Home-a-gain, home-a-gain, jiggity, jig...

Post #478 - 21 days until my blog-o-versary

(yikes, I need to post everyday and double up to keep with my end of the deal)

 - over 100 followers :)

There are 21 days left to end my 3-100-500 give-a-way - if you haven't entered click on this link to be directed to the correct post to leave a comment.

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Up and going on this Monday morning. Plane landed back in California around 10:15pm and we were home by 11:15pm. As always, it is good to be home and back in ones own bed.

It was a great weekend and very busy between the hockey games and visiting with my parents...so that is why I didn't have a chance to post any update throughout the weekend - so here is a brief summary.

Thursday 11/3 (my bday) -

Up early to get in my workout, finish packing, get an early breakfast around for the boys to eat while I shower and get ready to go. Adorned with the traditional birthday hat (see photo below), we snapped a few bday photos of me with my boys and then headed off to the airport.

Just incase the hat doesn't give it away...I am the short one in the middle :)
 Robert is my older son on the left and Matthew, my younger on, is on the right.

I wore the hat to the airport, in the airport and on the airplane (but finally took it off for the 4.75 hour flight). Upon touchdown, after the flight attendant announced all the arrival information she then proceeded to announce that it was my birthday...when Robert kindly informed her of...and all 180+ passengers sang "Happy Birthday" to me...so of course I had to put the bday hat on., which I kept on as we departed the flight in the Midway airport and wore it all the way down to the baggage claim where we met up with my parents and sister.

They were very excited to see me, Matthew and Robert, who made it down to the baggage claim a few minutes later as his whole hockey team was travelling together on our flight. Once luggage was collect, my parents/sister said good bye to Robert, who was staying with his team at another hotel as did I...then we all left for our respective hotels. My parents/sister stayed in the same hotel as Matthew & I while Robert & his hockey team stayed an hour north of us.

Once at our hotel, we all settled in. I enjoyed a nice bday dinner with my parents, sister and Matthew in the hotel. It was the first time in a long time since Dad & I celebrated our birthdays together.

Friday 11/4 - Let the hockey begin

Matthew had 2 games on Friday - 10:30 and 4:30...perfect times. His team lost the first and tied the second. Both were good games...and Matthew played very well. His grandparents and aunt had a good time watching him play. In between games, it was lunch at Noodles & Co - a favorite place with the other hockey moms I travel with (my parents/sister joined all of us) and dinner was at Sweet Tomatoes with just parent/sister and a cousin of mine who lives in Chicago. He took the train in from downtown Chi-town to watch Matthew's evening game and have dinner with us. It was nice to catch up with him.

While watching both of Matthew's games, I was missing 2 of Robert's; however I was getting texted highlights throughout. Robert's team won both of their games on Saturday - Robert scoring in both games. The first game he had the game winning goal and the second game he scored the first to get his team going.

Saturday 11/5

Early morning alarm for this day - a 4:45am breakfast call for Matthew followed by a 5:45 departure for the rink in order to be ready to play the 7am game. The games for this day were in a different rink. That is one thing to be aware of when going to the Bauer International hockey tournament in Chicago, one certainally gets a good opportunity to visit a lot of different hockey rinks. There are over 1000 hockey players from over 400 teams that decend upon the city over the weekend for this tournament.

Matthew's morning game ended up in a loss and put them in 4th in their division, thus making their last game a consolation game with a 1:30pm start time - which they won 8 to 6. Nice to end on a win...and nice that Matthew finally got a goal which was the last one of the tournament for his team and an empty netter :) He worked so hard over the weekend, he was due for a goal.

With Matthew's team done by 3pm on Saturday - done with the whole tournament as well - Matthew and I jumped in the car with my parents/sister and headed an hour north to watch Robert's 5:15pm game. While I would have rather seen Matthew's team do well and advance to the sweet 16 instead of the consolation game, it was nice to be able to take my parents up to watch one of Robert's games. His games are fast, physical...and they are just big boys (15/16 year olds vers 12/13 year olds). 

Robert's team needed a win or a tie to advance to their quarterfinals - which they did advance with a tie. While Robert and his coaches commented that this was not their best game, my parents/sister were very impressed with how Robert and his team played. We waited for Robert to come out of the locker room to tell him "good game" and for my parents to get a photo with him...then it was time to head on back to our hotel.

