Pre-trip jitters

Not quite time for a trip but all the busy, busy things to do between now and then are list-making time!

Mr. Ren and Miss Abbie will be boarding in a lodge, actually the one where we got her. The owner is very nice and loves her Chi's. She has raised them for 10 years and has a Pet Lodge.

Since Ren right now has special needs, and she will let them out and love them more than a vet boarding, I'm pleased to say they will be boarding there and I'm sure will be spoiled. In fact, Abbie will be able to see her daddy (sire) whose name is Tuff. And, they can chi-chat together!  LOL

I usually pack enough, well, enough for 3 people so I best start now (SIGH)

The airline charges for extra luggage though has curtailed my "taking everything but the kitchen sink" on a trip.

Our last trip to Chicago, well, I did a little shopping and my one suitcase weighed 49.5 lbs and we came 1/2 pound close to paying overweight fees.

I'm stalling here...........I can't believe I just heard a SIREN in my own yard!

Bodyguard's partner came by to show him something that needed fixed on the deputy's car and I guess they had pushed the siren button, how embarrassing. At least we live in the country!

Anyway, after that short episode, Abbie is yodeling at the top of her lungs because I guess she is not well-socialized and not used to a siren in the yard. With a doggie dad named Tuff, I think she got a bit of his genes in her.

Ren is not doing too well. We have had to spend a good bit of time and attention with him and he is HIGH maintenance now. He sometimes walks in circles but still eats ok, his appetite is not as good as it was and I'm just worried about him. I know, I know, he is old, but I'm attached to him. We just make him as comfortable as we can and let him be.

Today was a hurry-hurry-wait kind of day at work and at lunch I flew out to Target to get some last minute things and I love to look through their dollar section at the front of the store.

They had some really cute gardening things and for a dollar each they were really nice. Got some tins to plant some herbs in (when we get back), potty papers (an endless list item) and T-R-E-A-T-S. Yep, we have to spell that word because if you say it around here then, she flies over to the treat jar and waits. Ren used to be that way but he can't hear much anymore.

I don't know around other parts of the world but right now in North Ga., the pollen came in one wave and the leaves  have grown overnight!  It's amazing at the sudden pollen surge (the yellow snow) on the car and porch now. But, on the drive home through country roads, I can't tell you how many colors of Spring I loved to see. I think my favorite is the lilic trees. They are at peak right now and beautiful. You know you love stitching when you can name the Crescent colors or DMC numbers by the leaf and spring blossoms! LOL

Four more days and then I'm ready to see some of this:

And this:

 

And This:

Is this not the sweetest cross stitched picture you ever saw?  I have no idea who the designer is but I would love to find out and stitch it. It's cute, cute there by the ocean. I actually forgot where I got it.

Although part of our trip will be for business, we hope to tour the city a good bit for a few days. And BG will be able to the entire week touristing while I'm stitching in a Gynecology conference. Yes, I know that seems weird but I got quite a bit done at my last conference on a Scarlet Letter piece.

I'm thinking now of all the ones I want to stitch and I will pick one fitting for the trip. I've got to pack light so I have to take only one? 

Till later,

Jennifer

Some housekeeping today

Just a note to let everyone know that if you make a comment, I'm still reading them but Google blogger is not putting them in. If it does, on the main page it will say 0. I can't deal right now with all the Blogger issues but tonight I may need someone who is so much smarter than me about html and blogging setup to help me. My issues I've been having are getting worse, weird things happening.

1. comments can't be moderated
2. suddenly my pic in profile doesn't show up anymore
3. the header will not take any pic size
4. some comments from October won't publish or reject and just pop up occasionally here and there?

That's just starters!  Please email me tonight at jennifer.dalenberg@yahoo.com if you have experienced any of these things and know how to work templates over without losing data, and maybe some experience you have had with this so I can best communicate!! I have gone to the help section, cleaned out some old stuff, etc. and just not getting anywhere......

Till later,
Jennifer

Cleaning out old journals is such a reflective time

Stitched by me in 2010 from a booklet by The Sampler Girl

I'm still working tonight on cleaning out my old papers I had stored from oodles of years ago. I found writing then an outlet and to journal has not been a new thing for me.  Interestingly written in  2003, I excerpted from my journal something that touched me. I had written a paper only I could read. It was password protected as many others. The name of this article was Pandora's Box. The reason for it is quite a long story but in essence this excerpt reminded me of destiny and the why of things especially having not read it in almost 10 years.

The  last paragraph is:

My children, Brandon and Meghan, have unique gifts. Although they have their own struggles and personal challenges, separation by distance cannot separate our common struggles, pain, and joys that we celebrate as we all venture to pick up the broken pieces of the remains of the results of family violence in years past. Our personalities, fears, and outlook on life issues changed forever. We all have a section in Pandora’s box, separated only by years and circumstance. We know how and when to open the box………we know when to keep it closed too.

