I finally finished the first corner of part four! As I've said before, it's not that's it's hard or I don't like it. Sometimes I get sick of all the specialty stitches. Sometimes I get sick of the silks, too. They all seem to tangle more often. I can't finish it for a while yet anyway, cause I don't have the beads. I'll get them when the chart pack comes out and European Cross Stitch has them again. So I'm taking my time on this one.
I started Pirate yesterday after all the errands were done. We had alot to do yesterday, so I didn't get to sit down and stitch until six. I did get about 300 stitches in, though. Lots of pretty reds to come, though. I'm going to my mom's later if she didn't have a bad night at work, but other than that I'll be home all day. That'll give me plenty of time to work on it.
This was my piece I stitched for the Dragon Dreams Exchange. It's Joy from the Dragon Virtues afghan. I used the recommended Hearthside fabric, and I never will again. I didn't like stitching on it at all. My mom finished it into a beautiful pillow for me, but I forgot to take a picture before I mailed it. I'm not a good sewer, and it doesn't help that Darin broke my sewing machine. My mom, however, is wonderful.
Here's a picture of one of the models I stitched in the spring. The second one isn't ready yet, but should be soon. Again forgot to take a picture of the whole thing before I put it in the mail, so I borrowed the picture from Kat Rocha. It's called Balloonist's Prayer. It was alot of fun to do.
There's a new (to me)SBQ to answer. When you start a new work do you look for something small, do you look for another huge project or do you consider your UFOs? When I start a new project, I just start whatever's calling loudest. There's not that much planning that goes into it.
We had a busy day yesterday. Jymi texted me at six in the morning to tell me they had the exact dates for their leave. So I got up and checked hotel prices. I decided to go for a cheaper hotel, since we weren't gonna be there that much. The cheapest nice hotel was still $100 a night, which we just can't afford. Jymi had gotten paid early, so I sat down to pay the bills next. That's when I found out the power company had lost my last payment. They told me I had to get a statement from the bank showing the money had come out of my account. I had decided to take the boys to the first showing of Ratatouille, since we had the money, and the bank was right down the street. At 8:30, we left to go to the bank. After talking to a couple different people, one guy typed up my letter and printed a statement of my account showing where the money came out.
By then there was an hour and half left until the movie started, and I wanted to get there early, since I wasn't sure how crowded it would be. Not to mention trying to hold two hands, two booster seats, and their food. So I planned to get there about 10:30 (the movie started at eleven). I wasn't sure how long we would have to be at the power company but it's a twenty minute drive just to get there. So we went to Target to wait. Darin needed new shoes anyway. We looked around, and got Darin's shoes. Then we went to the movie. My sister had already given us passes, so we didn't have to pay for tickets, just concessions. There were quite a few other families, with kids about the boys' ages. The later shows would be packed, I'm sure. The boys loved the movie and the short at the beginning. I think it was the best Pixar movie in a long time. Since Monsters Inc., I'd say. They've all been cute, but this one was wonderful! It was just on a different level than the others. Tobi has wanted to see this one since we first saw the preview at Cars, over a year ago. I think it was well worth the wait.
After the movie it was back to the real world, where they were threatening to disconnect my power because they'd lost $200 of my money. By then Darin was getting tired, and it was getting to be his nap time. I wanted to go ahead and get the thing sorted though, so we went to the power company. We stood in line, and then were told somewhere else to go. We went there, and waited twenty minutes to be told this was the wrong place to deal with this, too. They had to send all my paperwork upstairs, to someone else, but she was off today. She will call me on Monday, supposedly. Bureaucracy in action. Here's hoping we get all this sorted quickly.
In the evening, Jymi called. We decided that instead of us driving out to see him, it would be easier (and he would rather) fly home. Flying out was not an option for me, because we wouldn't have a car. You have to be eighteen to rent a car, but you have to be 25 to drive it. So I canceled the hotel reservation, and for about the same price, I can get Jymi a round trip plane ticket. He'll be here for Drain's birthday, so we're gonna have a party at Olive Garden probably, with both our families. We also solved ou Transformers issue. Since Tobi and Jymi are both dying to see it, we're gonna wait until Jymi's here, and he'll take Tobi to see it. So now I've just gotta make it through one more month, and I get a few days with my hubby!

