Many years Sampler -- Another UFO in circulation.

HI,
I have been trying to get back to my old projects. They have been sitting awaiting my attention for 21 months now, and I am finally at a place where needlework interest is returning to my life, and I am actually glad about that. I used to do a lot of needlework at one time, and I have missed it in some ways, but for a long time it was just too difficult to even go there. Right now I am picking up an old favorite that I hope to finish. One of the things I want to do is put both Rog's initials and mine in the sampler somewhere, though I haven't thought far enough ahead to say where that will be. Here is a photograph of my sampler as it stands today and I am looking forward to getting back to it. It is one of my favorites and I hope to frame this in a really lovely dark brown frame when it's completed, or a cherry wood, depending on waht I find and how big this ends up being in the end.



thankfully I have found more thread for it. I started it out with a 'mystery' spool from Vikki Clayton and we didn't know the name of the color, so I couldn't get more of it. I had struggled locating the right combination. Fortunately, when I checked back on the Hand Dyed Fibers web site, I found a new color that matches this perfectly. Roger always liked commenting on my needlework progress and the designs I selected. He actually learned a lot about needlework so he could talk to me about my hobby. He is and was such a sweetheart! I was so blessed to have him in my life and I treasure everything about our lives together.

Well, I am off to the next thing on the list, so until I have an update on my progress, this is it for today. Hope you have a good one as well!

My UFO Projects I want to resurrect - ha!

Well, I said I would get on here and post some of the UFOs, and for now I only have two photographs that I can share with you because I will need to either download the pictures from another computer or dig the UFOs out and take new pictures -- which really might be the best way to do this. That way I would have accurate pictures with current status of stitching completion. So I may do that sometime in the next week if I can and update the blog with a few pictures of what I plan to work on. For now I can only give you names, and I will give you some photos to go with them and update the post when I have them. That works for me at least for now . -- Quaker Round Robin is shown above -- I really want to finish this one this year if possible and get it framed. --


-- The Marquoir Sampler -- This is an oldie, and I really have loved working on it when I was more active with my stitching. The colors are fun and I have just picked them as I went along, no real rhyme nor reason to the way I chose them, just what I thought would work. It is different when you are working on a design this way, takes more time, and when you are picking elements that are meaningful to you to add to the sampler. Still, it has been one of the most enjoyable projects I have ever worked on and I am sure Roger would love for me to finish it as he saw me when I started and as I progressed at least until this point. Actually I think it is further along than this photo represents, so I will try to get an update for you very soon.

Trinity Sampler by Eileen Bennett -- This is a lovely piece an fun to work on -- Sorry that this picture is not very clear. Hopefully I can get a better one and replace it. I have this about half way done I think. It is fun learning the stitches as you go though I will say that a few of them stumped me until I figured them out.


The Redwork sampler that I have on my front page is the one I really want to finish. Part of the reason is I love red! It's my favorite color; and I have a lot of red in my house as well. I just adore the colors in this piece -- the variegated reds are so gorgeous and it was a spool I got from Vikki Clayton with no color name....so I have had to search for a match. Unfortunately I don't have the photo on an album where I can download it here -- so you will have to look at the banner on the side that has the picture. The piece is actually further along than in that photo, but I want to dig it out and get back to it. When I locate it, I will take another picture and get it posted here for you to see. Regarding the threads -- thankfully I found a color that works when I placed my recent order with Vikki - the color name was Primitive Barn Red and the other color that I know would work with this is the Perfect Red 6217. This is a free sampler that I got from Gudi on line -- it's her own creation and I love it! I don't have a full photograph to share with you so you can see the finished project, but eventually I will get this completed and show you mine! How's that?

Isn't winter lovely sometimes -- This was a few years ago, we
had 22 inches of snow in two days I think, and it stayed for a while.
We just had a storm here, and it lasted as well, though we only got
about 6 inches of snow, and ice! The temps were really low though and nothing melted for days and days!

We may be getting another storm coming in -- it's really cooling off again, and so we'll see what the rest of the week brings!

In the meantime, stay warm!!! Go make yourself a cup of hot cocoa and add some marshmallows for fun! And a dash of cinnamon too, it's good like that! I love my coffee with cinnamon in it too.

I'll catch up with you again soon...til then...be blessed!!!! Cathy

2010 Goals and Accomplishments -- How did I do?

Well, I have certainly been gone from my blog a long time, but it is time to get back. I k onw that life has had certain challenges for me that you 'grow' out of at some point, and though I'm not quite there, I am working at getting there.

That said, I wanted to just cover what I managed to finish last year. I will even post some pictures if I can later on so you can see the results of some of the projects. It has been different, working through the different upgrades and repairs, changes to the house and yard that I have done in the last 12 months, but getting them accomplished is also a BIG relief. I have not yet quite found myself; that sounds strange, but seriously losing your spouse has to be up there somewhere near the top on the most difficult life challenges. At least for me it is, or has been.

Getting on with the subject though -- I did get a lot done, and so glad for it.

• Did I smell the roses? R & R -- Well, I did get out on a vacation with my niece and her husband in May, and it was nice to get away, even if it was not all that far away. We attended a Christian Confernece in Arizona, and it was nice to just not have the work list going as has been the mode the majority of the time in 2010. I am always glad to get away -- and to enjoy things I love, and I really like to hear people minister the Word of God. My niece and her husband also had a great time -- since there are ample golfing locations in AZ, my nephew was in his element! We had a nice time and a good trip. I hope to do it again this year, if I can work it out. Otherwise, there were not a lot of R&R times in 2010, but then, I never had a lot of them before either.

• FINAL TOUCHES -- I completed the office space in the back bedroom, moved our old computer there, but it has no internet connection. The thing is so old that it runs very slowly, and I can't upgrade the number of Gigs in it. It will only hold 1G, which is amazing in itself, and tells you how ancient the unit is. I don't want to get rid of it because it was Rog's computer, and I just want to keep it for now. But the room is set, has a TV with a DVD and Video connected to it now; no cable back there either due to the problem of running cables to the location, so I enjoy the local Christian channels and watching a video there now and then while I work on my paperwork. It is just nice to have it all arranged. I've added a new electrical connection in there that allows me to turn the lights on in the back yard and provides another outlet for me inside. Works for me. My nephew did the work for me, and I am glad for that. So those loose ends were tied, and a few others as you will hear as I go on.

