Leap Day

I had hoped to make Leap Day special, maybe take myself out to a movie and gorge on popcorn and candy for lunch...because it's not a real day or anything. Unfortunately the dude was home sick yesterday, and I didn't get the normal chores done. {Sigh.} And now I have to do them in the rain. Uphill both ways boo-frickin'-hoo, right?

Goals for February:

1. Get the work website up--I was supposed to meet with my sister and one of our friends to work together on this. We've delayed ourselves by four weeks, one week at a time. I am going to have to try a new approach.
2. See a movie--saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (fun!); The Artist (good but not nearly as great as you'd hope)
3. Read two books--read Christie's ABC Murders and Tina Fey's Bossypants
4. Do those little craft room projects-- reorganized the shelving unit, decoupaged pots, made embroidery hoop wall art. (I'd still like to make a dresser scarf and a sewing machine cover.)
5. Finish the Curse of the Raven--finished!
6. Work on Snowman '10*--finished!
7. Work on Red Snowman*--finished (At right, Shepherd's Bush kit.)

*Breaking News* The Bodleian Library (Oxford) will be displaying a piece of needlework completed by Jane Austen when she was 12. It will be displayed for one day only, March 1, as it is in private hands.

For March:

1. See a movie
2. Read two books
3. March is national craft month. I am going to try to complete a craft a day. Call me crazy! Some will be small, no doubt. I've started a list so that I have plenty of ideas and can make sure I have all the materials in place. There might be a giveaway or two as well. Watch this space.
4. Stitch in my free time.

That Didn't Go As Planned

Dear Friends, yesterday I was going to post a little Maggie Monday story and remind you that I am trying to collect 90 cards for the soon-to-be 90-year-old. Instead, I was emptying out my stomach. Food poisoning. It was atrocious. I'm better now, though I feel like I've been steamrolled. It's only noon, and I've already used up my energy bringing the dog to the park. I think she and I are going to snuggle on the couch and sleep. (She will definitely do this either way.)

I do want to thank you for feeling my pain with the eyesight issues and for politely refusing to comment on how crazy I am.

Last weekend the dude and I were in an airport hotel (oh, romantique) for a chess tournament (we're bringing sexy back!). I spent most of my time stitching and reading and hanging around with best pal. It was good to see her. I nearly finished Snowman '10. I am missing a color, and I will have to wait until I feel well enough to drive out to the stitchery store.

Crazy {Modified} Crazy January Challenge

First, I must apologize for that BBQ post. I'm sorry I drove so many of you out for what passes for barbecue in your neck of the woods. Also, I seem to have stressed out the North Carolinians by putting in the crazy, funny, and notsogood. I apologize. We enjoyed ourselves. And we thank you for your recommendations. We'll be back!

Unbeknownst to me, another of the modifications of my 2012 Crazy January is that I don't have to start something new every day for the first nine days. And even when I do, I don't have to show it to you right away.

Lizzie * Kate Snowman '10, my second start on this challenge.

I do still have three starts to make, and I am now armed with all the supplies. The dude is playing in the "It Must Be a Holiday" Open in Philadelphia. That means Stella and I are on our own this weekend, and we plan to get a case of stitch ass. Or at least I do. I can't speak for the dog.

No, you can't speak for me. You have no idea about my life, lady.

It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity

I've spent the last half hour trying to find a truly-free royalty-free clip art or photo of a puddle. Because the dude has officially melted. He is of hearty (Northern English) winter stock; he wilts in the sun. (You would have thought 13 1/2 years in L.A. would have cured him.) He had about half a gallon of water when he got home, but he was still dehydrated so I went out for some Gatorade. Somehow this seamed funnier in my head where I had a little puddle illustration and could caption it "Beware, don't step in the Dude."

The heat brought out the best of my old ladies, however. One of them told us how her kids have been calling this week and saying to drink water, concluding their conversations by telling her, "I'm checking in on the elderly." (Does your municipality ask you to check in on the elderly?)

But Josephine--remember Josephine, she of the naked "rump" story?--the heat must have gotten to her because she was on fire. One woman was telling us about her son who is getting married after 10 years with his girlfriend. Josephine said she wouldn't get married if she were a young person today. "I'd have my fun, and then tell him, 'Get out.'" She was going on and on. Then her husband shows up unshaven, wearing dirty khakis and a raggedy t-shirt. "See?" she says. "If I didn't have this," pointing to her ring, "I wouldn't go home with him." Then she told him he wasn't going to Macy's looking like that. I about died laughing.

I worked on my Shepherd's Bush Blue Snowman, continuing to think cold thoughts. From stitching I went to lunch with a friend and then I was supposed to see the dentist. My appointment was rescheduled because the hygienist took ill. But I was really pleased. I found this great, cool, easy-breezy dress at Costco for $20. I've worn it three days running because of the temperature. It was begging to be washed (shortly before it walked itself to the washing machine). I needed more, and I didn't know when I was going fit in the trip. (I hate going there on the weekends.) But I am now the proud owner of three: the original blue, a new pink, and a black that is slightly different. I am planning on wearing them in sequence until December.

March Madness and April Showers

Under normal circumstances, I would have left obscenely early this morning for Oklahoma. My friend DD would have met me at the Tulsa airport for the drive out to the Wagoner Wal-Mart, the last stop for water and jelly beans before we hit Sequoyah State Park for a weekend of stitching with our pals at the Silver Needle. {Sigh.} It was just too difficult to justify the trip this year especially given how I thought I would have had a damn job by now. I really thought I'd be the new girl with no vacation days to spend on something as frivolous important to my sanity as stitching. The good news is the dude is away this weekend. I plan on getting some serious numb butt. Of course, I have planned to go to stamping tomorrow night, and I need to head to New York with my sister for her first fitting. But the rest of the weekend (LOL) will be for stitching.

March Goals:

1. Finish a page of the marquoir.--Close, I screwed up the H and need to take half of it out. 
2. Finish-finish one three projects. (Let's try to catch up.)--Maybe I should put aside a weekend for this.
3. Finish Love, Me (due May 14th)--Done!
4. Finish S&BF, Winter Peace--Done!
5. Work on City Stitcher, Willow Trees Sampler--I have started some of the sampler (numbers) and added leaves to the tree.

In April

1. Finish a page of the marquoir
2. Finish-finish four projects
3. Work on City Stitcher, Willow Trees Sampler
4. Work on With Thy Needle and Thread, Hoppin' Along Sampler
5. Work on Lizzie*Kate's Dog Lessons for People

I'm so glad there's enthusiasm for the challenge. I'll try to remind you throughout the spring (when it gets here) and summer so the deadline won't bite you in the ass. Like it would me.

Before He Melts Away

I finished Winter Peace (Sisters and Best Friends) at the beginning of our stay in Florida. I used the called for flosses and a piece of evenweave that I tea dyed. I love this little snowman, He looks so cozy in his scarf. The colors on it are just so bright and clear and cool.

Even though he knew the sun was hot that day, he insisted on a little time by the pool. Don't believe just because he would melt away, that we are. No, if you've read about any of our trips to Florida or our summer trips to Maine, you will know that the dude and I manage to have the worst weather when we visit with my parents.

I'm continuing to work on Love, Me. I took the offending vine out and put the black boxes (for the letters L-O-V-E). I started the L but somehow managed to use two over two instead of one over two. It's two steps forward and one step back on this one. Sigh.

Gotta get up at the ass-crack of dawn to go deep sea fishing tomorrow. Better get to bed.

Oh to see a great big man entirely made of snow

(From my favorite Christmas movie: White Christmas)

Here is my collection of snow figures in the living room with the snowy tree:

The small snowmen have gathered near my sewing spot--that's my Ott-Lite in the background. And "sew warm" is "sew cute" with that needle in his hand. Do I love the Williraye or that no-name guy with the droopy hat more?


These are my candle holders. The small globe was made by my niece.


"Fall Guy" needs some friends I think...


But I can't take anyone down from the tv cabinet. Any fewer and it looks a little sparse.

I don't know how I came to collect snowmen, but I find them happy-making.

Sissy's appointment took forever tonight. First she arrived at 4:45 for her 5:40 appointment to be told it had been rescheduled to 6:30; didn't she get their call? Fortunately, I work close by so we went to Jones for dinner where the dude joined us. Then we showed up at 6:20 and they were waiting for her. They led her back where they must have held her captive for a while before administering the test. They didn't release her until 7:45. We got home at 8:30...there went the hopes of a second coat of primer on the bathroom...but we are closer to knowing.