Thanks...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers.  Although it's sad, I am glad he is not in pain anymore.  His health had been in decline for a long time.  It's funny, the last few times we had talked he told me he was really looking forward to seeing Mom again...maybe that is why she appeared to me...to let me know he made it! Yesterday I had a few hours to sew and made good progress on the Missoni cardigan...down to some finish work and it will be done.  Probably unveil it tomorrow or Thursday, since I am working a double shift today.  Speaking of Thursday...Project Runway begins again this week.  I have not previewed the designers, but I understand there are a couple local designers in the running...better do my homework before Thursday night.  Next up in the studio are some scrub tops for Sara, and then I will send the patterns and some fabric to her because she got her machine yesterday!  I need to go to work now, but wanted to say thanks for all your support...our sewing/blogging community rocks!

Vivid Dreams

Yesterday was a real rollercoaster ride. My oldest brother went off dialysis last week and we knew his passing was imminent.  I received a call at work from his girlfriend early yesterday morning that he was gone.  On top of working a double shift, I had to contact my other siblings to let them know. I won't go into all our family stuff, because everyone has one and we all have our issues. Anyway, I was exhausted when I got home last night around 10:30 and fell asleep rather easily after a cup of hot chocolate.  My darling husband took Jo out before he went to work this morning so I could sleep and although I didn't think I would drift back to sleep, I did.  I had very vivid dreams and I had a startling vision of my Mom...so startling I thought it was real, but even though I called out to her, she didn't answer.  That's what woke me up and I still have this strange feeling. Maybe I will be visited again tonight! 

I hope to get a little sewing in this morning before I head to work...call it therapeutic, call it...I'm tired of my cardigan being worn by Valentine and not me...maybe I can bust it out in time to wear to work.   Maybe...if I get off the computer...have a pleasant Sunday everyone!!!

Special Projects

I spent a glorious afternoon in the studio today working on special projects...I'm not at liberty to disclose what I'm working on, but believe me when I tell you it's something great! I did some housework this morning and backed into the bannister while I was vacuuming...OUCH!  I think I hit right on my sciatic nerve because my foot is cold and numb!!! (Don't worry, I did an assessment and I do have circulation getting down there...no need for a trip to the doctor yet!!!)  Then I stumbled UP the stairs (how does that happen???)  So I decided that sewing was the way to go! I pulled some apples out of the freezer this morning for an apple crisp and spotted a "Chicken Soup Kit" I had put away this summer...mmm Chicken and Dumplings for dinner tonight warmed the tummy.  We are now watching the BCS championship and I am going to curl up on the futon and finish my Ann Rule book...Warm apple crisp ala mode on the way...

Happy Girl!

Needle finally met thread today! Hallelujah!  I only had about an hour, but I made good use of my time working on the Missoni knit cardigan I cut out in early December.  I finished fusing all the interfacing and serged all the seam edges that won't be encased.  Sewed the shoulder seams and sleeve bands!  It felt good to sew and my supervisor, The Chief approved!  She cracks me up!  Flying on to the back of my chair, she rubs up against my neck and lets out a little meow...right before she bites my shirt (or hand if I am reaching up to rub her)  If I am not in the chair, it's even more entertaining as she hits the back of the chair and it spins around a time or two!  Where would we be without our furbabies?

Back to Life...Back to Reality...

The holidays are now officially over and last night was my first night back at work.  Thank goodness for breaks, because it makes you appreciate what you have.  It actually felt good to be back to work.  I was in such a good mood, I think my boss may have thought I had lost my mind over the Christmas holiday! I got the new class all settled in and today is Dog Day! Dog day is always a good day at Guide Dogs for the Blind!  As far as creating goes, I wore my new crochet vest yesterday and am working on the sweater capelet project.  The pattern is a basket weave that is pretty simple.  Since I am using Boucle yarn, the basket weave does not show up very well, but it does have a wonderful textured look.  I am excited to finish this project. I've decided to commit to one crochet project completed per month (The vest counts as January)  That means only 12 projects per year...that should be totally doable.  Besides, there are a lot of babies coming this year...baby projects are quick!!!  Still haven't sewed a stitch, but maybe this morning before I head to work if it doesn't take too long at the post office.  Somebody is waiting for a sewing machine! :) Happy Monday Y'all!

Oh Adam, You know I Luv Ya!!!

My hunny and I had a whole day together and went out to run some errands.  Tom had researched the best price on laminate flooring, so we took a drive to Hillsboro and bought new flooring for the living/dining room and kitchen.  We stopped at Aloha Vac and Sew to look at machines as I have been shopping for a new machine for Sara.  I was totally honest that I probably would be buying online, so of course the salesperson didn't want to spend any more time than necessary on me.  Tom schooled me on how being honest wouldn't get me the information I was seeking.  She did admit to me that the Brother ULT2003D was a lemon of a machine (No news to me!!!), which validated my sentiments!  Tom suggested we go to Montavilla Sewing to see what they had and since we were in Hillsboro I suggested we go to the Beaverton store because it was only 3-4 miles away from where we were.  Everytime I have seen my beloved repair man Adam, it's been at the Portland store, so imagine my surprise when we walked in and Adam was there!  I knew we would be walking out with a machine!  I explained what Sara needed and he pointed us in the direction of a good solid machine that sewed through 9 layers of denim like butter...LIKE BUTTER!   There's nothing like having a great sewing guy!!!

Happy New Year 2010!!!

We welcomed the new year in the most delightful way...almost asleep! I did hear some early gunshots.  We live in kind of a redneck  rural area, so that was not cause for alarm.  Kodi didn't even bark!  I took dinner to the boys at the fire house and we had an enjoyable evening.  Even got to eat dinner without a call!  Watched a football game...the Chik-Fil-A bowl.  When did we get so many stupid bowl games?  Back when I was young (oh, here she goes again!) , there were only a few bowl games, like the Rose bowl, the Orange bowl and the Sugar bowl. Remember when going to a bowl game was a prize?  Now there are so many I think all the teams get to go to something! We watched Travis Pastrana jump his car 274 feet off a pier...that was pretty cool. I came home and finished my crocheted vest.  All that's left to do is block it and add buttons.  need to go dig through the button bins to find something suitable, or a trip to JoAnns might be in order! (Like I need an excuse!) I am excited to start my new sweater with the Boucle I picked up a few days ago.  I also have some scrubs cut out for my girl that need stitching today.  My thought was this week would be a blissful week of sewing.  It's Friday and I haven't even sat down at my machine yet!  Sometimes life gets in the way of our best laid plans! Maybe today will be the golden day!  I hope you are all enjoying New Year's Day and I will leave you with 2 words:  GO DUCKS!!!