Sunday 11/6 - time to start packing up

Because we never are sure how these hockey tournament weekends are going to end up, we always plan for the best outcome - making it to the championship. Which means, we find out what time the championship game ends and plan our flight out around that time. In short, we had all day to kill as our plane didn't depart until 7:30pm. But that is ok, we have found ways to "waste" time until we have to be at the airport.

Yes, I know that Chi-town has a lot of great museams and great places to visit...but by Sunday we are typically fried and, if we have no games planned, then the focus becomes homework and completing everything before getting on the plane. So that is what we did Sunday. Matthew slept in, had a late breakfast and finished up his last few assignments so he could turn them in when he got back to school. I got up and hit the workout room while receiving texted from a fellow hockeymom from Robert's team, so I could keep up with the 8am quarterfinal game. Sounded like a good one that went into OT...unfortunately they lost 3-2 with 1:32 left in OT. Bummer, but they had a great tournament.

After saying goodbye to my parents & sister around 12:30pm - they headed to visit a friend before heading to the airport - we left the hotel [too] to have lunch and walk around a few shopping malls before we headed to the airport. We met up with Robert's team in the airport food court a little after 4pm.

Matthew got one more Chicago hot dog and a Ben & Jerry's ice cream for dinner...and, with a Ben & Jerry's "addicted to chocolate" milk shake in hand, Robert spotted us and came over. It was like a little reunion - after not being together for 3 days. Although I think the brothers missed eachother - for they packed up their stuff and headed down to the gate together leaving me behind with some of the other parents and Robert's team. Oh, well, it does a mother's heart proud to see her children get a long (even though in her heart she know that it is temporary, for as soon as they get home that loving, brotherly fighting will start all over again :) ).

...and now back to reality

It was a great weekend. Always nice when you can combine a hockey weekend with a family visit - even if it is short. It was good to catch up with my parents and my sister and they all enjoyed spending time with Matthew and seeing Robert, even brief as it was. They loved watching the boys play hockey, too.

Today it will be back to work and back to school. However, I will need to get the hockey bags and suitcase unpacked and the laundry started before I leave for anywhere.

Gotta go, thank you for all the birthday wishes over the weekend - it means a lot. Until next time, remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

November 4

OMG...15 comments and birthday well wishes from you, my blog friends. I was totally overwhelmed when I saw that. Thank you so much! It means a lot to me. My day was just ok, aside from a funny "Happy Birthday" surprise from my boys, it was just a typical day for me. What did the boys do? I will tell you...

My day typically starts at 4:30am, when I get up to ride the stationary bike while catching up with my emails, facebook and blogs. I get off the bike around 6:30am to wake up Robert (older son) who comes down for breakfast and gets around for school (Matthew's gets up at 7am as his school starts 1/2 later). Well, I walked down into the kitchen and noticed that the placemats that I keep on the counter were laying near the sink...thing just looked out of place. But then I noticed it...a handwritten sign and card:

Birthday sign, handwritten card and bday hat from my boys

Before the wonder of how they pulled this off without me knowing, I picked up the card and read:

Happy Birthday Poem - by Robert

43 is just like,

any other birthday - Sike!

You are 1 year older now,

1 more year of experience under your bow.

But that is not bad,

think of all  the fun you've had.

This is a good bday indeed,

with digits addint to 7...this year you'll succeed!

Birthday Quotes

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter" ~ Mark Twain

"Old isn't so bad when you consider the alternative" ~ Maurice Chevalier

"Don't regret getting older. It is a priviledge denied by many."

"40 is the old age of youth, so is the youth of old age."

"Your only as old as you feel."

Notes from the kids

"Have the happiest of happy birthdays!"

Love, Robert

"Mom, I am sorry for all the bad things I have done to upset you. I wish I could take them back. You do alot for Robert and I. I hope your birthday is peaceful and we will try not to upset you."

Love, Matthew

"Don't worry; 43 is no big deal. Not as bad as 50, which is rapidly approaching me. Have a wonderful birthday!"

Love, Bruno (that is the dog)

It was very sweet and fun to receive first thing in the morning...but I couldn't figure out how they accomplished this without me knowing, so I asked Robert when he came down for breakfast...

