3/19/2004

Life and death...

It seems I'm surrounded these days.

In the last 4 months, my husband has lost a grandfather, my former boss a father, two other managers have lost parents, and two of my co-workers were unexpectedly taken from their families. One a car accident, the other an inoperable brain tumor that was just found in January (he died in late February).

At the same time, I know more pregnant women right now than at any other time in my life! Two women in my class at school (one in my learning team), two here at work (with at least two more "trying") and the veritable explosion of pregnancies on the TWBB.

Personally, I plan to stay right in the middle. I have enough children and I obviously prefer not to lose anyone!

3/15/2004

Stitchers Five for the week of 15 March 04

Stitchers Five!

1. What is your favourite fabric to use? (e.g. aida, evenweave, linen etc)

Evenweave but only by just the smallest margin over linen.

2. What is your favourite count (e.g. 14, 28, 32 etc)

I'll use 28 every chance I can but 32 if size is a consideration.

3. Do you collect fabric "just to have" or do you buy it with a design in mind?

Based on the number of containers of fabric in my stash...."Just to have"

4. What is your favourite colour for fabric?

Antique white - though it's not the one I use the most

5. If you were heading for a desert island, and you only had one choice of fabric to take with you, what would you take?

28-ct antique white Jobelan

3/11/2004

I'm out right now...if you see me, can you point me back home?

With all the hubbub of the last couple months, I'm feeling a bit lost now that several of the "big" events are passed.

I bought a house. I moved. I sold a house. Kids changed schools. I travelled to Myrtle Beach (that trip was in the planning stages for 7 months). I'm within weeks of finishing my MBA.

I've turned my comfortable life upside-down and now that all the pieces are starting shake out, it seems there are some missing.

Since I quit riding the bus (due to moving), my reading time dropped dramatically. Seeing that I was on a book-binge late last year, I'm left with piles of tempting novels and not enough reading time...lol.

Since I moved, my schedule is all out of whack - more to do at home means less stitching time. Less stitching time means more associated "WIP-guilt" as I think on all the things I *am* stitching on and all the things I want to work on . Right now I'm just taking it one piece at a time and bearing in mind that I've pretty much finished the "obligation" stuff (only 1 RR and 1 wedding sampler left in that pile). More guilt means less shopping....probably a good thing ;)

There are so many unfinished items in my brain. I want to redesign my website but am waiting on graphics. I want to help a friend get hers up and running but can't manage to get all the info in one place (she's patient - thank heaven). Remembering to come here and try to siphon off just a bit of creativity - doesn't happen near as often as I'd like, I'm afraid! Work projects to make my job easier - handy but without a deadline hard to schedule amidst all the "real" work.

I'm not much of a list-maker usually, maybe that would help keep some focus? I've usually got so many things percolating in my brain at any one time that I get my "thinking" out of the way while I'm doing something else. Right now I don't seem to be making much progress...hmmm...a "reflecting" rotation?

Maybe it's the upcoming birthday throwing the wrench in the works.....heaven help me for the next month!

3/08/2004

The Stitchers' Five

Many thanks to Jen for creating a "five" that caught my eye!

The Stitcher's Five - for the week of 8 March 04

1. Who is your favourite designer (just one sorry!).

Teresa Wentzler (probably not surprising to many)

2. How many of their designs have you stitched?

Hold on - let me count....15 completed and 14 in progress

3. What makes them your favourite designer?

The intricacy of the designs - the use of color - the subject matter - all play a role.

4. What would you like to see them next design?

An illuminated manuscript page or an intricate map

5. Would you collect all their patterns just to have them all?

Considering that I now own all "readily available" and a large chunk of those not-so-readily-available, I'd have to say yes! There are a couple that I won't go into debt for (Mimi comes to mind) but if they do happen to come to me, then I'll take them to complete the collection.

Coincidentally I'm stitching on a recent TW acquisition right now - the class piece from the Myrtle Beach retreat. I managed only an hour of stitching time over the weekend due to way too many plans in too few days, but it's progressing at a good rate.

3/05/2004

Martha...Martha...Martha.....

Well, Martha Stewart was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and two counts of false statements.

Does this surprise me? Nope.

I read a biography last year of Ms. Stewart and while I was never a member of her devoted fan club, I did have some respect for a women that made a career out of making napkin rings and baking.

I read Just Desserts: The Unauthorized Biography by Jerry Oppenheimer and if only 50% of it is correct, Ms. Stewart is one royal b*&ch!

According to the author, Martha not only has not written *a single word* in any of her books, but she's actually stolen a good chunk of it from other people that called her a "friend" (until they found out more about her). She was a stockbroker for awhile, so I'm pretty sure she followed the law on the actual *sale* of the stock. She was a stockbroker when anyone could make a buck on the market - she had too quick of a temper and not much aptitude or perseverence to make a go of it long term.

So, I think Martha was a victim of bad timing. She set a strike price and it just happened to hit when she'd gotten the call from her broker.....it was Martha's arrogance and belief that she is above the "common person's" law that got her into trouble. She backpedalled. She covered. She fibbed. And lo and behold...she got caught. And she couldn't buy her way out...or name drop her way out....

Martha was sued for copyright infringement at least once in her past - those pesky books again. She also got into a scrape when she used a photographer friend's pictures without purchasing the rights. That settled out of court.....and she never admitted any wrongdoing (at least according to the book).