 This is still true today. But each day gets brighter when the box is opened.

Nite, nite
Jennifer

Morning stitching and planning

Today has been another warm day in North Georgia and the pollen all of a sudden fell all at one time. Yesterday, literally, there was no pollen on the car....today.....coated thickly. My eyes are puffy and the Zyrtec and Singulair are on the morning routine list now.

I do feel that I got to accomplish  finish many things around the homestead and my journal book that contains the old-fashioned hand-written list for today has more checked off than non checks, so life is good.

This morning I almost finished the left lower quarter of This Too Shall Pass and loved the filigree design upon finishing. I have a couple of stitches left on the little bird and then finish lower right corner and TA-DAH!  my frame should be arriving about that day and Body Guard and myself will be off to frame another.
The Williamsburg Red and Williamsburg Blue Weeks Dye fibers are really 2 of my favorites and you can tell as this will most likely go in the keeping room.

I'm sipping on a cold Dr. Pepper right now and reading......reading more on Boston!
Yep, that's coming up soon, in fact about 5 days we'll be on a vacation to Boston to see the city. This will be Bodyguard's first ever visit to Boston and my second only.

My mouth is watering now for that fresh seafood by the sea and strolling through Old Town with my honey.

Now that I can take pics again with more storage space in Picasa (crazy but Google has no other choice for visual lovers like me) , I'll be sure to take my laptop and camera so that I can journal here and keep you up to date on our finds.

Well till later~~ stay safe and have some fun!
Jennifer

And the winner of the Brandon Homecoming Giveaway is.........

Vickie in Colorado!!!!!!! yep, Vickie, you got the pattern, threads and linen.

Email me at jennifer.dalenberg@yahoo.com for mailing info!

Congratulations!


I'm still working with the picture in the header issue right now. I have to laugh at this week and some of you will know exactly what I'm talking about but every day brings new surprises!
Life is full of surprises. And at this point, I honestly laugh so hard at most of them, my sides hurt.

Seems that Google Blogger automatically downloads all pics, yep, zaps all of them and stores them in Picasso picture holder, which in turn has reached it's max for this blog.......soooooooo
it is a solvable issue but may take a few days to iron out the kinks with pictures.
This may be a no-brainer for some folks but I...had a DUH moment learning this today! I take alot of pics, I think the max I reached was like 10,000 or more.......unreal but anyway, I will work on this more tomorrow.....

Isn't that what Scarlett said again??

Tomorrow is another day......wait.....it is tomorrow.....it's after midnight....ok, today then. :o

I did get some stitching time in tonight, the first since probably a week ago. I can't wait to get finished with this one so I can start a bunch I have lined up to stitch. The frame I ordered for This Too Shall Pass design should be here any day as their shipping is ultrafast so I best get the needle burning again.

It felt so good to be able to go exactly where I needed in an organized drawer to find my frame and materials.

Well off to bed,
Jennifer

The Truth Shall Set You Free

God works in mysterious ways!

And when our time comes to know the why of why's it's exhilerating and liberating!

And as Paul Harvey said..........that's the rest of the story!  ;)

It's Picnic Weather~~wine and cheese, please!

I can say that this week has been quite productive at organizing a bit of stuff and finding things.....more than dust bunnies.

I almost listed this unused picnic gig I got about 5 years ago from a store going out of business and I was convinced after a day as bright and shiney as this one, that this is a keeper.

Even though it has a place setting for 4, that's fine by us, we always can find someone to come along or sometimes it might be fun just the two of us!

This thing is the mega of all picnic sets and why I bought it at the time I don't know.

I guess they were going out of business and it was a good deal.

But, now we can really enjoy it now.

It even has a silver wine topper (didn't get pic in )

Do you picnic?  I took this apart for the first time. Isn't it funny how we store away stuff and really don't enjoy it for quite some time later?

I love the little salt and pepper bottles which are glass not plastic and the wine glasses and the table cloth. There's enough insulated storage space for a 4 person buffet!

Ready for a picnic in your neck of the woods?  It's beautiful weather here.

After I get over my fear of snakes, I will plan out a nice picnic for us.

Isn't that silly?  Well, here we have alot of Copperheads and I'm totally afraid of them completely and last year I came about 5 inches from stepping on one with flip flops so yeppers, I'm ready for a picnic but maybe in the back of the truck or something!  LOL

Hope your Easter was a happy one!

I'm fixing to finally sit down and stitch and catch up on the news. 

Tomorrow though, back to work..........I digress.

What does Easter mean to you?

This is the time of night when my introverted mind starts wondering, thinking and drawing introspection. Many nights I go out on the back porch to reflect on my day,my week, my journey. Sometimes I realize that I am too introverted.