Labels: Gift Stitching, Jymi, Kids, Models, Movies, New Starts, Persian Iris Garden, Pirate, Real Life Sucks, SBQ

In my last post, I mentioned I was going to rent a car to go to Virginia. Guess what I learned. You can't rent a car without a major credit card, and if you manage to, you still have to be twenty-five to drive it. I was so ready too scream! I understand why they have to do it that way, but it's still irritating.
So we had to wait until Jymi got off work Thursday night, and we borrowed my mom's car. We left Friday morning, and got to Virginia around lunch time. We couldn't afford to go the Marine Science Center, like I planned, but my dad bought the four of us tickets to the circus (he had to work, so he couldn't go with us).
It really was the greatest show on earth, but not because of the clowns or elephants. The best part was watching the boys. We had great seats (they're normally the floor seats; it's a basketball arena) We were in the second row, and close enough to smell the elephants. We were also close enough Tobi got to shake hands with the star clown, which made his day. Darin had fallen asleep by then. They both loved it, but it started at Darin's normal bedtime. He fought it as long as he could, but he fell asleep during the second half. Everything was wonderful.
There were only two problems; everything was so expensive and PETA. My dad gave us some money to get the boys souvenirs, and they each got a light up thing, and they were $39! I told myself the money was going towards the elephant sanctuary. Now I have no problem with PETA's ideals. I am all for ethical/kind treatment of animals. Handing out information on the treatment of the animals in front of the circus is fine with me; I will read it over. When they start handing out comic books that show elephants being hunted and tortured to my very small kids though, that's a different thing. When they are scaring the hell out of my children, that is no longer a peaceful protest. I'm glad I flipped through it before I let them have it.
We got our car, and left Saturday morning. It was a long trip back, especially since we had to stop by my mom's and my sister's before we could go home. Our new car is a 86 Honda, and it's butt ugly. It's was in our price range though, and now I have a car during the day. Which is great, because I don't have anything to feed the boys for lunch, but I can go get groceries.
I've made some progress on Persian Iris Garden. This is going to be last picture of this one for awhile. I'm getting sick of it. I can make good progress when I can make myself work on it, but I never want to. So I think for the moment, I'll focus on Tobi's stocking during the week.
I keep wanting to start something small as a break from all my bigger projects, but the first thing that comes to my mind in Merlin And Aurthur. How's that for a small project? I have kinda decided to start something small once a month, just to break the monotony. I've also halfway decided that this project will be one of the Stitch Every Holiday series, but I can't pick which one. I could either start with the beginning of the series, the beginning of the year, or do whatever month it is. I guess I'll see which one I have the most threads for already.
Yesterday was the Black Swan SAL, and here is Jymi's stocking. I didn't get much done, but I didn't pick it up until nine. We spent Sunday cleaning, unpacking, and relaxing.
Today, after I get some groceries, I'll work on The Castle. I've got plenty more rocks to stitch.
Before I go, here's last week's SBQ. What is the smallest count fabric you have ever used? Did you stitch over one? Conversely, what is the largest count fabric you have ever used? The smallest I've used is 36 ct., and I have one that has to go on 40 ct. to fit in the frame I want for it, but I prefer 28 or 32 ct. I have stitched over one on 25 and 28 ct. I also stitched on 32 ct., and that time I was supposed to. The first two times, I didn't know I was supposed to stitch over two. The largest I've used is probably 14 ct. aida, unless you count over two on 25 ct., which works out to be 12.5 ct. Isn't math fun?

Labels: Family, Jymi, Jymi's Stocking, Kids, New Starts, Persian Iris Garden, Real Life Sucks, SBQ, The Castle, Tobi's Stocking

We had a pleasant Valentine's Day. On his way home, Jymi called to tell me to get the boys dressed; we were going out to dinner. I got him season one of 24 (now he just needs season four, and his collection's complete). I had gone to Target to get the boys Cinderella III and Bambi for the boys for Valentine's. While in the store, I saw they had season one marked down from $60 to twenty! I also went to the bookstore, since I finished Mirror, Mirror. (It had a surprise ending for a retelling of a fairy tale, but it was still a little anticlimactic.) While I was there, I saw they had James Bond 007 Scene It? on the sale table for $20, marked down from fifty. So now when we play, he'll use his to have James Bond questions, and I'll use mine and have Harry Potter.
Jymi was sick again, and stayed home Thursday. So I went to get tags and insurance for the new (to us) car. I actually didn't have to wait much at either place (it's a sign of the apocalypse), but it still took all day. Everything is set for the car now, though. I just have to go pick it up now. If all goes well, the boys and I will rent a car and go up Wednesday.
Friday, Jymi gave me my Valentine's gift, since he couldn't get me what he originally planned. He was going to get me these earrings, but we didn't have the money. They would go with the dragon ring Jymi bought me on our honeymoon. Instead, while I took the boys to my mom's, he cleaned the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. My mom asked to babysit over night for Jymi and I to go out. She was eager to see the boys, and we weren't going to argue with a night off. Jymi and I went to see Ghost Rider. I enjoyed it, but Jymi didn't. I went in expecting it to be stupid, but Jymi thought it would great. Low expectations make movies so much better. It was predictable, but it was a comic book movie, and they're all pretty similar. Afterward we came home, and the two of us cleaned our room and rearranged the furniture.
When I got home Saturday from picking up the boys, Jymi wanted to move the computer into the bedroom. I agreed, on the condition that we finally get some ink for the printer. So I have finally been able to print parts six through ten of Persian Iris Garden! Now I just need the time to stitch them!
He also fixed the scanner. I did work on part four some this week. Not much, though. I haven't felt like stitching much, but I'm getting more into it.
Yesterday was the Black Swan SAL, and I finished the top of Jymi's stocking! It's only been fourteen months since I started it. Obviously, I haven't worked on it much. I hoping to finish it this year with the SAL every Sunday. I didn't work on The Castle Saturday; too much going on. It is on the Q-Snaps though, so I will work on it today.
I'm also behind on SBQs, as always. So here's one. Have you ever been to a stitching retreat? January of last year, my mom took me on the cruise offered through the cross stitch shop. The three days we were at sea all day, we had class for an hour in the morning. More than anything else, it was an excuse to take a cruise, and we had a blast. I worked on my class project in class, and that was it. I have not touched it since. I doubt I'll ever finish it. In 2001, my mom and I went to the CATS show Atlanta. My sister was also moving out of Atlanta and after the show we helped her move. That was a bittersweet experience. On the way down there, my mom told Teresa Wentzler might be there. She was, and I got her Four Seasons Faeries book, and got it autographed! On the other hand, I was fifteen, and just found out I was pregnant. I was scared to death I'd get morning sickness, and my mom would find out. She didn't though, and we had a great time.
Now for the second. Do you like to buy “chartpacks” that include charms, buttons, and/or beads or do you prefer to gather all materials yourself? I don't really care either way. If it's got the beads/charms/buttons included, great. If not, it's no big deal.

