LOTS of Random Thoughts and Then Stitching Finish / Progress

I am popping in today after taking a week off from so much computer and outside world to take care of some stuff at home.

I had said I was going to take August to get order back in the house before "the busy" of football season and my new grandbaby gets here.

I turned off the TV most days this past week. I scheduled my computer times and limited it greatly. I turned on music...everything from Doris Day to country and all in between to work. AND a whole lot of quiet too.

I made it to the gym one day this week and plan to get back into my three days a week this next week. No excuses!!! Also I cooked three nights this week and made breakfast for my husband four times this week. Time to get back to eating right too. We ate at an event one night and did our usual Mexican on Friday night. Real proud of myself!

I read some and cleaned out some books too. I am not one that likes to get rid of books. I have bookcases in lots of rooms and usually regret getting rid of a book, but I had a few actually sticking in the cabinet next to my stitching chair that I stuck there to actually read. I knew I never would. Most were given to me ...so no real special books were done away with.

I have started writing down book titles I want to read and cross stitch patterns I want to stitch in order to have lots of both that I can't possibly get to.
I am using the library more for fiction reads, but when I read a nonfiction I usually like to own it. I have one fiction book on my Kindle waiting for the right time to start, because it is one of those books that I know if I start NOTHING else will get done until I finish. You know...I am one of those people who likes to hold that book in her hand too.
I am doing much better about not buying stitching patterns until I ready myself for them. I do have a new one, but started it immediately. More about that in a minute.

I decided to change up what I do at church as well.
This Sunday, I am spending my last week with preschoolers. I have had the itch for awhile to change. I actually never thought I would ever enjoy preschoolers, but I did.
In 2010, I gave up working with the youth group because my youngest graduated from high school. I actually went to work with the wee ones which is so out my groove, but it worked because I didn't want to do elementary since I taught elementary school everyday.
Anyway, I am retired and ready to teach them again. I am not sure if I will get a group of boys and girls 2nd and 3rd grade or 4th and 5th grade girls, as I told our director to put me where she needed me. Technically, we try and have a teacher start with them in Kindergarten and travel with them to 5th grade, but being a military community that means our church groups change a lot. I am hoping for the 4th and 5th grade girls, but I will find out this next week.  I have to miss a few times in September and that stinks with starting a new group, but sometimes you just can't help it.

Oh, and I also gave up going on Tuesdays to volunteer when Mom fell. I am going to be keeping Tucker for the first year when he is born, so I had to give up volunteering there. That was hard for me to do. I am not good at saying no.

Speaking of that...I didn't get to do any of the finishes I have piled up by the sewing machine because I needed to sew a drop cloth into a sized banner for church. They are opening some new youth rooms and asked me to do it. What should have been such an easy project was a tad frustrating. I didn't get it small enough the first time I cut and sewed up the sides. Had to cut some more off....totally my fault. Then I needed to put buttonholes in the top. I knew the bobbin was acting funky, but rather than change it out I went on and on the second of the three buttonholes, it jammed up. The banner is still sitting in the sewing machine. I simply must go back and pull it out and finish it today. UGH!!!
I swear I think my old sewing machine from college works way better than my new expensive one.

About missing time at church (I said LOTS of random thoughts)...football season starts and there are a lot of home games in September for Auburn. HOT is what that means. I am hoping most are at night. Also, Lindsay has a baby shower in Atlanta one of the September weekends. We have one here in two weeks. I am excited for her.

I baked a cake this week and took almost all of it to neighbors. My purpose was to take some to my neighbor who I have mentioned before whose husband has an early onset of Alzheimer's coupled with something like Lou Gehrig's. IT has a name...very rare. SO SO SAD. Anyway, I took Lemony down with me because she loves the lady. She knows where she keeps dog treats and always snuck off to go visit her before the husband got sick. One day she quit going, and then I knew something was wrong. I swear Lemony is part human!!!! Y'all she just knows...could have been a great therapy dog. She is so good...

I think that is it for my random thoughts...well, maybe one more...Mom seems to be doing better. Praise BE!

Now, for some stitching progress...

I am waning on my rotation. I will show the ones that are getting less time and ---

I am fully okay with that. I have always been a bit of a one stitch at at time. I am not in a hurry either. Life is hurry up enough as it is. Why should I rush?!!!

First up is my Autumn cottage.  Love it!!!! I thought I couldn't possibly love this one as much as the spring and summer ones, but I do. The little squirrels...😍
The thread is Classic Colorworks Cinnamon Stick and that is EXACTLY what it looks like.

I have absolutely loved doing these. I did them on 28 count and they have made the perfect little pillows for my church pew. Here are spring and summer. 

I have winter to do. I am actually going to start that one soon. In the mood. IT is slightly different from the other three in that it has two cottages with trees in the middle. I have chosen a light blue to do it on.

Then there are the two longer pieces I am working on that are probably going to get less time now: the space shuttle and the Helen Keller piece.

I haven't done a ton on the school house piece, but hope to do some more on it this next week. I saw where Marlene of Floss Tube did this on 28 count and it looked wonderful. Made me feel better about my choice.

Now, for some other things I am working on...

The Prairie Schooler Santa which I am trying on 40 count. Arlene (Nanaland) sent me some more PS Santas too.

My new purchase was the Blackbird Designs "Spell of the Moon." It came in this week and I promptly started it. I ordered the called for 32 count. 32 count to me is that gray area where it is hard to decide on 1 or 2 strands of floss and there are lots of opinions. The weave on this piece was so loose that I was just not crushing on the one strand. I did some of both and I have decided to finish it with two strands.

I may actually do two of these: one for me and one for my daughter.

AND if that isn't enough to keep me busy...

I have a stack now building of things I need to fully finish and I cut out a romper for Tucker. Hoping to get it sewn by the shower in a couple of weeks. 

I guess I better get off of the computer again and get busy! 

Gus has started bringing me toys to toss, so it really is time to get off.

Sandy