ADD and project pouch

Hello friends and thank you for some new followers,  I was surprised that I am up to 23 new friends!  I am humbled and pleasantly surprised.  Welcome all.

So, it's already the 3rd week of August, some kids are back to school, mine start the 10th grade in 2 weeks.  Where did the summer go?  Everyday I tell myself to sit down and stitch and as soon as i get up to do one little thing, even as simple as getting something to drink, I become distracted and end up doing something completly different.  Such as this project pouch I made yesterday, I don't know what the heck happened to my stitching since it is in one room and the sewing machine is down in the basement.  Anyways.....it came out cute, I used a pattern for a laptop sleeve and a few more trys and I should be quite happy.  I'm not very good with zippers, this one came out decent but the lining fabric gets caught a little, so that can only mean one thing, I have to go shopping!  More material, more zippers and more attempts!  As always I am a work in progress.

Here is the pouch with a new start, its a La D Da  Trick or Treat pattern and I am using the handyed fabric that Fiona sent to me in the stitched with love exchange.  It is perfect.



Soccer season is off to a great start, the boys played their first game of the season Saturday and the JV boys won 9-0, the Varsity 2-0.  I was excited to see my son score a goal, so much cheering that I didn't get a picture of it, lol.  My daughter had a game last night, they got crushed and got in at 9:30 last night, so since they lost they had to be at practice at 8 am this morning to do conditioning.....ouch.  Tonight another boys game and concession stand volunteer duty.  This running never ends. I had to turn $12,000. in checks to the athletic director this morning since we have to pay $495. per student per sport!  I don't think I've ever held that much money before, lol.   I am the team administrator so if the money isn't payed the kids don't get to play.  I'm still surprised at how poorly Ohio handled their school funds that many schools have to PTP for sports.  My kids play club soccer and it's cheaper than this.  It is what it is.

I also had to break the news to NKU Youth orchestra and  UC College Conservatory of Music that Ashley has decided not to play the bassoon anymore, hasn't even touched it all summer.  Breaks my heart, the schools are disappointed but who knows she is 14 and maybe it's just a break?  she has worked with some awesome music conductors and teachers since our move to Cincy but her heart isn't in it so the passion in the music is not heard anymore...Remember being in highschool....

So see, ADD, I started out to tell you about the pouch and started babbling about everyting else...nuff said.  I received my Stitched with Love exchange and have been going over everything for a few days, lol.  I love packages!

Have a splended week!
Dawn

Happy dance- giveaway received and seasonal exchange

good monday evening dear friends

Life has been so busy with two teenagers playing soccer for the high school, this week is scrimmages nearly every evening and Saturday starts the official season.  So far so good, looks like we will have a good season, however this mom is wondering what did I get myself into volunteering to be team administrator.... to all who volunteer in aspects of our children's lives, thank you thank you!

I received my giveaway package from Michelle today!  I think I love the handmade lace the most.  Thank you for the generous package!  It was my first blog win, so very excited about it!

Seasonal Exchange

This little darling is from Jen who was my partner in the seasonal exchange, it's my first primative and she said she choose the colors, it's so simple its sweet.  Thank you for such a pretty finish Jen.

Well hubby just pulled in the driveway, I haven't seen him for a week as he was in VA visiting his baby girls (23 &20)  but still his babies. 

Have a pleasant evening everyone!

Dawn

A Rak received and some progress

Good morning dear friends,

I received this beautiful RAK from Lisa P.The Inspired Stitcher yesterday, she was my partner in this past round of seasonal exchange, the first one I sent her fell apart, all I can think of was the 100* plus heat we had last month, days and days of heat and I made her a scissor book and used adhesive, probably a bad choice in heat.  I felt awful when I learned of it's demise, so I made her a replacement.  I was really shocked yesterday, not expecting her heart felt thank you, She made this beautiful thank you heart and I appreciate her gesture so very much, especially after this past weekend (keep reading).  Thank you so very much Lisa.

It's been a crazy last few days, I went to Erie to visit my parents, who are 79 and 80 and wow, I had drama, at one point all of us were crying and tempers and sadness.  It's so hard to watch your parents suffer and hurt, I still see my parents the way I did as a little girl but now they are frail and in pain.  It's hard to see your hero suffer, my dad in the last 8 years has suffered from 2 different cancers, multiple surgeries, triple bypass, and now constant pain where he tells you he wants to die, too much pain.
It didn't help that we had 98 degree heat and their air conditioner stopped working.  Emotions everywhere.  I've never had to comfort my mom, she was sobbing and I felt like I couldn't make her feel better.  It's hard to realize that it's the beginning of the end.  I know we were born only to die, but I sit here wondering when did my parents get old?  We are all ok, lots of hugs and love, but I know the time is coming and although I am 44, but I don't think I'm really prepared to deal with the impending loss of my parents.  My parents own a grape farm off of Lake Erie, it's a lot of work and no one is close  to help out, we do what we can but we are all over, I live 5 hours away, my oldest brother is 15 hours away and the closest brother is an hour from them. My dad has finally admitted that he can't take care of the farm anymore, that breaks his heart.  The farm is part of his beating heart and here is the circle of life.   Thank you for listening, I truly appreciate your time (it takes away from your stitching :))

the farm I grew up on,  a 44 acre grape vineyard

Well, I am a spoiled girl, my mother sent me home with her Janome Memorycraft sewing machine, it is completely computerized and also all her designs, and the embroidery disks.  I had to put it in my spare bedroom until I complete my contracted work (it's killing me, I want to start to sew with it)  I always joked with mom, i would call her up and ask what she was doing, she said sewing, I would laugh and say don't you mean watching, aside from changing thread colors she really didn't sew if it was embroidery mode.  My mom is into quilting and has made some beautiful quilts over the past few years for myself and brothers, grandkids etc.  She takes care of my dad so much now that she doesn't find pleasure in it.  She asked if I wanted it and, of course I said YES.

I did make some progress on my pieces.  I love the way this LHN piece is, the yellows are so cheery.

I need a mantra, I love Dory from Finding Nemo, perhaps I should adopt, "just keep stitching, just keep stitching, stitching, stitching..."  kind of catchy  :)

OHHHH I almost forgot, I did find out that I won a giveaway from Michelle at MIchelle's StitchCraft Place.  I can't wait for it's arrival, I found out that I won by reading her post, somehow I missed her email (I get a ton now that I am parent administrator for the high school men's  soccer team)  I did do a happy dance amongst my tears.  It is my first win in blog land, and again, I am so thankful for the friends that I have made in such a short time blogging and learning about blogging.  I still shake my head, how did I miss all those years of blogging? lol.

Lastly, Chloe turned 6 months old on Sunday, she is the size of an adult golden and still as playful as a puppy.  She is still a sweetie. She has sit and lie down, it's staying that she has issues with.  She is a work in progress as are we all.

Enjoy your week,
blessings
Dawn