• Stitching: Somehow there was no real enthusiasm for stitching, and I only managed to put in a few stitches on a leaf in one of my projects last year. I did actually purchase a few things, but they are still sitting waiting for me to get to them. So no real stitching in 2010 -- the enthusiasm just hasn't come back yet.

• GIFTS TO STITCH -- Yes, now that I am thinking about it, I did do more than the leaf in tha tone project. I did also stitch on a few more smalls, but none of them have been assembled, so maybe this year I will get to that. I have added pics of some of the ones that I worked on and need finishing.

• Smalls -- In progress, and yes, I did work on these a little bit. I actually finished a couple more, but I don't have photos of them. they are still not assembled into their final form, so tha tis on the schedule for 2011.
  

• DECORATING TOUCH UPS -- The Stash Room/Back Office have been painted; looks great in a dark gray taupe, and a lighter gray taupe. Didn't need to change draperies -- thank goodness! I bought a desk at a consignment store, and at a good price which came with a nice two drawer file cabinet that fits below the desk. Works well for keeping a few things and supplies that I can work from. I added a large file cabinet in there as well and it holds some of my stitching files . You would know that I'd do that wouldn't you? I need to clean the files there as well and will get that done as part of Spring cleaning this year.

• Spring -- Spring hit late, it was cold in 2010, and it's cold now too. Looks like we might have the same situation again, and if that happens, it means no planting for a while. In 2010 I did manage to get things done outside quite quickly -- planted flowers (dahliah's were gorgeous) -- I even have a picture for you of some of the blooms --
  

Spring sounds like such a good therapy for me right now. It's been very cold this winter, and we just got through a bad snow storm the last 10 days. Very low morning temps of 7 to 12 below zero, and highs of 7 and 12 degrees! BRR!! I will enjoy seeing the yard green up this Spring and get to the planting, but it may not come any earlier than last year -- which about late April/ early May.
This plant (jackomani Clematis) is beautiful until the heat really hits in the Summer, but while it is blooming, it is spectacular! I also have a photo of my new wisteria plantings ( I have 2)...they actually bloomed!!! They are not supposed to for 4-5 years per normal information on this variety, and the bloomed a lot through summer! I was so thrilled!

• CROCHETING -- Though I had good intentions when it came to the idea of crocheting all my yarn and clearing it out of the garage -- that didn't happen. I hope to do some of that this year and see if I can't fulfill my wish to clear up all the stock of yarn I have in the garage and give them as gifts. So this goes back on the 2011 Goals list.

• Digging up my UFOs: This is also on the list of things I want to do this year -- NOPE!! I didn't get to this either. So they are all still in the garage. The good word in regard to stitching is I have actually started stitching again! I had not stitched in 20 months for the most part -- but I have started a La D Da project and I even purchased Vikki Clayton silks and some charts in the last month (January 2011) -- so I think I can call that progress in the right direction! Right? As for digging up the UFOs, they will come out and just to remind you of a few of them that I want to work on here are a few photos.

• UFO STITCHING -- The UFOs didn't see daylight -- except for the smalls, and I only worked on a few motifs, but no finishing has been done. Here are a few of the things I want to pull out of my UFO containers in the garage and get back to.

• EXERCISE ? -- Do we even want to mention this? Ig's one of those subjects we all want to avoid, but I do need to get back into the swing of things and put some time into getting in better health and shape. So, walking will be part of my agenda for this year, and some light weight lifting/stretching exercises to keep this body limber and strong. I've lost a bit since May 09, maybe somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 pounds, so I won't complain, it's progress, and it's stayed off. Eating more nutritiously is probably on the list and taking the right nutrients are the bigger part of the agenda right now, until the weather warms up! I do not like being out in the cold that much. Still, I have every intention of continuing the weight loss and exercise for health more than anything else.

• SEWING/DECORATING -- Well, I didn't get to my nephew's red/black/gray pillows, but I did do a lot of alterations for my niece Danette who is a size 2, -- she's also 37. She's as cute as a button, and the apple of my eye, so I'd just do about anything for her. I love to sew, and even alterations are fun, if you like sewing to start with. I had a wonderful time, and I repeat that -- a 'wonderful time' doing the sewing. I purchased a inexpensive Brother machine that I used for the alterations and I also used my serger from Bernina, which I dutifully took in for cleaning and oiling -- not that it has had so much use in the last couple of years. Anyway, it was wonderful using both machines and I experimented with the blind hem feature on the Brother machine and loved using it. She also had some belts that needed alterations and I did that as well, and had fun making them fit her size. When I was 16 I used to do a lot of my own sewing and enjoyed making my dresses, skirts, and slacks, jackets and belts to match to wear to school, and then later to the community college and work. Now t hat I have sort of 'bit the bullet' and gotten back into sewing, I plan to take some Quilting classes so I can make Roger's pants and shirts into quilts to use at home. I'll love doing that, and it will be a sort of bittersweet experience, in that I will have his clothes to wrap myself up in, which will always be a reminder of him and our lives together, but at the same time, the loss is real, and remembering has a sting to it as well. I'm grateful that I had so many wonderful years with Roger, and so many special moments that I will never forget. I am truly blessed and fortunate that there are no bad memories to recall -- yes we had struggles, but we never caused each other grief and I am grateful that we had such a wonderful loving relationship as husband and wife. -- Oh, my nephews pillows will also be sewn in the process when I pull out the machines again. It will be something I will enjoy doing as sewing is a very therapeutic sort of activity for me.
  

• LEARNING - I spend a bit of time through the week in the Bible, reading, studying, reading books about spiritual growth. I only wrote one newsletter for the church this past year. Both life being busy and the projects I had to do, plus working through the emotional things has had an affect on me and my productivity in some areas. I still am involved in m y church, and spent a nice time ministering to the elderly at some of our nursing homes this Winter. I plan to make that part of my work this year as well, and will be making all those arrangements before long. Learning is fun -- I enjoy the bible and study and teaching at church, so I am going to do more of that I hope in this coming year. I have also signed up for four college courses (Christian college) which I will be able to do at home, and enjoy the process of that as well. So life goes on and I am not dropping my efforts to continue to learn. The church newsletter will also be back but maybe in a smaller format than before so it is manageable for me.
  