Me: "Robert, thank you so much for this birthday greeting. I love the card!"

Robert: "Did you read the poem and the quotes? The quotes were fun to find."

Me: "Yes, I read them all. I love it! But when did you and Matthew do this? Was it while I was riding the bike this morning?"

Robert: "No....you don't want to know." (he says with a smirk of guilt on his face)

Me: "Well, it couldn't have been in the evening, because we all went to bed at 9:30pm and Matthew was asleep. He was so tired from practice because of all the skating they did..."

Robert: "Well...we got up around 10pm...we both went down stairs and wrote the card. Matthew started to get worried that you would wake up, he went back upstairs and we started to chat to each other...using our iTouches and the Facebook chat. He would tell me if you were moving or if he thought you were getting up."

Me: "You mean that you and Matthew got up last night and did all of this and I didn't hear you? Wow, I must have been tired. This was a wonderful surpise. Thank you."

So...facebook chat on the iTouch comes in handy...allows for my boys to sneak around the house at night :) And in this case, it was a wonderful thing :)

Other than that surprise, my day was just a typical one...drop the boys off at school...go into work...pick up Matthew from school...pick up Robert from school and then drop him back off in the evening to try school wrestling (and then pick him up again).

Well, off to get this day going...take care my blog friends and thank you again for your well wishes! Take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often,

Lisa

November 3

Me with my mom & dad when I came home from the hospital

Once upon a time...well, 43 years to be exact, I was born. And every year I celebrate...but never alone, for I share this special day with my father - whose birthday is today too. 

Dad and my birthday celebration - I was 2 years old



And not only did Dad and I celebrate any  birthday together, but because I was born on his 25th birthday - every milestone birthday for him is one for me.

A Milestone Celebration 18 years ago - Dad's 50th and my 25th

Unfortunately my parents live in Minnesota and I in California - so dad and I will not be able to blow out our candles together, but I wish him a very happy birthday and many, many more! Love you Dad!

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Well, the birthday celebration is probably going to be minimal this year, with DH out of town...the boys have school...I have work...but, there is no hockey tonight so I will be able to veg out with my boys at home; and since evenings at home seem to be a rarity during school and the hockey season, I look at it as a gift :)

And...the temperatures are back up in the 80s today and the sun is forcasted to shine! Another gift that I am looking forward to enjoying :)

And in the mailbox yesterday, there was a card...from Valerie (fogcitydweller):

It was definitely an unexpected surprise...OMG! look at the wonderful Limited Edition colors of thread...thank you so much Valerie! I have a feeling that I will be using one of those colors in my MW when I bring her out to work on soon. :)

Well, I had to jump off the stationary bike to finish my post for the day on the old "big" computer...typically I do a lot of my blogging, facebooking and emailing in the morning on a laptop that I put in the book holder on my stationary bike, but we have some laptop issues (one doesn't seem to want to turn on and the other got a virus again and was acting strange).

So for now, I wish you a happy Wednesday and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

11 years ago today....

Good morning, it is 4:30am here. Do you know what you were doing at this exact time 11 years ago? I do. I was just arriving at the hospital, walked into ER and told them I was in labor. That's right, my baby boy is 11 years old today.

On Monday, May 24, 1999 - Matthew was born at 6:30am - 7lbs 10oz and 21.5 inches long.

I wasn't prepared to go into labor and have him on the 24th...because of the gestational diabetes I had while pregnate with Matthew, I was scheduled to be induced on May 26th. But I guess he had other ideas :)

All day on Sunday, May 23rd I didn't feel very well - but I did go to the dance recital Robert participated in (he was only 3.5 at the time and it was ok to be the only boy in a preschool dance recital) and then, while DH and Robert napped that afternoon, I felt the need to run to the toy store to purchase some "big brother gifts" as well as run to the grocery store to stock up the house. That evening, unlike the prior 2 weeks prior to Matthew's arrival, I was sticken with insomnia and very itchy feet, so I basically stayed up and watched the older Star Wars movies during the wee hours of the morning while DH and Robert (younger son) slept. But that evening/early morning, I started getting strange pains...and by 3am I felt the need to breath through these strange pains...around 3:30am, I decided to wake up DH to let him know that "I thought I might be in labor...but I wasn't sure." So I called up my OBGYN and asked her...when I started breathing through a contraction while on the phone, she decided that I wasn't fooling and told me to get to the hospital.