For some reason, tonight I reflected on the real meaning of Easter and the thought of Jesus being crucified is just aweful but He was doing God's will and He came for one purpose. I often joke about bunnies and humorous antics especially the Easter bunny leaving something at the door but those days are over.
I did thoroughly enjoy fixing baskets. I'm not so sure my kids really enjoyed it but the joy is in the giving.

I read tonight the 7 last statements that He made before He died on the cross. As I read each verse I tried to find meaning of the statement and how to interpret that in my life and they were striking to me and I hope that you will reflect on the meaning of each one because it's so important to reread what he said during those last hours.

The following are the last recorded statements Jesus made while hanging on the cross. If you consider what Jesus said in John 19:26-27 as one statement you will have a list of seven distinct phrases. If you look at these two verses as containing two separate sayings then you have a list of eight.


"Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.' And they divided His garments and cast lots. " (Luke 23:34)

There are many people that pass our journey that I have come to realize that some folks don't really know what they are doing. Sometimes it's hurtful and rejecting but I think He understood and I'm trying. That's the only way I can make sense of it sometimes.

"And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' " (Luke 23:43)

This verse gives me a promise that one day we will be with Him and He wanted us to know that. This verse makes me feel safe and loved.


"When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26-27)

This verse really struck me as He understood that we all don't agree with our children but mothers should be respected. The relationship goes both ways and the bond is never broken. There are responsibilities we all could ignore, including myself, but this is not what He wants for us. Family is important.

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which is translated, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' " (Mark 15:34)

In reflecting on this scripture, I realized that even Jesus Himself had a moment that He felt alone and questioned God's purpose. He felt abandoned so he can relate to us all.


"After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, 'I thirst!' " (John 19:28)

Here I interpret that He was human. He had needs and asked for them just like we should be doing every day.



"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. " (John 19:30)

This is one of the saddest scriptures. He gave up His spirit. Again, He showed understanding that no matter what we do sometimes, there's a time to give up. Our spirits are human.


"And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.' Having said this, He breathed His last. " (Luke 23:46)

His very last statement shows that no matter what happens in our life, we are not in control, God is.

These 7 last statements I think held much meaning that we can apply to our daily life. Sometimes it's hard to believe. Sometimes it's easy.

On a serious note, I realize I'm human and make many mistakes but God understands and sent His son to relay many reassuring messages.

I hope your Easter is a safe and happy one!

Jennifer

Happy Easter Eve!

A Delft design repaired today

Serendipity Designs

stitched on Zweigart 28 ct Antique White Brittney linen

DMC threads

stitched in 2006

Frame from The Dutch shop in Helen, Georgia

I love Delft of any kind. I had a frame just like this one in storage to finish another design similar to it. Thank goodness, because when I was cleaning some windows yesterday it fell out of the windowsill onto the hardwood floor and broke.

In sorting through stash and organizing....still.......I found my other one and put it in there this morning.

Actually, the other matching design is "Delft Tulips" and it's pretty as well but I have not stitched it yet.....yet I say! ;)

Back to Saturday chores.

Hoping your day is one filled with sunshine and flowers!

Jennifer

This Too Shall Pass Frame selected

Well, it's still waiting on me to finish. I have gotten alot done this week in Spring cleaning and organizing stash and so on but no further stitching. I hope to get back to finishing this up this weekend.

In the interim, I found a frame on Ebay that I thought would look good with it. I hesitated to pick the blue but if it clashes with the blue in the design, I will look for another one.
It takes a 6 inch square frame which is hard to find in the regular thrift stores and I really didn't get to but one this week and couldn't find one.

I went with the Ebay shop I've used before so I know that they have excellent quality and shipping. You can't beat the price for the frame, glass (if you want it) and hanger.

The shop is here

The Frame Guys

I have successfully pulled a muscle in my back today and off to bed now with a heating pad.
The Energizer Bunny is winding down!




Good news: the Needlework 4 system company sent another part and it didn't work either so BodyGuard had to talk on the phone with the kind gentlemen to find a way to fix it. Then we will send back the other part. The owner was very nice and communicated well. He said there are some that have those glitch parts in them and how I got 2 of them, I'll never know!
So, that's sitting by my now cleaned up stitching chair waiting for my next sampler!

Any mailing for items will be done tomorrow morning and then I'm caught up with that.



Just a reminder that the Brandon Homecoming Giveaway is soon to end, April 5th so spread the word if you are interested in this design, Crescent Color threads and linen!
It's just waiting for someone's needle to start stitching.

Nite,
Jennifer

Miss Abbie says.......

Hey, it's me Abbie again!

Well it all started when Mama brought me out on the front porch swing after supper. This is new for me! I'm an inside doggie! Well, she was resting from running all day and wanted to watch something called "the sun" set tonight. The days are longer and warmer now so I get to go with her. Don't worry there's no crimes here tonight.......that's just my dad's vehicle. Better drive 55!