• POSSIBLE EARLY CHRISTMAS PROJECTS -- The nightgowns didn't see daylight, but this might be the time to do that since I will be learning to quilt and sewing pillows before long here. I enjoy sewing and it is a useful past time, something you can use to produce items that can be enjoyed as clothing or decorating elements in the home or useful things like totes and purses, or belts and caps. Though I have certain goals -- things I want to work on -- I want to spend a little time learning new things in sewing and maybe make a few Christmas projects so I don't have to buy gifts this Christmas. We'll see how it goes. There are a lot of useful things you can create with a sewing machine, scissors, thread and needle.
  

• PICTURE PROJECTS - Scrap booking -- though an interesting hobby and fun I would think, right now I just don't want to clutter my life with more stuff. So I am going to try to work on things that I can make from supplies I already have on hand. if there are any picture projects here, they will be canvas pieces that I work on. I enjoy painting, and I like modern art as well, so I am going to see what I can do with the paints on hand, the blank canvas pieces I bought last year and ideas I have in my head. There hasn't been time to do it, but now that I am working my list down to 'manageable' I am considering working on a few pieces of my own art for my bathrooms, and back office. Hopefully they come out well and I can share photos with you.
  

• PICTURE ALBUMS -- Though I won't be scrap booking, I will be working on a few albums of photos that were my Mother's, and scanning them for making CDs for my family. Hopefully I will be able to plan a family reunion this Summer and give the CDs out then. I also plan to take all of Rog's pictures and put them in an album with all our memories and comments, so depending on how things go I men end up scrap booking a bit too as I develop my albums with Rog's and my pictures. I've always thought it was fun, but just didn't have the time or space to do all the collecting of elements that go with it. Who knows...maybe this summer after the sewing is done I can concentrate on doing something else that I've never done before.

• SEWING/CLOTHING -- The fabric I had bought for the tunics never turned into anything. I still have it all though, and the intention to sew the tunics. Right now it's cold enough that if I do sew them they would come in handy, so who knows. I may be getting to that before long. Right now I have a greater desire to clean closets, and drawers and do a bit of painting on the ceiling in the kitchen before I do anything else.
  

• MAJOR PROJECT -- REFINISHING KITCHEN CABINETS -- OH my! Yes, I am going to do it myself. -- and I bought a tool that will hopefully make getting the sanding done a bit easier. I also have found that though the cabinets were looking pretty faded; using a Stainless Steel spray on them brought out the wood nicely, so for the moment, they are looking alright. I still plan to get the job done on my own, mix my own stain to get the right color (which I have done before for the window sills) and get them stained and then finished off with a good sealant that will keep them from losing their beauty. It is a "Big Project" -- but it is not impossible. It will also save me a lot of money. Another thing that I am glad about. The counters are okay, but I hope that I can eventually get those replaced with something new -- just a matter of time and finding the right source for the job. Life goes on, and I am spending time on the house because I really like it -- and I want it to last in good shape. If I do the work now, I will save myself a lot of difficulty later. Nobody is getting younger, and at my age, I need to consider getting jobs done while it is still easy to do them . I am having a top cabinet and one narrow one made for my kitchen and that I hope will be installed by the end of February. That will close up the work in the kitchen -- Another Hurray moment!!! Did I mention I bought some new appliances after 25 years -- yes. I know, it was a long time and they were dated, but they worked. I'm glad they lasted as long as they did. Hopefully what I have bought to replace them will also last my lifetime and beyond . I hadn't done a lot of cooking before, but with the new stove I have gotten back to doing some cooking and it is enjoyable. Cooking was always fun for Roger and me, and it was hard getting past the hump of not having him to cook for. Right now I am cooking because it is just more economical than going out to eat, and honestly you get tired of restaurant food after a while. I still just like the basic things I grew up with and they are healthier to eat anyway . In putting in the stove and vent we lost the top cabinets so I am having to rearrange some things in the kitchen to make it work for me. The top cabinet and long side cabinet will help for storage and keeping spices and small food items stored. I'll just be glad to get the work on the cabinet refinishing done!!! That's one of those things you just take on like a bull dog as there is just no other way, it's not one of those 'fun' kind of projects necessarily, just necessary that I complete it and do it well.
  

• FRAMING -- I bought some new pieces to hang in the hallway and put Roger's pictures and mine in different places in the house because I just wanted his pictures everywhere. That's kind of understandable. Anyway, I have the Master bedroom to finish -- I have frames and all the hardware, I just need to get the pictures in the frames and rework the back of the frames so they can be hung on the wall. I'm hoping to get that done soon and finish up the wall over our bed. I did finish the frame shopping last year, and have several photos hung throughout the house -- only one more room to go.
  

LANDSCAPING -- The rock was moved, and the driveway cleared -- I had two humps of rock (two different types) and one smaller pile of river rock. Those I used, or gave away when I was done with the spreading I needed to do. It was hard work, doing it alone, but I got through it, and the yard looks nice now. All the areas on the perimeter of the house were done where needed, and I filled in spots in the back yard as well where we had removed a bush, and roses, and the areas needed to be reworked with liners and rock. I did all that work on my own, and it was heavy work but it is done!!! Hurray for that!
Repairing the fountain bowl -- you can see the picture here of what it looked like. The wear was caused from snow that froze in the bowl and popped some circles out of the bowl. I had to first find a solution, not as easy as one might think. Learned that you need to mix an epoxy with cement to get it to be dense enough and capable of dealing with contracting and expanding with weather. Had to remove the paint and all the rough areas had to be smoothed with a grinder, cleaned, then sealed with an epoxy a few times. Allowed to dry and then mix the cement with water and epoxy and apply it evenly, spray again with epoxy after it was done, and let it cure. Then, finally apply pool paint over the whole thing. It is fixed and the fountain works nicely. I will enjoy that feature this Spring and Summer.....I have not used the fountain for over 2 years now.
Leaf raking. Well, it never lasts done, and I only have one tree in the back yard -- you can see it's not very large. The leaves I get are from the neighbors who live above me -- at higher elevations, and who have large trees. So I just diligently rake them up. It's done, but more have blown into the yard from my neighbors again, so I will be doing yard work again once the weather warms up.
Bush Trimming, as you can see needed to be done! I trimmed all the bushes in the ayrd, front and back! A big job as there are a lot of them. So that is done for a while. Though this isn't a landscaping job, replacing the screens on the windows really needed attention. I did get the materials and did it all myself! One more project out of the way and something new learned. Lastly will be plants for the fountain, and two flower beds that are new in the front yard, and the individual flower pots that are in the front yard. Bush trimming and a little fertilizer and that's about all that needs to be done outside, thank goodness!!!

