I have a plan!

I have always thought that it would be great fun to go on a cruise with a group of fellow stitchers. There is a 6 night cruise going to the Bahamas leaving Norfolk,VA May 27 (Sun) returning June 2 (Sat). It is on the Carnival Glory. I went on this cruise with my family in Oct. And had a great time. For an inside cabin it was $616! For those of you within driving distance to Norfolk there is no flight . I thought it would be fun to call it the "Christmas in May cruise" each person could kit up a Christmas ornament for her fellow travelers to stitch, it could be something from the ornament issue or if your so inclined your own design. Other ideas are welcome. I know this is short notice for many people so I want to get the word out to as many people ad possible. If you post this on your blog before March 10 I'll enter you in a drawing for a new Shepards Bush kit. I'll list some of the choices on the next week. I'm ashamed to day I have MANY. If you want to email me your questions or interest my email is darclerob@hotmail.com.

nuttin honey

That pretty much sums up my day. I kept trying to get on line to take a look at the new stuff that came out in Nashville, but I kept getting interrupted,maybe the stitching god was watching out for me. You know what they say you can't take it with you. I've been trying to rent a storage unit in heaven but I don't know where to send my deposit. So have you seen anything that has struck your fancy? Is there anything you can't live without? On the way home I saw many daffadilis. Spring must be around the corner. Have a nice evening.

Busy Girl

I have been on a roll this weekend. Yesterday my stitching group met (minus 2 members) and I have to admit I spent a great deal of time picking Maggee's brain about setting up my new blog. Still have not figured out how to post pictures as I don't have a home computer, and I so appreciate my followers for coming back without the visuals. I'll keep working on it. And thank you so much Maggee for your help. so after stitch group I did a little shopping. Tonight I will be using my new RacheL Ray serving ware. It's eggplant colored. I have been wanting it for so long but couldn't make myself spend the money,$70 but I got it for $30 with discounts and Khols cash. Then I treated.my self to Applebees, I think its going to be a favorite eating spot. I did accomplish a lot on my stitching exchange. This morning I decided to organize my jewelery collection. I wear something everyday and have quite a collection. Nothing expensive mostly Wal-Mart. It seems I take it off and it sits on the dresser and I had quite a tangled mess. So I used 4 divided boxes for the smaller stuff and then the larger stuff I but in small sandwich bags. Keeping sets together. Now I just need to keep it up. Now if I can just tackle the needlework stash. I have an overflow collection on a corner of my living room . I figure I have another 6 months before Cameron is mobile. Hope everyone has a peaceful and productive Sunday.

NEW BLOG

I have decided to start a separate blog to track my life style, weight lose challenges and achievements. If this is an are of interest for you please visit and become a follower here

Thank God for Friday!

Yesterday was very busy and frustrating. The day flew by and its amazing when your busy how its so easy to "stick" to your eating plan. It's been some time since I had a really on target day. Sure hope I'm on a roll! Slept on this morning , I just kept going back to bed, 7:00am! Half my day is gone! I plan to CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN! kinda looks like last nights heavy wind and rain whipped through my house. Then I need to run a few errands Stitch group this afternoon! Need a stitching friends fix. Hope everyone had a good day. Thanks for spending some time with me this morning.

Creative Flow

I have taken on several new projects at work and feel very positive about them. The first is developing an adopt a patient program. Not only do I want to improve my patients health outcomes but in this day and age its all about your numbers. If your patients are not meeting government goals we don't get paid. The government dose not take into account poverty, self defeating attitudes and all the other behaviors that stand in the way of a person making the best use of help. My other project is developing a program to teach "compassion" to health care providers. You'd think this would be a given but unfortunately there is a lot of judgemental attitudes. I feel I've got a up hill battle but I am energized by the challenge. On a stitching front I have not accomplished very much in Feb. I think its a case of so much to do that I don't know where to start. So on March my attitude will be "eating an elephant begins with the first bite" I also sucked at WW this month. Need to track and watch portions Also stop buyong snacks. If its not in the house I can't eat it. Well have a nice day. Here in VA we are having some beautiful weather.75 yesterday and today. I've got a dose of spring fever. Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.