My mother arrived around 4am (we lived in Minnesota, near family, at the time both boys were born) so DH & I could leave Robert home while going to the hospital. Within 2 hours our second son was born.

Dearest Matthew

Happy 11th Birthday!

It is hard to believe how fast time flies by, which I measure by your physical and mental growth each day. You are one of my cherish miracles and one that sees into my soul.

You provide much love and support to those around you.

Even with your little devilish side,

there is that sparkle in your eye that can put a smiles on ones face.

I am so proud of how your are growing up - with an interest in the world around you and desire to better yourself.
Matthew, I love you and feel very blessed to wake up every day to your smiling face!

Happy 11th Birthday...

Mom

My new friend - the mailman :) and a new book to inspire me to think

Well the mailman was kind to me yesterday as I received a package from Amazon.UK. That box was carrying a birthday present for my soon-to-be 11 year old, Matthew. The boys have been reading a series of books written by authors from the UK - it is the Tunnel series by the Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams. Robert (older son) saw that Book 4: Closer was published...in the UK...and the US will not get it for another 3-4 months or so. As I did with the other books of the series, I did order it from Amazon.UK. Now, while it will be for both boys...Matthew, as the birthday boy on Monday, has the right to open up the wrapped book and read it first. :)

Also in the box was a book for me: "The Girl on the Wall" by Jean Baggott.
I spotted this book on someone's blog and started to investigate what it was all about - of course anything with needlework typically peaks my interest. When I saw that this was a book about a woman who recorded her life memories/history with her needlework I knew immediately that this was a read that I had to have. I started the book last night - for my bedtime reading - and we definitely engaged in the book just after reading the preface. The frame for this tapestry is interlinking circles ("the circles of life"); within each circle Jean has stitch memories from that period of her life...each chapter in the book takes ones of these circles and talks about what is going on in her life and the world around her. While I haven't gotten too far into the book, one of her reasons for the tapestry and writing the book, which she stated early in the first chapters, caught my eye. Throughout our lives, we typically live it "doing for others", for that is how we were brought up - so the questions that 'pops' in my mind are: what am I doing for me? what do I want? what am I going to leave behind?
Jean seems to have answered these questions for herself by going to school (something that she as a little girl wasn't able to do), specializing in History, as well as recording her history in needlework...she is doing this for herself and 'the girl on the wall' (a photo of her when she was young - her inspiration). 

Me? Well, I feel very good about my life right now (even though DH will be unemployed after next Friday - a new challenge...the next chapter in my book :)). I love being married and a wife/partner/friend to DH. I couldn't imagine my life without him. I love being a mother to Robert & Matthew. All 3 boys (DH included) definitely bring challenge and adventure, as well as love and joy, to my life. So those are the people who I "do for", which does take a lot of my time; but I do try and sneak in some "me" time...the early morning spins on my stationary bike while I catch up on my emails, facebook and blog writing/reading...there is my stitching which I do, when I allow myself to sit and relax...there is my reading in bed before I go to sleep. Life is an adventure - a journey - and right now I am in a pretty good place.

I am excited that I found this book and look forward to reading more of it tonight...and maybe I will have more inspiring things to write about...

Stitching News
I have put the finishing touches on the ornament I have made for Lori from the Ornament Swap and will be putting that in the mail soon. I have also heard from the Friendship Sampler RR ladies, and the last RR I need to stitch on is on its way to my house. After I stitch on it and send it home, I will be done stitching and just waiting to receive mine. Mine will probably be the last one home due to some issues early on, which I will not bore you with right now. I think that it is in the Netherlands...once it leaves there it should take too long to come home...keep your fingers crossed! I got a few stitches put in on MW yesterday - but not enough to really share with you today (maybe I need to find some "me stitching time" today:) ).

Hope you all have a nice Saturday - clear skies and cold temps here in Northern California.