• Repairing the Barbecue Counter Area --This was a big project, not just because it took time and had to be taken apart before it could be fixed, but we had done it once before and the repair didn't work well!!! Life and learn!! Hopefully anyway. I had h ad the area built, installed, and it looked so nice, but the winter came and the snow caused the tiles to loosen and they started to fall off. It also sagged because we used the wrong board on the base. That's why I said live and learn. We redid the whole structure but again put the wrong board the second time, so it started to have the same issues -- and the grout cracked and tiles were again falling off the sides. So another nephew came to repair it for me, and hopefully all is well now. We used cement board on the wood structure base that we had built, took out the other stones that we had had there and they ended up going to my nieces for her landscaping -- at least we could reuse them. The tile had to be completely removed, and redone, and we bought a grout that works like bubblegum and cement worked together. Strange stuff, but it stretches and shrinks and is waterproof. The bottom before the tile and grout had to be sealed with a red sealant and looked hideous but it protects from water damage should there be any issues with the grout. That by itself will help tremendously. So we had to take it completely apart at least the top 3 layers and then redo the thing again. It is fine and withstood our recent storm, so I am happy. While it was in disrepair, I just covered it with a tarp and left it sit until we were ready to work on it. Looks good now, and hopefully will also endure in good condition.
  
• New Cemented Area to Increase Patio Space -- This is just part of the whole process of redoing the back yard a bit. We cut down the sod by 6 feet and worked cement around the patio that we already had placed. It worked out nicely and we also added a driveway at the double gate in the back which makes it much easier to place items in the back yard when I am bringing in bushes and all the different yard items that are needed through the Spring and Summer. I should have a nice area to sit and relax in this Spring and Summer. And yes, I will show updates of the yard when I have the plants in and established. I actually enjoy working outside, even though it takes a lot of time and effort to keep it looking nice.
• Last but not Least! -- The fnial thing on my agenda is to find myself a job! Yes, it's time to think about working and I hope to find something local and maybe just part time at first to give myself a chance to accustom myself to being in the work world again! Oh my! That is not exciting in many ways for me, I have not worked in 15 years, not at a job that I was paid for -- I've worked, and you can see from the photos that that is a true statement! It will be like riding a bicycle, right -- you never forget how to do it? We can hope -- and I am sure that the Lord has something out there for me as well that will be a good match for me in convenient location and work schedule. I am praying to that end anyway. Life has been an adjustment for me in a lot of ways and I'm not where I need or want to be yet in some ways, but in the process of working through that I am getting a lot of work and repairs and maintenance done that is just part of having a home and yard. I'm certainly not complaining about the work, I've always worked hard, and I don't mind that part. The part that I find harder is learning to live without Roger and that I may never quite accustom myself to. He was such a huge part of my life and my joys in life. Thank God for being busy! it's one time I won't complain about it -- in some ways it helped me hang on while my heart and emotions were in turmoil and keep body and limb together. I intend to find my way and at some point this will all feel like life and like normal living and I pray a few joys along the way too. Well, that's the end of the update for now. I will try to get some stitching things in here soon and a few photos of the UFOs I pull out.
  

Wish you all a wonderful New Year 2011! spend your time wisely and remember to make good memories! Stitch a lot too! Hugs all around, Kathy

A Happy 2010!

Another New Year! Amazing 2010! Seemed almost unreal in a way, and yet we're definitely here. I normally spend a bit of time thinking about what I want to accomplish each year, and I have been dragging my feet on that for a while. So I am going to take this coming weekend and sit down and create some kind of goals and accomplishments for myself. I have always worked best from a list, and it certainly feels good to see it shrink as the year moves along. It is also a good way to gauge what I have managed to complete in the year. There's something important about looking back to see progress you've made. Most people need that, and I am one of those people.

So goals are on the horizon....and then the work of reaching them.

• R & R -- This year I want very much to spend some time enjoying the things I have done in the past. I have spent a lot of time working on the landscaping and on the interior decorating in the house, and I feel like a lot of my life has been spent working and not necessarily stopping to 'smell the roses'. So this year I want to regain some of that rest and refreshing that I have skipped over for most of my life. There is a time and a season for everything as the Word says in Ecclesiastes, and I think this is my time to find some rest and refreshment, and even some order in my life.

• FINAL TOUCHES -- I have been here and there with life lately, trying to make some changes in the house and just tying up a lot of loose ends in my life. It has been quite a time. Not everyone enjoys challenges, and I do to an extent, but there are times you wish that things were not quite so overwhelming. That's getting better, and I am glad for that. I'm actually finishing up the last room that requires painting and then I can get it all organized the way I like it, and that will be all of the 'real' work for a while. Just in time for Spring

That said, this also means that I have some time to think about and do other things that are interesting. I haven't been stitching the last 9 months, but once or twice, and not for very long. Just couldn't seem to get into it -- but I am finding now that I think about my needlework in one way or another from time to time, so maybe the inspiration is coming back. I do have some friends I want to make some gifts for so I am working at that right now and hoping to get them going in the next few weeks. I am saying few weeks as my life has been a bit topsy-turvy lately and it is hard to say what is going to get done at any given time. Just reality.

• GIFTS TO STITCH -- So I am looking at designs of smalls and pockets, and all sorts of different finishing techniques so that I can do something that works for the gifts I have in mine. Not too complicated, so that it doesn't take too long to complete them, but enough so that it looks good and is a nice presentation for a gift when I am finished. Needlework has always been such a blessing in my life, a way of creating, and getting lost in something that totally consumes my thoughts while I am actively at work. I really enjoy that part, it is a great therapy so that you calm down and really forget about the 'stuff' of the day. So within the next 4 to 6 weeks I may have some nice pictures to share with you -- and I really do want to finish them within that time frame.

• DECORATING TOUCH UPS -- I've been painting and finishing up some changes in my 'stash room'. I am combining it into a sewing room - or stitching room; a small desk for studying and a mini office area; and it will also become a prayer room. We have two areas where we have desks in the house, but this is tucked away and very quiet and I can leave things that I am working on in place and pick up the next day where I left off. Once it is finished I will be doing Spring cleaning again...which seems to be needed every year no matter what you try to do to keep from collecting things.

Spring sounds like such a good thing -- I am really looking forward to the sunshine, and fresh air, and flowers; even the work! It won't be long now. Somehow Spring revitalizes me, and clears the fog in my head ! There are still projects to do outside, and they will be put on the list of "to dos" once the weather is a little more reasonable. It's been quite cold this Winter.

