day, but have never seen them on each other in person)

Jen, Chris and the boys (acting silly)

And finally, the birthday boy blowing out his candle:

I am sure I will be back to stitching at the end of this weekend and will have more ABC's and insight to go along with it. But for now, I think I will play with some little boys while they are still little.
Hope you have sunshine and daffodils!

Let the celebration begin!

Well it is officially my birthday weekend. You know I believe it is a national holiday. I also believe in celebrating for at least a week, if not more.
My husband started it all off with a beautiful brooch that I had looked at but didn't purchase for myself.

I love brooches and this one just screamed my name. He also bought a pair of earrings I will show later when I show off my new birthday shirt!
Then today I had my hair done. I had found a picture of me about 6 years ago when I had light red hair with highlights. I wanted to go back to that color.
My hairdresser went a little bolder and put quite a bit of strawberry blond highlights, so much so that my hair almost looks blond. It is so pretty! I also bought some new eye make-up and lipstick (you know you only turn 50 once!)
Here is the new me:

After we finished that, my sister's family, Mom, James and I went to a Japanese steakhouse where we watched them play with fire. It was so much fun! Here are some pics of the celebration:





All in all it was a fun day!
I will end this post with a picture of our new addition Honey:

Tuesday a friend of mine and I are having a spa party (facial, pedicure, manicure, the works!). And then on my actual birthday I have a new shirt and sandals to show off the new pedicure (even though it is supposed to be below freezing on that day).
So more celebrating is definitely on the way!

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!

What's wrong with this picture? (and also the winner(S) announced!)

My grandsons, daughter and son in law came to visit this past weekend. Here are some pictures:



These pictures were taken at a local amusement park we have here. I took my daughter there many times from just less than age 1 until she refused to go anymore. In fact, they have some little boats that go around in a circle. When she was a baby I put her in the boat in the back and there were two side by side steering wheels. She had never stood up before so I felt safe. Imagine my surprise, when the boats were going around, she grabbed both steering wheels and pulled herself up for the first time. Scared me to death!
It was fun seeing my GRANDSON enjoy this park now. It is different when you are a grandparent.
They have a train that goes completely around the 1 block park. My grandson and daughter really enjoyed themselves on it.
What is wrong with the picture you might ask?
Well I actually have TWO grandsons. At least I think I do. I barely saw the 8 year old this weekend. When he was in the house he was in my spare room watching TV or on my husband's PS3. But he mostly wasn't in the house. My son in law and husband took him to a video gaming place called Lansharx here. He loves going there with "the guys".
What happened to my little baby? The one that I held and rocked and who later sat on the arm of my chair and told me everything about his life? Eight must be the magic age when they turn away from "little" boy stuff and go on to "big" boy stuff. Granted, when he was here he did tell me a number of times he loved being at my house and he loved me! So that is good.
Right before he left, I made him stand still to take a picture so I could prove he was really here.

While my daughter was here, we decided to make it a "girly" weekend along with the visit from the boys. Friday we got our hair cut and then that night we colored each other's hair. My daughter went a strawberry blond color and it is very pretty. I did my usually reddish brown color but this time I tried something daring! I put a frosting cap on and highlighted my hair. It turned out great. Not very light highlights, just real subtle caramel colors. Next time I will leave the bleach on for a little while longer.
Then on Saturday we went to a nail spa and got "the works". We both got pedicures with a mask, hot wax and hot stones. Then I got a manicure and she got solar nails. Very, very nice.
We then went shopping and I found a couple of blouses that I liked (you know I have lost 39 pounds now! So new blouses were in order!) and I bought a new pair of sandals. She found some sandals and a lot of jewelry!
We had lunch with friends. One of my former co-workers was in town and so we had lunch with her and also my manager from work. We went to Panera Bread and had a blast. Here are a couple of pics:


After we went to the park that evening we topped the day off with facials. So now I feel very pampered!
And now for the moment you all have been waiting for! My grandson chose a name at random and the winner for the LK Scissor kit is: DEBRA! I will send you an e-mail to get your mailing address.
BUT WAIT! I decided it was so hot we needed some sunglasses to keep the sun out of our eyes. And to keep us focused on cooler weather, we need Mrs. Bones to remind us Halloween is on it's way. So we did another drawing for these Mill Hill kits:


The winner for these two kits is: CAROLYN!
And, I decided I would give away the pattern for Time For God (it is gently used) and that goes to JANET of Cross Stitch Bibs!
I will shoot an e-mail to all the winners asking for mailing addresses! Congratulations to all the winners!