Take care and remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

A gift for me...and the "official" birthday boy

I don't know if you will remember, but I have been (and still am) a participant in the L*K exchange. Round 2 was due in the mail around Thanksgiving...and I did complete mine and sent it to the assigned exchange partner. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the exchange partner hasn't acknowledged receiving what I had created & sent, nor did she send anything to me (it seems that we were eachother's partner). Because I am well aware of "risks" associated with participating in exchanges, I got over it and signed up for Round 3 - I love the people I meet through these exchanges and I love to stitch & finish & share with others. Nevertheless, an Angel Stitcher contacted me and let me know that I will not be forgotten...so without further ado, here is what the mailperson delivered to me yesterday:

"Life's a picnic" by Lizzie Kate

Stitched and finished as a pinkeep by my Angel Stitcher (Lisa V)

And I found the perfect place to show it off...on my little wall shelf with my fruit and vegetable dishwear. This design is so me! Watermelons...strawberries...pears...well, I live on Watermelons (as long as the grocery store has them in stock; we seem to be at a low point right now).

Thank you Lisa...while you definitely didn't have to do this, I so appreciate it and love my new addition to my kitchen shelf, where I will be able to enjoy it every day!

The Bithday Boy

Well, my oldest turned 14 years old yesterday. It is hard to believe. I still remember the day/evening that he arrived...fourteen years ago. I looked like I had swallowed a watermelon, and this is before I ate as much watermelon as I do now. After going into the dr for a check up and complaining that I was getting so big, they decided to do an ultrasound which showed that I would be delivering a baby between 9 to 12 lbs (and I am a pretty small person: 5'3" tall and pre-preg weight was 102...when I was pregnate with Robert I gained 60 pounds). So I was scheduled to be induced the next day; and after 16 hours I had a 9lb 2oz bouncing baby boy. It was one of the most incredible things that I ever experienced (until 3.5 years later when Matthew came along). I am very proud of Robert and all that he has accomplished in his 14 years. I pray that he continues to find excitement and enjoyment in life, learning and physical activity. I feel so blessed that he is in my life!

Happy Birthday Robert!

Robert (now 14years old) and Matthew (10.5 years old)

Have a great day and remember...

Lisa, Love, Laugh and Stitch often - Lisa

Back home and trying to get caught up....but got spoiled instead.

Well, I am back home from the hockey tournament in Chicago. Robert (older son) and I got home at 3:30pm yesterday afternoon...which allowed us to attend Matthew (younger son)'s hockey game, an unexpected joy. We weren't suppose to get home until 10:30pm, but because Robert's team didn't do as well as we hoped, they were done playing Saturday afternoon (for they won 1, lost 2, and tied 1 thus not making it out of their division to play on Sunday)...so we moved our flight up to the 1pm departure. It got us home early enough to drive home, take the suitcase and hockey gear out of the car and jump back in to hear off to the hockey rink. Glad we got to see Matthew and his team play because they won their game...and Matthew even scored a goal! Way to go Matthew...Way to go Devils!

Even though Robert and his team didn't do well, we still had a good time in Chicago. I even had an opportunity to visit with a member of our Friendship Sampler RR group - April. She, her DH and kids came to the Saturday afternoon game (Dad and kids left for a lunch date, giving us time to get to know eachother). April and I took turns do a "show-and-tell-what-is-in-your-needlework-bag". Boy was her's full of fun stuff!!! She even had a few little gifts for me...lookie what I got to add to my stash:

Several Lizzie Kate patterns and a Pine Mountain July kit...how cool is that. Thank you so much April!!! It is opportunities like that...to meet fellow stitchers, that make traveling with the hockey team that much more meaningful.

And while we are talking about fellow stitchers and packages...when I got home last night, there was a package waiting for me on top of the mail pile. It was from CindyMae. "Why would I be getting something form CindyMae?" I asked myself. For I am the one who should be sending her something (like the Christmas Quaker Ornament models that I am just finishing up for her). I opened it up and found this:

 

It was a Birthday package...Joy to the World pattern, Sekas & Co "A Fall Heart", Sekas & Co. "Watercolour Ghosts",  The Prairie Schooler "M*N*O", Just Nan "Diamond Bouquet", and Just Nan "Needle Story"...and a scissor fob, which she stitched and finished her self with cupcakes on it. I love it...and now I definitely have an excuse to splurge/treat myself to a pair of fancy scissors! Boy, did I get spoiled by my stitching friends!