• CROCHETING -- Digging up my UFOs is also on the list of things I want to do this year, and crochet up all the yarn I have in stock. I may give it all away as Christmas gifts but at least it will no longer be stored here in my garage or in the closets. Crocheting has always been a joy to me. I learned at 16 -- self taught, and I would love to learn to knit as well. So maybe this will be the year .

• UFO STITCHING -- The cross stitching UFOs are in my garage right now, sitting and waiting, but I plan to take out 3 of them to begin to work on again, once I finish the needlework smalls that I am stitching for gifts. it will be nice to see them reach a finish -- and who knows it could be this year. Just now, thinking about them, I am considering the redwork sampler that was free on line a year or so ago. The other one I want to pick up is the Quaker RR so I can finally get that finished and framed.

• EXERCISE ? --The other item on the list of new year plans, which ends up on most people's lists is exercise. Yes, that lovely word! Most of us forget out plans and goals regarding weight loss or exercise after a few weeks, or months. I'm hoping to get back into a routine so that life starts to feel like it has some order to it. I love exercising in the Spring and through Fall, but winter is always hard as it is so cold and windy and I don't much enjoy being out in that kind of weather. So we'll see how I fare in that category by year's end.
  

• SEWING/DECORATING -- I have committed to sewing some pillows for a great nephew who is redecorating his room and using gray, red, white and black in the room. I have the fabric on hand, so I just need to make time to sew hem up and get them delivered to him. Also, I had collected so many different fabrics for decorating that I pulled them all out one day and let my niece pick several that she would like made into pillows for her home. So I want to get that done also this Spring, or by early Summer. There's no rush, but it would be nice to get that off the list of things I have committed to. It will also be a nice distraction, and I have always enjoyed sewing.
  

• LEARNING - I spend a bit of time through the week in the Bible, reading, studying, reading books about spiritual growth. I have not written a newsletter for our church in a long time, but that will come too. I have some catching up to do there. So I will be working at regulating my life so that there is time enough to do these things, and enjoy the process. I love doing this, so it's not a matter of if I will do it, just when and how much. There have been some web cast conferences that I have been able to sign up for and I have myself signed up for three of them between now and early April. They are enjoyable and much less costly than flying somewhere. Not that that's no enjoyable in itself, but seriously, it is much more practical to do it on line and I really like the convenience of not having to pack . It's great to be able to pour yourself a hot cup of coffee and take notes in Word while you listen and absorb the messages.

• POSSIBLE EARLY CHRISTMAS PROJECTS -- I have several nieces that I am close to and I am thinking that I would really love to make them some night gowns using cotton, and eyelet lace, and embroidery and small buttons, ribbon, etc. You get the idea. I bought a pattern ages ago that is specifically for this type of gown, and has several versions. It would be the perfect gift for Christmas and I would enjoy the process of making each one special according to their personalities and tastes. So that may be on the agenda also, and I will need to buy yards and yards of white cotton, lace, and colored and white ribbon. In the meantime I need to get my serger worked on and ready for a workout!

• PICTURE PROJECTS - There hasn't been time to do it, but now that I am working my list down to 'manageable' I am considering working on a few picture albums. I have never done scrap-booking, but it might be fun, and I do want to get all of my Mom's pictures made up into CDs for my brothers and sisters so they have all of them and can print up whatever they want. The originals I will be keeping in my own scrapbooks, and that is he project I want to work on this Summer. Also, Rog's pictures and mine and all our cards will be another project to work on in the Fall and Winter. Little by little they will all get into some form of organization, and hopefully in a beautiful manner. AS I said, I have not done any scrap-booking but it is time to learn.

• SEWING/CLOTHING -- I have some fabric that I want to make some tunics with, and they will be great for this coming Fall and winter. The fabric is a velveteen and in really luscious colors. I also bought some fleece fabric to make a coat and I would like to get that sewn as well before the Fall. So there are a lot of small projects to keep me occupied this Spring and Summer, and actually I am glad to have them to do.

• MAJOR PROJECT -- REFINISHING KITCHEN CABINETS -- And yes, I am going to do it myself. Big project, and slow, but I will do it. The cabinets they make today are so flimsy that I decided I couldn't just switch off the doors and have them refinish the rest to make it look like it matched. Just wasn't going to be the kind of quality I have, so decided the best thing was to sand and refinish them all on my own. The process is slow and it will look pretty ugly for a while until they are all sanded, stained and sealed, but it gives me something to do and it is definitely worthwhile. The wood is good and solid, and not that laminate stuff which I really do not like. Replacing them, with the same quality would cost way too much so this is the least expensive way to go and will give me a really nice finish that will last a long time.
  

• FRAMING -- There are a lot of photos I want to frame and hang in the house, so I need to gather them together, enlarge a few, and then go frame shopping. I'm actually going to enjoy the process of doing that, as they will make such a nice display in the house.
  

• LANDSCAPING -- Though I don't have too much to do outside this year, there are some final touches that weren't completed last Fall. The weather got too cold and blustery and it just wasn't pleasant to be outside. So on the list to finish are: moving some rock to the side yard and back yard around the wisteria. Followed by repairing the bowl of the fountain outside. A process I have never done before, and hope that it works. Leaf raking. I get all the neighbors' leaves in my yard! Bush Trimming, and though this isn't a landscaping job, replacing the screens on the windows. Have all the equipment and supplies, just need to pull them all down and redo them. Also a new experience for me. Lastly will be plants for the fountain, and two flower beds that are new in the front yard, and the individual flower pots that are in the front yard. Bush trimming and a little fertilizer and that's about all that needs to be done outside, thank goodness!!!
  

Well, that sort of covers most of the bases for my year 2010. God willing, they all will see a finish, and I will find more time to just enjoy the work of my hands.

God bless you all and hope that your 2010 turns out to be a wonderful year for you in every way. Your friend.... Cathy

What's For Christmas?

