What Happened to........

..........my weekend?  In a blink of an eye it was gone and now we are back to Monday!

..........my summer?  It's already the 2nd of August.  I don't know were the summer has gone!

..........my husband?  We went shopping, yes, shopping over the weekend because he has gone from a 36 waist to a 33 waist.  So, not only has he lost weight, but he has also gained the ability to go shopping with me for extended periods of time.  He hates shopping!  It's amazing how much better you feel and how your life turns around when you can get an illness under control.

..........Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl (my current work in progress)?  This happened:

Seaside Memories

by: The Sampler Girl

Stitched on Lakeside Linen's 40ct Vintage Sea Storm

As you can see, it has gone from a work in progress to a happy dance! (Sorry for the crappy snaps, but today is real cloudy and this was the best I could do right before heading off to work.)  I finished it up last night after making some changes to the year and the area where the initials are.  The design had a place for a family of four, but since it is just the two of us right now I had to modify it a little.  I just added a few more birds in the empty spaces.  I really enjoyed this piece and it will be a wonderful reminder of the time we spent down there this summer.

What's next?  Well, I've sent off my Blackbird Exchange stitching this morning, so I should be able to show pictures of that in the next few days.  In the meantime, I'll be working on stitching a private exchange until my model stitching arrives.  I hope to have the private piece finished by weeks end, but you know how that usually goes!

Have a great Monday!  Happy Stitching!

Positive Thinking

This hasn't been my week..........but, I'm trying to stay/think positive.

Traveled to a neighboring state for a Peach Festival that didn't exist..........but, we came home with lots of fresh picked peaches anyway.

Got my evaluation at work and raises stunk..........but, I was one of the lucky ones that did get a raise and I, unlike others, still have a job (that I love).

Tried to get my car repaired for the umpteenth time yesterday and it still didn't happen..........but, I'm so lucky to have a wonderful and reliable car.  The repairs are just cosmetic.

Had to take an unneeded day off of work since the car wasn't fixed.........but, I got to stitch while I waited for the car, then I got to have lunch with my BFF and I even got to spend quality time in the afternoon with my Hubby.

Awoke to the sound of water hitting the carpet at 4am this morning thinking that the dog was peeing on the carpet only to realize that my a/c unit is leaking again..........but, the water can be cleaned up and my a/c unit continues to run and blow cold air.

And the most positive thing this week...........I'm almost done with Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl.  Just a few more words and motifs to go!

The moral.........stay positive!  Happy Stitching!

All Good Vacations Must Come to an End

WARNING!!!! VERY PICTURE HEAVY POST!!!!

Whew, this post has been a long time coming!  Believe it or not, it has been three weeks since we left for vacation and I'm already ready for another one.  I hope that we get to go back to the OBX later in the Summer or in the early Fall.  Until then, here are some of my favorite pictures from the last day.

We spent Day 5 on the beach in Corolla.  Just hubby and me......we had some well deserved "us" time.  We got onto the beach with the truck and just drove until we found a spot that had our names on it.  There are some houses on this stretch of the beach, but the only way to access them is by a four wheel drive automobile.  I guess this person decided that when there are jellyfish in the water they can opt for a dip in the pool instead!

We finally found our perfect stretch of beach.  Believe it or not, we had this section all to ourselves.

There were lots of stretches of the beach that had amassed tons of seashells.  The shells were just ripe for the picking.  I picked quite a few clam shells of differing colors.  Hubby found a perfect hermit crab shell, without the hermit crab thank goodness.  I decided that each time we go to Corolla that I was going to pick up a few shells and display them in one of the ball jars that I purchased at an Estate Sale. So, every time I look at the jar full of shells I can remember all the fun that we had in the OBX.

The sand that day was almost like quicksand.  With each step you would sink into it deeper and deeper.  We saw many vehicles get stuck in the sand.  I didn't think this old car was going to make it, but he finally dug himself out and drove further down the beach.  We even got stuck on the way out.  In all the times that we have been down there we have never been stuck.  DH dug us in pretty deep, but there was a redneck kind soul in a Jeep that pulled us out.  If you want to know the truth, I think that was the only reason that guy liked going to the beach.  Why you ask?  Well, when we passed him earlier in the day he was sitting in the drivers seat of the Jeep.  And when we got stuck.....well, he was still sitting in the same place!  That is when you thank God for the little favors of a redneck strangers help.

