Category Archives: Me stuff

Sep29

Stitching Blogger Question

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Thanks to Mindy for reminding me to answer this:

Have you ever just quit a project while in the midst of it? (We’re not referring to UFOs here, rather projects that you know that you’ll never work on again.) Why? What did you do with it – throw it out, give it away, put it away?

There are a few that became so infuriating to stitch on, I packed them up. One is a Dimension kit of ocean waves that turn into galloping horses. I could finish it sometime, so it is really an UFO. The problem was that the color chart/symbols were on the other side of the chart. I’d go to change colors and lose my place! I need to get the one page copied. Why Dimensions would do this with a large chart is beyond me. Paper is cheap. I haven’t worked on it for a few years and whether or not I do is questionable.
The other things are a beagle dog I was making for a friend of my brother’s and I think the dog died, so I didn’t finish it. I may finish it and give it to my mom the dog lover. The other was a design I was doing for a friend who isn’t a friend anymore. Looking at it makes me unhappy even though it’s not a bad design. Guess they sound more like UFOs, but it’s been several years since I have put one stitch in any of them.
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I just purchased the Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament issue for 2005. It’s nice and I am happy to have all the past issues of this yearly issue. I just need to stitch more of them! I like these because of the different designers who contributed their designs, a few I have met.
My brother just sent a big box of cross stitch stuff from his thrift shops excursions down in Florida. There were several bags of DMC floss which I could always use. I had to laugh because there were about 10 skeins of this green color and several of a gold. One kit had the little ornaments all stitched up, they only needed washing. I will probably donate them for a Love Quilt. There was a nice North America animal design still in the metal hoop. I took it off, and you guessed it, there was a hoop mark! I washed and soaked it twice and it’s faded alot. I think that the stitching will cover a majority of the mark that is left. I thought that I didn’t have the floss for it, but here it was in a little bag and the colors were all nicely wrapped on cardboard spools. I don’t even do that with my own DMC. I may complete the design, I may not. I got someone else’s UFO!!! I appreciate Don thinking of me and sending me goodies once in a while.

Sep28

Designing cross stitch patterns

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I was playing around with my cross stitch software and I came up with this, all free handed:

I didn’t center it or put in the correct size, but this is something I think I will pursue in the colder months when I don’t have to worry about doing anything outside. You can tell it’s a mushroom, right? : ) Remember it’s a fantasy mushroom. I, of course, didn’t have time to cross stitch it. Brian got all excited (he bought me the software last year) and asked if I was going to stitch it up. I told him to think of a funny thing to do with mushrooms. I’m still waiting….
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Sep27

When my brothers were nice

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I tend to complain about my brothers. Some of the things they do have not been ‘right’ in the eyes of their only sister. So last night, when my brain wouldn’t shut down (I had bad knee pain), I thought about each guy and something they did that was unconditionally nice.
Dave-when I had my gallbladder out in 1987, I was in the hospital for several days. Sean was 9 months old and I missed him so! The doctor figured out it was a bum gallbladder when I started to turn yellow (lots of tests too). Anyway, Dave brought down his music cassette collection for me to listen to. I was deeply touched by him offering these to me. I also liked the way he gets all ‘dreamy-eyed’ when I use to talk about Sean when he was little. He does this now when Colleen or Ken talk about Kenny and Tori, their kids.
Don-I was really depressed as a high school junior. Deep down, I really wanted someone to care about me. I literally stopped eating for a month and went from 128 to 110 pounds. (I would love to be at 128 again). Don said that a boy I really liked was looking for me one day. (I missed almost 2 months of school that year-not all at once, but that’s a heck of a lot of time). That brought me out of my depression. I thank him for that. Thanks for your goodie packages too-he knows I love to get mail.
Ken-My little brother. I just think about him and feel mushy. He was always so cute. I thank him for helping out with our cars over the years, mom’s too. I thank him for the occassional kiss on the cheek. (Sniff).