Like many people, Christmas for me is 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"! I really do love all the bustle, the shopping, the cooking and all that goes with Christmas. From writing out cards and putting up all the decorations inside and outside the house, and planning our Family Reunion which follows Christmas generally. This year it will be one week before Christmas, and hopefully that works for everyone in the family so we have a good attendance. Most often it's not a problem, as everyone loves getting together. Also, I have a new Christmas tree this year. The one we had before was getting yellowed due to the heat in our garage in the summer time. It was a white tree originally and I couldn't figure out how to restore it, so I bought a green one this time. If you read below, you will see that My Rog will be celebrating Christ's Birthday with the Lord himself -- he's moved to Heaven, and though I miss him terribly, I know he would not want me to stop having our family reunions. He was so happy about being in my family and enjoying times with them, that I know he would not want me to stop celebrating how much we love each other. No, Christmas is not the same without Roger...needless to say, but it is still special, as it is a time to remember the Lord's birth and the reason for his coming, and that He will come again!! Something I truly celebrate in my heart! Actually, I believe that having to plan this event will help me from being consumed by the fact that Rog is not here with me this year to enjoy opening gifts on Christmas Day and our special Christmas dinner and just his presence every day. My family is great about keeping me busy and staying close so that I am not alone too much. It is not the easiest thing to work through life alone when you have known so much love and care from your husband, but I am having to learn, and I will.

Getting back to the celebrating of Christmas, I will be narrating our Christmas program this year, which will be fun, and singing with the Praise Team. That too will be good for me, as I will have things to do and that will be a blessing to others in the church family. Christmas is a time for blessing other people, and I hope to do some of that again this year.

I'm hoping we get some really good snow this Christmas. There is nothing so peaceful and beautiful in my opinion than new fallen snow. It leaves such a blanket of rest on the land, and in the soul. I love looking at it sparkle in the sunlight, and glisten in the moonlight at night. I love the frosty feeling in the air, and the unending beauty of snow that has not been touched or walked over. Rain and snow have the same affect on me -- they make me feel refreshed and at the same time very peaceful and calm. Both of which are good for me and maybe now more than ever.

• And as for What's Up for Christmas? Lots of good cooking. I want to experiment with some new desserts and if I find anything really exciting I will post it here for you to see....and give you the source for the recipe if it is a web recipe.
  
• I am learning to play some Christmas music, and if I am good enough, I may play at church during the Holidays, which will be good for me. I need to get accustomed to playing for other people. I used to play for Roger, and he loved hearing me practice my piano ...which only someone who loves you can enjoy when you are first starting out. Now I have been playing for awhile, so I am not exactly unable to play music, but the songs are not too terribly complicated. Enough to make them sound fairly good when I do it right though. So I need to find myself a new audience, and develop a comfort zone for playing publicly. Eventually I hope to play at church and make our worship services a little fuller than they are right now . With God's help, right!!?
  
• Cooking has always been something I enjoyed. I have learned to cook a lot of different foods while married to Roger, and I always liked experimenting with new recipes. Lately I haven't done much cooking, as Rog was the one who inspired me to cook. I've also lost a fair amount of weight in the last 6 months, which isn't a bad thing, but I haven't actually been trying to lose either. There is just a wonderful feeling when you walk into a house that smells of baking pies, or those wonderful almond, cinnamon and nutmeg and clove spicy scents. Yummy! So I will try to find some appropriate recipes to work on before our reunion happens. General things on the menu are Tamales, Red Chili, Carne Adovada (Pork marinated in Red Chili with a smidgen of oregano in it and baked in the oven), Posole, Baked Ham, Chili con Queso dip, Cheese Balls, Vegetable trays and dipping sauces, Homemade Bread Rolls, Bizcochitos (anise cookies), Gingerbread cake, Nut Rolls, Pecan Pie, and I have promised my great nephew cheesecake (Rog's recipe which he won lst prize for at work). I am going to look for some new cookie recipes, some fruit pie recipes for mini pies, and some interesting desserts. I may also make some seafood recipes, not sure yet -- depends upon what I find that works. If you have any, please pass them along.
  
• Decorating -- I will start decorating the house tomorrow inside, and do a little work outside before I string up any of the lights outside. I don't have the same landscaping out in the front yard -- for one thing my large area of junipers is gone, and I will have to find other ways to decorate the front yard -- but I will find something that works. I took out the lawn and put in planters and some Southwest plants, and rock, flagstone, and other 6x9 stones for a patio area in the front. I do have lots of bushes out front, but some are not fully developed -- so we'll see how it ends up. Thankfully I do have some good pine trees in my courtyard, and I will be putting lights on all those bushes this year so it will have a nice Christmas-y feel to it. I love the lights at Christmas! Last year I bought some lovely glistening wreaths for the gates, and I found some pretty glittery red bows for the pillars on the porch, and some lighted candy canes that I will put out in the yard somewhere . It will be a new challenge to figure out how to decorate -- but I generally am good about working it out given a little time. Inside the new tree will go up this week and it will be decorated with red ornaments and clear lights. I put up all my victorian houses on the window sills and I want to make it look really nice this year with some new snowy trees and a few more lighted pieces. I have lighted garland that I will use outside and on the mantle with some brass candle holders and poinsettias. So it will look very festive in the house. I also decorate the windows in the living room, dining room and kitchen which are all kind of open in the way my house is arranged. Christmas music is one of my most favorite things, and so I will be selecting my CDs and get them ready to play all month long. If you find a good Christmas music CD out there, please let me know. I have a lot of them, but I love checking out new music.
  
• Shopping -- Though I have always done a fair amount of shopping for the extended family, with my current situation, I wont' be doing the same amount of shopping, but I do enjoy giving gifts, so that is still part of my plan. I enjoy wrapping gifts and writing personal cards to each person -- that too is part of Christmas for me. Telling each person how special they are to you and why, and how you will be praying for them in the future. There are certain things you do at Christmas time that you may not do any other time of the year, and for me that is wringing the personal notes about my love, encouragement and faith in my individual family members. These new ones coming up are just so special to me and have such great promise and destiny in them. So every gift is something I really think about because it needs to match their personality and have special meaning for them. I do not want my gifts sitting in their garage or on the top shelf of their closet because it just didn't fit them or their personality .
  
