Weekend Update

I've had a busy weekend, I was involved in more fundraising events which for some reason really tired me out. In seven weeks I'm going to the Dominican Republic with 10 students, we're participating in a Social Justice Awareness project, living with Dominican families for a week and being exposed to the developing nation side of the D.R., not the resort side. This project has been a lot of work, and has been in progress since about May/June 2009. Finally were down to the final days. In my running around for this weekend's fundraising efforts I've put over 200KMs on my car! I lost a lot of my precious stitching time this afternoon/evening taking a nap! I was just exhausted! I hope after this weekend we are very close to our fundraising goal!

When I've had the energy to this weekend I've been working on Tour Des Marques and the project is coming right along nicely!

I am still keeping up with the Photo A Day project. One of them, Saturday's photo I can't wait to share with you... its totally stitching related!

Thursday January 14 - We have had more freezing drizzle and fog, which can make nature look beautiful! I pulled out my macro lens for this one again. The a closeup of the ice crystals on one of the evergreens in my yard.

Thursday January 14 BONUS! - I thought this was just too cute! Hunter was watching me through the window while I was traipsing around in the snow in my yard taking my pictures. Sometimes I wonder what's going through my cat's head.

Friday January 15 - Gassing up! Filling up the tank for running the roads this weekend.

Saturday January 16 - My new stitching chair! I've always wanted a recliner and while I was in Costco on Friday night, I spotted this baby and the price was too good to be true. When I got home from the grocery run I told Todd all about it. Saturday morning, Todd headed out with his truck and trailer to be at Costco for when it opened and picked it up for me. A very early birthday present (combined with some Christmas/Bday money from my Mum too), which isn't until the end of March. But if you shop in Costco you know that one day they have lots and two days later they're all out and they never get anymore in. I love my new stitching chair!

Sunday January 17 - This is something I've spotted from time to time, running shoes that have been thrown onto power lines. Is this a form of teenage cruelty/bullying? Is there's a reason/ritual, just for fun? Has anyone ever seen this in their area? I spotted these shoes while driving home from our fundraising event and just had to photograph the shoes!

Photo Hunt "Pink"

Just a drive by posting... I'm heading out for work in just a few minutes. Thank you all of you for your wishes that my migraine would go away, it did! I didn't have to take anything yesterday, a good day!

So here's a quick Photo Hunt, the theme is "Pink"

I took this, playing with my macro lens, my bleeding hearts... I need a little colour and beauty at this stage in the winter when everything is grey/brown/white!

Stitching, Pictures n' Stuff

I had a rough day yesterday with a bad migraine, which meant time in bed and no stitching, Taekwon-Do, etc. I hate migraine days, it started to creep back today but I took meds instead of bed, I didn't want it to knock me down again.

I did get to stitch today, and of course Tour came back out again. Finally, I am in love with this piece! I was recently asked via my blog comments, how many pages is this chart, it has a total of 8 pages, but pages 7/8 don't have a lot of stitching to them. If you'd like to see the full design, go here.

Now I've got a couple of more pictures a day for you.

Tuesday January 12 - A view into the village from my driveway. Across the park's parking lot there is a small and seldom used graveyard with this beautiful stone building. I don't know the history of this building if its the original church or its purpose, the Anglican church has been around since 1845. I think I should ask some of the good ole' boys who hang out at the General Store, they know everything!

Wednesday January 13 - My Christmas cactus has gifted me with a second bloom this winter season... for some reason I get just one or two blooms a year. Probably not caring for it properly. I pulled out my macro lens for this one.

Tonight I recommitted myself to going to the gym... yup a paid membership going unused. Well, only unused since October when I started focusing on my 3rd Degree Black Belt testing. Its been a battle get get myself back in there, but today I finally did and it felt great! So I'm hoping going to the gym two times a week and Taekwon-Do two times a week will be the right combination to beat my weight back down again.

I haven't really talked about my weight loss battle in a long time. Though I am a Lifetime Member at Weight Watchers (via Doctor's note), it really is a lifetime battle! It has been just as much of a fight to keep my weight down/off. When I last weighed in at the beginning of December I was JUST within my 2lbs limit before you have to pay for your meeting (it creeped up a bit that week before I was off for holidays). I'm half way through January and I'm working really hard to get back down within my 2lbs limit... now don't get me wrong I didn't pig out over the holidays (though I did enjoy it), I worked really hard to loose 1lb over the two week Christmas/New Years season. This week I was back up just a little bit (half a pound I don't know why), which was rather deflating but I've picked myself back up and I'm working at it again. So let me share with any of you out there who is in the weight loss battle, its not an easy road, and its not a short road... but its worth the effort.

Finished a Page and Moving On

I took it pretty easy this weekend, after I took care of my one commitment on Saturday morning. The rest of my weekend was spent stitching and napping, and I really needed it!

Saturday I finished up page 4 of Tour des Marques and started page 5, its moving along nicely and all I want to do is work on this piece.

I have managed to keep taking a picture a day... 11 days strong and still going!

Friday January 8 -Public transport, I'm so glad I don't have to take the bus anymore!

Saturday January 9 - Tracks in the snow

Sunday January 10 - Keeping warm, Hunter waiting for the heat to kick in

Monday January 11 - Happy Birthday Mum! Mum's birthday flowers.

Almost Finished A Page

Thanks to all of you for your tips about my tired eyes. They are still bothering me, burning a little, I've picked up some drops so hopefully that will help. I must not be looking too great lately, today two co-workers asked me if I was feeling well, one said she could tell my eyes were really bothering me. Guess I looked like crap when I left the house this morning! But on the up side a fellow asked me when he had to see some paperwork with my date of birth on it if I was often told I looked much younger than my age. That was a good boost to the ole' morale!