But before this is where it really started.

She has this thing about my hair and it growing in alot of directions? Boy, I liked being outside while the cool breeze was blowing through my hair. Raven and Ruby and Tom all came up one by one and we touched noses together.



The breeze felt goooooood. Mama said I might need grooming? What's grooming?

She also mentions the words like "a shag", or a Farrah-do to my dad.
They think my hair around my ears is funny.

I don't know why she keeps doing that!

But she still loves me lots!

then Thomas came creeping by trying to chase something, I can't tell right now....he's probably looking for something to bring and put on the door mat. My mom don't know that Tom loves her when he does that. She just screams loudly!

He wasn't paying me a bit of attention but I got out of her lap and looked myself. WEEEE lookie here! I'm outside too! I'm part of the pack!

Then she and my dad starting laughing at my butt.

I've got a regular drapery thing going on down yonder! Did they put Rogaine in my medicine at the hospital?

Well, I don't know but I know I like inside better but outside does have alot of new smells and sounds that keep my attention.

Oh, well, that's how it all started after our supper tonight watching the sunset on the front porch swing.

All is quiet in the country.

Love,

Abbie

The Ugly Duckling

Remember the story of The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson, 1844?

Well this morning when I signed in to Google it had a Hans Christian Anderson birthday salute and it's funny how you forget these tales when you grow up. I did a little research and found all his tales in one spot!
I didn't realize there is a page that you can read almost all his tales yourself or to your kids for free online.

For The Ugly Duckling one click here

Here is an excerpt:


He felt the warm sun shining, and heard the lark singing, and saw that all around was beautiful spring. Then the young bird felt that his wings were strong, as he flapped them against his sides, and rose high into the air. They bore him onwards, until he found himself in a large garden, before he well knew how it had happened. The apple-trees were in full blossom, and the fragrant elders bent their long green branches down to the stream which wound round a smooth lawn. Everything looked beautiful, in the freshness of early spring.

Of course next to stitching, reading is a close next as far as enjoyments and hobbies.
I remember reading books to my kids when they were, oh so little, and they enjoyed the same books over and over especially the Dr. Seus ones.

So, I thought of all you who have kids of all ages and how you could read to them or share it with someone else , or even take a look-see yourself and enjoy Good Friday.

http://hca.gilead.org.il/

This is the link for ALL his tales!

What was your favorite?

Spring has Sprung

I've banged my head tonight trying to figure out the reason my pics, any pics of any camera or any year when put in the header are turning out humongous(is that a word?)  I check to minimize but it says to 760 pixels. Is that what normal is?  I've gone to the help center and I can't get an  answer. I thought if anyone else had this problem before, what to do? I've never in 3 years had this happen.


Abbie got her stitches out. She can have her lavender bath now and she is back to herself. I'm glad I vacuumed all the dust bunnies cause she is scouring the floors like this is new territory and entertainment for her tonight!

Someone came to fix something at the house today and she has this feminine rough little growl and what a bark she had!  Instead of hair standing up on her back, the long hair behind her ears stands out further...I laughed. She has become a yappy little doggie and stands her guard.

One outing today included the post office! Sunny and 86 degrees registered on the thermometer of the car.
But it's still dry and not humid! 

We had dinner on the back porch tonight. I cooked....WOOHOO!
Fixed boneless hot buffalo wings with honey mustard sauce on the side, green beans,  black-eyed peas, and sour dough bread slices with a glass of Barefoot brand Merlot and water.

Perfect evening if I can get this blogger pic thing to work........hep  me hep me!

Thought I'd share a mail goodie from The Scarlett Letter. Two miniture samplers called the Shepherd and the Shepherdess

I picked DMC floss because I've found with this company I usually run out of whatever is in the kit and it's easier to match DMC than silk.

I love the dark blue velvet which will back the samplers.

Whatcha think?

And to share a couple of other fabbies I had in my stash. I love this fat quarter.

And a quarter yard of this I felt perfect for right now.

 Yellow and pink seem to be the theme this week.

The little pink flower pots are so cute to me.

In fact, I got my purse out from last year and it's yellow and pink too! (nope, I didn't make it)

And I got some Peeps. There's no Easter without Pink Peeps but the Peep detective has found one missing at time of picture-taking.  heeheehehehehee

Got my Easter napkins out for this weekend.

And now that Miss Abbie has her stitches out and back to roaming the house, she can play with her wind-up in motion tweet from Dollar Store. Wind it up and watch her chase it. Fun!

Oops, after winding it up sometimes it goes for the bear toy and she is the blur on the left to get to it.

And ready to play again. Play!  Surgery recovered........well!

Yep, Spring has .......hmmmmm.........sprung.