• Church Program -- This year I am narrating the Church Program, and I am looking forward to doing that, and also singing with the Praise Team for our Christmas program. I love Christmas, and being part of things at church is just something I truly enjoy any time of the year, but Christmas it is really special for me and I love all the wonderful messages that are part of our faith and being part of the whole thing. We generally have a celebration for Jesus Birthday after our Church Program, and it is just so joyful and full of exciting things -- the Children all get gifts, and it is just a very special time for all of us. Celebrating Christ's birthday and the reason he came is very spiritually impacting. The joy and peace He brings is still real today!
• Writing Out Cards -- I love this. Really it is something I enjoy doing, and I really try to make them personal and special for the ones that I am sending to. For family it is easy because I know them so well -- for friends who I know on the web, some I have known for 13 or more years, so it is almost as though they were family. Many of them I have never met face to face, but we are as close as friends get. Computers sure have brought the world together in ways we probably never imagined would happen. I always get my cards early and start in writing just after Thanksgiving, so this weekend I will probably dig them out of my closet and get down to writing my special greetings. It is as special in some ways as giving a gift.
• What do I want for Christmas! Mostly to make it through the holidays without coming apart. Life is so different and sometimes very sad without Rog that I have my moments. I want to get through the holidays without too many hard moments -- to remember happy things, and to celebrate the Lord in special ways that bring peace to my heart and future. This is probably the most important part for me this Christmas. Interestingly I don't have much of a list for Christmas -- which may make it difficult for my family to figure out what they want to get for me. I may not be much help . Seat covers for my car would be good, I need them since my leather seats are looking a little worn and they are beginning to tear in places. Yes, my car is not new and due for changing out, but since Rog got me that car, I have a hard time letting it go. He had been thinking of buying me a car before he went home to be with the Lord -- and we had been discussing getting me a car, but I was not that keen on doing it because I felt like my car could make it a few more years before we needed to do that. So I may not change it out until it gives up the ghost. Christmas lists are not a high priority for me now. I'd love to have a bit more direction in my life if I could ask for anything that would be it. God will have to be the one to give me that gift though -- not sure anyone else has the right prescription for that sort of gift. Perfume is always a good choice for me, I like to smell nice. I love spicy and woody scents, not too much flowery stuff -- it can give me a headache at times. I love what most people would call Oriental, woody, more pungent spicy scents. What I call winter-y or autumn scents. Gift certificates from Christian Book Distributing is also a good idea for me. I love to buy their books, and have a huge wish list on their website. If I could get anything else it might be a laptop. I used to try to talk Rog into buying me one, but he always had problems with wireless connections and the problems with security. That's why I don't have one . A new smaller computer with a lot of memory and storage would be good, and those little tower type computers are looking pretty inviting to me. But I don't think I will be getting one this year. AT least not as a gift . I may at some point get one for myself because I wouldn't mind having one to use in my little office in the back bedroom. Anyway, as I said I don't have much of a list....so we'll see what the Lord sends my way through my family. I may buy myself something from Rog, even though he is in Heaven as a way of celebrating HIM. Something to add to my memories of my beloved. Maybe a piece of jewelry with the numbers 18-12-12 engraved on it to show the number of years, months and days I had with him as his wife. Yes, that sounds like a good way to celebrate Christmas and keep the memory of our love. I so love that man, still, and always....

Well that is probably it for me. I am learning how to live my life in a new way, not easy, but I am trusting for guidance daily and will be working at some point next year. That is new to me too. I stopped working in 1995, and going back is a bit of a new turn for me, but God will provide there too.

Hoping that your Christmas plans are special and include a lot of loving friends and family to share the time with. There is nothing like the love you share with those in your life....make sure you take lots of pictures, and videos if possible to keep. They are invaluable, believe me....
God bless you and Merry Christmas -- Happy Hanukkah -- Celebrate with those you love! Give to those who have little...and be generous! God is watching.... :-) Love and blessings!!!

Cathy

Catching UP with Life and the year.....

Well, it's been a year. For those of you who know me personally, either on the web at all the different needlework areas, or my family, you know that it's been a year! Roger my beloved went to be with Jesus in May, and that has been quite a bolt for me to face. Life is beautiful when you are happy, and challenging when you face it without the same joys you knew when you were happy and life was even. Being a Christian, and knowing Jesus as I do, I am not unhappy that my husband is well and walking and running in heaven, and free of all the challenges he faced as a paraplegic on earth, but I miss him terribly! He is and was such a blessing to my life, that being without him is like taking color out of the world. I will never get accustomed to life without my best half. He was and is and always will be the love of my life! The One I treasured and enjoyed with the kind of happiness that people dream of and seldom have. I had it with my Rog, and being without him and all that he was to me is the biggest challenge of my life. We had the best love, the best marriage, the best life together, and it wasn't because we had perfect circumstances in our lives. One of the things I miss is Rog's singing. He used to sing what we called "silly songs", though some of them were very sweet and sometimes loving and romantic songs he made up for me. Rog became paraplegic 10 months after we were married, and we faced a lot of ups and downs as a result of that challenge in our lives, but we did learn to make life happy in spite of the challenges, and in my opinion a hero in the way he faced them. We grew into a oneness that most people never find. He was and is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and my best coach and always cheered me on in whatever I attempted. He loved me. I guess one of the things you never forget is the way they express their love to you, and Rog would tell me he loved me and his eyes would fill with tears from the depth of his love for me. He loved me....and I knew it! Anyway, you only find this love when God is in the center of your life I think and that was true for both of us. We were committed to God before we were committed to each other. One thing I do know in spite of the challenge of going on without my Rog beside me, is that God is with me, and I will face life courageously no matter what is ahead. God has plans for me obviously or I would not be here, and whatever His desire is for me, is my desire. I thank God for the promise of eternity and the hope of being in heaven someday with my Rog too, and experiencing the joys of reunion with my family that has gone on before me as well, and enjoying all the wonders of Home with God! In the meantime, I am pressing on into God's will for my life and with all the courage He provides, looking at the future with hope, knowing His purposes for me are good! This of course doesn't mean that there aren't challenges yet to face, and bridges to cross -- it doesn't mean I won't have days when I feel lost or that I won't miss Rog so much it seems unbearable...I've already had days like that, but I also know the God in whom I trust, and He has always been there through the tough times in my life and brought me through. He doesn't change, and the Lord will be with me throughout the rest of my journey -- of that I am sure. If you are facing something difficult today, I pray that God's arms will surround you and give you the strength and courage you need to face the day with hope and know that He too has good plans for your future. Be blessed...... Cathy....

Here is a picture of my beloved....my darling!!!
This is when Rog first came home from the Rehab hospital after he had had surgery and a time of learning how to function after the fall he had taken while rock climbing. We were both so glad to be home and to have the time to heal and work through our new life together. God made it possible for us to find great joy, peace and happiness in our lives, and a great love together. I could not have asked for a more perfect husband and friend as I found in my darling Roger.