She about killed KMart. Demanding enormous sums to have her name put on sheets and kitchen gadgets. Refusing to make public appearances or even acknowledge the products in interviews. But still cashing those checks....

Ah well. Martha....I think "Just Desserts" is the perfect name for what's going on lately. And yes, if it survives appeal, it'll be "a good thing."

One more thing - found on another blog:

I Am A: Lawful Good Human Mage


Alignment:
Lawful Good characters are the epitome of all that is just and good. They believe in order and governments that work for the benefit of all, and generally do not mind doing direct work to further their beliefs.


Race:
Humans are the 'average' race. They have the shortest life spans, and because of this, they tend to avoid the racial prejudices that other races are known for. They are also very curious and tend to live 'for the moment'.


Primary Class:
Mages harness the magical energies for their own use. Spells, spell books, and long hours in the library are their loves. While often not physically strong, their mental talents can make up for this.


Secondary Class:
Monks are strange and generally not understood by the world at large. They live apart from people, and follow strict codes that restrain their behavior and lifestyle. They have an exceptionally calm outlook on life, and generally do not resort to violence unless absolutely necessary. Even when they do, their code of conduct forbids the use of all weapons - except their hands. As such, monks are extremely skilled at hand-to-hand combat, and no other style.


Deity:
Mystra is the Neutral Good goddess of magic. She is also known as the Lady of Mysteries. Followers of Mystra wear armor and carry shields with her symbol on them. Mystra's symbol is a ring of stars.


Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy ofNeppyMan (e-mail)


3/02/2004

It's over!

As of today, officially, we are owners of a new house.

Say it with me! "Hallelujah!"

As of late yesterday, we were officially mortgage-less as the sale of our old house was finished late yesterday afternoon. It took an extra day to get the new house closed.

The roller coaster ran until the very end. On Friday the buyer called that he "wasn't going to make it in today." Hello? Considering that our extension ran out today and it took a minimum of 24-36 hours after he signed to get the paperwork done, that simply wasn't acceptable. Title company yelled......our realtor yelled.....buyer came in at noon to sign. Without ID.

How does one function in the world without proper ID? Buyer was told to return at 3 *with* ID. He showed up at 3:30 with a Mexican ID and a Green Card. Hey, whatever works......he signed, lender released the funds very late yesterday and all was right in the world.

I'd like to also report that the MBA class I finished last week "Project Management for Technology Projects" rated me an "A." Considering that I had more experience in managing Technology Projects (hardware & software) than the instructor, it was deserved. Instructor came from the world of defense contracting - you know, those big multi-year projects that have things like feasibility studies and prototypes? When's the last time a software project had a fully-funded feasibility study done prior to requirements gathering? I want to work for *that* company! Multi-year software implementation? You'd be laughed out of a conference room! Even with 90 day implementations the software is out-of-date at installation.

Ah well, tonight we look at "Managing R&D and Innovative Technology" I'm packing my solitaire game just in case.....

3/01/2004

Book Quiz




You're The Hobbit!

by J.R.R. Tolkien

All you wanted was a nice cup of tea when some haggard crazy old man
came into your life and told you it was time to do something with yourself. Now you're
all conflicted about whether to stick with your stay-at-home lifestyle or follow this
crazy person into the wild. While you're very short and a little furry, you seem to be
surrounded by an even greater quantity of short folks lately. Try not to lose your ring,
but keep its value in perspective!



Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

March? Did someone say March?!?

I'm finding that the more stress and activity going on in my "real" life, the less I find myself posting here. One would think the opposite would be the fact....maybe I'm not yet in the mindset that blogging is a place to sort thoughts out rather than posting semi-entertaining and partially interesting drivel.

Minor cosmetic change on the blogface here....that curly font was getting pretty darn annoying - especially when the old posts pitched it, so a nice clean Arial is the current font. Hope you like it as much as I do.

I survived my Myrtle Beach trip. More than survived actually, I had a marvelous time! Meeting BB'ers and spending time with other stitchers is really one of my favorite things to do. This trip I was able to "re-meet" a few familiar faces and match up a few more names/faces on the TWBB. Also found a lurker that I think our friendly group has turned into a new poster. :D

The flight to and from had a few excitements....changing planes in the Atlanta airport is a scary thing. You never know if you have enough time or not! Thankfully while I was out-of-breath each way, I managed to make my connection (the flight out on Thursday was late or it would've been *much* closer). On the way home Sunday morning I had the experience of sitting in a plane while its wings were "de-iced" due to a very heavy frost. Not something one would expect in South Carolina....

I was rather reserved in my stash purchases on this trip. I think moving the multiple boxes that are my stash had some serious impact on the old stash enhancement urge. Here's the list:

TW's new 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments
Dragon Dreams Runekeeper Saga
Dragon Dreams Dragon Tea Party
Dragon Dreams Dragon Virtues Afghan
Lizzie*Kate's March, April & May Flip-Its
JustNan's Tuscan Sunrise

I also brought home 3 class projects, one each from Teresa Wentzler, Jennifer Aikman-Smith (Dragon Dreams) and Karen Weaver (Black Swan) that are all simply wonderful. The designs will be released (according to the designers) "in a year or so."

Lastly, the house sale/purchase is finally finishing up today. A few last minute excitements pushed the final closing date (money actually changing hands) to today which made for quite a few extra cel phone calls while in class in MB on Friday.....not that I could *do* anything, but all involved parties thought I could I suppose (I got calls from husband, mother and realtor).

Now if someone could help me clean out the garage........