Labels: Books, Holidays, Jymi, Jymi's Stocking, Kids, Movies, Persian Iris Garden, SBQ

Here's what I've done stitching wise lately. I've finished Irish Coffee. My last project that used Whisper, I was told to use a (clean) toothbrush to fluff it up. It didn't do much, though. I recently heard someone say try Velcro, so I decided to try it. The first Velcro I could find was on a pair of Tobi's old shoes, that just happened to be by my stitching chair. Jymi came home right as I started. He took one look at me and said, "If I put a shoe anywhere near your cross stitch, you'd freak." He was right. It's all done now, and I'll take it to be framed in April.
Here's my progress on Persian Iris Garden. Impressive, huh? I only spent one day on it so far. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I hate the Silken Pearl. It's a pain! So of course when I screwed up, what did I have to rip out and restitch? The Silken Pearl.
I'm not getting the kit for St. Petersburg any time soon. It's now official. I did go ahead and pay for the class. I guess I'll get what I need when I get there and can afford it. Jymi had gotten his big thing with the tax money already, and felt bad that I wasn't getting mine. Especially since I always put off getting what I want to pay the bills. He offered to sell his Xbox 360 for me. I appreciated the thought, but it wouldn't have paid for the kit, and we would've had to put it toward the bills, anyway. So in a couple weeks, when I sell Jymi's old car, I get the money to put towards it. Jymi's also gonna try to do lead next month, and give me a little of the extra from that. We'll see, though.
I did work on The Castle yesterday. It was only a hour and half, but I made enough progress to feel good about. I showed it to Jymi, who complained he couldn't see anything in it. The boys like to asked what it is, and I show them the book. Every single time, "WOW! A dragon!" Anyway, now I'm off to stitch the columns on part four!

Labels: Finishes, Persian Iris Garden, The Castle

Nashville is over! I can now show pictures of my last two models! Are you ready? First, I stitched Triangularity, the last companion to Labyrinth and Maze. Progress pictures are up in my Webshots, and start here.

The second one is Snowfight: Purple. This is the one that we thought the mail had lost. Now, Blue and Red remind me of Chris and Tobi (throwing snowballs at each other), and this one reminds me of Alex (playing nicely by herself and getting caught in the crossfire. Now I just need one either ignoring the other three, or sneaking up on them, and I'll have Darin. Now I'm tempted to restitch them each and putting the kids names on them. Progress pictures for this one start here. I guess I've stalled enough, so now for the picture!

I have also finished Irish Coffee and started part four of Persian Iris Garden, but I'm saving that for my next post. I don't want to break Blogger with the pictures.
Jymi's been sick since Wednesday. I haven't been stitching since then, because I've been busy taking care of him. We've also had some finacial problems this week, and I've been a bit depressed. I haven't really wanted to do anything but sleep. Thanks to the money problems, it looks like I'm not going to be able to get the kit for St. Petersburg White Nights. Just another thing to make me depressed.
I didn't work on the Saturday and Sunday SALs, but I've got The Castle on the Q-Snaps. I will work on it today for the Teresa Wentzler SAL. Until tomorrow, when I show the pictures!