I hope my Sweetheart is watching me from Heaven and praying that I will continue my race here and do it well. How grateful I am for the life I had with my husband Roger, and for the joys and happiness we shared. The riches we shared went well beyond what money can buy, or replace.

I've Received a Blog Award! How Cool Is That?

Well, thanks to Wawanna, I have received a very nice blog award -- my understanding is I have to list my 5 addictions -- thankfully they are harmless ones ....and list 5 others who I want to present with a "Your Blog Is Fabulous" Award! So here goes ----

As for my 5 addictions -- I will really have to ponder this one as I am not sure if I even have 5 .

1. Needlework -- stitching, and anything stitch related, from books, magazines, fabric, fibers and anything I can learn that is new in relation to needlework. I have really maxed out my space allotments in the house for stashing, so you know I am really a bit over the edge when it comes to my hobby.

2. Books -- I have lots of them, and not near enough space to keep them all. I don't do a lot of fiction reading anymore, but I do have a huge library of Christian books and study related books. I prepare our church's newsletter and write many of the articles so I do a fair amount of Bible study. It's one of my greatest joys, and I will never have enough books..

3. My nieces and nephews -- I don't have children. As a result, I spoil the dickens out of all my nieces and nephews and I have a lot of them! They are as precious to me as if they were my own kids, and I am so blessed to have them in all ages from nearly newborn to 50 years old! I am 56 1/2, and come from a family of 13 myself. So that is the reason I can have a niece who is nearly my age! Amazing! They are the apple of my eye, every single one of them!!!

4. Chili --and Coffee I live in New Mexico, and am Spanish (Castilian), as well as Dutch, Scottish, Jewish and Irish...what a combination! Anyway, living in New Mexico, and being Spanish, I am totally helpless if I don't have my chili. Just something I really enjoy....and put on almost everything . I love mashed potatoes with red chili on top! Yum!!! I do really enjoy coffee very much -- I have a machine that makes cappuccino and lattes, and lattes really is what I bought it for. I love coffee that don't have bitter aftertastes in them, so medium is usually good for me. Light roast if it has a fairly good flavor. I'm not into the potent versions like French Roast, they are just more than I can handle, tastewise, but I do enjoy my coffee.... Maybe I should have added to this perfume...Man do I love perfume!!! I have at last 20 bottle at any given time...and I just enjoy switching off, according to my mood and what I am doing or where I am going. It's loads of fun trying new fragrances.

5. I"m having difficulty coming up with another one...I have no pets, and my DH is not really an addiction, though I love the man dearly and couldn't do without him!! I'd have to put this down...I love to give presents to people! That is really something I couldn't do without in my life. I get more pleasure out of sharing things with others and seeing their joy than I do getting things myself. This is something I learned from my Mother who was probably the most generous person I've ever known. It's something that brings me great joy and at the same time adds joy to others at the same time. I guess this is a sort of an addiction considering how much I spend on gifts in a year's time.


Now for the "YOUR BLOG IS FABULOUS" awards ----

Here are the people I have selected --- (and I need to e-mail them as well!!)
I selected these blogs because they have some of the most interesting needlework pieces photographed on their sites. I love seeing other people's work and skills, and learning from them. You will enjoy visiting their blogs I'm sure....and congrats to you all!!! I will let you know that some of these blogs are in Spanish, but you will love the photos, and they also sometimes have comments in English. Enjoy!!!

El Diario de Mis Labores
Anita's Stitching Addiction
The Musing Badger
MagicXstitch
Las labores de Mercedes en España

I will be notifying each of them that they have been "awarded" for their very special needlework emphasis on their blogs! Congrats ladies!!!

WIP Elimination Album

Thought you might want to take a look at my WIP Elimination Album. I will be updating it as I find all my WIPs and UFOs and get them photographed and loaded to my album, so this will change over the next month or so.

I have linked to the album as a slideshow...have fun looking at my WIPs and UFOs...hopefully I manage to get a lot of them completed this year.

WIP Elimination Album

I'll be posting the finishes here too as I complete them....

Enjoy!!!

Want to PIF? Would love to have you sign up!!

HI all,
I had posted this earlier and I'm reposting it because I didn't get anyone signing up for the PIF (Pass it Forward) that I am working on. I was hoping I'd get someone to join in so I would have those 3 people to mail a nice stitched gift to, but no one signed up. I'd set a date of Dec. 31st as the end date, so I'm still waiting .. Maybe everyone was just too busy with the holidays to read my blog...I'm not really sure . So here it is again...if you are inclined to join, it would be nice. I really would enjoy stitching something for you and having you continue the PIF with 3 other people you would stitch something for. Since we have a full year to get the stitching done, it's not like you have to turn out something immediately...so if you are inclined, I am waiting to get some people signed so I can stitch for them . E-mail me if you like...or comment and let me know you are interested...thanks in advance!!!.

Below is the explanation of how it works

I just reconnected with a new friend from the UK, Hazel, and she has picked my name for her PIF members. I'll explain as I go along here.....some of you may have never heard of this kind of needlework group.

It's my first ever 'PIF" Pay it Forward experience. This is a totally new idea for me as well but I really do like thinking about sharing my needlework with 3 people that I may or may not know. It's a good thing I have a while to get the pieces done, but I am sure it won't be the full 365 days . People might get weary of waiting. I will give 'til the end of November for you to sign up. Anybody can sign up who does needlework and is willing to carry on the "PIF" idea as well. See, if you win, you also get to start your own PIF entry, and pick 3 people to send a stitched gift to. They in turn will do the same, and the game goes on. So please sign up by sending me an e-mail with the subject "PIF Entry". I hope I get a lot of takers .. it will be fun seeing who wins.

*** This is how it works ***

If you would like to receive something handmade by me within the next 365 days, please comment on this post to say that you are interested. I will then ask my DH to draw 3 names out of a hat on Saturday January 30th at 9pm (MST). If you are one of the chosen three then in return, please post the same offer on your blog once I have notified you.

This is a simple and a lovely way of spreading joy in the stitching world. I hope that you will join in and possibly become one of my PIF members!

This PIF is open for everyone!

You must be a cross stitcher of course. :-) So please add your comment/entry. When I have picked the names I will post the names here, and also post you from your blog e-mail. If you do not have your e-mail showing, I will post it here and hope you check back here so you can send me your mailing address. Looking forward to seeing who joins and who wins!

Hugs all around,

Cathy