THIS WEEK - October 15, 2011

I have finally reached my "fantasy" point of being able to do nothing, but stitch as I wish to do so. I have already had several days where I stitch from the moment I get up straight through to the moment I decide to go to bed. However, there have been very few nights that I get to bed as I have developed bad habit of falling asleep in my stitching nest till about 5:30 a.m. in the morning!! Kathy K. has made me promise to buy an alarm clock to set by my stitching nest to set so I will get up and go in to my bed. Overall, I am loving every moment of this time!!

I know some people will feel I am bragging, but I truly am not. I can not stand a person that does such and as I have said so many times before I would like to go on liking my self!! Believe me, I would much rather be complaining of little time to stitch due to having family and children, or a job and most of all my dear husband back to do things with and for!!

I have posted updates on my progress below.

First, is my MILL HILL kit called "Boo Ghost". He is finished.
Next is my SAM SARAH STUDIO called "Daily Life". It is a larger center which I am working on that is surrounded by twelve other squares that are released monthly. I have no idea why, but I simply can not put this piece down, other than I love the fabric color and that is surely no reason to stay fixed on this project!!

And, in my big effort of "de-stashing", I found an older JUST CROSS STITCH Magazine with a chart by FANCI THAT. It is called " Halloween Manor". I also love this one and can not seem to put it down!!

Another treasure unearthed in "de-stashing" was "Alphabet Doll" by THE NEEDLE'S NOTION. I choose "D" for the monogram for this doll. There are three designs to choose from and I am very sure I will be stitching many more!! I normally NEVER stitch a chart twice!! Again, I loved this one and could not put it down much all week. I just have to get one more full sunny afternoon so I can see to place the remaining two dozen beads and then figure out how I am going to put a flower in her hat. The chart calls for lazy daizy stitch for leaves and French Knots for flowers and I do not do well with either of these particular types of stitches. Think I will do regular cross stitches and perhaps add beads on flower ones. These dolls are finished by stuffing them and they then are to stand up.

I also had another finish of a small DOODLES project. It is called "Frosty Friends". I simply forgot to photograph it so it will have to wait until next posting. I stitched it for Karen so she could follow it as she purchased this same kit as her first "starter". I would be so happy to see Karen get hooked on stitching also. Although, she always brings her crocheting and/or knitting and stitches along with my cross stitching. I prepared a chair with an OTT lamp for Debra to use while she was here visiting. I decided to just leave it as it is so as to have a second stitching nest for Karen and hopefully other stitching visitors. Makes my living room look really strange, but this is a home made for stitchers and their stitchings!!

And, lastly I have to share a picture of my beloved neighbor, Granny Lou, a.k.a. Mary Lou, that was taken on Thursday. All the first of this past week, I truly wrestled with some thing I was trying to bring out of my mind. I went to sleep trying to remember and woke up resuming to try!! Finally, early on Thursday morning, I woke as I was not feeling too well, but also I finally remembered!! It was Granny Lou's 87th birthday!! I immediately went in to panic mode!! However, I first called Karen and was immediately assured every thing would be taken care of.

A few hours later, Karen arrived with a lovely ice cream birthday cake, a box of Granny Lou's favorite chocolates from me, gifts that Karen had crocheted from her and all the wrapping, cards, etc.!! We soon were on our way across my driveway to Granny Lou's and rang her doorbell. I had called Granny to ask if Karen could stop to show her the newest things she had done with her stitching just to make sure Granny had no plans and would be home earlier. Granny was so surprised and happy to see us. We went in and had cake and Granny opened her gifts. Granny insisted we then go in her living room and chat with her for awhile. Well, much to my utter embarrassment, I fell fast asleep on Granny Lou's sofa!! Karen had a lovely couple of hours visit with Granny Lou thankfully. All I can say, is I would kill to look as good as Granny Lou does at her age of 87. She still goes to Curves Exercise Salon each day as well as volunteers many hours each week at our local hospital. And, she will navigate our driveways, regardless of weather, to check on me each and every day!! She is one fabulous lady!! Her daughter came today from Des Moines and so Granny's celebrating has went on!!

Well, I am off to stitch and see how much I can accomplish this week.

I really want a finish!!

Love and Hugs!!

Deborah

Pictures from Debra Hall's September Visit

Let me begin with saying these are horrible, horrible, horrible pictures. They do NOT begin to show the magnificant beauty of these things. I WILL get some one who knows what they are doing to retake these pictures as I am speechless on how to describe them. They became instant heirlooms to me!! Now, big problem is to decide where to display them that will do them the justice they deserve and not be possibly soiled in any way. Debra told me they are placemats and that I should use them. I would not be able to take a bite of food as I would be far too perched to do harm to any one who would soil them!!

These are all the most awesome and beautiful gifts Debra Hall made for me when she came to visit. The first four are placemats that she totally made by her self. I believe she told me these were her first applicay projects. She also quilted these. As you should probably already decided, I am so in love with these!!

Debra also brought me these three lovely ornaments. I again can not yet find the most appropriate place to display these, but I surely will.