AND THE WINNER IS:

Deb from Stitching threads through my life, Congrats to Deb, please email me your snail mail address. And thanks to everyone who entered and.a special thanks to my new followers. I appreciate each and everyone who spends time with me.

GIVEAWAY! LAST CHANCE, POST 100

This is the last chance to enter the giveaway, I will pick the winner and announce I'm post 101, remember you must be a follower, new follower is fine. I had a nice Sunday, stitched a little, read a little. Really did not accomplish much. Oh well, there's always another day. I want everyone to know I appreciate your following my humble blog. I love your comments. Have a good afternoon,.stitch happy!

GIVEAWAY!! post # 99

To celebrate my approaching 100 post event I'm having a giveaway. You must post on this post or 98 or 100, and be a follower (new is fine). If you post on your blog ill enter you for another chance to win. Good luck to everyone! I spent my Sunday hermitting and stitching. It was a rainey, cold day. My pot of soup made my apartment smell homey. I also ordered in my favorite Chinise takeout. I have leftovers for tonights supper. We were expecting snow but I don't see any yet. I hope it holds off till I get to work. As schools are off for the holiday and some have the day off traffic shouldn't be to bad. My exchange piece is coming along, it is due by 3-15 and I'm well on my way. Well I hope everyone has a hood start to their week and if you have the day off I'm jealous!

GIVEAWAY!

I just realised that I am nearning my 100 post. I thought I would celebrate with a giveaway. Some special fabric, pretty threads and some other goodies. To be eligiable all you need to do is be a follower, new is ok and comment on this post or post 99 or 100. Mention this giveaway PB your blog and you get another chance to win. Act fast cause I generally post every day. I am greatful to all my followers. Love your comments.

Hermitting today

I have no plans today. My only goal is to nap and stitch. I already have a pot of vegtable soup on. Last night I went to a stitching friends home to celebrate her birthday. Her mom was in town and wanted to give her a party. She made a great meal- Mexican stuffed shells (pasta) they were delish I will be making these. We also had homemade salsa- such a treat in the winter. And to top it of a chocolate cake. I will be making those shells for sure. When I get the recipie I'll pass it on. In reviewing my week I did not accomplish as much as I'd hoped. Had planned to write a to do list but didn't. Sometimes I think my expectations are to high. Oh well, this is another week. It's funny if I sit back and think what I did do it dosnt seem so bad. I guess I'll never going to be happy unite I have compleated every stitching project. ya I need to get a new mind set. I am hoping today is the day I don't have to hear the "rehash" on Whittney Houston. I don't mean to be mean but enough is enough. One week over and over. I almost long for the political news. And that's sad. Hope every one has a great day. Stay warm, count your blessings.

OK ITS FRIDAY- NO CATCHEY TITLE

So my mind seems to be a little slow this morning. Probably still soggy from all that rain yesterday. I never made it to Michaels yesterday, left work an hour before my WW meeting but traffic was so bad I just made it to my meeting on time. Well I'll try again today. I am having dinner at Rachels tonight. My little man is getting his first shots today. I hope he does ok. My son was very sick while my daughter had no reaction. The whole vacsination discussion confuses me. I know the studies say they do not "cause" autism but I'm not totally convinced there's not some connection. I also feel all the processed foods we feed kids now might be a cause. Oh I'm so happy those decisions are behind me. My biggest fear was I didn't want an obese child. I grew up overweight and didn't want to burden my child. So tomarrow I need to work till 12:30 and then meet with my stitching buds. I hope to be able to "hermit" on Sunday. Looking forward to work today (no really) its care plan day when we all gather with the docs to discuss each patient. We are a good team and there's always a lot of laughs. I guess I should say we are not laughing at patients, the humor is at our expense. Working in a medical setting is stressful and breaking the tension with humor is healing for the health care provider. I won't lie
and say we never dish about our patients, people are funny and unique. We all want the best for our patients but our agenda dose not matter. Like the old saying you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. Now if our government who handles the health care dollers only understood this. Well have a great day, hugs and smiles to all. Thanks for reading and sharing!