A change

Well, since it is hotter than Hades here in Texas now, I decided my spring background for my blog was a little outdated.
So I searched and I thought this one screamed my name. I wish I had the money to redecorate my house the way I redecorate my blogs. Oh well...
Hotlips had her last bloom yesterday and I meant to get a picture of it, but messed around until it was too late. Now last year she surprised me and popped out more blooms after her initial stalks. We shall see what her highness decides to do this year.
I have been very bored at home. Not bored enough to stitch or clean (LOL) but bored none the less. Since it was raining so much the past few weeks and now has been so hot, I can't sit on my patio and enjoy my back yard. And for the most part, my zucchini have bit the dust and the tomatoes, well let's just say I am highly disappointed. I still have blooms but no tomatoes. And don't even get me talking about the peppers. But we do still have cucumbers.
I think part of the reason I am so bored is that I am still trying to find my way through this "less stress" lifestyle. When I had 3 Relays going at once it was almost like a high feeling. And now, I have to watch how much I do outside of work. My job is extremely stressful. Fun, but stressful. And the roller coaster of high blood pressure, normal blood pressure, high blood pressure, normal blood pressure is driving me crazy.
My dear, sweet husband got me a new chair just after I got out of the hospital. This is the absolute best chair. It is wide enough for me, low enough to the ground that my rear end can sit all the way back in the chair and my feet still be on the ground, it reclines, it rocks, it reclines and rocks, it goes all the way back, almost like laying down and the fabric is fake leather so it doesn't get hot or stick to me.
I have sat in the chair, slept in the chair, rocked in the chair but not stitched in the chair. I did get my stitching out and found that the chair is absolutely fabulous to stitch in, but alas I still did no real stitching.
So what is up with me? I should be enjoying this freedom of all this extra time, but no. I. Am. Not.
My daughter and grand kids are coming on the 30th of this month so I can tell you I will be busy then. And most likely, no most definitely, not bored!
So how is your summer going? Lots of stitching, cold drinks and air conditioning? Or are you too busy with kids and family to stitch?
Definitely check back here to see if I get out of my slump and see new pics of the family. I am sure there will be some!

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 Mothers Day to all!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there!
Today we celebrated Mother's Day by James and I taking my mother and his mother out to lunch. It was quite an expedition. We started out going to Golden Corral at 11:00 and when the cars wrapped around the block we knew we weren't going there. Then we went to Cheddars, same song, different verse and ended up at Applebee's.
We had great food, wonderful drinks (I had 2 pomegranate martinis with the last one being simply colored vodka, but really good!) and lots of fun.
I know my mom didn't stop laughing (and she only had rootbeer!) the entire time she was there.
Here are the pictures from the day:
James and his mom, Judy

My Mom, Jan and me

James and I

And finally all of us

I hope all of you have a wonderful rest of your weekend and a glorious week!

A new ring!

Well, the bad news is, I never found my wedding ring. Makes me sick, but we can't find it.
Good news is, my husband bought me a new wedding ring. We found the perfect one from James Avery. It is a silver heart shaped love knot.
This is significant to me for one, the love knot means our love will always be. And James has always told me "you are my heart". That is why the heart shape is important.
Here is a picture of it. Please ignore my un-manicured hands!

I love my sweet, forgiving husband James with whom I have been married to for 5 years on May 28th!

The Garden

Have I told you all how wonderful my husband James is? Well, let me tell you again.
Today he worked six hours in the sun putting in a small garden for me. He had to rototill the rows, hoe up the grass, bricks, rocks, etc, put in some top soil, plant the plants and then he watered everything down. And in the famous words of my mother (if you knew her you would understand) "I Supervised!".
I am sunburned as red as a tomato. But it was so wonderful to see it taking place.
The pics I am about to show you doesn't do it justice. We have a little scrap of a back yard, but he made the most of it. We have red, yellow and hot banana peppers:

Broccoli, zucchini, cucumbers, grape tomatoes and regular tomatoes and for Craig, carrots:


My daughter gave me a topsy-turvy for Christmas and we planted a grape tomato plant in it:

We moved my Mother's peach colored roses to the other side of the yard with the other rose bushes. And with the wagon of petunias & snapdragons it is quite colorful!

I also have strawberries, mint, lemon thyme, more petunias and of course, hot lips (which isn't blooming yet):

I know everything looks pretty rough right now, but soon I will have a garden full of colorful, fresh vegetables! I can't wait!
James, I love you so much and thank you so much for doing all this for me!

A cube finish, an early Mother's Day Gift and of course a drawing!