After being pulled to safety we went on our merry way.  And, wouldn't you know it, we finally hit the tri-fecta!  There were wild Corolla Stallions heading up the dunes.  I was so shocked to see them that I had some trouble working the camera.  See the truck antenna on the left side of the picture?

Here's a few more with a couple of close ups........aren't those horses magnificent?

DH also saw these birds resting on the shore and thought that they were a hoot.  I love their little mohawks!

Later on in the evening we went back to the Lone Pine Inn to see Ricky, Lucy and their hatchling(s).  Apparently Ricky and Lucy nest there every year.  In these first picture you can see one of the parents and one of the hatchlings.  The second picture shows both parents and you can see the wing of one of the hatchings.

 

After playing with the Osprey, we decided to grab a bite at one of the pizza joints before heading off to the Sound Side of the island for some sunset pictures.  Unfortunately, there were storms brewing so our sunset was not exactly what we were expecting.  However I did get a few good pictures in before we had to go.  (This is also where the picture in my header came from.)  I especially love the last picture.  I don't know where that guy was headed, but he had a cold Corona in the side pocket of his shorts!

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse of my vacation.  I don't know about you, but looking at these pictures makes me want to put on my swimsuit and head to the beach.  I can't wait to go back!

As for my stitching, I always have high ambition while on vacation.  Unfortunately I didn't get in as much stitching time as I thought I would.  But, I think I got a great start on Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl.  I'll just have to put a little more effort into it so that I can get it finished and framed.  It will be another great reminder of a beautiful family vacation.

Downward Slide and Vacation Day 4

Boy, am I glad that today is Wednesday.  That means that we are on the downward slide towards the weekend.  And, after yesterday, I really need the weekend sooner rather than later!

Yesterday did not start off well.  First thing in the morning I noticed that the a/c was leaking in the closet of the second bedroom.  It happened last year too, but I didn't notice it until all of my clothes in that closet were soaking wet.  At least I was on the lookout for it this year.  (Our unit is old, but I hope it will hold out for another year or so until we are able to move into a house with a yard and a garage.) 

Second, shortly after I arrived at work I got yelled at by a client.  It would be one thing if I was my fault, but I had nothing to do with it and I was just trying to help since my boss was not in yet.  Still, I reminded her that the IRS does not work on our schedule and I sent her scowling little self out of the door.  The whole time I was talking to her I had a happy smile plastered on my face because I wasn't going to let the likes of her get me down.

The third, and final pain in the rear moment of the day was when I tried to call Hubby to tell him that the a/c guy would be there in the afternoon to fix the problem.  I couldn't get Hubby to answer the house phone or his cell phone......ALL...DAY...LONG!  Now, I know that I left him asleep in the bed as I went out the door to work.  What could have happened to him?  I know he didn't have a shift at the restaurant and he wasn't supposed to play golf!  Well, about six hours later he finally called me back.  Turns out that he was called in to work his new second/temporary job.  I'm so glad that it turned out that he was working......I was seriously beginning to worry!

At least there were some good things that came out of the day.  We got the a/c fixed and we should be good to go on that front.  Hubby came home tired and happy from a fulfilling day of work....and he is going to get paid good money for working too.  Hopefully this job will last for awhile since we could really use the money to make up for the time Hubby was out of work at the beginning of this year.

The best thing of all.........Hubby made spaghetti dinner while I stitched on my Sampler Girl piece last night.  In my opinion, it can't get much better than that.

The only thing that comes close to that for me is the time that I spent with Hubby on vacation.  On Day 4, Hubby and Grandfather played 9 holes of golf while MIL and I got things ready for a beach day.  After we sent Grandfather off for his three hour drive home we jumped in Hubby's truck for some four wheeling on the beach in Corolla.  I absolutely love going down to Corolla and driving on the beach.  Sometimes we get lucky and we see the wild horses, but not that day.  However we did see lots of Pelicans, Osprey and other sea birds flying by. 

Then, just before we left I got the greatest gift.......I got to see dolphins playing out in the wild.  I've seen them many times at amusement parks and Sea World, but this is the first time I've seen them in their natural habitat.  I had the best lens on my camera, but they were still too far away.  Still, I snapped away and hubby got the best shot of all (even if it is a little pixalated from zooming in on the picture after it was taken).