Labels: Jymi, Kids, Models, Persian Iris Garden, Real Life Sucks, The Castle

I've been working on lots of stuff. I finally finished part three! I knew a new model was on it's way, and I expected it Thursday, so I stitched all day to finish the last carpet. Then it didn't come that day, so I worked on In Every Nest.
I've just got one chick left! I worked on it until the mail came Friday. As soon as it did though, we had to go visit Jymi's parents. The three kids (Tobi, Jymi, and his sister) all played video games all evening. Darin was very funny. They have three dogs, Skip, a male papillion, Maddie, a female papillion, and Maya, a husky mix. Skip is the oldest, and he doesn't take to small kids the way the others do. He's my buddy, though, and we played fetch until he was too tired, at which point he got in my lap and went to sleep. Darin and Maya are both scared of each other, because Maya's a big dog. She's scared of him, because the first time she saw him, was Halloween, when he was green with an extra head and a tail. She still doesn't know how to handle him. Maddie though, loved Darin, and vice versa. They played fetch and keep away for hours. At one point, Darin laid down and played dead. Maya and Maddie licked his hands and ears until he was giggling.
Saturday was my brother-in-law's birthday, and he had gotten tickets to a basketball game. So I babysat Chris and Alex. Alex got a little mad. We were playing Monopoly, when she decided she was bored. So Chris came over and wanted to take he place, and he won. Chris and I watched The Ant Bully while Alex went in the other room to watch Garfield. I didn't have high expectations, but it was cute. Gross, but cute. Then Alex wanted to read her new library book to me, so I let her. While she read, I got a little stitching done. She did wonderful. She's in fourth grade, reading on an eighth grade level.
Sunday, I was lazy all day. I got up at eleven, and showered. I got groceries and Jymi and I spent the afternoon watching the first season of Ghost Hunters. I did get to stitch after Jymi went to bed. Now I need to get back to the model. I will finish it this week.

Labels: Family, In Every Nest, Models, Movies, Persian Iris Garden

With Jymi, his friend, Matt, Matt's brother, Ben, and a friend of all their's from high school, Chris, all coming over to play video games, I had to go in the bedroom. Our house is tiny, and there is just not room for five adults in one room, especially when two of them are over six feet tall. The lighting in there is horrible, so I couldn't see well enough to stitch on 32 ct. black. So I looked in my project drawer. On top was The Castle, and under that was In Every Nest. So that's what I worked on. I made some nice progress, considering I only worked on it one day.
I'm still working on part three. I decided to stitch the last two carpet at the same time. Just the darker shade of blue to fill them in!
Jymi and his friends are driving me nuts. Ben smokes, and the first night they went out, Jymi came home with cigarettes. We were watching tv, talking, and I asked half joking. I was just making sure, since he lied/didn't tell me last time. He told me he did, and I was so mad I threw his pillows at him and locked him out of the bedroom. That was the first time since we've moved in together that he slept in the living room. I was so mad, it was three in the morning before I calmed down enough to go to sleep. The next day, when he asked me about the lunch plans we had, I told him afterwards I was taking his keyboard to the pawn shop. We had agreed on this before we bought it. The keyboard was bought under the condition that he stopped smoking. I don't know if sleeping alone or the thought of losing the keyboard (probably a combination of both) convinced him, but he gave me the cigarettes. I broke every last one, and threw them in the trash. Jymi apologized, and we have made up.
Today, they're hanging out at Matt's dad's until dinner, so I've got some time to stitch on part three. Tomorrow's The Castle, and Sundays are now a Black Swan SAL (from the Needle And Thread board). I'll probably work on Jymi's stocking. Then Monday is back to the Castle.

Labels: In Every Nest, Jymi, Persian Iris Garden, Real Life Sucks

I just wanted to post a picture of The Catsle. I worked on it yesterday for the Teresa Wentzler SAL. What's amazing is Jymi could look at it and tell what part of the picture I was stitching. I've been working on it staraight out of the book, but I gave up on that last night and went to the library to make working copies. We've got a copier/scanner/printer, but it's out of ink, and at the moment, it's alot cheap to go make four copies at the library than to buy more ink. The librarians were so happy to see me walk in at 8:30 when they close at nine.
I've been working on Persian, too, but not enough to bother posting a picture. I'll continue on it when I get my lazy butt off the computer.
I haven't gotten any of the Irish stuff kitted, started, or anything. I've decided to wait until I finish part three.
Jymi has a friend who lives in Florida, and he's visiting for the week. He's a nice guy, but whenever he visits, I don't see my husband until he leaves again. Tonight they're getting Japanese food and playing video games, while I babysit. Tomorrow we're all going out to McAllister's Deli for dinner. Their plans are to watch movies and play video games. Tobi and Darin's plans? To wach movies and play video games. Are the similarities between five- and three-year-old little boys and twenty-six-year-old men astounding?