Sep26

On the run again

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There was another flea market this week near mom’s. I love going to them this time of year before the foul weather envelopes us. I had just made that trip on Friday, but something had come in the mail for mom (jewelry), so I decided to go down. Mom wanted to actually walk around a flea market! This is the first time in a long time the two of us have been out together. The flea market wasn’t as big as the one we went to a few weeks ago. The first thing I bought was a small Penn State banner for Sean for a big ol’ $1. I was happy to get it for him. We each bought some things that caught our eye, my most expensive things were two Cherished Teddies figurines. The lady had so many cute ones it was hard to chose.
I want to make some Halloween items, so we headed to A.C. Moore. As I went in the door, a woman and I met eyes and I knew who she was right away. She looked away and went inside. So Cathy Simms from Penncrest HS, I remembered you!
We were in there a little while and then I asked if we could try JoAnns for the little fake pumpkins I needed since ACM didn’t have them. The JoAnns moved into this huge, beautiful store just this past Friday and they had everything I needed, plus some! I am getting that crafting bug again.
Mom and I went to McDonalds (I am going to blow up) and I watched a mentally challenged lady my age lick her fingers after every bite of food. I swear, I will be making ‘Sunday pot roast’ soon, after the sales. We saw another woman in there, dressed in a Henry Fonda outfit like from ‘In Golden Pond’ with the puffy vest and fisherman’s hat (it was in the high 70s today). Mom recognized her from the hospital thrift shop where she had cornered mom to talk politics-mumbo jumbo. I would have said, ‘get lost you crazy you know what’. You see all kinds.
Well my son made a face over the PSU banner asking where he would put it. I could have said ‘someplace’, but I refrained to use that language. Later, I gave him the only birthday gift I had bought him so far, a PSU license plate. I told him since he made such a stink over the little banner, no way was I saving the license plate for October. He commented, I shouldn’t spend the money and that he may not be going to the school in a few years. He isn’t taking to college life that well yet. He’s in the newspaper club (a good start), but he doesn’t stick around to meet people. Good luck son.

Sep24

Happy 75th Mom

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September 23, 2005
Dear Mom,
Today is a special day and I am delighted I am here to share the occasion of your 75th birthday. I am happy that most of us are here for you. Remember the others are here in spirit.
I wanted to write a cheery-remember when letter to you. Good stuff with lots of warm fuzzies to make you smile or even laugh a little. Where can I start?
How about the little performances that Don and I use to do for you and Mom-mom? He definitely outshone his big sister more than once. I like to say I made up for it by later being in the church choir and singing in front of the Cardinal of Philadelphia.
One time you and I were sitting on the sofa and I was drawing a lady who was in the TV Guide, I think she was on Little House on the Prairie. Anyway, we started to pass the drawing between the two of us and it turned out pretty good, maybe a little exaggerated, but good. I still have that drawing. And I am glad that you still draw.
The countless daytrips we made to places like The King of Prussia mall where we always got something to remember the day. Then there was the Downingtown Market-who can forget the sights and smells of that place-dust and cinnamon buns? How many paperbacks did you buy there and from Booth Corners?
Speaking of daytrips, why on earth would we take daytrips to places like Gettysburg and the Poconos? I remember the trip to Gettysburg seemed endless and it was really hot. We mainly walked around a shopping village that day. The trip to the Poconos had us tramping in the woods with Mom-mom.
Going to the shore was always an interesting experience. The time we stayed at Brownies cottage and spent the entire time driving the Rambler around looking for Monkees trading cards is a stand-out. And the 3rd floor apartment we rented in Wildwood was fun and interesting. Don dropping clothes to the open back trunk was a time saver. And then you and Mom-mom playing Bingo in your fancy dresses- well that memory will never fade.
And you made sure we all had gifts a plenty for birthdays and Christmas. We know you loved a good bargain. I know you passed that gene on to Sean and me.
Your creativity shows in so many ways, from your singing voice to the way you embellish gifts. Thanks for passing on those genes to the four of us in varying degrees. You always made due with what you had, making birthday parties and Halloween extra special.
I hope you enjoy today. Feel stronger and better.
Love always,
Dianne

Sep22

For my mom

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Mom and I always give flowers to each other on our birthdays.

Brian suggested that I give her a sampling of the flowers I grew.

It makes it a little more personal for sure. I hope they look good

in the morning for her birthday. I love the flowers that look

like orchids. I was trying to find the tag, but it’s gone. The

little statue is one she gave me and I thought it looked pretty

next to the flowers.

Sep21

You know you are a lovely lady…

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….your skin is so nice!
Ok, back track. I’m standing in line at the post office like I do every week. A 30- something lady is a head of me in her black jeans covered with tiny white polka dots, causing a bit of a commotion over goodness knows what. I was still waiting my turn and she approached me and said the above. Huh? Oh thanks. (Ok, nice meeting you, be off!!) Hey you with the nice skin, have you heard of Mary Kay? (OMG) I have over 60 contacts and blah, blah and are you interested? I looked at her square in the eyes and said ‘Not really’. Ha. It was as though I had slapped her. Honestly, I just bought Sheer Cover from Leeza Gibbons and Melissa ‘half pint’ Gilbert from an infomercial and I like the stuff-hence the ‘nice skin’. I told her that her little girl was sweet and by then she was peeved and just waved me off as she left the post office. She didn’t know she was dealing with a saleslady with almost 3,000 transactions (so there!). Sean said she probably fed all prospective clients with the ‘nice skin’ line. I said, ‘Well thanks a lot Sean’. I felt all glowing and 30- something for a brief moment. Oh pooh!