Below is a most beautiful set of tea towels that Debra also brought to me. I also love them!!

Right across the Mississippi River that totally borders our town is a town called Fulton, Illinois. It is a Dutch settlement and this town totally thrives on Dutch tourism. They had an authentic windmill built and then dismantled and shipped to Fulton piece by piece. It now is assembled and actually operates. They sell the different kinds of flours they grind.

I was exhausted by the time we got to this windmill, however, Karen took Debra up the steps to the top and they toured it. Karen actually lives in Fulton. It is only about three minutes from my home. I actually also had owned my salon there before I was injured.

Below our pictures of Debra and my self trying to be silly. I think we were successful!! Debra shows up well as the "Little Dutch Boy". However, with my "leaning", I made for a very poor "Little Dutch Girl"!!

Regardless, we had lots of fun at their "Harvest Festival" this day!!

We again visited the statue I actually designed for a very old friend for a contest this town had centering on "wooden shoes". Debra is on the left, I am sitting in the center and Karen is on the right.

Below is another picture of Debra at the "Harvest Festival". She says to say she found an old relative while in Iowa!! Poor Debra was being "slimed" by the pig on her shoulder while a bull dog was taking care of her knee at the same time!!

One of Debra's many trips to the Quilt Shop located in Fulton

Another day, another stash shop. This is Karen's local yarn shop that officially closed it's doors today. I again was a bit exhausted and opted to stay in the van. This picture is of Debra and Karen in front of the yarn shop!!

Debra and Karen were instant friends!! We all had such a wonderful time together each day and evening!!

One day, Debra suggested we go to the nursing home (I met Karen in nursing home where Max had to be placed. Max and Karen's father were room mates. Karen was a very special angel sent by God to help me, and Max, through his days at this nursing home and most especially my main source of strength those awful last days of his life.) to surprise Karen as we had plans to meet after she had taken care of her dad any way. I also was too long overdue for my visits to my special people I adopted while Max was there.

While we were there waiting for Karen one of the off duty aides had brought her brand new puppy in to visit the folks. It was a minature collie. I initially thought it was a gerbil and wanted nothing to do with it.

Once I determined it was a brand new puppy, I HAD to hold the little boy!! While holding it, we decided we could get a picture and "prank" Kathy K. with the news (bad rumor) that Debra had, in fact, brought me a new puppy. Well, initially Kathy did believe us, however, she instantly began telling us all about how to care for it, etc. We all truly thought she would be quite upset as I truly do not need, nor can I take care of, a brand new puppy. Think I could have at least tried should this sweetie been offered to me!!

Below are pictures of Debra and I at the nursing home with the puppy.

We truly had the very best of times!! One of the reasons for Debra's timing of her visit at this time was I was facing Max's first birthday without him. I knew it was going to be extremely hard, but I have found I am a bit better when surrounded by people. We had a full day on his birthday in spite of a nasty cold and raining day. We visited my mother on the way to the cemetery. Once we got a break in the weather we went to visit Max and took him a red rose and birthday balloon. He actually has two grave markers, our family one and then his military one. The military one is placed at the bottom of his grave site. I had not seen it as of this day which made it a bit more special. The "military" had called me some months ago to tell me that only his given name of "Lynn" would be allowed on the stone. The man then asked me why I was so adamant about having "Max" placed on it. I then just asked him how thrilled he would be to go through life being called "Lynn"!! The man replied that he would think on it and take care of it for me. I was very surprised to find on the bottom of this stone was inscribed "Affectionately Known As Max"!! It is perfect!!

We tried to pace our selves and actually did take a day now and then and simply stayed in our p.j.s and did nothing all day, but stitch. It was wonderful!! Most days we found some where to shop, shop and shop!!

Karen assisted Debra in packing seven full boxes to mail home to her self!!

Oh, one day we did do a day trip to a small town about twenty miles south of me. It is called LeClaire, Iowa. LeClaire is home base for the Pickr's of "American Pickers" on television. Karen's hubby had insisted on going there a few weeks prior so Karen knew exactly where it was.

I think there are pictures on Debra's cameras of it. When Karen was there previously she actually caught the "guys" home and they autographed the free poster they give all visitors their selves. Unfortunately, they had just left to vacation in Hiawaii and were not there the day we visited. Debra did get her hubby a few tee shirts, key chain and a poster!! He was thrilled with them!!

Debra originally was scheduled just to stay one week. However, soon after arriving and the three of us finding such good times together Debra extending her trip for a few extra days. Her entire time here was absolutely fabulous. I was very sad to see the day arrive that she HAD to return home. Karen drove to airport to take Karen back as Eunice had taken me down to pick her up. The airport is about a hour away from Clinton. I am not well at goodbyes and, as usual, I began the tears. I guess fortunately the cart had arrived to take Debra to her boarding gate and she was whisked away before I got too overly emotional. I can not tell you how lonely this home seems now. Karen has been so very good at making sure she stoops at some point each day especially since Debra's going home.

I am sure we will all get together again very soon!!

Love and Hugs!!

Deborah