Labels: Jymi, Persian Iris Garden, The Castle

I don't have too much to say today. Here's my progress from the Castle SAL yesterday. I didn't feel much like stitching, but after dinner, the boys and I sat down to watch Pete's Dragon. Stitching on The Castle just seemed appropriate. I'll pick it up again on Monday.
Jymi had drill, so it was just the three of us. He called me about four, but the battery on his phone was almost dead, so it wasn't for long. They told him they would probably only have to more drills before they left. I think that was a big part of my mood yesterday. Ever since then, it's felt like I had a lead ball in my stomach, and it's always very cold. Then again, it is winter, so maybe it really is cold. I just can't bear to think about it. I guess I'm still in denial, but I hang out there alot, and they know me there.
I'm still working on part three. The second carpet went alot faster than the first, and hopefully the last two will go as smoothly. This is why rotations just slow me down; it takes me a couple days to get into a groove, where I really enjoy the project. The first carpet took me five days, where the second only took three.
I had to go to the lns to get some needles, and to see if my Halloween thing was framed yet. They told me the beginning of November, then never called. So I hadn't been in. It was ready, and I paid some on both of them. Framing's especially expensive when you can only afford to pay ten dollars a week and you don't get a discount. In the sale bin, I found Irish Coffee. I'd always liked it, but I wasn't sure I'd stitch it, or if Jymi would like it. I don't drink coffee, so it's going to be a sort of gift for him, for the kitchen. I wouldn't pay the regular price for it, but for half off, it was okay. I also got another Hob Nobb Doodle to do (this will make three that I haven't done yet), but this one's for Jymi, to kinda go with the Irish Coffee one. I got A Wee Bit Irish. I've got a quarter yard of Crystal Highland from my fabric of the month club last year, that I haven't made any plans for, so I think I'll do them both on it. I was planning on taking them at the next framing special in April, but I guess it won't matter that much if Jymi's gone. I was considering working on them while he's at work, so he would be suprised. I may still try, but I'm gonna finish part three first. I've gotta get some new fabric scissors first anyway. Cutting the sparklie fabrics dull the scissor blades quickly, so I don't want to use the nice Ginghers my mom gave me (because I could never afford them on my own). I think I'll start the little one tomorrow, when I get up. I can get some cheap scissors tonight after Jymi gets home. I'm gonna go pull the threads now, as my brain seems to have stopped working. That way, as soon as I get up, I can get started.