Aug31

Trying again…on many levels

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I was at the store yesterday buying food items from a 5 day diet plan that sounded good. Lots of grains and fiber to fill you up. We had salmon with bread stuffing, broccoli and even rice (I should have gotten brown and we had white) for dinner last night. I had a few small snacks way after dinner, a few honey wheat pretzel sticks and a Stella Doro cookie.
Brian is a constant snacker. He eats too fast and won’t listen to Sean and me to slow down (you know that it takes your brain 20 minutes to realize you’ve eaten). His tummy is big and rock hard. I mentioned a diet aid pill and he told me to take it. I think he’s a nervous wreck, you can tell by looking at his fingernails as they are all nibbled down. Probably having a father in his 80s doesn’t help and worrying about his future.
Another thing I want to do is try ‘Curves’. There’s a sign for a free month, but I wonder how many months you have to commit to first? All the gardening and sweating I did this summer and my weight didn’t budge. I also had a sick mom and when I am stressed I eat more.
After lunch, I plan to list a few things on eBay. I haven’t really felt like doing eBay lately though I have a huge table full of things gathering dust. I rarely make that great of a profit. I think it’s too popular now (really has been for a while). I remember when I first started, I’d sell at least 15 things a week.
I tried to call my friend in Alabama and her phone just rang and rang. She is up near Birmingham. My other friend from Mississippi sent us all an email and said she moved the family to Panama City, FL. From what I saw, PC didn’t fair well either. That’s where the loan company is that we just sent the promissory note to. It’s going to be a long few months for the people down south. I would definitely go to this site and donate a little something. I plan to do that too.

Aug28

Soggy Sunday

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I am still a little tired from our recent trip. Today I decided to sort through some magazines and papers that have been accumulating on the dining room table and overflowing in the magazine basket. Good thing I did this as I read that the priest from church is coming for a visitation tomorrow! I thought he was coming Tuesday. So I have to tidy up a few areas that he will see (LOL) and since I did the sorting, I can just rearrange some knick-knacks and run the vacuum around. I have a feeling that I will be the only one home here. He will probably only be here about 10 minutes, so no big deal. Maybe I’ll bake some brownies. I have until about 4 pm. We skipped the church picnic today. We haven’t gone for a few years as it’s rather boring if you don’t have kids to put on the ponies or have them do sand art.
Brian goes back to work tomorrow. I actually got him to do a little something for me. He cleaned out a few file drawers in the downstairs cabinet! Sean and I had been down in this area and he had just tossed papers in there haphazardly. He threw away a lot of my old eBay paperwork. I haven’t looked at it for years. I feel some organizational vibes coming my way!
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The stitching question of the week was what was your biggest project and what was your smallest project.
I think my biggest project was a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse design I did for my nephew when he was born. It was Mickey handing Minnie a flower. They kept that hanging up for a long time. The smallest has to be the little sampler I did when I was a new stitcher back in 1980.

Aug27

What I like about vacations…

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This one in particular was a bit different as we had Sean as the main driver and he was driving his car. That gave Brian a tremendous break. Brian tends to be uptight on the road. I definitely felt a bit more relaxed in my cocoon in the backseat. I loved seeing Sean frolic in the ocean on his boogie board. He isn’t really a swimmer, but he had a grand time catching the waves. I love the familiarity of a place. We stayed in the same hotel we stayed in 5 years ago and forgot how convenient it was to the beach and boardwalk. We ate at the Marina Deck right next to the bay and watched boats come in.
Sean wanted to go to a pre-21 club his friends had gone to. He had to walk a few blocks to the place and the cover charge was only half price until 8:30 pm. He did go and we were watching out the window worrying about him being out until 11 in a strange town. He said he was ‘holding up the walls’ but he talked to a girl from the Pittsburgh area too.
I love the outlet shopping in the Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach area. We go to the outlets in Lancaster a few times a year, but the ones down at the beach seemed to have a ton of things to chose from. The Bass and Old Navy stores had the best buys.
Most of all, seeing something different is what keeps me going for a long time. I get tired of the same old thing and a trip, even a short trip does me the world of good.