The first week back to work is always a long and tiring one! What stitching time I've managed to get in so far this week (1-2 hours an evening) I've spent working on Tour des Marques. Tonight I finished all the over one on page 4 and have gotten a start on the backstitching and with luck I'll have time to wrap it up tomorrow evening.

I have been faithful at taking a picture a day ... so far. Here's Monday-Thursday in pictures.

Monday January 4th - In honour of my first day back at work, the view from my workstation!

Tuesday January 5th - The woodpile at my parents place with a fresh dusting of snow

Wednesday January 6th - Picking up the mail

Thursday January 7th - Downtown Ottawa, pigeons cuddled up against the cold on a grate. I had to drop some paper work downtown today, and I had planned to walk up to Parliament Hill, which I've photographed several times now, and thought these guys were more interesting... and they were just outside the door of the building I had to visit. Much more convenient!

Here's a bonus for you, a PhotoHunt! The theme is "Flags"

This is form my trip to Montreal with my Mum this summer, international flags on the grounds of the "Big O" in Montreal where the 1976 Olympics were held.

Urgh, My Eyes Hurt!

I think I've been stitching wayyy too much since Tuesday! Today my eyes hurt! Not my hands or wrists but eyes! I tried to work on Tour but my eyes wouldn't let me, then I tried to work on Art Deco Spirits and had to give up. I spent a few hours on the computer visiting blogs, and tagging my pictures in Photoshop Elements.

This evening I was able to pull Art Deco Spirits back out and I've got all the white done on the Earth block and moved onto some more purple/blue.

Seeing as this is the start of a new month, I suppose I should set out my goals for January!

January Goals

Stitch 1 ornament

Finish Lettres A Mon Chat

Work on Tour des Marques

Work on Art Deco Spirits

Blogiversary Gift (very overdue!)

I've gotten a few PhotoHunts (still haven't completed last year's list) ready so here's the next one "Creamy"

These were dessert and one of the retreats I went to a few years ago, yummy and creamy!

I also took my daily picture, since it was cold, windy, and snowy today we didn't go anywhere so here's a Hunter shot!

Ends and New Beginnings

Happy New Year to all my friends and family!

I'm looking to at 2010 with lots of optimism, I think there is a good year ahead of me, but then a year can only be as good as we make it. I intend to have a great year! I've already got a few things lined up that I'm looking forward to this year. First is my trip to the Dominican Republic at the beginning of March. I won't be staying at a resort, but going with students from work, where we'll be participating in the Dominican Experience, billeted with families and seeing the 3rd world country side of the D.R. About a week after my return from the D.R. is the March Timberhouse retreat. Followed by the Billy Talent concert near the end of March and Nicleback in April. Much to look forward to already!

I've started off the New Year the same way as many other years... here was the ort jar at the end of 2009....

Here it is at the start of 2010... the ceremonial emptying of the ort jar!

I'd like to do a quick review of my highlights of 2009, from this standpoint I know I had a good year.

- Right Foot is now pain free

- Saw Claire 3 times

- Saw my first Space Shuttle launch

- Stitching Get Togehters and Retreats

- Great Concerts

- Lifetime at Weight Watchers achieved

- Raised over $900 for Breast Cancer Research

- Completed Run For The Cure 5K in under 30min.

- Ran 10K

- Helicopter ride

- Received 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-Do

My favourite stitched project of 2009 was Blackstone Fantasy Garden by Ink Circles

My last project for 2009 was not Lettres A Mon Chat as I had hoped, but an ornament instead.

Pointsettia Freebie

c2009 Alchemy Stitchcraft

Stitched on : 32ct Natural linen

Stitched with : GAST and Mill Hill Beads

My first finish for 2010 is Lettres A Mon Chat

Lettres A Mon Chat (clickable)

c2006 Isabelle Vauthier

Stitched on : 28ct Vintage Red Linen

Stitched with : DMC & Silk n' Colors

My second (yes you read it right!) finish and first ornament for 2010 is

Celtic Ice (kit)

c2008 Ink Circles

Stitched on : 28ct Windowpane Linen

Stithced with : Carrie's Threads

You could almost count the above project as my new start for 2010, I started it this morning before Todd and I left Rebbecca's after I finished Lettres a Mon Chat. We rung in the New Year the same way for the last three years, with a visit to Rebbecca and her family's home. Its a low key New Year, with a great meal, stitching, and movies! This year we were having such an enjoyable time we stayed two days!

This year instead of starting a new big project on New Year's Day, I have decided to finish what I've got on the go in my stitching basket (but I reserve the right to change my mind and start a new project at any time). I've even taken pictures... admitting to everything that's lurking in there! I dare you to admit to your started and yet not finished projects!

Tour Des Marques by The Silver Lining

Art Deco Spirits by Mirabilia

Celestial Dragon by Teresa Wentzler

The Accolade by Gitta's

Various class pieces from past Creativ Festivals and odd small projects

Something I'm going to try this year which appealed to me is to take a photo a day. Heidi mentioned this on her blog and the idea sounds cool. I don't know if I'm going to actually be able to do this but I'd like to. Above is my photo for January 1st, Rebecca's boys being silly (a little young for gang signs don't you think) for the camera. My picture for January 2nd could be any of the above stitching pictures or my ort jar!

In my mind I had originally planned a deeper and more eloquent New Year post, but its late and I wanted to get something up here before another day went by, so this will have to do!