Let’s Celebrate Tax Day and a 100th Post Milestone!

Today is Tax Day and boy am I happy about it!!! That means that my work stress meter will go back to normal after today. For those of you out there that still haven’t filed yet, don’t forget that you can still get an extension of time to file (but not time to pay). The USPS will only be open until 5pm today, so if you want proof that you mailed everything by its deadline, then you will want to get there early. As for me, I’m in the clear for my federal return. I e-filed and I got my measly little (and boy, do I mean little) refund last month. Now I just have to get my state return sent off with that nasty little check before May 1st. I’ve decided to wait another week to send it in so that I can hang onto my money for a few extra days. LOL! (picture borrowed from: http://www.asgoodassold.com/2007/07/19/death-and-taxes/ )

I don’t know about any of my other fellow tax practitioners, but I’m going to celebrate today by taking a nice long three day weekend. Even though I will be spending my time at home, I do have plans to pamper myself with some time at the spa. There will be some time for a true “date night” with hubby so that we can get reacquainted with each other and I will finally be able to get together with friends/family that I haven’t seen in some time. I also plan on getting a good case of “numb butt” this weekend. One thing I refuse to do this weekend is clean house! It has waited this long and another few days won’t make a difference. I’ll deal with that mess next week.

Speaking of “numb butt”, I was able to get some good selfish stitch time on Easter Sunday and I finished My Lady’s Quaker by Jardin Prive. I think she turned out nice. (Yes, I know, I left off the alphabet.  But my piece of fabric wasn't big enough so I compromised.) I found a 60% off framing coupon in my e-mail for Michael’s and I think I’m going to use it to purchase a frame for her. I’ve decided that I’m going to follow Vonna’s tutorial and I’m going to make her my first self-framed project. Wish me luck!

After my Easter finish, I started on some neglected model stitching. (At least the models didn’t have to be finished until after tax season was over.) This past week I’ve been able to finish March and April in the Little House Needleworks/Crescent Colours “Months of the Year” Thread Pack series. I’m currently working on May and June. I hope to have those done this weekend so that I can move onto other projects.

In other news………

Can you believe this is my 100th post? It has been an amazing ride so far and I hope to keep the train moving forward this year. No reverse gear for me, because I’ve had enough of the past and all the grief that the past brings. I’m only looking forward from now on. My new mantras are “One Day at a Time” and “Keep It Simple”.

In keeping it simple, I’m not going to fret over the fact that I have nothing stitched to give away in honor of my 100th post. I’m also not going to worry that I haven’t even gotten everything together for my giveaway. I really wanted to stitch something, but due to circumstances beyond my control (that have nothing to do with the normal stresses of tax season) I haven’t been able to do anything other than model stitching since Easter Sunday and that is even if I’ve been able to stitch at all. So, here’s what I’ve decided to do instead……..I’m going to make my giveaway a SURPRISE! You will have no idea what kind of stitchy stuff to expect. How fun is that?

Only two rules……

#1 ~ You MUST be a follower of this blog in order to win

#2 ~ You will need to comment on this post only

Each comment will have an equal chance of winning (only one comment per person, please). It is not necessary to post this giveaway on your blog or tell others, but the idea behind this blog was to share all of my serial starts. So, if you would be so kind, I would love it if you spread the word! I will keep my giveaway open until April 30th. The winner will be drawn the first week of May. Pretty simple, right?

Good luck to you all!

Happy Stitching!

Moving Right Along

So, what do you think? She is finally moving along! Honestly though, this is the first night that I have really spent with her in over a week. I came home after working almost nine hours....ON A SATURDAY!!!!!.....and sat down to some serenity. As you can see, she is not too farfrom crossing the finish line. For that matter, I'm almost at a finish line. Only 10 more working days until tax season is over for another year.

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to a wonderful Easter Sunday. The weather is supposed to be in the 70's and BEAUTIFUL! I'm going to celebrate by turning off my alarm so that I can sleep in. Once I wake up I'm going to spend a little more time in the land of serenity. I may even sit outside and stitch tomorrow. Of course that is fully dependent on whether I can bring myself to change out of my PJ's. (Now, before you chastise me for not going to church, please remember that I'm Jewish!)

So, before I call it a night I would like to wish you all a Happy Passover and Happy Eaater. May you have a blessed and wonderful Sunday!