back to work

Had a nice day off yesterday. Had lunch at Ruby Tuesdays with My daughter, grandson and daughters MIL. They have a lot of light choices on there menu, although I had the Carolina chicken salad and I would bet it was more then the stated 467 cal., so I didn't eat the shreded carrots LOL. Then we went to Khols. I bought another bag and some things for Cameron. I also decided on a RAK, our ward clerk at work is a sweet girl having her first baby, a little girl, her husband just came from the Phillapines, they work very hard and both earn just a little more than minimum wage. I bought her a cute little outfit. I think I will leave it on her desk with a little note but not sign my name. I plan to do this again soon. Giving is such a selfish thing to do, makes me feel good. Way better than prozac LOL! Stitched a little yesterday. Not as much as I hoped but that's ok. I am planning to go to Michaels after work, why I'm not sure but I'm sure something will catch my eye. Then pizza with my son. Hope he's in a good mood. Sometimes he's very trifffiling. Isn't it funny how your kids can be so different. Well have a good day.

BIG SURPRISE!

When I got to work yesterday I was treated to flowers outside my office door. I have never gotten flowers at work and as silly as it seems it was an item on my bucket list. Actually its a mircle I got them because apparently fed x delivered them after we closed Mon, and staff found them when they got to work at 4:00am. It's safe to say I do not work in the safest part of Norfolk. We are often a hangout for the homeless. Well I guess I was blessed to have recieved my flowers. I had a little fun at work keeping everyone guessing who my secret admirer was. I finally shared that my multi colored roses were from my daughter and grandson. They sure kept a smile on my face all day. I babysat Cameron last night so his mommy and daddy could go out to dinner. As their reservations were not till 8:00 it was a late night for me. Glad I have today off. Planning to go out to lunch with Rachel and her mother in law who is visiting from VT. then a little retail therapy at Khols. Need to also work on my Feb goals. Have a good day.

A big hug to my stitching friends!

Happy Valentines Day! Love this "holiday" although I never need a reminder to spread some love some of my fondest childhood memories involve Valentines day. Do kids still have parties in school, I loved trading cards. And little treats. My mom was not one of those moms who baked so when my kids were little I was that mom. I have a picture of my son sitting at the kitchen table with his dad writing his valentines. We made dots on the cards to spell his name and he connected them. He worked so hard his little tongue sticking out. I also have a Valentine my grandmother sent Me more than 50 years ago. I look at that card and I'm taken back to the feelings I felt all those years ago. I felt so loved. I guess that's why I love to spread my love on this day, you never know what memories your creating for people. Thanks for following me down memory lane today. Hope you make some great memories today . Hugs

good morning! blogger friends

Well its a chilly Monday morning and I sure need my coffee this morning. This weekend I was more of a cooking diva then a stitching diva. Sat I made a pork roast with red potatoes and onions, turnip and salad, yesterday I mad chicken cor don blue, I poundwd out a 3 oz chicken breast but on a layer of spinich, a layer of WW Mexican cheese (about an oz) and a small stick of ham, I rolled it up and rolled it in crispy panco ,sprinkled on a little olive oil and baked it for 40 min at 350. It was a hit and I have some good leftovers for the week. As I was very WW focused all weekend I hope I am rewarded with a weight lose on thur. That is if I can avoid the candy isle on Valentines day! My plan today is to go into work and wade through the paperwork that has piled up. I hope it looks worst then it is. Hope every one has a good start to their week. What are you planning for your special Valentine?

NOT RICH THIS MORNING!