I decided to finish off "Chicks Rule" as a cube. This is my first attempt at a cube finish and I am somewhat happy with it. I need to get some round wooden beads to attach to the bottom to make it stand straight. But I do like it. Here is a pic:

This week I also received a gift in the mail from my daughter. I love brooches (to say the least). And I love brooches that are eclectic.
I do not wear any other types of jewelry except my wedding ring unless it is a special occasion and then I might wear a pair of earrings.
But I have wanted a Mother's brooch with the birthstone colors for my daughter and grandchildren. We have searched everywhere and the only ones we could find were very expensive.
My daughter checked on Etsy and there was a woman making Mother's necklaces out of silver wire and colored beads the color of the birthstones. Jen (my DD) contacted the seller and asked if she could make a brooch. The answer was yes and so she ordered one. Since my DD and first grandson are both July birthdays, I have two red beads and then a teal/aqua color one for my second grandson born in March.
I have to tell you I love this pin. It is first of all handmade which I really appreciate and second, you won't find this pin on anyone else. It is just mine.
The picture was difficult to take, but here it is:

I just love it!
Now for the moment you all have been waiting for! The winner of the Lizzie Kate limited edition Spring Fab Fob with scissors!
The winner is...... MEARI! You can thank my oldest grandson for picking your name!
If you will e-mail me your mailing addy I will get it in the mail to you next week!
Congratulations!

Finish on Chicks Rule and my daughter is stitching!

While my daughter was visiting, she picked up an embroidery kit from Sublime Stitching. It is an old fashioned, iron on pattern company with a new look to it. Really cute patterns, updated to the looks of today, that you can make tea towels, pillowcases, etc.
She got the kit on Thursday and was really excited to get started. She stitched and stitched and finished her first tea towel. I am one proud Mama. She can crochet and knit, both of which I cannot do. But to take up stitching, whew! Just thrills me. Here is picture of her first piece:

And she inspired me to finish a new project. My intention this week was to do 2 verses on my Time for God. I did finish one of the two as I previously talked about in a post.
But getting the new purple fabric and the new Lizzie Kate "Chicks Rule" made me itch to stitch it. And stitch I did! I finished it tonight. And it is so cute. I just love it! Here is a picture of it:

I don't know what I am going to do with it. I might do a folded stand up like she has on the photo or I might do as a hanging flat fold. Have to find some cute fabric for it!
Don't forget to read my post before this for your chance to win a Lizzie Kate of your own!

An award, some stitching and more pictures!

I received this award from Meari from "Meari's Musings". I have so enjoyed reading her blog and have learned many neat tricks from her. Thank you Meari for passing the award to me. :) It makes me feel good to know people enjoy my blog.

The rules are simple:
1) Accept the award.
2) Thank the person who gave you the award
3) Add a link to the person who gave you the award.
4) Put the award on your blog.
5) Write 10 things about yourself others might not know about you.
6) Pass the award on to 10 others.

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Me
(And Probably Don't Want To Know)

1. I am not naturally a red head. Really don't know what I am naturally except gray now.
2. Until I was 30, I never held a job longer than a year.
3. If I had my way, I would ride a motorcycle. (Of course, I would have to majorly lose weight)
4. I loved the color purple until I was 42 and now my favorite color is green.
5. I am afraid of snakes. REALLY AFRAID. Like I won't go into the snake house at the zoo afraid.
6. Sea World in San Antonio is my favorite place to go on vacation. I could just stay there all year round.
7. I have seen Six Flags over Texas in Arlington at all different times of the year. In fact, there is a snow cone stand that changes to a hot cocoa stand depending on the time of year.
8. I waited until I was 44 to get married for the first time. And then I married a guy 14 years younger than me!
9. I only care to stitch small projects. My days of doing huge WIP's are done.
10. I hate stitching with white thread. I don't care if it is GAST, WDW or DMC. I hate white thread.

Here are the winners

1. Carolyn at Just One More Stitch...

2. Rene at Rene la Frog's Ramblings
3. Kathy at Kathy's Stitching Comments
4. Marilee at Yarnplayer's Tatting
5. Cindy at Lonestar Stitcher and her Ramblings
6. Penny at Mind Wanderings
7. Janet at Crossed Stitch Bibs
8. Marian at Gumbo and Grits
9. Dani at Blackbelt Stitching Wizard
10. Mary at Frazzled Needle

On the stitching side, I have finished another verse in my "Time for God" piece by Lizzie Kate. I stayed up until 1:30am finishing this verse. First time in a long time I stayed up that late stitching!
The next one is "Quiet Times, Worship God". I am telling you, stitching this piece really makes you reflect on your relationship with God. I hope to have the next verse done before I return to work on Monday. Here is a pic of the completed work so far!

As many of you know, my daughter and grandsons are visiting. Today I went bowling with them and out to eat. My sweet Mother came along to "supervise" us as she put it. Here are a couple of pics of our outing!


I am having a blast on vacation. I hope to have more pictures tomorrow as we are going to the ZOO!

Lunch with the family

Today my oldest niece came into town. She is out of town finishing her degree. My sis, 2 nieces, Mom & I had lunch out. It was a good time for all and a good time for photos. Mom looked beautiful as always.



I can't believe how fast these girls are growing. The oldest will be 21 in December and the youngest will be 14 in August. Unreal.
For all of you who wished good thoughts to my MIL, I am happy to report she is doing better. She is at home with some help. We are still working on financial stuff for her, but at least she is home. Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts.