where have I been? I've lost my mind, lol

Hello everyone...

Just stopping by to say hello, I still check in to see what everyone has been up to but my comments have become less and less and my posts here have become non existent.  So much going on.

Little stitching has been done, here and there, lots of WIPS.  I have Penny Pumpkin nearly done and I finished Season's Greetings, LHN new ornament.  I have lots of projects kitted up but no time to do it.  I just saw what Denise posted at Riverside Stitching, I agree with her post and find myself with little time to do anything.  I love my work with the wee little one in my job.  I'm telling you, getting a hug from the little buggers some days brings me to tears, our workplace motto is Making THE Difference, we are Early Head Start Educators and we do make the difference.  I am a Social Worker, Home Visitor, Educator, Mentor, Therapist, you name it, whatever helps families get out of poverty. The best part is the children.  I think I could rant for pages and still not convey my feelings that I have working for these families.  We have been doing some community outings this month, that has been fun to see the kids with Santa, but we also went to the Festival of Lights at the Zoo, the oohhhs and wows and squeals of delight were fantastic....then I got the flu, so I have been home for the past 5 days, trying to rest and get well, and I'm having no luck, can't even eat toast :(   I wanted a few days off to bake cookies, finish ornaments, Christmas shop....all i've done is stay in the house and be a lump on the couch :(   So here I am telling myself, sit down and write a post.

OK, so where has the time gone....I've started to Volunteer for Kindred Hearts Pet Transport, I love it!!! I've been doing this for a few short months but I am hooked.  I pick up legs around my local area to help dogs get to non kill shelters or to forever homes.  It is so rewarding.  The dogs are so sweet.  I'm having a hard time not keeping them for myself!

My Frenchie has an inoperable tumor on his heart...:(  that took some time getting over the news, he's here, doesn't know he is sick yet, so when he does start to show stress, I'll have some decisions to make.

My son left home, that was a hard week too, he decided it was time to try living with his dad in Pittsburgh, I miss him but we were butting heads so I hope this is a good time for him to pull his head out of his 18 year old behind and figure some things out.  Seems like this is a popular theme amongst my friends with sons this age, lol. The week he was packing was hard but now he is gone and I'm OK, I'm still amazed, I didn't think I could handle it, but it's been a month and I'm doing well.   Actually thinking this may just be a good thing, but when I think of him, I see my lil premie.  Oh Motherhood.

Ashley is doing awesome, she is spending her high school senior year as a freshman at University of Cincinnati, will have a whole year out of the way and paid for before she even really begins.  She loves UC and plans on continuing there.  How can 2 kids be polar opposites?

Oh DH, quit his job last month, ugh, hostile work environment.  Lots of things getting worked on around the house, lol.  He's been interviewing but we figure nothing will happen until the new year.  I've threatened to pimp him out soon.  Lol.

I know these are random thoughts as I try to catch up here.   Yesterday they announced a winner for a local choral competition, and for the 3rd year in a row, Covington Catholic  High School Mens Chamber Choir won.  They deserve every bit of recognition.  Please enjoy their rendition of Hark the Harold Angels sing.  It brings tears to my eyes.  These boys are so gifted.

No pictures, nothing ready to show....just stopping by to wave hello and that I wish everyone  a Merry Christmas and safe travels.  Thinking of you all!

dawn

Making progress

Just stopping in to wave hello!  Enjoying reading everyone patriotic pieces this week.  I've been working on Sweet Violet by WTNT, she so pretty.  I was thinking about doing WTNT Patriotic Poppies....but....I got some new goodies in the mail this week, with that said - I have no idea what will be on my next to do list.  I do know Sweet Violet will be going to Faye at Carolina Stitcher for some of her beautiful finishing.

An overdue hello

Stopping in and saying hello!  

I have been busy with work, it's been such a pleasure to work with the children. Birth to 3 is such a fun age, even he tantrums are comical....but I get to leave after 90 minutes....:). Anywho, it keeps me busy and little time to stitch.  I did manage to finish LHN's Hands to Work.  I am so happy stitching this piece, it brings such happy thoughts.   I was just able to finish it this evening and thought I'd share it with you.

I went to visit my parents over Easter, it was so good to go home.  mom and I made 120 pierogi!  Umm they were sooo good.   I hope to make more soon.  I also had the opportunity to stop at Cross My Heart in Columbus on my way home and treated myself to a few patterns...couldn't resist. 

Hope to start them soon....I also ordered new releases from LHN &  CCN yesterday... Pretty in Perle and Welcome. I hopeless!!  

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening!  Stay blessed.

Dawn

New finish by Faye

I just got back from a 3 day Social Work conference to find a package at my doorstep....

I could barely contain myself....this is a WTNT Dame of the Needle that I did last year and since I had a lil spending money from Mr tax man I treated myself to a finish from Faye at Carolina Stitcher.  She did a beautiful job and I am so glad it's done, I can sew modestly but I cannot do what she did....

Please enjoy

It is so beautiful!!!!!

I am currently working on and nearly finished with LHN's Hands to work...would have been done but....always something going on with a but....I was happily sewing while dd was at soccer practice Monday evening when a trainer brought a tearful girl up to me with a wrist wrapped in ice.  She sprained her tendons in her wrist pretty bad but thankfully no broken bones.   Unfortunately due to a non stop week my stitching has not been touched since.  Such is life.  Onto a new adventure note, DH is starting a new job next month which will involve swing shift, although I am sad he will be gone second shift some nights.....(sincerely miss him) what better way to fill the evenings up ?.....you got it.  Stitching :)   Woo hoo.  Need to find those positive tidbits.  Hoping everyone stays blessed.

Dawn

Finishes and an exchange

Good morning everyone!  

Waving hello to a few new followers.  I haven't disappeared just overwhelmed with working full time again, but I do enjoy the job and cannot believe it's been almost 3 months already.  My stitchy time is next to nothing now but I have managed to get some stitches in here and there.  

First is With thy Needle and Thread. "Jingle Bells". I ran right over to Hobby Lobby and framed him up and think I did a pretty good job, (toot toot).  Secondly is Hearstring Samplery " Baby It's Cold Outsde". I started this beauty last winter and just now finished it up.  The frigid temps was my inspiration...not as happy with my frame job on this one, however it was a pre built frame so I can't complain about that.  

I also did an exchange with Shannon at A Bit of This and That,    She sent me a beautifully done pynkeep by LHN sheep virtue series....and I sent her a snowflake from the 2007 JCS ornament issue.

Well we've had our share of ice, snow and "blizzard bags" waiting to find out what they will do about makeup days. So far we are over our allotted 5 calamity days so the kids have "blizzard bags" of extra work until the governor decides what to do.  

We've got our basement nearly finished...walls up and painted, lights mounted, carpet laid, it's DH man cave but it looks great.  He's been spending his evenings doing the trim work and then we still need to figure out the bar design, we've spent to much time looking at ideas on Pintrest and HGTV.  

I've done great making only one stitchy purchase this year, it's the new LHN Hands to God...I can't wait for it to come.  Last night I started Plum Streets Cinnamon Stars.  

Hope everyone has a fantastic day..hi oh hi oh...off to work I go.

Dawn