I meant to buy a lottery ticket all day. Even planned my numbers but alas I never bought a ticket. I have a "thing" about going to convience stores. I try to avoid them because I always seem to snack. So as a result I am still money poor today. Oh well. It is bitter cold and windy this morning. Again I beg my northern friends to forgive my whimmpiness. So today will be a day to suggle up with my stitching and TV. It's a tough life. I'm planning to make a WW friendly supper tonight. A take on chicken cor don blue. I'll let you know how it turns out. I also have some lovely asparagus. I'm a real sucker for the pre packaged veggies. They seem to be fresher and cooking is almost fool proof. Thus is the first time I've found asparagus this way. Love the green beans that come this way. So sad about Whittney Houston, I thank God everyday, I have been spared the pain of addiction. Hope everyone has a great day. Enjoy your self and hug those close to you.

sleeping in

It's 6:00am and I'm just getting up. I feel like I've missed half the day LOL! I'm glad its Sat. I did go to Khols yesterday. Got a really nice bag. It was originally $169, marked down to $44, when I got to the register it was $27! LOVE IT. Also picked up a few things for Cameron. One was s little Birthday Boy shirt I had seen for $15 and decided to go back and buy with my Khols cash, but never did. I got it for $2.80! Love a bargin! Have a busy day planned. Grocery shopping, post office, laundry, WW at 11:30 with my daughter and then lunch at subway (easy to count points, and they have those chips that are only 2 points a bag). Then home for an afternoon of stitching with Rachel. Need to plan something WW friendly for supper. Hoping not to have to go out tomarrow. It might snow although I'll believe it when I see it! I forgot my book at work so I will not be reading this weekend. Have a good day. Thanks for stopping by. I'll check in with you tomarrow.

could I stay home today?

I'm a little tired today. Got home late (for me) last night. Even skipped desert, but I had a really nice meal. Great steak. Fun appetizers, a couple of glasses of wine. I was a happy girl. I had a NY sirloin and planned to only eat half and take the rest home but as they say "I ate the whole thing" YUM . I stayed at work from 7:00 to 6:00 so today I am getting out at 1:30. I plan to go to Khols to by a Vera Bradly handbag my daughter bought a $169 bag for $27 on wed. I sure hope there's a bag with my name on it!. Also need to pick up a few valentines gifts. I started reading "we need to talk about Kevin". I have never read a "modern " novel with so many bigggggg words. I'm a pretty smart cookie but I almost need to use the dictionary on each page. Well if I can only remember these words for Words With friends. Which of course I won't. Have a great TGIF!

need a to do list

I feel like I'm falling behind on my Feb goals. I'd like to say there aren't enough hours on the day but the problem is there are not enough hours in which I have the energy. Is this what happens when you get older. I am a very poor sleeper so I need to be "in bed" for nine hours just to rest my body. I get up every 45-60 minutes to use the bathroom. So that cuts into my quality of sleep. Tv boars me. I do make good meals and don't eat out a lot so that takes time. I just sure could use those 40 plus hours I spend at work. It's not that I don't enjoy my job its just not number one. But I sure so like the paycheck LOL I expect to much. Do you all feel the same way. I know I should be enjoying the moment but can't quite get that. Tonight I am going out to a medical dinner with colleges I enjoy being with. It's at a resturant I've never been to before so that will be fun. It's free so that makes it even better. It's way past my bedtime so o better have several cups of coffee with my desert or no one will hear the speaker over my snoring! Have a great day? What's on your to do list?

late post

This morning I could not get a connection with the internet to post. Would like to say I used the extra time to stitch but that would be a fib. Then Cameron came to visit and he was a little on the fussy side today. So not much hot accomplished. I also finished Night Road by Kristin Hannah. Great read. If anyone would like this book let me know. I will be happy to send it to you (pass it on when your finished) you can send your snail mail address to my email. darclerob@hotmail.com US only please. Have a great evening. Stop by stitching devotee and wish my friend and stitching bud a happy birthday.