Happy Stitching!

Slow Going

I did get a chance to cuddle on the couch with my stitching last night.  I spent a fair amount of time with My Lady's Quaker, but right now that "fair amount" is just not enough for me.  Here she stands in all her neglected glory!  I really wish I could spend more time with her this weekend, but I know how busy I will be with the end of tax season and life in general.  After everything I have to do this weekend, I won't know if I am coming or going by Sunday evening.  I might even be happy to show up at work on Monday morning because it will be less stressful.........IMAGINE THAT!

Sorry to be so short, but I must head off to work.  Here's to hoping I get to add a few more flowers to this motif sometime today........

Happy Stitching!

My Lady's Update

Ahh, yes.......My Lady's Quaker.......I do so love this piece!  (Thank you for the enhancement experience Faye!)  Alas, I really haven't been able to put much in this since last week.  Look at her, this is were she stands as of today........she's been neglected!  The neglect is really weighing on my fingers and my mind. 

I know it shouldn't bother me, after all it is my busy season.  But, I'm still in so much turmoil on the homefront as well right now and I'm trying desperately to get my sanity serenity back.  This is only one of the ways that I know how to get it back and I haven't been able to work it like I want to.  Yes, "patience is a virtue" and I need to take things "one day at a time", but it is hard.  Even at this age I'm learning new things about myself every day.  Some I like and some I don't, but I am in a place where I am getting stronger day by day.  I have lots of help from many sources and I can see the growth already.  (Some of those sources get a $30 co-pay out of me every week for the last few weeks so I better be seeing growth. LOL!)  I'm more careful in what I say and in how I act.  I am taking responsiblity for me and not responsibility for others as I would normally do.  It is amazing how freeing it is to bite your tongue and not get taken advantage of!

Now, if only tax season were over with and April 16th was here.  I've planned some wonderful "me" time after the 15th.  I'm going to a Day Spa!!!  My treatment will consist of a facial, a full body massage, a manicure and a pedicure.  I've never done anything quite like this for myself and I'm really looking forward to it.  Now, don't get me wrong, I've had your typical mani & pedi in your "run of the mill, on every corner" nail salon and I've even had a facial once in my life.  Oh yeah, and those 15 minuite chair massages......I had one of those last Thursday at work.....how R..E..L..A..X..I..N..G! (Thanks Bossman!)  But, I've never gone to a spa like this.  One of my co-workers convinced me to go after telling me all about it.  This is all I dream about each day as I sit in front of my work computer slaving away over tax returns while listening to people complain about how much tax they owe.  What do you expect when your W-2 has 6 or even 7 digits before the decimal????

Well ladies and gentlemen (I'm sure that there is at least one of you boys out there!), it looks like this is it for today.  I'm going to go curl up on the couch with my stitching now!

Happy Stitching!

Time Change Struggle

I don't know about you, but I'm still struggling with the "spring ahead" time change. While I love having the sun out later on in the evening, my body is rebelling against the dark mornings. This time of year is such a struggle for me due to the early mornings and late nights spent at work and the change doesn't help much. At least there is now less than 30 days until tax day.

Tonight I decided to take advantage of my struggle with the clock. After leaving work early to get my haircut I found that I had some extra time on my hands that I don't normally have during the week. So, I sat down in my happy place and pulled out My Lady's Quaker. I thought I would get a little bit of serenity while I stitched and "watched" American Idol. I have to say, that is a great show to "watch" while stitching! Anyway, as I watched and stitched, I felt a calmness envelope me. I love when I can really stitch with full serenity!

So, after a DVR'd episode of AI and then NCIS, I finished up my evening with the 11pm news. Here's how my Lady looked before I headed up to bed.....

Not to bad for a couple of hours! I was hoping for a weekend finish and this time will go a long way towards that goal. Hopefully I can get in another productive evening before Saturday night.

Before I head off, I thought I'd update you on Hubby's employment status. I think that I said that he finally found a job. Well, he HATES it there! I can understand all of his gripes as they are legitimate. Fortunately, he got a call from another place that he had applied to back in January.  He decided to take the new job instead of sticking it out where he is right now.  I pray this is the right move!  He is dealing with so much and a job is the least of his worries at this moment.....

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful day.  Happy Stitching!