After a great day at the beach we sat down to homemade fajitas that Hubby cooked.  Everyone was tired and well fed after a great dinner.  I even got a more done on my Seaside Memories piece before heading to sleep that night.  Days at the beach are my favorite!

Stay tuned......Day 5 was another great beach day!

Happy Stitching!

When Is Vacation Again? (Day Two Pictures)

My Friday didn't start out on a good note.  First I dropped off the rental car at Enterprise and then they gave me a ride to the collision center so that I could pick up my car.  Well........let's just keep a long story short and say that my car wasn't right.  I had to sit there and wait for it to be corrected......TWO DIFFERENT TIMES........and it still isn't fully right.  At this point, I'm just happy that I have my car back!  Right now I'm just waiting for a call from the collision center or the insurance company to see what we need to do next.  UGH!  I'm ready for another vacation already!!!!

Speaking of vacation, day two was a ton of fun.  We went kayaking on the Alligator River.  It was the first time that I have ever been kayaking.  (I've been canoeing before, but I was real young and did no paddling whatsoever.)  Let's just say that it was an experience and I don't "paddle well with others".  At least I don't paddle well with my MIL in the rear of the kayak.  We finally got it down at the end, but it was too late by then.  Next time I'll be confident enough to go solo!

We didn't see any alligator, but there were lots of jumping fish and tons of lillypads.  On the way out of the refuge we felt adventurous and hubby took us down a few dirt roads.  We ended up seeing a big black bear!  It was amazing!  Unfortunately, no pictures.  No one dared to take their good cameras for fear of them ending up at the bottom of the river so all we had were cheap 35mm waterproof cameras.  I took a few pictures of the bear with those, but I have a feeling all that you will be able to see is a small black spot.

After kayaking, we decided to spend the afternoon at the pool.  I ended up falling asleep on the lounge chair and I had a great cat nap before dinner.  For dinner we treated Hubby's mom to Mexican.  It was the least we could do since she shared the time share with us!  Upon returning from dinner Hubby and I went out on the golf course to take some pictures of the night sky.  Once the mosquitoes came out I headed inside and I picked up my stitching and set myself to work.  Not much got done and after all the excitement of the day it was an early night to bed......

Here are a few of the pictures I took that night........

This weekend will be interesting since I will be baby(dog) sitting my four-legged "sister", Zoe.  It should be fun since she and my pup get along like litter mates.  I just hope that there aren't any toy disasters this time!

Hope you have a great weekend.  Happy Stitching! 

More Kindness and Vacation Day 1

While I was reading earlier this morning I came across a few passages that I thought I would share in light of all the RAK's.  It read "Kindness is the mightiest force in the world......."(*).  Then I also found this, it reads "It is by continuing to give of ourselves that we continue to receive.  In helping others, we continue to enrich our own lives." (*)

That explains this package that arrived in yesterday's mail:

A BBD's pattern that was on my wishlist!  Remember when I said "Don't Count Out Lurkers" and I mentioned that I found a home for the stitched Bach piece that I purchased at an Estate Sale?  Well, the piece arrived safe and sound.  It has been lovingly reframed and it has a special place on a special wall in its new home.  As a thank you, my "lurker" sent me America the Beautiful.  Oh, I love it so!  Thank you so much!  This is just a reinforcement of everything that I have been working so hard for in the past six months!** 

In other happy news, I thought I'd share about my vacation.  Day One we got up early and headed to the OBX (Outer Banks, NC for those of you who have never heard the term "OBX" before).  We were there well before noon so there was lots of daylight left to burn. Hubby decided he needed "alone time" and went to play a round of golf.  That ment that MIL and I went shopping.  I love visiting all the little shops in Duck. (Yup, Duck is the name of the town!)  My favortie shops have artsy things and handmade jewelry that you just don't find at home.  I didn't buy anything for myself that day, but I did find a Hanukkah gift for my mom and step-dad.....handmade, of course.  (I love it when I can get ahead of the game!)  After a fun afternoon of shopping, I was able to sit down and put a needle into my new start, Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl while watching some fireworks out of the sliding glass doors in the great room.  See, I told you I was going to have a 4th of July start!  And with fireworks to boot!

Day Two tomorrow!  That is if I can remember to grab the memory card out of my good camera!

Happy Stitching!

(*) Both quotes were found in ODAAT.
(**) I've been dealing with much more than I let on in my blog, but one day I will let the words flow in hopes that I can give hope and help to others who may find themselves in similar situations.