looking on the bright side

I try to always look to the future and not spend a lot of tome in the what if arena. Before I moved to Virginia I lived in Western Mass. I had a beautiful home, truley my dream home. I worked very hard to get that home and although moving to Virginia was the right thong to do for Rachel, many times I dream of my "old" life. Today I learned that heating :oil is $3.79 a gallon! As the job I held in Mass has been eliminated, two years after I moved, and as the housing market has dropped just as I move into retirement age I guess I am living and doing just what I should be. Everything happens for a reason! My ovarian cancer 14 years ago has brought me full circle right to the place I belong. My list of blessings is long. The list of regreats gets shorter all the time. One the stitching front not much to report. Although I enjoy reading it does take away from my needle time. Hope everyone has a great day!

foggy monday

That title describes my mind as well as the weather. I hope both will clear up as the day moves on. Did not accomplish a whole lot yesterday. Went to Walmart early and got my valentines and a few b'day cards. I am such a sucker for the new interactive cards. Lights,sounds I love them! But they are priciey. Ended up ordering chinise takeout. Too lazy to cook. Cameron was only here for a couple of hours as the car lots were not open, my daughter was very disappointed. She's like het mom, I want it and I want it now. Did a little stitching but not nearly as much as I had hoped. I have been looking for a little Valentine onsie for Cameron, not much out there. Thought I might try doing something with waste cloth. I'm assuming I can get some at JoAnns. Haven't worked with that in a long time. Probably since my kids were babies. Do they use something different now? Hope everyone has a positive day.

coffee and chat

Blessed Sunday your finally here! Yesterday was a great day. Did my taxes and I was pleased with the results. Will spend the next week or so planning how to spend my windfall. Had a great time at stitching group. Was treated to a visit by two other stitching friends I hadn't seen in a while. I was quite, my nose stuck in my stitching. But it was great to catch up with everyone. Did not do my grocery shopping yet. It's kind of a pain on the first week of the month as this is the busyest time. But todays the day I'll get there early and home in time to enjoy the news shows. Has any seen the Amish alphabet by ? It's new I saw it on Hoffman. Gotta have it. Well hope everyone enjoys their "super" Sunday. As for me although I am a long standing Patriots fan I will be stitching and channel surfing. Hugs

working saturday

Today I must go onto work before meeting with my stitching sisters for a pleasant afternoon of friendship and stitching. I know work will fly by. After stitching I need to pick up a few groceries so that I don't have to go out tomarrow. Oh I almost forgot I plan to do my taxes today at work. I took a quick glance earlier this week and should get a refund, not a lot but enough for some stash enhancement. Tomarrow I am spending grammie time with the little man while his parents shop for a new car. I've been yearning for a pork roast which will give me leftovers for the week. I am moving along on 272 words and with my exchange. Need to have my exchange package in the mail by 3/6 as I want to start off on the right foot. Need to start thinking about finishing options and items to include in my package. I thrive when I have projects on the burner and it gives me pleasure to put a smile on someone's face. So much to do so little time. I just noticed there is a little picture icon on my blog I think after I post this I will experiment. so you may see a second post. Have a great weekend. Be nice to yourself and spread some love.

Looking for pattern

I am looking for a Dr. Suess pattern. Have many shepards Bush kits or others I'd be willing to trade. Check your stash and let me know. Would love to do a Dr. suess for Cameron. Compleated an entire row on 272 words yesterday. Cameron Sat in his chair for nearly two hours and watched me. All I needed to do was song a few songs and rock his chair. His mom was very impressed with my skills grammie hasn't lost her touch. Maybe Cameron is tone deaf cause I really cannot carry a tune. Have a good day. Thanks for stopping by and visiting.

asking for prayers

I mentioned in an earlier post that my clinical manager has gone to Seattle to be with her 26 year old daughter who was disgnoised with a rare blood disorder and need to be treated with chemo. Things look very bleak at the moment. I can only imagine the pain of having a sick child, no matter how old they are. Especially having them live across the country. It's times like this that I realize how blessed I am and how nothing can be taken for granted. Looking forward to some needle time today. Little man will be here in about four hours and I plan to spend my time with him cuddling and making memories. I need to make a trip to the store to pick up some ricotta cheese to make stuffed shells for supper. It's a quick and easy supper. Hope everyone enjoys their "hump" day. Any big plans for super bowl Sunday?