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!

She's New to Blogland

One of my dearest, sweetest friends, Sharon Crescent, now has a blog.  It is filled with her wonderful cotton and silk creations along with her collaborations with other designers.

Be sure to stop by Crescent Colours!

Happy Stitching!

Just Fixin' Update

I don't think that today is my day. At the first appointment I found out that they will have to order parts to fix the lumbar and the discoloration on the driver's side and passenger side leather seats. When I went to the second appointment, it was another dissappointment. They had already taken the tires off of my front wheels when they noticed that one of the replacement wheels was defective......for the second time! If it were me, I would have checked the wheels first to make sure that there was nothing wrong with them. But, then again, these are men we are dealing with! (Apologies to you men out there that actually have smarts!)

On the bright side, I did get lots of stitching in on my current wip and I promise to share pictures tomorrow.

Another great thing about today was that I was able to take my BFF (she's also my bestest stitching buddy)out to lunch. I just about had to drag her out of her office, but it was well worth it!

I hope you had a great Wednesday. Just remember, only two more working days until the weekend!

Happy Stitching!

Just Fixin'

So, today is the day that my car is supposed to be fixed........again!  I'm going to get two new wheels in the front along with an alignment.  Not only that, but now I'm having a problem with the lumbar in the driver's seat.  It just up and quit working.  Looks like it will be a long day.........

All I can say is that I'm very thankful for insurance and warranty coverage!

I'll be stuck at home today with no car.  Good news is that I'll be taking advantage of the stitching opportunity.  I'll be working towards a happy dance on Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl.  I'm already well past second base and I'm almost ready to round third and head for home.

Happy Stitching!

Peaches Galore

Sounds like a name for a Bond Girl, doesn't it?  Actually, it was we were hoping to find Saturday.......tons and tons of sweet yummy, juice running down the sides of your mouth when you bite into them peaches.

Peaches are big in our area this time of year and Hubby and I wanted to take full advantage of our weekend by celebrating the Annual Peach Festival with the locals.  So, expecting lots of vendors selling everything from arts 'n crafts, to jewelry, to fair food and all things peach, we headed across state lines to this festival.  I was familiar with the area (I had dated a boy from this town a long time ago), but even I had a hard time finding the festival.  I pulled up the website with the directions from my smart phone, but even that didn't help us any.  We didn't even see any signs! 

We ended up stopping at this little old shack of a place (I wish I had thought to take a picture, sorry!) that I think was a cross between an antique store and a flea market.  We walked in and looked around while the man finished up with his customers.  When he was finished, Hubby said "We want to go to the Peach Festival.  Would you be able to direct us were we need to go?"  The old man laughed and said "I want to go to the Peach Festival too!"  Turns out there was no Peach Festival!

What?  No festival???  How cruel!  Everything was posted plain as day on the website.  It gave all the information.......cost to get in, directions......what do you mean it's cancelled?????  Turns out (according to the old man) there are "too many chiefs and not enough indians" and (according to the town folk at the Ruritan Club) there hasn't been one for the last two years due to the economy, but there will be one next year!  Seriously???? 

Well, at that point Hubby and I were more determined than ever to get some peaches.  Luckily, there was a great peach farm in the town, so we headed over there to pick our own.  As we were riding up to the house, Hubby began telling me of his adventures picking on that same farm for a summer job when he was a teenager. 

Long story endless, we did come home with peaches.........peaches galore!  They are so juicy and sweet.  I've been bringing a couple with me to work for the past two days and eating them as mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks.  But, as good as they are, I think that by the end of next week I won't want to see another peach until next season!!!!

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.

It's So HOT!

Even our pup is trying to hide from the heat!

Stay cool! Happy Stitching!