Labels: Persian Iris Garden, Real Life Sucks, Stash, The Castle

This post will include a recap of my 2006 stitching, 2007 stitching goals, December accomplishments, January goals, and my one night stand (no, not that kind,as a coat check girl at a party).
At the beginning of 2006, I had four projects started: Toys And Games Room Stocking, Avatar, Skeleton Crew, and Dragons By The Fire. I did finish Skeleton Crew. The others are still waiting for me to get around to them. I also started and finished five Mother's Wisdom charts, twenty Christmas ornaments, (four Dragon Dreams, twelve Lizzie Kates, two Cross Eyed Kats, one Raise The Roof, and one Monsterbubbles, for an exchange), five shop models, eleven designer models (released as four charts, one hasn't been released yet), four for gifts or exchanges, and twelve for myself or my family. I also started, but haven't finished, In Every Nest and Persian Iris Garden.
The totals: I started the year with four projects, I started another fifty-eight, and finished fifty-seven, ending the year with five works in progress.
My goals for 2007 are pretty simple. I want to finish (in no particular order) Toys And Games Room, Avatar, Dragons By The Fire, In Every Nest, and Persian Iris Garden. I also want to start and finish Brittercup's Antarctic Penguins: Penguin Family for Darin. If I finish Persian Iris Garden, I will start another Chatelaine. I'm not sure yet whether it will be Taj Mahal or St. Petersburg, but probably the latter. When/if I finish both stockings and the wizard, I want to start Merlin And Aurthur for Jymi. I also want to participate is The Castle SAL, every weekend when possible.
Speaking of The Castle, here's what I got done on the first day! All twenty stitches of it. I only managed to get in a few minutes, obviously. The picture on the right is to better show the fabric. It's 28 ct. Crystal Mercedes Cashel linen from Picture This Plus.
My goals for December were to finish the model. Plus start, finish, and ornamentify the new Dragon Dreams Christmyth ornament, sew Grandmother's butterflies into pillows, pick a project to stick with until it's finished, and kit up The Castle for the stitch along on New Year's.
The model's finished, along with the Wyvern. I had issues with the sewing machine, so the pillows didn't get made. They did get yelled at, though. I'm working on part three of Persian Iris Garden, but I'm switching when I finish this part. I did get The Castle all ready to go.
My goals for this month are to participate in The Castle SAL every Saturday and the Teresa Wentzler SAL every Monday, finish part three, and then pick another project.
I babysat my sister's kids Friday, and afterword, since we both needed to drive up to Charlotte, we decided to ride together. She had to stop by her husband's theater, because they were getting ready for a big fancy New Year's party, and he needed to try on his tux jacket. We all went shopping, first for Leon's tux stuff, then to spend the gift card Jymi gave me for Old Navy. On the way home, Kathy was telling me about the party. They had senators secretaries calling trying to get tickets! They were all sold out very quickly. Then she asked me what Jymi and I had planned. Jymi and I usually just hang out and watch a movie. She asked if I wanted to work at the party, since it paid ten dollars an hour, with ten hours guaranteed. She said it would just be bussing tables, and making sure everyone had champagne for the toast at midnight. Jymi and I talked about it, and I decided to do it.
Saturday, she kept the kids, so Jymi and I could go to dinner and a movie. It was good for both of us, to help keep us up late, so we'd be ready to stay up late the next night. She was working, too. So we had a nice dinner at Olive Garden, and then we went to see Casino Royale. Jymi's a big Bond fan. I enjoy them every once in a while, because I have to be willing to be bored for an hour before they get interesting. I did enjoy it though. It was nice to have some quiet time together. We had to wait an hour for a table at dinner, so we had some time to just talk.
Kathy picked me up at about three, Sunday. We had to drop her kids off at our mom's, and then drive up to Charlotte. At five we had the meeting, where everyone was assigned jobs and told the rules. Leon told us, "This is going to be a very high class crowd. So if you see any having sex in the auditoriums or using cocaine in the bathroom, to let me or one of the other managers know immediately." That kinda freaked me out, but I have to admit it didn't really surprise me. I didn't want to be the one to find someone using drugs. I was assigned to coat check with two other people, and once the rush had died down, I was to go inside and bus tables. I was the only person assigned to coat check who actually showed up there once the people started coming in. That was fine with me though. If I had to stay outside all night hanging people's coats and giving them green bracelets (to tell who was over twenty-one, so the bartender wouldn't have to worry about IDs), that meant I wouldn't have to worry about to "high class" people with drugs in the bathroom.
They had a photographer to take pictures of everyone as they came in, and also to get some candid shots. There were quite a few with Leon (one here and here), and a couple of me (here and here), but Kathy managed to not get her picture taken. At least not that I've found. If you want to see more, go the calender, December 2006, Ballantyne Village New Year's party. They have several groups.
They even had fake paparazzi to take pictures and scream when the people came in. At first Kathy or Leon would come out every hours or so and ask how I was doing. I'd ask them to get me a Sprite (the soda, beer, and wine were free, but I don't drink much), and told them I was fine. Kathy told me on the way home that she had been worried about me because they had alot of assholes upstairs, where she was helping with one of the pay bars. We didn't really have much to deal with. Around eleven, we had a few groups of teenagers show up and ask what the cover charge was. We had to explain that this was not a club and all the tickets were sold out. One tried to steal one of the green bracelets, but the bouncer saw him take and kicked his butt back out. They stopped checking on me at eleven. They had to get the champagne toast ready, and clean up the mess the drunks were making.
After midnight, everyone started to leave. I didn't know I'd get tips for bringing people their coats, but I made $25. We also had to hand out papers with the numbers of the cab companies, and make sure nobody left with alcoholic drinks. There was another girl who'd been taking tickets before midnight to help give the coats back and pass out papers. Right after midnight we had a small problem. A woman had gotten champagne dumped on her from one of the balconies, and was very upset and wanted her money back. We found her a manager to talk to, and then she came and yelled at us some more. I understand why she was upset, but we couldn't do anymore for her than we already had. We took her name and number, and one of the managers will take care of it when they had more time.
Around one, we did have the one and only real asshole. I saw a girl in tears talking to the police officer, and her boyfriend walking away angrily. From what I gathered, he had hit her just before coming out. He then yelled at the police officer. He started to leave, but then the police officer told him to go. Of course if it was what the officer wanted, he couldn't do it, and he tried to come back up. The officer stood in his way, and the man tried to throw him down the stairs. After that he was arrested. Everyone kept saying how stupid the girl was for not wanting him to go to jail. I didn't think of it that way, though. I felt so bad for her, knowing she was going back to a man (and I use the VERY loosely) who treats her so badly. She will spend so much time in pain over him, and she may never get out of that destructive relationship. He was the only one who acted like asshole out where we were, and I didn't have to deal with it. Thank goodness!
All the customers were gone by about two, and then we had to clean up all the broken balloons and glasses. We were supposed to be there until three, but it was closer to four when we finished. I got to take home a peanut butter and chocolate cheesecake, and some balloons for the boys.
Kathy drove me home, and it was about 4:45 by the time I got to bed. Jymi was sweet and let me sleep until 1:30. Then he made me stay up for the rest of the day, because he knew if I went back to sleep, I wouldn't sleep that night. He was very sweet, watching the Absolutely Fabulous marathon I'd recorded the day before, even though he doesn't really like it, because he knew I'd stay awake to see it. He enjoys it, and laughs, but it's not something he'd watch of his own free will. It wasn't until both boys and Jymi had all gone to bed (at 11:30) that I got to start my Castle. Of course, I didn't get much done, since I had to find the right size Q-Snaps, the book, the middle of the fabric, and by then I only had time to get one length of thread before it was no longer New Year's.
I hope everyone had a happy New Year, and have a great 2007!

