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!

Time For God (oh and a giveaway also!)

I am pleased to announce I am now through with my pity party. And I am stitching again.
Many of you will remember I had been stitching on Time for God by LK. I only lacked a little on it, but I lost my stitching mojo and hadn't worked on it for awhile. Well, I worked on it today and I am almost through. All I need to finish it is the little border at the bottom.
Here is a pic of it:

This has been a very spiritual piece for me. It seemed like during each verse I was stitching, something in my life was occurring that related to that. Such as when I lost my little dog, Alex I was working on the verse "Hard times, Trust God".
And while I was stitching on it, I kept thinking this piece was meant for someone special, but I didn't know who. I debated on friends, on the minister that had married James and I, and on my daughter. And while I know all would appreciate it, I just kept thinking it was meant for someone else.
Last week God spoke to me. There was a family in our area that had a house explosion. They lost their 18 month old son and the father was seriously burned rescuing his sons. Their 3 year old son was also burned in the fire. And the house, well, it was bad. Really bad.
This family lives in Gatesville, the little town that I worked on one of my Relays with. A little town I have fallen in love with.
And while I don't know this family, I have come to know about their lives because we have done a number of blood drives for. Here is a video clip of one of the stories about them.
Gatesville Family
I now know this piece is meant for them. I plan on finishing it and then giving it to the family in the next few weeks. I know it will mean as much to them as it has to me while I have worked on it.
And also last week, I couldn't help but read on many of your blogs that this heat is taking it's toll on you. So I thought it was time for me to do another giveaway.
Since generally Christmastime means cold weather, I decided it would be a Christmas related giveaway.
I am giving this Christmas tree shaped scissor holder to one of you who leave a message on this post. I will draw a name from all the entries on July 31st. Christmas in July! Here is a picture of the kit. By the way, it is a limited edition Lizzie Kate kit that has the bells and stuff with it. All you have to do is provide a couple of strands of DMC. And it could easily be made into an ornament.

So just leave a message with a way for me to contact you (your blog name or email addy) and maybe you will win a little cool in the summer!
PS. Thanks to all of you for your support during my pity party! It is good to see I have friends in the good times and the bad!

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!

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

And the winner is...

Thank you to all who left a message on my blog and on my Yahoo groups!
My niece drew a name and RANAE is the winner of a 13x18 piece of Expressions fabric from Silkweaver's.
Ranae, I have sent you a private e-mail from my dwooleybooger address. Please e-mail me with your choice of count, fabric and color and I will in turn send your fabric to you!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!

We have a winner!

My grandson Trent thought and thought and picked number 44 for my drawing. Debbie Jo was the 44th person to respond to my offer for 5 Carrie's Threads!
So, Debbie Jo, if you will e-mail me at dwooleybooger@yahoo.com in the next 7 days and give me your mailing addy I will send you 5 of these luscious threads!. If I don't hear from Debbie Jo in the next 7 days, I will pick another winner.
Thanks for all of your comments. I had more participation in this drawing than any others I have had.

I won! I won!

I won one of the 900+ drawings for One World, One Heart. You can see it at
http://moonsilk-stitches.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-world-one-heart-giveaway.html
Marjorie, the blogger, does such beautiful work and it is a stitched butterfly pin and a stumpwork kit. WOW!
Can you believe it?
Thanks so much Marjorie!

New contest-we have a winner!

Well, my friend Angie has had her twins, Jacob and Isabella. She had them on Monday, December 15th at 12:50pm and 12:51pm.
Kaghos guessed she would have them on Tuesday, December 16th at 2:15pm. She guessed the closest and so she is the winner!
What in the world did she win? This really neat stitching kit. It folds into a wallet shape and has a pocket you can keep money in on the outside when it is folded. Once opened, there are two clear plastic holders that will hold credit cards or hotel room keys. The center has a cushion for your needles and there is a little pocket to hold scissors. All this will fit over the arm of your stitching chair to keep everything right where you need it.
It is cool to take with you when you travel, esp. if you do any stitching retreats since you can carry everything you need, room key, money, etc. with you in the little pocket.
Congratulations to Angie and family and congratulations to Kaghos!

New Contest

Ok, my friend Angie from my Yahoo group, Cross Stitch Addiction is pregnant with twins. Her doctor has said she could have the babies at any time, but they hope to wait until the 36th week which would be Jan. 7th.
Here is the contest: Guess when the babies will be born with a day and time. The person closest to the correct date and time will win a stitchy prize. Leave a post with a guess on this post.
Now, while this is all done in fun, we all pray that Angie will have the babies in God's time and that all will be well with Mom and babies. We can't wait to see the little bundles of joy!