 

Now I am trying to get caught up, for I had 5 loads of laundry to wash, dry and fold. Which I have just about put away. This week the boys have Wednesday off due to Veteran's Day...so we are planning to stay home and have a cleaning day (each son will be assigned several cleaning jobs). The house needs to be cleaned - so this will be a good opportunity.

 

Well, that is all I have to share right now...need to go and make some milk shakes for dessert! Take care...and remember to Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often - Lisa

I am overwhelmed - thank you!

OMG...I finally got my old body out of bed (strange what one day will do to you - bones are creaking and muscles rebelling...LOL). A little late getting up and on the stationary bike, but I managed. Just got the old lap top fired up...finished going through my emails (needed to make sure that there were no pressing issues for this hockey mom/team manager to deal with as we are getting ready to leave for a tournament in Chicago tomorrow morning) and then opened my blog...15 comments!!!!!!

Dearest Blog Friends,

I am so overwhelmed by the bday greeting I have received! I am so amazed at the support, friendship...the community that exists out there in "blog world". And Cindy dedicated a post to announce my bday - "girlfriend, your too much!" Honestly, though, as I write every so often, I am so grateful for the people I have met via blogging. We may never meet each other in person, but the the support and the blessings I receive through the comments and personal emails...well, it is hard to put into words. All I can say is "Thank You".

I did have a nice, quiet bday. It actually started the night before (Birthday Eve) when DH and younger son came home on Monday night from hockey and surprised me with a bouquet of balloons and a beautiful Hydranga plant. Yesterday morning, anytime DH or one of the boys entered the room, they would greet me with a "Happy Birthday". After fixing breakfast and the boys' lunches, I opened the cards from family and friends - and a gift from my parents. The rest of the day when on as normal - including my turn to carpool to hockey practice and attending a team managers board meeting. I did come with birthday treats, as I made some chocolate chip cookies and banana bread to share. For some, it might not sounds like much - but it is the little things that I will take away that mean so much and made my birthday special...the comments from blog friends, the acknowledgement on facebook, the balloons/hydranga surprise, the home made bday card and birthday hockey card from the boys. I am truely blessed!

Now...it is time to change gears as I have to start getting ready to leave town with my older son. We leave tomorrow for a tournament in Chicago. I have already stocked the house with all younger son's and DH's favorites as they are staying home (young son has school and a hockey game). Since finishing Trick or Treat (at least the stitching, I will need to "finish-finish" it in order to use it as decoartion next year), I have been putting the finishing stitches in the CindyMae Design models of Christmas Ornaments...so, this afternoon I will have to kit up a couple of things to take with me on the trip...especially for the 4 hour plane ride! I have a few Christmas Ornaments Exchanges I need to work on, so this would be a good time to do that!

So...as you see, I am in exchange and model stitching mode right now...so, definitely no pics. As soon as these are complete, it will be time to seriously get a start on MW, don't you think!

Well...thank you all again! Remember....Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Over 40 years ago...

November 3...at 9am central time, I entered the world - always to share my birthday with another important person in my life...my father, for I was born on his 25th birthday (sorry dad, I had to share that fact). Unfortunately, we don't get an opportunity to celebrate together as much for dad & mom are in Minnesota and I am here - but

Happy Birthday Dad!

 

Happy Birthday Lisa! 

 

I am proud of my age...for the most part. Most of the time, I don't feel like someone who is over 40 years old. What is that suppose to feel like anyway? I wake up early in the morning (the majority of the time) and spin on my stationary bike 1-2 hours, take a morning walk with DH and the dog and walk the kids to school (but yes, my body isn't what it use to be; things are settling in different places). I am able to keep up the boys and all their activities and running arounds (but I don't keep up with the house cleaning...that isn't due to age, that is just due to priorities...and probably a little laziness). My face is changing, but I have been working hard at keeping the crows feet and age lines at bay.

What is over 40 suppose to feel like? Well, I think it is suppose to feel like, whatever I feel...age is attitude and while there are always the daily struggles (especially lately), keeping a good attitude, a positive attitude can keep you feeling, acting and looking young. I have a 91 year old grandmother and she is my role model on how to live and how to stay young and how to be proud of your age. Everywhere she goes, when she introduces herself she says, "Hi I am Dolores and I am over 90 years old." 

Well...I will conclude this birthday post with this:

Just for today, I will appreciate all that I have in life...