Labels: Family, Goals, Holidays, Movies, Persian Iris Garden, The Castle, Work

We've all survived Christmas. The boys got a nice haul. For their one early present, they both picked the one from my dad. Tobi went for the DVD/game shaped one, and Darin went for the one in penguin paper. Shouts of "Star Wars" and "Thomas" filled the house. Tobi got Attack Of The Clones, completing his Star Wars DVD collection. Darin actually got Percy, to go with his Thomas The Tank Engine Lego set. The boys decided that Jymi could open a present early, too, so they him their gift. When I told Jymi I couldn't get what I'd planned to, he guessed I'd gotten season five of 24. I told him no, because technically, that's what the boys got him.
That night, when I took off my shirt, Jymi noticed my bra had a hole in it, and told me to open a specific present. Inside the shoebox he wrapped, was a gift card to Old navy so I could buy some new jeans and shirts, and some cash, so I could finally buy some new bras. The best part of it was, he promised not to come or ask me to take the boys, because he knows I'd end up spending it on them. I went last night to spend the cash. Let me just say now, Victoria's Secret sucks. All their bras run small. I did find some that fit at another store, and with all the sales, I saved almost as much as I spent. Friday, I'm driving up to Charlotte to spend the rest.
The boys had a wonderful Christmas. They were amazed to see all that Santa had brought! Darin was excited by his books, and Tobi was over the moon about all his Star Wars guys. It's now his "Star Wars collection." Jymi's parents gave him even more Star Wars Galactic Heroes. He still need Yoda, and then he's got everybody he loves. I wish they made a General Grevious.
When Darin opened his Diego playhouse, he really got in the mood! It was the first time he's ever torn the paper off that fast! He loves it. I'm ready to return it. It's the only present they got this year that requires batteries. Tobi got an Imaginext castle, which Jymi decided was really cool while he opened it. Tobi's going to take his Christmas money and get the dragon to go with it, and some more people.
Darin was all about his bath time pirate ship. Tinkerbell likes Diego's playhouse, too. She keeps walking through it, and chewing on Mama Jaguar. I gave Jymi a copy of Eldest. He loved Eragon, but he hasn't wanted to spend the money on the hardcover sequel. When I wrapped it, I noticed it was a special edition. It has all these extras in it, including a list of all characters and places, a preview of the next book, a picture of the cover, and some other stuff. He was really pleased, but now he wants to reread Eragon first.
The "boys" got me my favorite present. It's a charm bracelet. It's got two little boy charms, one for each of them. They remind me so much of my boys. They're standing, smiling, with their hands in their pockets. I can see my boys doing that, only it's scary when they do it. When they do it, I know they've done something else, and I have to o see what they've broken, drawn on, or put the cat in. Between the two boys, there's a heart, for Jymi. It was so sweet.
The picture is just my obnoxious cat, hiding in my blanket. We had a nice time at Jymi's grandparents. The boys made out like bandits. Once again, shouts of "Thomas" and "Star Wars" filled the room. The boys loved everything, even the clothes! In fact Darin's favorite present was the Buzz Lightyear pajamas. He insisted on taking all his normal clothes and putting them on. Jymi was a little disappointed. He was hoping for more gift cards, so he could get a Wii. He loves everything, though. Jymi's grandparents gave me a beautiful bracelet and earrings to match!
On the way to his grandparents, Jymi scared the hell out of me and the kids. He decided to take a dirt road, that's usually shorter. Unfortunately, it was raining, and there was a huge puddle. Jymi tried to drive through it, and we hydroplaned, which was very scary since the woods are very close to the woods. We got through it fine though, no accident, no injury, just a small heart attack. As soon as we turned off the dirt road, though, the car stalled! The engine had flooded. We tried for about fifteen minutes, to get the car started. Jymi, then called his dad, and when he got off the phone, he tried the car one more time. Of course, then it started. Thank goodness!
After Jymi's family, we went to my mom's. My niece and nephew both loved their presents. The boys got even more stuff. They got nine movies, if you count the two copies of The Little Mermaid as one movie. We're giving one to my sister's kids. My mom knitted me a hat (white thing in the picture), and crocheted me a purse (blue thing in the picture). It's from the Happy Hooker book we got her for her birthday. She made a red one, and decided to give me one for Christmas, but that I wouldn't use a red one. So she started a black one for me. I came over for something, and saw the red one. I told her I'd like one in blue or black. So she gave the black one to my sister, and ordered more of the special nylon yarn (she had to special order it from Mexico) in blue. I love it! All in all, we had a wonderful holiday!
My grandma also had an exciting day! She told her chiropractor about her foster children one day. He told his friend, who's a reporter for the local newspaper. He came out to the house to interview her! After the interview, he said it was such a heartwarming story, they were going to put it in the Christmas edition! Come Christmas day, she was on the front page! She was so embarrassed by all this fuss! As she said in the article, "Babies are babies. They need love." If you want to read the article, here's the link.

I have been stitching on part three of Persian Iris Garden, while I try to pick my next project. I still haven't decided. I am not really planning a one at a time thing, so much as a one at a time until I get sick of it and move on to something else. If anybody else has an opinion, I'm still taking suggestions.

Labels: Family, Holidays, Jymi, Kids, Persian Iris Garden

I can't decided on my next project. I don't like the number of projects I have started. There's one more I'd like to start right away, but other than that, I want to keep working on the ones already started. Please help me choose. They all have pros and cons. Here they are, from oldest to newest.
First is Tobi's Toy's And Games Stocking. The reasons I should work on this: it's almost two years old, which is longer than I've let a project go, it's one of my family's traditions, and I don't want Tobi to be jealous that Darin has a stocking and he doesn't. The reasons I don't want to work on it: it never seems to end, there's no way I'll have it done by this Christmas, and I'll have to sew it together, and I currently hate sewing machines.
Next is Avatar: The Wizard Of The Wind. The reasons I should work on this: it's a year and a half old, I've only worked on it maybe three days all year, and Jymi likes it. The reasons I don't want to work on it: it never seems to end, I never feel like I'm making any progress, and it seems like there's always so much left to do.
The there's Jymi's Dragons By The Fire Stocking. The reasons I should work on this: it's only barely started, I don't want Jymi to be the only one in our family without a stocking, it's a year old. The reasons I don't want to work on it: it's only barely started, there's no way it'll be done for this Christmas, and if/when Jymi leaves, it's going to kill me every time I pick it up to work on it.
There's also In Every Nest. The reasons I should work on this: it's only barely started, I could have it finished this year, it's a small, relatively quick finish, to boost my confidence. The reasons I don't want to work on it: it's entirely converted, which I hate doing and keeping track of, it done with overdyes, which I'm not always in the mood yo work with, and I don't know what I'm going to do with it when it is finished.
Last, but definitely not least, is Persian Iris Garden. The reasons I should work on this: it's huge, it's gorgeous, I'm not allowing myself another chatelaine until I finish this one, and I LOVE the new White Lights. The reasons I don't want to work on it: it's on 32 ct. black, so I can't see well enough to work on it in the evenings, I haven't had the extra money to get the bead packs yet, and it's almost all silks, so I have to wash my hands even more often than usual.
Help me out, please! Thanks!

Labels: Avatar, In Every Nest, Jymi's Stocking, Persian Iris Garden, Tobi's Stocking

I'm stitching again. I got the kitchen clean, and that took care of most of the flies. I'm still working on cleaning, but right now, it's laundry. Once I get all that done, I'll finish super cleaning, but in the meantime, I'm stitching between loads. I knew I had a model on the way, so I didn't want to get back into Tobi's stocking with only a few days to work on it, so I pulled out my Persian Iris Garden. I got part two finished! I've got a model now, though, so it's put away.
I signed up for the Christmas Ornament Exchange on the Needle And Thread Bulletin Board. This will be my first exchange. I think I'll set aside an hour a day to work on it, and spend the rest on the model.
While doing laundry, Darin found a pair of Jymi's socks and decided to wear them. My little kleptomaniac.
Jymi bought me The End, the last book in A Series Of Unfortunate Events. I'm gonna have to get the others and reread them. I forget things, waiting for one of the two copies of each one at the library.
So much for doing better with our money problems. We have to send my dad money because there's still something wrong with our car. On top of that, our computer is on it's last legs. Jymi can get new parts and fix it for relatively cheap, but it's still more money than we have. Jymi and I also discussed getting me a laptop. It's still a big if, but since I mainly want one to write and play games on, I don't need lots of extras. Jymi found one that was about the same price and the new parts for the old computer, with what I need on it. Maybe after we pay back my mom, and get the insurance and tags for the new car. We've decided Christmas is only for the kids this year. We'll get the boys a new tv for their room, and some clothes, and something for Jymi's sister, and my sister's kids, and that's it. That's going to be all we can afford. Thank goodness the outage is coming up.
Here's this week's SBQ. If you were to come across a sampler chart that caught your eye and appealed to you, would you or would you not stitch it if it had a morbid or “creepy” saying on it? If not, why? I don't really like samplers, so it's not a big issue. Halloween stuff, like Raise The Roof's Sleepy Hollow Sampler, I love! The verse on The Houses Of Hawk Hollow Run ("When I am dead and in my grave, and all my bones are rotten, remember me when this you see list I should be forgotten. Remember me as you pass by, as you are now so once was I, as I am now so must you be, prepare for death and follow me.") really turns me off. Yes we are all going to die one day, but I don't really want to be reminded everyday. What would my kids think reading that? It would scare the hell out of them! As it is, my makes me sick, picture rotting bones in a coffin. Eww.

Labels: Books, Kids, Ornaments, Persian Iris Garden, Real Life Sucks, SBQ