When you live in the present moment, time stands still.  Accept your circumstances and live them.  If there is an experience ahead of you, have it!  But if worries stand in your way, put them off until tomorrow.  Give yourself a day off from worry.  You deserve it.  Some people live with a low-grade anxiety tugging at their spirit all day long.  They go to sleep with it, wake up with it, carry it around at home, in town, to church, and with friends.  Here’s a remedy:  Take the present moment and find something to laugh at.  People who laugh, last. ~by Barbara Johnson

Thank you for visiting and taking time to reach the end of this post. The warmth of your support I get from your visits mean the world to me! Take care of yourself...enjoy the moment...appreciate what you have and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

My new 10 year old!

"Where has the time gone?" Isn't that the question that we ask ourselves when we see our children grow up - celebrate an achievement or a birthday? Well, my "baby" turns 10 today. It is amazing! As Bubbie (my grandmother who past away November 2008) use to say, "Lisa, you have no more babies - you have only young men." Matthew is my youngest; he is a sweetheart and my social child. There is a mysterious connection he & I have, for he always seems to sense when I am out of sorts - giving me a little wink, an extra hug or a sweet "hello". Except for the day he was born (a quick 2.5 hours of labor), he isn't in any rush to do anything (well, except for homework so that he can go play).
On Friday, he was able to invite his 2 best friends over for a slumber party. It was a very nice evening and the boys found that our old 9-in-1 game table (pool table, fuse ball, ping-pong, etc) was very entertaining. I was worried that the other boys might be bored because we don't have any of the popular electronic (like wii or psps or gameboys). But they played fuse ball and pool, making up different games and taking turns most of the evening. Around 9:30, I got out some glow-in-the-dark sticks and took them for a walk around the block. The sticks curved and the ends attached - I was amazed all the different things they came up with during our 45 minute walk...necklaces, bracelettes, earrings, nose rings, glasses and so on. After the walk it was time for some ice cream & cookies, pjs, brush teeth and then at 11pm, time to get in the sleeping bags. I went up to get in bed myself and fell asleep...around 3:30 some giggling woke me up and I found Matthew and one of his friends still up. I told them that they needed to settle down and get some sleep, which I think that they finally did...only to wake up around 7:30am. Matthew thought it was one of his best birthday's ever! Happy Birthday Matthew! I love you!

Saturday, one of the mother's picked up all the boys and took them to another birthday party (I guess May is a popular bday month!). Having the afternoon free, I decided that this would be a good opportunity to look for a sewing machine. I haven't sewn on a machine since 7th or 8th grade when they had home ec in school, but because I am inspired to make different things out of my finished projects, I wanted to get one. Just a machine that does the basic stitches...nothing fancy...not too expensive, but I wanted something reliable. I choose a Brother sewing machine. So far, all I have done is threaded the needle...I do want to play with it a little and practice...however, I have a big deadline!!!! My Prairie Schooler Exchange is due June 1! So, from 3pm until 11pm last night (with a few breaks in between) I worked on my piece. I am about 85% done with stitching it and plan to be done by tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. It is nice to have this weekend to relax and stitch! So, since this is an exchange piece, I will not be able to show you any progress photos...but I will keep you updated on the progress.

On another note regarding the Friendship Sampler RR...I have received the next one for me to stitch a heart on (Diana from The Netherlands). I will need to get out and get another piece of fabric to re-start mine and get it back in the mailing circle (we still have not heard from the lady who has mine and another RR "hostage"). The other lady (whose RR is missing), unfortuantely decided to quit - we all in the group are very saddened by her decision, but totally understand. She not only lost her stitch piece, but special silk floss, and very nice zippered bags...and just the fact that it was a disappointment. I was planning to go back to my "not so" LNS this weekend to get some fabric, but the traffic our of the area where I live is really congested due to the holiday weekend. So, I will have to wait or order something on line.

Well, Matthew and I will veg-out this afternoon - maybe go out for his birthday. My DH and other son are in Anaheim, CA for a hockey tournament (which they are doing pretty good - wone 2 and lost 1...they have another game this afternoon around 3:30pm). They are due back tomorrow some time depending if they make it to the championship game.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend! Remember...Live, Love, Laugh...and stitch often!
Lisa